Honeymooning in the U.S. Virgin Islands
There are plenty of great islands in the Caribbean, each with wonderful unique features. The sister islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are perennial favorites for honeymooning. The language is English, the currency is the U.S. dollar, and (as of this writing) no passports are required for U.S. citizens, just a photo i.d. and birth certificate. Although they are close together, each island has its own special charm; read on to discover which one of the U.S. Virgin Islands is perfect for your romantic honeymoon adventure.
St. Thomas is the best known and busiest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a very popular cruise ship destination, so you may choose to make the island either your home base or a stop on a multi-island cruise. Either way, bring your credit card! St. Thomas has lovely beaches, of course, but it is best known as a duty-free shopping mecca. St. Thomas is the perfect place for a new husband to pick out a little honeymoon souvenir for his bride. The island specializes in fine timepieces and jewelry; a special piece to round out her wedding jewelry set would be a wonderful gift for a groom to give his wife.
If you envision a more quiet honeymoon, you will love the serenity and slow pace of nearby St. John. Hop a ferry for a short ride from the St. Thomas airport, and before you know it, you will be on an island paradise. The pace of life on St. John is slow, and the quality of life is high. There are breathtaking beaches, incredible blue waters, and gorgeous natural vistas. St. John is ideal for honeymooners who want little more than to relax on the beach by day, enjoy a leisurely dinner by night, and revel in one another’s company the entire trip.
The third U.S. Virgin Island is St. Croix, and its vibe is in between St. Thomas and St. John. You will not find the bustling shops of St. Thomas here, but there are more activities available than on St. John. Some of the favorite things to try while visiting St. Croix are hiking, biking, snorkeling, and kayaking. This would be a terrific honeymoon destination for a couple who wants a beach vacation with plenty of outdoor pursuits.
Filed under Honeymoons, Wedding Jewelry | Tags: honeymoon destinations, St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Wedding Jewelry | Comment (0)Romantic Italian Honeymoons
There are a number of excellent reasons to choose Italy for your honeymoon destination. For one thing, it is exotic enough to feel like you are really trying something new, but it is also a very easy place for Americans to get around. The people are very friendly, and at least in the metropolitan areas, most speak English (but they do still appreciate it when tourists make an effort to learn at least a few Italian phrases). And then there is the food, the art, the culture, the countryside, and the shopping; need I say more?
Each part of Italy has something interesting and unique to see. The breathtaking beauty of Tuscany makes it one of the top destinations for newlyweds. You can spend leisurely afternoons enjoying the Tuscan countryside and visiting world class vineyards. A cooking class is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany, as well.
Pay a visit to the Duomo, the impressive cathedral that is a central feature of Florence. Then hop over to the Ponte Vecchio, a famous shop-lined bridge. This is the perfect place to pick up romantic jewelry gifts for your new bride, perhaps something to complement her wedding set. If her wedding jewelry was created in gold, you will find it especially easy to buy coordinating gifts at this iconic shopping district. Speaking of shopping, no trip to Florence would be complete without a trip to the flagship Ferragamo store.
Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it a perfect stop for an Italian honeymoon. Stroll arm in arm alongside the famous canals, and take a ride in a gondola. Sip an espresso in St. Mark’s Square. There are beautiful hotels and inns in every corner of Venice, but for the ultimate experience, book a room overlooking the splendid Grand Canal. Music lovers will enjoy an evening spent at La Fenice, the famous grand opera house. And for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head over to the island of Murano for hand-blown glass.
Rome is another popular destination for honeymooners. It offers incredible architecture and ruins dating back thousands of years. Many of the most famous sites in the world are here, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. While in Rome, also take a side trip to the Vatican to view St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel.Italy is such a romantic and fascinating place to take a honeymoon that the only hard part will be leaving!
Tips for Honeymooning in Europe
The honeymoon is one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the wedding. When you are planning a post wedding getaway to Europe, it is especially exciting. These are some tips to keep in mind to make your European honeymoon as enjoyable as possible.
The first thing that you will need to decide when planning your honeymoon is exactly where you would like to go. Do you prefer to visit one country (perhaps seeing a few of the different cities and main attractions), or would you rather hop around and see as much of Europe as possible? Whichever you decide, there are great resources to help you plan your trip.
Couples who would like to visit some of the major capitals of Europe, such as London, Paris, and Rome, for instance, will find that there are a variety of tour groups and cruises designed to guide you along the way. If you would rather take things at your own pace, it is quite easy to get around Europe by rail; the choice is yours.
If you are planning to honeymoon in a country where English is not the first language, take the time to pick up at least a few key words and phrases in their native tongue. Sure everyone might speak English in the major cities of Germany and Italy, but it is arrogant to make the assumption. Even if you mangle the language, people will be charmed that you have at least made an effort to learn to communicate with them.
What to bring is another key thing to think about for your honeymoon. Europeans are known for their effortless style and panache; you may not be able to duplicate that certain je ne sais quoi, but at least try to look your best. A few basic pieces, like black trousers, a pretty skirt, a white blouse, and a twinset can be made to go a long way. You don’t want to overpack, but do bring some accessories to help you complete the outfits. For instance, if you wore pearl bridal jewelry for your wedding, definitely plan to bring it. Classic bridal jewelry, such as a great strand of pearls, can be used for much more than the wedding.
With these tips in mind, you are sure to have a relaxed and romantic honeymoon. There are few destinations more memorable than the great cities and towns of Europe, especially if it will be your first time seeing them with your significant other. Bon Voyage!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Honeymoons | Tags: Europe, honeymoon destinations, pearl bridal jewelry | Comment (1)European Honeymoon Tips: Part Deux
To make the most of your honeymoon in Europe, it is a good idea to do some advance research and planning, both in books and on the internet. Even if you and your fiance are laid-back people who like to let your adventures unfold naturally, you will find your honeymoon will be much more relaxing and pleasant if you arrange a few things beforehand.
It is great fun to pore through the guidebooks together deciding on the places and events that you definitely want to see. Once you have your list in hand, it is worth it to check out a few important details. For instance, it is often possible to buy admission tickets to museums long before your honeymoon. If you are planning to visit a popular destination such as the Uffizi in Florence, you can save yourself from wasting precious honeymoon hours by having pre-arranged tickets waiting for you when you get there.
Passports can take a long time to order, so plan ahead. If you will be needing a new passport, allow yourself several months or longer for it to arrive. You can check with your local government passport office for the exact time frame. Whatever that is, allow yourself a minimum of one extra month’s cushion. You certainly wouldn’t want to be forced to cancel your honeymoon due to a delayed passport!
When you are traveling for your honeymoon, you will want to bring some special outfits to wear for all of those romantic dinners. At the same time, it is unwise to travel with a lot of valuables, such as diamonds. This is where the crystal jewelry that you wore for your wedding can come in handy. The sparkle of crystal wedding jewelry will add just the right amount of sparkle to your favorite dress.
Your honeymoon will be the most romantic and special vacation that you will ever take. With all that is involved in planning a wedding, it can be tempting to let the honeymoon details slip to the back burner; however, you will discover that if you devote a little extra time to planning your honeymoon that it will be even more relaxing and fun than you had dreamed.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Honeymoons, crystal bridal jewelry | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, honeymoon destinations | Comment (0)
Big Apple Brides
New York City is a true American landmark. It is beloved not only by its millions of residents, but also by the millions of people who visit the Big Apple each year. New York is a fun and exciting spot to have a destination wedding.
There are many iconic New York locations from which to choose, and just as many others that are unique and lesser-known. If famous and fabulous is your dream New York City wedding, then plan to pull out all the stops.Weather permitting, the bride and groom could arrive at the reception in one of New York’s famous horse-drawn carriages.
And of course, since New York is one of the greatest fashion centers in the world, you will want to be dressed to the nines. Picture a chic and sophisticated silk gown accented by an elegant long veil and spectacular custom bridal jewelry.
Of course, there are as many approaches to take in planning a New York wedding as there are skyscrapers in the city. If big and glitzy is not your style, take an insider’s approach to designing your wedding. Hire a top notch planner to help guide you to the offbeat spots where the locals have their ceremonies and receptions. Private clubs, cool lofts, and harbor cruises would all be intriguing possibilities.
The great thing about having a destination wedding in a world-class city like New York is that you won’t even need to travel for your honeymoon. Spend a week or so taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of New York. A New York honeymoon would be the perfect ending to the wedding for a Big Apple bride and groom.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Destination Wedding, Honeymoons, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: custom bridal jewelry, Destination Wedding, honeymoon destinations, New York, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Honeymoon Cruises
There are so many wonderful places you can visit on your honeymoon. It can be hard to decide on just one destination when they all sound do exciting. If you want to explore different places during your trip, taking a cruise is a great way to do it.
Caribbean cruises are always very popular. It is fun to hop from port to port, relaxing on beautiful beaches along the way. However, the Caribbean is certainly not the only great destination for a honeymoon cruise. If you enjoy warm weather, but would like to try something a little more exotic, what about cruising the Greek Isles? You will return home from your honeymoon with a taste for ouzo and bacalava!
If you and your fiance are not sun-worshippers, there still may be a cruise that is perfect for you. Northern cruise routes include Alaska and Norway. How incredible would it be to see the fjords or glaciers on your vacation?
If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then maybe you would prefer a European cruise. You can take in some of the Continent’s most historic and incredible cites, such as Paris and London. The cruise boat essentially acts as a floating hotel, so that you can get a flavor of many different locales without the hassle of changing hotels every night.
Your honeymoon will be the most romantic and memorable vacation that you will ever take. Make it special by choosing a really great trip. Cruises can offer honeymooners the chance to easily explore many wonderful destinations all in one marvelous vacation.
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