Top Ten Travel Tips You’ve Never Heard

1. Make sure your suitcase is within your lifting capabilities. There is nothing worse than heaving and grunting under excess weight, the suitcase’s not the owner’s. My problem is that I am such an expert at rolling and bagging all of my clothes that I can fit in twice as much as I should. The items might fit but it makes for a suitcase I cannot lift from the airport baggage carousel, cannot lift onto the bus or lift onto any surface for unpacking. My husband dropped it on his foot trying to hoist it out of the trunk of the car and had trouble walking for days.

2. Never read “What to Pack” lists. They inevitably suggest an item or two that you never would have thought to bring. Now I absolutely need a bandana, inflatable hangers and a universal sink stopper! (See http://www.onebag.com/) I have never removed an item from my list after reading these helpful aids.

3. Do not accept the little gift packs some airlines give you. It’s free, I know, but takes up unplanned space. Who needs flimsy earplugs and extra eye masks? Be tough. Just say no.

4. Bring a book you don’t mind leaving behind. Never bring a library book. Not only will you have to take good care of it but you will have to lug it back home. A cheap paperback you can leave behind is your best bet. You can even join http://www.bookcrossing.com/ and perhaps see who picks it up.

5. This tip is mostly for men but can apply to women. Do not bring all of your shirts (tops) in the same shade. Blue is nice but no one will notice that one has micro stripes in red or that the other has tiny checks in grey. It all looks the same in a picture. Vary the colour scheme. And, please remind me to read this pointer to my husband on the next trip.

6. Never try to crack a joke with either a border guard or a French waiter. Both are humourless and can make your life miserable.

7. Never promise any one back home a specific souvenir. I looked all over South-western France for the perfect scarf for my mother. I could not find one the right colour, size, price or fabric. I came back with a bracelet.

8. Never have raw oysters on an empty stomach and a half-hour before going for a boat ride on choppy waters.

9. If you have a rental car that is manual, please try out every manoeuvre before heading down the highway. At our first pit stop, we couldn’t figure out how to go in reverse, i.e. get out of the parking spot. Thanks to a kind Spanish tourist, and my smattering of Spanish, we managed to learn how to go backwards in France.

10. Finally, here is the last and the most important tip: put your house keys in a safe and reachable place. Do not throw them recklessly at the bottom of the largest suitcase and then forget about them. The worse place to think about how to enter your house is when you are in a taxi, five minutes away. Leaning into the trunk of the taxi, searching through suitcases while your husband holds the umbrella over your backside, is not the best way to end a vacation. Fighting about who has, or had, the keys is not pleasant either. The only one who gets a good story and laugh out of this experience is the taxi driver. Oh yes, it’s also very expensive to drive across the city to go to that someone’s house who has a set of your keys.

Questions: will you remove one item from your list after reading this? 

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Kauai's stunning Napali Coast

Romantic Honeymoon Tips for Honeymoons in Hawaii

Congratulations to the newly engaged! Are you fantasizing about a honeymoon on remote tropical islands? Well Hawaii has it all – take Moloka‘i, for example, the least populated of the Hawaiian island chain—sparse, white-sand beaches as far as the eye can see, plus historical sites like the monument commemorating Father Damien in the remote village of Kalaupapa.

Besides being a remote getaway, Moloka’i now charming accommodations—which is part of my fantasy. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s Waikiki: easy to get to, same warm, gentle Pacific and tons of shopping and world-class restaurants, all within walking distance. And then there’s my favorite hammock at the Big Island’s Kona Village Resort, overlooking Kahuwai Bay and its resident pod of honu, or green sea turtles. I can hear the tide rolling in and feel the warm trade winds pass over me as I and swing back and forth in front of our private beach hale. Does any of this sound like a perfect honeymoon destination to you? Is so, here are a few tips on what we consider to be the most romantic spots on all the islands. (and many of these spots/romantic activities can be included on your Simplicity Life Travel  honeymoon registry!)

Kaua‘i

Catch the sunset

• Positioned perfectly to catch the nightly show of pinks, oranges and possibly a flash of green. The Point at Sheraton Kaua‘i has been serving up island-inspired cocktails and pupus to swooning couples for decades.

• Hop aboard a late afternoon boat tour to experience unnamed shades of green and gold as the sun sets on the majestic Na Pali Coast.

• Walk the beach at Hanalei on the north shore and if you’re lucky you might see the infamous green flash.

• Watch the sun ease into the Pacific from the most western point in the United States – Polihale Beach, which is also considered a Hawaiian-style-Sahara with dazzling white sand dunes, some rising 100 feet.

Remote (romantic) hike

• The Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast.Leave early (as in 6 a.m.) to avoid the hot sun and crowds. Head to the secluded Hanakapi‘ai beach about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, have a snack and then it’s another 2 miles to Hanakapi‘ai falls.

Romantic dinner

• Reserve a table for two on the terrace of Café Hanalei at the Princeville Resort, 808.826.9644
• The Beach House in Poipu is an ideal spot to watch surfers take the last wave of the day as you enjoy a sampling of island cuisine and a glass or bottle of wine. 808.742.1424
• Cozy into a beach-facing gazebo, order a mango martini, and share fresh sashimi as Hawaiian musicians serenade the sunset at the Aupaka Terrace sushi bar at the Kaua`i Marriott Resort & Beach Club. Or plan ahead and ask executive chef Guy Higa to prepare a customized meal for two in a private seaside cabana with a view of Kalapaki Beach. 808.245.5050

Pack a picnic

• Paddle your own kayak up the Wailua River to a romantic waterfall grotto. Most kayak tours include a picnic lunch.

• Grab lunch at the Shrimp Station in Waimea, before heading to a lookout in the picturesque Waimea Canyon.

O‘ahu

Catch the sunset

• For expansive views of Waikiki and beyond, check out the Diamond Head Lookout. From the parking lot at Diamond Head State Park, there is a short hike to the top.

• Celebrate literary history at the Sunset Lana‘i Bar at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. Word has it, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote poems here to the Princess Kaiulani, under the shade of the hau tree fronting the property. 808.923.1555

• Perched to catch the very last rays, the Hau Terrace at the venerable Outrigger Canoe Club has been a locals’ choice for sunset dining for decades. Located on the southern end of Waikiki, this social club has reciprocity with most yacht club memberships. 808.923.1585

• The Kane‘ohe Yacht Club defines island casual; flip-flops and T-shirts (only if there’s a breeze). It’s hard to beat the cement patio and fold-out chairs for a front-row view of the sun setting behind the jagged ridge of the Ko‘olau range. Toast the day with a chilled Bud Light. Any mainland yacht club membership is reciprocal. 808.247.4121

Romantic dinner

• Reserve a private dining gazebo right on the water at Hoku’s restaurant in the Kahala Resort on O‘ahu. 808.739.8888

• For the past century visitors and locals alike have enjoyed the sunset and Diamond Head views and award-winning island-inspired cuisine at Halekulani’s House Without a Key 808.923-2311

• Reserve a table at sunset at Jameson’s by the Sea in Haleiwa, a casual indoor/outdoor setting. 808.637.6272

• For an oceanfront dining experience, Ola at the Turtle Bay Resort recently opened to rave reviews. 808.293.6000

Remote (romantic) hike

• Old Pali Trail is short and steep (coming back). The first part is not remote, but once you head off the main trail, Likelike Trail is a lush, uncrowded, narrow path that passes through waterfalls. Go at sunrise or sunset for the best views of the Ko‘olau Range and the windward coast; trailhead starts at the Pali lookout.

• The Makapu’u Lighthouse hike is not remote, since the trailhead is right off Highway 72, but once you crest the hill after a mile-long easy ascent, it’s just pounding surf and miles of blue sky.

Pack a picnic

• Pick up a veggie sandwich or tuna melt at Kalapawai Market in Kailua, then head to Kailua Beach State Park, consistently rated a “Best Beach in the World” by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman.

• O‘ahu’s North Shore is famous for big surf and laid-back vibe, but it’s also a great place to spend the day. Grab a grilled sandwich to go at Ku Aina in Haleiwa, bring a towel and beach mat and head to the scenic Waimea Bay. Even if the surf isn’t pounding, there will be plenty of people-watching.

Maui

Catch the sunset

• Grab a chair in the sand and order a cocktail at the Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill on Ka‘anapali Beach, as the sun sets over the neighboring island of Lana‘i. 808.667.6636

• Overlook all of Wailea Resort with views of Molokini and Kaho’olawe (and Lana‘i on a clear day) while dining at Capische at Diamond Resort. 808.879.2224

Remote (romantic) hike

• Haleakala Crater, whether you opt for the 3a.m. pickup for a sunrise hike, or just take one of the many trails, there is plenty of room on this 10,023-foot high dormant volcano to find a scenic path for two.

• Just past Hana. It takes awhile to get to the 7 Pools trailhead from the west side of the island, so leave early. Besides freshwater pools, the trail passes through bamboo forests and a remote black sand beach.

• Not an outdoor hike, but a romantic notion for a stroll…docent-led art tours at the Four Seasons show off the new museum-quality art collection with over 280 original works.

Romantic dinner

• Consistently rated one of the best restaurants in Maui,  the Hailemaile General Store is a bit of a drive from most hotels, but the scenery is gorgeous and well worth the effort.

• Chez Paul in Olowalu enjoyed recent publicity when chef Patrick Callarec shared his culinary talents with the “Romance Me Maui” campaign. 808-283-9044.

• Duo at the Four Seasons — dine by the pool waterfall overlooking Wailea Beach.

• Mama’s Fish House in Kuau Cove on Maui’s North Shore While some say this longtime standby is too pricy and hyped, nobody seems to be listening….be sure to make reservations.

• Sushi for two? Locals and returning visitors flock to Sansei for its award-winning dishes. Two locations on Maui; Kapalua 808.669.6286 and Kihei 808.879.0004.

• Lunch or dinner at Ka’uiki Restaurant at Hotel Hana-Maui will be a meal to remember. 800.321.4262

Pack a picnic

• Aim for getting to Makena Beach around 11:30, before the crowds hit the Taco Truck. Located just where the road turns toward the beach, this white truck is popular among locals, who line up for the fish tacos and fish burritos. Once you’ve got your lunch, head over to the Cove at Secret Beach.

• On the way to Cove Park at Kihei Beach, stop off at Da Kitchen (808.875.7782, da.kitchen.com) in the Rainbow Mall in Kihei. After sharing a box lunch of Korean chicken, take a surf lesson offered on site.

Moloka‘i

Catch the sunset

• A rocking chair on the lanai of any room at the Lodge—they all face west.

• While wading in the tidepools off Kaupoa Beach at the Beach Village, search for medeka (minnows) and opihi shells.

Remote (romantic) hike

• Waikolu Valley. Depending on your fitness level, trek (or park near) the look-over to the forest reserve. Locals call it a truly untouched otherworldly valley.

• The most popular trail on the island (four people a day) is Halawa Valley. This daylong hike will take you through a waterfall spilling into a large bubbly (think champagne) pool. With soaring cliffs as the backdrop, the trail ends at Halawa Bay where it’s said the first Polynesians set foot on Moloka‘i.

Romantic dinner

• Reserve the intimate greenhouse on the grounds of the Lodge, for a private dinner created by chef Erwin Kudoba.

• Wiggle your toes in the sand, at your own table with private service a the Beach Village. Casual to formal, depends on your own style.

Pack a picnic

• Pick up a prepared lunch at the Lodge or the general store in Mauna Loa and head to Mile Marker 19: a remote white sand beach protected by a coral reef.

Lana‘i

Catch the sunset

• For a bit of the surreal, head to the Garden of the Gods, and watch the ancient red rock formations change color with the setting sun.

Remote (romantic) hike

• Plan for an early morning or late afternoon moderate hike along the Koloiki Ridge, which offers expansive views of the island and the ocean and neighboring isles.

Hawai‘i

Catch the sunset

• Huggo’s on the Rocks: Casual setting serves up cocktails, Hawaiian pupus and music right next to the iconic Huggos Restaurant on the south end of Kona’s downtown. 808.329.1493

• Any hammock-for-two on the Kohala Coast.

• Watch the sun set as fishing boats return to Keauhou Bay and the coastline of Kailua-Kona lights up while at Crystal Blue, an indoor/outdoor cocktail lounge at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa.

Remote (romantic) hike

• Meet up with the ancient Ala Kahakai trail at the public access parking lot behind the new Waikoloa Beach Marriot Resort and Spa and head south. Wear sturdy shoes and hats and bring sunscreen; this is a long and potentially hot trek over lava to freshwater lagoons and a black sand beach.

• Get existential about the meaning of life as you hike through the trails at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. nps.gov/havo

Pack a picnic

• Waterfalls, lonely black sand beaches and wild ginger are just a few sights to behold when hiking the famed Waipi‘o Valley. Stop at the Waipi‘o Valley Artworks for a takeout deli sandwich along the way.

Romantic dinner

• Pahui‘a at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has been earning awards and accolades since opening. Aim for sunset when you make reservations. Desserts include a daily soufflé and the pièce de résistance; their warm dark chocolate lava cake. 888.340.5662.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s award-winning luxury eco-lodge in the jungles of Central America, is offering free 5 day all inclusive Honeymoon Vacation Packages to the lucky winners of our Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes.

Wedged between Mexico and Guatemala on the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast, English speaking Belize is a melting pot of cultures creating a unique blend of vibrant people living in a land of endless beauty. This tiny country, steeped in Maya history and surrounded by nature’s bounty, is only a few hours’ flight away from most major North American cities.

Chaa Creek is offering the opportunity to explore the best that Belize has to offer by celebrating your honeymoon in one of our luxurious suites and villas surrounded by lush tropical gardens in the foothills of ancient Maya Mountains. Enjoy a bottle of fine champagne in your private Jacuzzi, share a candlelit dinner under the huge thatched canopy of our well appointed dining room, engage in numerous adventurous activities within our 365-acre private reserve , and relax with a personalized assortment of professional treatments in our hill top Spa.

Whether you are dreaming of a romantic honeymoon vacation getaway, renewing your vows, or celebrating your anniversary, this unique honeymoon vacation package is guaranteed to create memories of something rich and timeless!

To enter the Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes, an essay (minimum of 300 words) must be written explaining why you would want to celebrate your honeymoon in Belize and at The Lodge at Chaa Creek. The essay must be submitted via email to marketing@chaacreek.com and will be published anonymously on the Chaa Creek Travel Blog.

The Chaa Creek Team will then send you a link upon receiving your essay to access a short list of questions about Belize and Chaa Creek. All of the answers to the questions can be found on the Chaa Creek website at www.chaacreek.com. You must score a minimum of 85% in order to be entered into the final sweepstake drawing.

The Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes closes on May 1st 2010. All qualified entries will be placed in the drawing barrel and the winning tickets for the five prizes will be drawn by the children of St Andrews Primary School and monitored by the Board of Directors of Chaa Creek Limited in the Cayo District of Belize.

Winning vacation packages accommodate two persons and are inclusive of cottage accommodation, food, transfers, tours and activities, and spa treatments.

Belize Honeymoon Vacation Package or Maya Wellness Rainforest Vacation Package

• A Four Night/Five package for two

• A 50% discounted Four Night package for two

• A 40% discounted Four Night package for two

• A 30% discounted Four Night package for two

For more information about the Belize Honeymoon Vacation, contact the property at 877-709-8708, marketing@chaacreek.com or visit the web site at www.chaacreek.com.

Disclaimer: Please note that vacation prizes are good for one year, non-transferrable, and cannot be used for existing reservations.

1. Have your documents ready before you get in line:  It always surprises me when I see people pulling out their documents WHEN they get up to TSA agent.  It’s not like most of these people haven’t already been in line for 20 minutes or more.  Why then do they wait until they get to the agent to then begin digging around in their bags for their passport?   Keep your passport, boarding pass and other travel documents in one place, where you can easily find them and give the right documents to the right person as quickly and orderly as you can.
2. Choose who you line up behind: The speed in which you can get through the line depends most on the speed of the people ahead of you in the line.  You need to do some profiling of the people in front of you before you join a line. Avoid families and the elderly – they take too long to get their jackets, shoes and bags into and out of the scanner. Avoid anyone carrying anything metal (crutches, canes, prams) – there will inevitably be delays in them putting them through the scanner. Avoid large groups of people (school kids, tour groups, sporting groups, air crews) – they will be taking too much time helping each other out and sorting out who owns what. Basically look for other packs of travelling alone and serious looking business travellers.
3. Select the right toiletry pack: The obvious advice is do not pack anything in a bottle larger than 3 oz and put them in a clear zip lock bag. But that is a given.  Here are 3 other pieces of advice for you. Firstly – carry a spare zip lock bag. If you lose your original or it breaks you will need a spare.  Secondly – be selective as to which toiletry bag you use. Thirdly – keep your liquids to a minimum. (ex:  Don’t pack shampoo- use those provided by the hotel.)  F
4. Slip ons not laces: Your shoes should be slip ons not lace ups to speed on and off;
5. Put everything in your bag: Before you get to the line (ex: at check-in or in the taxi) put your wallet, coins, mobile, blackberry, pens, everything in you pockets into your carry on bag. Don’t keep things in your pocket as you will just have to take them out and put them back in again;
6. Smile: Security people get frowned at all day. Give them a smile.
7. Afterwards -  relax and enjoy knowing you’re on your way to your honeymoon!

  Destination weddings is the fastest growing trend in weddings!

There are so many good reasons to choose a destination wedding.

 Here are just 7 reasons to consider a destination wedding:

1. There are an endless number of spectacular destinations for you to consider for your romantic, perfect destination wedding!
2. They offer a more intimate and personal experience for you, the groom and all your guests. Every detail can be hand crafted and customized to ensure the experience is exactly what you want.
3. The Experience…That is exactly what a destination wedding is…an experience. One in which your guests get to participate in creating the memories that will stay with you for a life time. They are very much a part of customizing the details!
4. Destination weddings give people an excuse to splurge and take a vacation. In today’s economic climate most people look forward to having a reason to get away and relax. I f having your guests participate and attend your wedding is really important to you then consider their needs when choosing a location. Your dream may be the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, but do consider if the guests you would like to have at your wedding will be able to attend the destination you choose. Keep in mind the costs, the travel expense as well as accommodations.. If children are involved is the location kid friendly or is it all adult? If your destination is international all your guests will need passports. Always give your guests at least 8 months notice to plan for your wedding.
5. Destination weddings usually cost less and allow more to be spent on you and the guests experience at the wedding.
6. One of the biggest reasons to consider a destination wedding is the ease of limiting the number of guests attending and cutting your costs. Typically, people don’t expect to get invited to destination weddings. So, that 3rd cousin on your dad’s side of the family that is loud and always embarrasses himself at the family reunion…you can get away with not inviting him by saying you are having a very small group of close family and best friends in an exotic locale.
7. Many resorts such as Sandals offer wedding packages to make planning a destination wedding easier. Some basic wedding packages are even free! Resorts often have on site wedding planners to assist you with your destination wedding.