The beaches just get better and better with every turn in Praia de Pipa
The moment you touch the sand at Praia de Pipa you know you are in a special place, with steep Neapolitan-colored cliffs in both directions, dolphins jumping at Praia dos Golfinos, and the wonderful cobble stone streets cross-hatched on the hillside. If you are considering a romantic getaway to the northeast coast of Brazil, Praia de Pipa is not to be missed.

(Above) As we explored beyond the main beach, we were rewarded with this amazing view down the coast. This is one of dozens of beaches comprising Pipa, each secluded in its own tall cliff cove.

Pipa is an wonderful blend of artisans and honeymooners alike. You can enjoy the local musicians and jewelers about town, or you can spend your days in the spa overlooking the magnificent cliffs and shopping along the cobblestone streets.

The rock formations were amazing all along the coastline, especially when the three colors were so distinct, as seen here at Praia de Amor, with the black lava rock, white sandstone and the red-clay top layer.

A view looking down to Pipa, a short hike from town. Like many of the beaches they can only be accessed during low tide, so get a jump on the day if you plan to explore.

Long arching coves make this region excellent for exploring. This cove is called Praia dos Golfinos, which means beach of the dolphins, and it did not disappoint, we saw numerous Flippers frolicking about.

The waves at Pipa were awesome in the morning at low tide. We rented some boards and got in a few hours. Anne caught her first true wave (not counting the ones she grew up boogie boarding in California). As an added bonus some dolphins came by for a visit during our session.

Here, some local kids getting in one last game of futebol on the sandbar before the sun retires for the day. One of our favorite times each evening is the 30-40 minutes after sunset, the sky is even more beautiful than during sunset and the reflections are magnificent. Plus, you usually have the beach to yourself since most jet the moment the sun crosses the horizon.

Pipa was phenomenal—charming town, amazing food, great nightlife, and a never-ending supply of beaches to explore. If you are looking for a relaxing get-away on the coast of Brazil, make sure Pipa is on your short list.

Much love from Brazil,
Mike & Anne
www.HoneyTrek.com

Taking Off…In Style
Anne & Mike start their honeymoon around the world with a first class liftoff to Brazil!

After years of dreaming (and saving), our HoneyTrek has finally begun! No matter how much planning you do for a trip like this, the week before you put your life on pause for the next  500 days will be madness. Still frantically packing, we didn’t sleep a minute before our flight and just when we were about at our wits end, we made it to the airport to find the ultimate reward: First class seats all the way from snowy New York to sunny Brazil.

Our friends over at Copa Airlines took amazing care of us the entire way, from our ultra fast and smooth check-in, to the plush seats with ridiculous leg room and three-course meals on both legs. The service was excellent, everyone had a smile on their face and the dining experience was top notch  (loved their poached salmon and asparagus!) The little details weren’t overlooked either, from the hot towel before our meal to choosing the toppings on our ice cream sundae, the pampering was just what we needed.

Though it was only 11AM, we were so excited we had to enjoy a glass of champagne on our first leg and toast the fact that our HoneyTrek was officially underway….in style. https://twitter.com/#!/HoneyTrek/status/161082164946022401

We wanted to extend a huge thank you to Copa Airlines and Honeymoons.com for making this upgrade to Manaus,Brazil happen; it has definitely set our honeymoon on the right foot, poised for luxury, relaxation, and as always, adventure.

Much love from Brazil,

Mike & Anne

www.HoneyTrek.com

Their Ultimate Hideaways and Insider Tips Will Be Revealed on Honeymoons.com
A recently married New York couple, Anne and Mike Howard, are making their dreams come true and taking off on a 500-day honeymoon to search out the world’s most romantic places and most memorable adventures.

Sponsored by destination wedding and honeymoon expert, Honeymoons.com, Anne and Mike will post their own travel tips and secrets via their blog on Honeymoons.com. Couples who are about to embark on their own honeymoons or romantic trips can follow Anne and Mike around the globe via their blog on Honeymoons.com as well as the couple’s own blog, HoneyTrek.com

Their itinerary will take them through five continents, exploring big cities, small towns and remote areas. It will include luxury and boutique hotels, as well as 2-4 star properties and even beach huts and mountain cabins around the globe. At each stop, they will blog about their out-of-the-box experiences and share their insider tips on outstanding places to stay and exciting things to do—or not to do—as they begin their new life together.  Future honeymooners   who may not have as much time to travel will get plenty of ideas of where to go and what to do as they follow the Howards around the world.

Anne Collins Howard, 29, is a decorating and design editor and her husband, Mike Howard, 34, has been a digital media strategist and entrepreneur since 1999. After working hectic full-time jobs for years, they knew their honeymoon was their big chance to indulge in the exotic and far-flung places they’d always dreamt about.

As they travel to some of the world’s most romantic places and embark on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, they will share every enviable detail on Honeymoons.com.  They’ve planned a mix of everything from extreme adventure travel to relaxing days on sun-drenched beaches, amid some of the world’s most breath-taking scenery.
Traveling with romance as their guide, they are leaving their itinerary flexible as they fall in and out of love with each new locale. Chasing summer, they are timing their trip for the best weather and optimal times to experience each country’s wonders.
Starting their journey on the comfort of Copa Airlines, they have just landed in Brazil to revel in the world-famous Carnaval,  will go on to tango in Argentina, safari in Tanzania, scuba dive the Maldives, wander the temples of Thailand, and ring in Chinese New Year in Asia…and this is only the beginning.
“Whether it’s 16 days or 16 months, there is no bonding experience better than travel,” says Anne. “So when it came to planning our honeymoon, we thought an around-the-world trip would be the ultimate foundation for our new life together. We hope our story will inspire other couples to discover all the wonders the world has to offer. See you on the road!”

About Honeymoons.com
Since 1996, the goal at Honeymoons.com is to cover the world and provide in-depth travel and resort information to brides- and grooms-to-be. The site’s in-depth resources help the destination honeymoon market research and book the ultimate escape. Whether it’s a destination wedding, a custom itinerary, a honeymoon package or an all-inclusive honeymoon resort, Honeymoons.com helps newlywed couples book the dream vacation getaway.

Introducing Honeymoons.com’s favorite newlyweds and newest bloggers, Anne and Mike Howard. Follow the couple as they take the ultimate honeymoon—a 500 day trip around the world!

At a fateful happy-hour two years ago, friends of ours told us they were taking a honeymoon around the world. Our jaws dropped to the floor then stuttered out, “What do you mean? Is that even possible?” They were just going to quit their jobs and go. The concept seemed unfathomable but yet affixed itself to our brains from that moment on.

Mike and my love for travel runs deep. With a mother who was a flight attendant all through her 20s and Mike’s parents who were known for their spontaneous ski trips to the Alps, we were taught traveling is an essential part of living. In our five years of dating, we’ve been to nine countries and have constantly been thinking, where to explore next? So when it came to picking a place for our honeymoon, we knew one exotic beach wasn’t going to satisfy this case of wanderlust.

So which place did we settle on? The world. As of January 22, 2012, Mike and I are celebrating our marriage with a 500-day honeymoon around the globe and are thrilled to be chronicling our adventure in our new blog on Honeymoons.com.

The Honeymoon Itinerary
The plan is to go the places too far to visit while we have a job and too rugged to do when we’re old (I’m a 29 year-old design editor and Mike is a 34-year old digital media strategist—at least we were, until we quit our jobs last month). This means neighboring Central America and cushy Europe, we’ll see you at a later date. South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania—here we come!

To be honest, our itinerary right now is pretty loose, and we’d like to keep it that way. Of course we’ll be tightening up our plans as we approach each new destination but you never know what you’ll find out there, so we are keeping a little wiggle room for spontaneous inspiration!

Countries we’ll be exploring, in this order:
South America (January-May, 2012)
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Uruguay
- Chile
- Bolivia
- Peru

Africa: (June-August 2012)
- South Africa
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Seychelles

Asia (August 2012-October 2012)
- Nepal
- Tibet
- China
- Japan
- South Korea

Southeast Asia (November 2012-February 2013)
- Philippines
- Laos
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia

Oceania (March-May 2013)
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji

Honeymooning Adventures
From celebrating Rio de Janeiro´s Carnival, hiking Machu Picchu, sunbathing in the Seychelles Islands, safari in Tanzania, scuba diving Australia´s Great Barrier Reef, we want to experience the most exciting and romantic things each of these 29 countries has to offer. If you are planning a honeymoon or anniversary getaway, we hope our adventures will inspire your once-in-a-lifetime trip. It is going to be one heck of a journey—one which we’d love you to participate in, from observing, commenting, asking questions to offering your suggestions, even requests!

We hope you’ll join us for the ride…
Anne & Mike Howard
www.HoneyTrek.com

Calling all men who want to capture one of the best moments of your life!

***

Tides Riviera Maya’s ‘Paparazzi Proposal’
Captures Candid Memories of Life’s Most Romantic Moment

Daybed at the beach.

Men should be jumping on planes with their loved ones and heading to Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico!  Getting engaged is one of the most important moments in a couple’s life,  and while you will remember it forever, what if you could also capture it with candid photos?  Couples will come away from the proposal with a keepsake like none other: a photographic documentary of the special moment and your emotional reactions to it?

The Tides Riviera Maya has created the Paparazzi Proposal to assure that guests who are getting engaged will, indeed, remember the moment forever – and feel like celebrities when they look back on that romantic time.  Prospective grooms can ask the resort for a  “paparazzi” to take secret shots of the proposal. But that’s not all:  the photographer also secretly shoots the two of you at various moments during your stay, then surprises your fiancé with a CD of images capturing the special time together. Because hundreds of images are taken, to easily view them they are loaded into a program that allows you to quickly scan through the photos creating a movie effect.

As a favorite escape for romance, The Tides Riviera Maya caters to couples with special services designed to assure that their stay is exceptional. The Paparazzi Proposal evolved in response to a guest’s request – and was so successful that it is now offered to anyone planning to pop the question.

Favorite Places to Pop the Question:
The Tides offers some exceptionally beautiful places for prospective grooms to propose:
§         On the deck at the edge of the Pier, at a table for two, overlooking the warm Caribbean water with the lights of Cozumel in the distance
§         In the jungle, surrounded by lush tropical foliage, in a little clearing with benches and spider monkeys romping overhead
§         Next to a waterfall in a jungle spa room for couples
§         On the patio of your luxury villa, with candles lighting your private plunge pool
§         On an outdoor daybed for two, on the sandy beach at the ocean’s edge

The Tides Riviera Maya is a serene hideaway that merges every luxury amenity with dramatic sea and jungle, bringing together the best of the destination. The public areas –including the restaurant and lounge, swimming pool and day beds – are set by sugary white sands lapped by the warm Caribbean. Behind this open beachfront area are all of the private villas immersed in a jungle ambiance, dense with ferns, palms and guava trees, that is the playground of a resident family of friendly spider monkeys. Every villa features a completely private patio and plunge pool, outdoor shower, and a high-ceiling, thatched-palapa roof that resonates with the jungle environment. A maze of pathways meanders gently through the landscape, leading guests on a journey of the senses.

A major renovation is currently in progress at the resort that will be completed in December 2011. The highlights include: 11 new villas, bringing the total to 41 villas; a new entrance, motor court and reception area; a new grill restaurant by the sand and a reconfiguration and remodeling of the existing lounge and fine-dining restaurant; a complete redo of The Tides Villa and cosmetic upgrades to the other existing 29 villas; and a new gym and gift shop.

The Tides is organically connected to, and embodies, the destination’s historical roots. It melds luxury with Mayan cultural and spiritual influences to shape an inimitable guest experience not found at any other resort on the Riviera Maya or anywhere else. All guests arrive to a Mayan Blessing, performed by the Mayan shaman on staff, designed to release you from your cares and worries and step into a new, relaxed beginning at The Tides Riviera Maya. La Marea, the fine-dining restaurant that is being relocated to an ocean-view loft, serves “Mayaterranean” cuisine blending Mayan cooking and Mediterranean techniques. At the spa, Mayan healing techniques and traditions infuse every aspect of the guest experience.

The six-acre resort is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula 40 miles south of Cancun and its international airport, and three miles north of popular Playa del Carmen, known for its beach scene, restaurants, boutiques and nightlife.  From The Tides, guests may stroll miles of beautiful white-sand beach along the spectacular Riviera Maya coast. The resort has its own pier where guests sunbathe, enjoy massages, savor romantic dinners, and may be conveniently picked up by boat for snorkeling, diving and other excursions. Opened in 2002, the resort originally was called Ikal del Mar, becoming The Tides Riviera Maya in 2006.

About The Tides
The Tides collection of hotels and resorts enjoys superlative coastal locations and chic-by-the-shore settings that invite guests to unwind and reconnect. Each Tides destination offers culturally inspired leisure and wellness experiences delivered with style, spirit and intuitive service. With The Tides South Beach in Miami, Florida as its flagship, the collection also includes The Tides Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and The Tides Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Forthcoming developments include The Tides Sugar Beach on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, which is currently operating as Jalousie Plantation. The official website for The Tides is www.thetidesresorts.com.

For additional information on The Tides Riviera Maya or to make a reservation:  toll-free 866-332-1672, reservations@tidesrivieramaya.com, or www.tidesrivieram

A couples dream MINI-MOON!

A great trip AND complimentary nights! Check out these hotels offering special packages providing guests with complimentary nights this Summer and into Fall – one in the heart of Rome and the other in the Costa Rican Rainforest.

Experience the Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome!  Guests are rewarded this  summer  with Complimentary Nights

ROME, June 22, 2011- “Grand hotel via Veneto” (www.ghvv.it), Rome’s newest five-star luxury hotel, which delicately and painstakingly married two 19th Century buildings to create a modern day masterpiece, is giving back with an exclusive promotion from July 19th to September 10th offering guests a complimentary night with stays of at least three nights in either Superior or Deluxe rooms ranging from €290,00 to €390,00 per night, complete with daily breakfast and a welcome aperitif for two, as well as a complimentary room upgrade based on availability.

Looking for something a little more exoitc or tropical….then “Fall” into some great savings with free nights at Nayara Hotel in Costa Rica starting this August!

COSTA RICA, June 22, 2011 – Everybody loves free stuff; particularly when it involves extending a stay in paradise. Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens (www.arenalnayara.com), a luxury retreat set amongst 15 acres of lush tropical gardens and Costa Rican rainforest boasting 44 spacious individual ‘casitas’ overlooking the active Arenal volcano, is allowing guests to extend their immersion in these remarkable surroundings by offering four night stays for the price of three in any suite category from August 15, 2011 – November 10, 2011.  The 4×3 Suite Special, which applies to Casita Suites and Nayara Suites, includes daily breakfast for two and welcome cocktails and starts at $795 per couple, per stay, averaging to less than $200 per night.

There is no wonder that from a cliff 1000 feet above the sea you will feel like you have found heaven. This will be confirmed once you turn around to see the luxury Hotel Caesar Augustus offering you one of the most spectacular vistas on the isle of Capri!

From the rooms and grounds of this marvelous luxury hotel, guests can enjoy views over the  Bay of Naples. The bird’s eye views include the breathtaking scenery of Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, Ischia, and unique views of the island of Capri, celebrated by the famous novelist Axel Munthe, whose Villa San Michele is nearby.

Located on a cliff, high above the Bay of Naples in Anacapri, the hotel occupies one of those rare historic sites that has hosted not just celebrity, but nobility and newlyweds since the 9th century A.D.

The property has 55 guest rooms and suites arrayed with stylish Italian furnishings, as well as balconies and terraces with spectacular sea and island views. As the island’s only Relais & Chateaux address, Hotel Caesar Augustus is as inviting indoors and out, with open-air features including private outdoor spa treatment rooms – perfect for couple’s massages – as well as al fresco fitness, Turkish bath and relaxation areas surrounded by natural rocks and plantings.

This incredible experience does not stop with the view, since romance has long been a tradition at Hotel Caesar Augustus, couples are in for a decadent and memorable experience.  Imagine a blissful start to your married life with a luxury suite accommodation at Hotel Caesar Augustus. Guests can arrange with the hotel to handle all of their transfers to and from the hotel and the port of Capri.

Couples can also request champagne, flowers and a gift in your suite upon arrival to surprise one another followed by daily breakfast served to your guest suite or enjoy a candlelit gourmet dinner at La Terrazza de Lucullo.  Be sure to reserve a  private boat or taxi to tour the Isle of Capri and don’t forget to schedule a couples massage at the Hotel Caesar Augustus Spa!

www.caesar-augustus.com

Drum Roll Please….

And the AWARD goes to…….

With the first annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards “underway” those looking for the best cruise possible should take notice of this years FIRST place winner, The SeaDream 1.

The SeaDream 1

The hard to impress cruise critics gave their VOTES and The SeaDream I placed #1 for Service in the Small Ship category! Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief of Cruise Critic announced, “Cruise Critic members who have reviewed the ship are clearly very happy with their cruise experience,” Carolyn went on to say, “SeaDream I gets excellent ratings for service, which is attentive and formal, without being fussy or intrusive.”

If you ask me, WHAT MORE could a cruiser or HONEYMOON ask for!

Cruise Critic issued awards based entirely on reviews/ratings submitted by cruisers when they posted a cruise review. Cruise Critic, the online guide to cruises, is one of the most influential travel sites on the web. With a world-renowned editorial staff, it provides objective cruise reviews, features, ports-of-call profiles and destination information.

With some vacations on the sea getting labeled as boring or boats being referred to as overcrowded people movers, the SeaDream Yacht Club offers something new and exotic for couples looking for a true yachting experience. The best thing about it, these ships are casual, unstructured and high end with aspects that appeal to even the most distinguished traveler.

The company boasts, “no clocks, no crowds, no lines, no stress.”

Together with their sister vessel SeaDream II, SeaDream I both offer Chic and stylish decor, personal service, state-of-the-art facilities all while surrounded by a crew of 95! Offering an intimate yachting journey combined with an all inclusive structure including alcohol & gratuities, ocean-view accommodations, luxury spa and world class cuisine! There is no wonder honeymooners find themselves attracted to this amazing and romantic experience.

Itineraries include the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Amazon. “It’s yachting, not cruising” Enjoy the difference. For further details visit www.SeaDream.com or phone 800 707-4911.

CALLING ALL FOODIES!!!
WE HAVE GOT THE HONEYMOON FOR YOU!

Florence Italy, Sunset

Let us introduce you to “Gourmet on Tour”!

Gourmet on Tour , was started in 2000, by Judith von Prockl, a highly acclaimed travel specialist who was seeking the ultimate one-of-a-kind culinary adventure experience. From her initial vision to present day, GOT has become exactly what she dreamed of! Now, her award-winning culinary tours can be arranged around the world, giving attendees a unique opportunity to learn local cuisine and culture together. There are over 80 luxury cooking and wine tours awaiting food connoisseurs, ranging from half a day to a weekend or week. Gourmet on Tour thoroughly arranges everything from hands-on cooking classes to access and tours of exclusive wineries.

We know that this trip will leave you thrilled in addition to your taste buds satisfied! In fact, we were just made aware that Gourmet On Tour has won the 2011 IACP Award of Excellence Culinary Tour Operator demonstration achievement in culinary tourism!

The Gourmet-on-Tour cooking class in Florence Italy, Tuscany

Since starting Gourmet On Tour in 2000, Judith has seen a great rise in filling a gastronomic void—by catering to avid foodies looking for the ultimate in culinary tours featuring gourmet food and fine wine experiences. Judith has just launched a wildly successful cooking tour to Shanghai—in addition to customized food and wine tours to over 80 countries that Gourmet On Tour is already renowned for.

And we have even greater news….this year will see Gourmet On Tour will be offering new cooking vacations to:

• Italy—Rome and Puglia
• France—Gascony and Normandy
• U.S.—Santa Fe, New Mexico

Judith, founder of Gourmet on Tour says, “Food is the common language. Culinary holidays are perfect for more seasoned and hungry travelers who prefer to participate in, rather than observe, another culture.” Honeymooners that want to fall in love as they taste and enjoy the spices of life, this is the perfect voyage for you!

Pat claims, “While we love organizing unique experiences that our travelers couldn’t have otherwise done on their own—from private cooking classes with Michelin-starred chefs to accessing exclusive wine cellars—we’re also mindful of preserving local food cultures and support local food businesses around the world”.

This amazing style of travel is something worth looking into! To learn more about Gourmet on Tour, visit their website @ http://www.gourmetontour.com

Cheers!

Went to ITB~ ENJOY SOME OF THE AMAZING THINGS WE EXPERIENCED!

Honeymoons.com Attends ITB-Berlin