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.

Simplicity Life Travel ~ We want to you “simplify” your life as you plan your wedding and move forward into your new life together. 

• Help booking your perfect honeymoon
• Our Honeymoon Registry
• Our Blog (destination information, tips and ideas!)
• Our Store (all the things you need “while you’re there!”…)

Not sure where you want to go on your honeymoon? Simplicity Life Travel offers some advice on choosing the honeymoon destination that’s perfect for you.

It’s a big world, after all! And there are so many places that sound wonderful for your honeymoon. And it is the trip of a lifetime right? How do you decide where to go on your honeymoon?

It may seem obvious, but the first step in planning a trip is deciding where to go. Here are some simple guidelines:

1.) Be realistic – the first step is determining how much time you have to travel, and as important, how much money do you have allocated for your honeymoon. (Using Simplicity Life Travel’s honeymoon registry can give extra cushion to that budget!)

2.) The best way to start your planning may be to choose a list of specific destinations that interest you. Then start reading and researching these places to see if they fit your desires. If there are only beach and water sports and you don’t tan and can’t swim, then it may not be the place for you.

3.) Narrow your choices. The world is big. Even one country is big. You can’t see it all in a lifetime, much less in a week or a few weeks. Most people try to do too much in too little time. You’ll have a much better experience if you can actually take the time to enjoy where you are – instead of being exhausted because you’re running from one city to the next, one country to the next. (This makes for some cranky travelers!)

4.) Choose a place that interests you – not just for the monuments but also for the culture and way of life. Your daily activities and the people you meet have more influence on the quality of your travel experience than the sites you visit or the sights you see.

5.) Make your own choices. Don’t go somewhere just because someone else liked it or told you to go there. See #4 – again, just because a friend enjoyed the trek through the Himalayas in freezing temperatures carrying a 60-pound bag doesn’t mean you will. If you’re idea of roughing it is a 5 star hotel in Tahiti then a river-rafting trip down the Grand Canyon may not be for you!

6.) Think about who is giving you advice and what their knowledge is based on. Have they actually been there or are they experts on this destination? Look for resources from and by people in the places you are thinking of going for the most accurate picture of what travel in those places will really be like.

7.) Travel in the present. Learn about contemporary life and current affairs in the places you are going. (The Internet makes this much easier than ever before.)

8.) And most importantly, be sure that you and your fiancée are on the same page. If you want a week at a luxury hotel with a spa and a swim up bar, and he wants to go to a dude ranch, then you need to talk about that early on and find a way to compromise. (That is what you do in marriage!) Perhaps you can go to Kauai and stay at the Princeville Resort, which has a wonderful spa and is conveniently located by the Princeville Stables!

9.) Once you’ve made your decision, book early! Waiting for those last minute Internet fares is not honeymoon appropriate. The most popular honeymoon destinations such as Tahiti sell out months in advance!

10.) Don’t forget to say “I DO” and go have the honeymoon of your dreams. You should come back from your trip feeling like you’ve just experienced one of the most memorable and enjoyable events of your new life together.

Learn Creative Ideas for a Honeymoon Registry ]]> http://www.simplicitylifetravel.com/blog/index.php/archives/132/feed 0 http://www.simplicitylifetravel.com/blog/index.php/archives/125 http://www.simplicitylifetravel.com/blog/index.php/archives/125#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:29:14 +0000 Simplicity Life Travel http://www.simplicitylifetravel.com/blog/?p=125 Plastic grocery bags, just a few, these are great for bringing home your wet swim suit you wore the morning before you left to come home.  They are also great for seashells that are full of sand and many, many other uses.  In a pinch you’ll be glad you [...]]]> Take these items along…. Just in case…

Don't forget to pack the Aloe Vera!

1. Plastic grocery bags, just a few, these are great for bringing home your wet swim suit you wore the morning before you left to come home.  They are also great for seashells that are full of sand and many, many other uses.  In a pinch you’ll be glad you have it for toting stuff home. 
2. Travel packet of disinfecting wipes. Maids aren’t always as diligent as you would hope they would be. Wipe down door knobs front and back, including the bathroom door handles and any other door handles you may have in your room.
3. Tylenol and Advil , these are a must for many obvious reasons.
4. Aloe vera gel especially if you are going to the beach, a sun burned grumpy hubby (or bride) is no fun, so don’t forget the Aloe Vera!
5. Clorox stain pen, I love this little gismo! Never leave home without one! You can get almost any stain out with this little pen and you won’t have to retire that sexy and cute shirt from your cache of honeymoon clothes. Take 2 or 3; really you don’t want to be without them!

Tropical palm lined beaches, clear aquamarine waters with white sand beaches, sailing, snorkeling, gourmet ala carte dining, piano bar, beach bonfire, nightly entertainment, gorgeous sunsets, friendly service staff just waiting to accommodate your every whim…amazing rooms, handy swim up bar, top shelf liquor, outstanding beach club services, laughter, all this and great friends to enjoy it with! Does it sound like you missed out on something fun and exciting? Ya Mon…. you did!

You really need to take a look at the wonderful island of Jamaica to experience first hand the gentile hospitality of the Jamaican people and Couples Resorts. They have four properties to choice from all with their unique personality and style but yet consistent first class service.

Here are our top 10 reasons we love Jamaica and Couples resorts:

1. They speak English Mon!

2. You can drink the water without getting Montezuma’s revenge! A big plus if you don’t want to spend your trip on the porcelain thrown!!!!

3. The spirit of the Jamaican people is warm, friendly, full of personality and truly gentile. Their true desire it that you will have the best time of your life so you will return to the island over and over again.

4. The food is outstanding and the unlimited adult beverages…anyone for a Dirty Monkey? Seemed to be the adult beverage of choice for the group.

5. Every beach chair has a floatie to use and relax in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea. You will never fight for a beach chair…. there is an abundance of chairs.

6. Getting to Jamaica from most US destination is easy and won’t eat up your precious beach time.

7. It’s all included…FREE! Couples Resorts includes more activities and amenities than any other resorts on the island. Whoda thought scuba diving lesson and scuba trips would be free? 18 holes of golf…FREE. A beach party throw down that would rival the best luau in Hawaii…FREE. Sunset catamaran cruise, included. And the best of all….. no tipping!

8. Clean, Clean, Clean, the grounds and the beach were always groomed and clean and made ready for the next days beach goers.

9. Au natural beaches for those who want to step out of the box and get a full bronzed body tan. Careful not to get a burned booty…Ouch! I think I need some aloe there. No worries mon…. if stepping out of the box is not your thing, they have regular swim suit beaches. For inquiring minds, no one in our group felt brave enough to step out of the box to achieve that overall sun kissed bronzed body.

10. We have to finish with lazy afternoons and amazing sunsets…if you can’t unwind and relax here mon your top is wound far to tight…..remember that profound Jamaican wisdom…no problems mon, only situations….so therefore no worries mon!

We loved our Jamaican getaway and the warm tropical breezes, sunny smiling faces and the incredible hospitality of Couples Resorts. The only problem to contemplate is which resort to return to!