1. Take all your medication with you that you feel will be necessary to your well being.

2. If you are traveling to a foreign country remember that their electrical outlets most likely will not be the same as ours. So make sure you prepare for this or you most likely will not be able to use your electrical items.

3. If you are traveling overseas or out of the country you will need passports and or visas. Make sure you have for these items way in advance. In the time we are living in now security of you and your loved one should be the number one factor so be cautious of where you are traveling.

4. Pack the right clothes for the environment. Take extra shoes for the formal dinners, flip flops for the beach and coats for the cold.

5. If you are traveling to a foreign country make sure you go to your family doctor and get his suggestions on any vaccinations you should get.

6. If you wear contacts or prescription glass have a backup. If not your vacation will be ruined.

7. Make sure you take all of your health insurance information just in case of a medical emergency.

8. Make a list of your traveler’s check numbers just in case they get lost or stolen. Do not keep these in your purse or wallet.

9. If you are traveling overseas before you bring anything home with you check with the local government officials or search the internet to get the guidelines of what you can bring back.

10. With all of the bad weather going on these days make sure you are prepared. Take flashlights, candles, extra batteries and perishable foods. Take anything you feel that would help you in such a moment of crisis.

About the Author

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas wedding favors and wedding planner. She enjoys seeing all the different table decorations and wedding party favors that go along with the reception.

This nation is located on the northern section of the island of Great Britain (sharing the island with England). Together, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland form the United Kingdom. Scotland is 274 miles long from north to south, and (depending on location) is 24 to 154 miles wide. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, with the 3 other major cities being Glasgow (largest city), Aberdeen and Dundee.

The official language is English, although Gaelic is still spoken in the Highlands and on the islands. Scots (a form of English, French and Gaelic) is also spoken in the Lowlands.

Did you know that Scotland also contains 787 islands? Most are very small, with only 3 exceeding 3 square miles in area. There are 26 rivers running through beautiful land, of which 3 (the rivers Clyde, Forth, Tay) supply water to 3 of the major cities (Glasgow, Edinburgh & Dundee respectively).

Of the many beautiful locations within Scotland, Loch Ness is the most famous tourist attraction. Located in the northern part of Scotland along the Great Glen, it draws tourists year-round looking for that elusive sea-monster Nessie. The Great Glen is a natural geographical fault zone that runs across the country with many interlocking lochs located within it.

Of course, Scotland is well known for its beautiful tartans and kilts, and that interesting musical instrument — the bagpipes. Famous for their music, dances, food and drink, Scotland contains a wealth of interesting places to visit and enjoy. Tour castles, visit quaint villages and hamlets, or have a picnic in a secluded glen. Scotland has a lot to offer for honeymooners and those planning a Scottish wedding.

Destination Scotland – http://www.destination-scotland.com/
This site contains a wealth of information on places to stay in Scotland, including information on Scottish Weddings, personal travel advice, tour groups, renting a car and more. A good place to start for your travel plans.

Romantic Scotland – http://www.romantic-scotland.com/
A nice site which contains information on the romance of Scotland (scenery, myths, legends, music, poetry), romantic getaways, wedding and honeymoon tips, and general information to make your trip complete.

Elope to Europe – http://www.elopetoeurope.com/scotland.html
Planning a Scottish Wedding? Then check out this for a honeymoon package, which includes a tour of England and Scotland. Stay in a Scottish Castle, visit Edinburgh Castle, golf, visit art galleries and more.

VisitScotland – http://www.visitscotland.com/
This is a perfect site to plan your outings. Includes accommodations, guides to the areas of Scotland, what to see and do, outdoor activities, and a newsletter.

Scotland.com – http://www.scotland.com/
A great place to visit. Find out about the weather, check out photos of Scotland, read about the culture, view maps. They also have a currency converter, wedding guides, regional guides, a selection of fine hotels and an extensive listing of links to help you find what you’re looking for.

About the Author

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles on her Honeymoon Travel pages.

Mexico is rated as one of the best places for value for honeymooners and provides a variety of fascinating resorts to choose from.

On the Caribbean side you will find Cancun, known as the best value for honeymooners. It is considered one of the top honeymoon spots. Here you will find stunning undersea reefs, the Maya Pyramids, the nearby island of Cozumel and so much more.

On the Pacific coast, Acapulco entices those honeymooners who love to party round-the-clock. Looking for some jungle adventures? Then perhaps Puerto Vallarta is the place for you, with its colonial architecture, the active art scene and great jungle adventures.

And the latest resort area to become popular is Mazatlan, also along the Pacific coast.

With all the choices, where do you start? Well, let’s take a brief look at what is available in each of these resort areas. Here are some links to each for you to explore. Enjoy!

** Cancun ***

Cancun Online gives you information on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, where to shop and how to get there. A great site with a huge source of information. http://www.cancun.com/

The Cancun Guide points you to resources and links to the following:

Hotel Guide – Where to stay
Event Guide – Find out what’s planned for the year
Retail Guide – Find the best shopping
Restaurant Guide – Area restaurants by location or cuisine
Night Guide – The best places to party
Fare Guide – Check fares and flights to Cancun
Area Attractions – Plan on what you want to see and do
http://placeguide.com/cancun/

Cancun South provides information on locations, beaches, and more south of Cancun for those of you who like to explore. http://cancunsouth.com/

Cancun Blast is an online travel guide for Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. Visit the Mayan Pyramids, travel by boat to Isla Mujeres, explore the Biosphere Reserve of Ría Lagartos and much more. http://cancunblast.com/

** Acapulco ***

Learn a little about the fascinating history of Acapulco at this site. Then check out the maps, points of interests, activities, nightlife, weather, golf, dining and lodging choices. A great site to explore with some amazing pictures. http://acapulco.com/

** Puerto Vallarta ***

Puerto Vallarta Online is a very detailed site giving you tones of information on the area. If you’re interested in this resort area, definitely check out this website. http://www.vallartaonline.com/
This is the official Puerto Vallarta website and it is also filled with a tremendous amount of information about the area. Find out about the city, view the online maps, find out where to stay and much, much more. http://www.puertovallarta.net/

** Mazatlan ***

The Mexico Travel Guide tells us that Mazatlan means "land of the deer" in the ancient Nahuatl language and offers 10 miles of inviting sandy beaches. The guide provides information on hotels, dining, night life, activities, shopping, vacation rentals, travel agents and special interests. Be sure to stop by this web site if Mazatlan is one of your honeymoon choices. http://www.go2mazatlan.com/

About the Author

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles on her Honeymoon Travel pages.

Kauai is known as the "Garden Isle" and for good reason too. If you’re looking for a beautiful, tropical island that’s slow paced and full of places that you can explore, than this is a great island to choose for your destination.

You can visit such areas as Mount Waimea, the "grand canyon of the pacific"; a secret lava rock beach with a natural pool that you can swim in that acts like a "whirlpool tub"; take a rafting tour along the north end of the island and visit natural grottos, plus find out where some famous movies have been shot.

Drive down a road framed with Eucalyptus trees; travel down the Waialua River and visit Fern Grotto (a favorite location of wedding couples); take in a Luau; visit a sugar plantation and much, much more.

Although small, this island has a lot to offer those who like to explore on their own. There are several resorts to choose from and you will find that none stand higher than the tallest palm tree (that’s the law in Kauai).

If you choose, you can also rent a "tree house" at the River Estate on the northern coast in Hanalei. I definitely recommend this place, as this is where we stayed on our honeymoon and the owner’s hospitality and accommodations are outstanding. You have 3 houses you can choose from (we stayed in the Tree House) and there’s a nice, somewhat secluded beach about a 1/4 mile up the road. Check out the site at: www.riverestate.com .

This is truly a one-of-a-kind island to visit. The beauty of the landscape, the friendliness of the people and the quiet atmosphere gets into your heart and soul. To learn more about what’s available on Kauai, visit the following sites and enjoy!

www.kauai-hawaii.com/
www.kauaivisitorsbureau.org/
www.explorekauai.com/
www.kauai-beaches.com/
www.travel-kauai.com/
www.gohawaii.com/hokeo/islands/kauai.html

About the Author

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles on our Honeymoon Travel pages.

Ancient Greece: Home to the goddess Aphrodite — the goddess of love, and Dionysus — the good of wine and pleasure. The Greek’s love of life will be evident to every visitor to this famous cultural country.

Past and present merge together to delight your senses of love, excitement and curiosity of the past. Here you can scramble around the remains of a 3,000 year old city, enjoy visiting with the friendly locals in small cafes, and dance in the hottest night clubs.

There are so many places to visit and explore within the Greek islands. Athens is the country’s bustling capital. While there, be sure to visit Acropolis, an ancient hilltop city dating back to the 5th century. Another "must see" is the Parthenon, located in Acropolis. The Parthenon contains rows of graceful columns, as well as the Erechtheion which is 6 columns carved in the form of maidens.

For more information on Athens visit the following websites:
http://www.indiana.edu/~kglowack/athens/
http://www.vacation.net.gr/p/athens.html

For more information on Acropolis, visit:
http://www.dragonridge.com/greece/Acropolis.htm

From Acropolis, you can walk to Plaka, a tourist- friendly district brimming with tavernas. At some of these tavernas, you can watch live dancers perform traditional dances.

For more information on Plaka visit:
http://www.athensguide.com/plaka.html

Mykonos is the trendiest of the Greek islands with miles of gorgeous beaches (be forewarned – some of these beaches are nude beaches.) While on this island, be sure to stop in Hora, which is the island’s main town and one of the prettiest and most photographed ports in the world (so be sure you have a camera with you). From Mykonos, you can take a day trip by ferry to the island of Delos, the "birthplace" of Apollo and Artemis. Here you will find beautiful marble temples, magnificent mosaics and statues that date as far back as the 5th century B.C.

For more information on Mykonos, visit:
http://www.vacation.net.gr/p/mykonos.html
http://www.dilos.com/region/cyclad/mykonos.html

Santorini (Thira) is another island to visit. It boasts some of the most amazing landscapes in Greece. The landscape of Santorini was shaped from a volcanic eruption around 1650 B.C. Here you will find sheer black cliffs with bands of gray pumice and red-brown rock and long, black beaches created from finely ground lava. Fira is the capital of this interesting island and the most traditional way to reach the city (which is up on a cliff), is to ride a donkey from the harbor up to Fira. Of course, you can also opt to take the cable car or walk up the 588 steps to the town.

For more information on Santorini visit:
http://www.santonet.com/
http://www.vacation.net.gr/p/santor.html

There are so many exciting places to visit in Greece, that I couldn’t possibly list them all. So, I’ve hunted down some web sites to help you get more aquatinted with this ancient and fascinating part of the world. Enjoy.

** Athens Survival Guide **
This online guide was written by Matt Barrett (it even has a printable text version). It details what to do when you arrive, how to make your way around Athens, where to go, what to eat, how to take buses, where to go if you’re walking around Athens, the services available, how to get out of Athens for side trips, maps, learn how to speak Greek, and so much more. This is one very complete and helpful guide that you won’t want to do without. http://www.athensguide.com/

** Greek Island Synopsis **
This site features a listing of all the Greek Islands along with a brief synopsis and additional links to help you explore further.
http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/index.html

** Greek Food: A Complete Guide **
This guide gives you a synopsis on some of the restaurants found in Greece. Find out about restaurant etiquette, how to pronounce food names and what they are, and more. There’s even a listing of some great Greek cookbooks that you can order.
http://www.greecefoods.com

** Currency Converter **
Here’s a handy little tool to help you convert your money into various currencies. Find out how much you’ll need on your honeymoon to Greece.
http://www.xe.com/ucc/classic.shtml

** Embassy of Greece **
Visit this site for information on visas, Greek politics, tourist information, Greek culture and more.
http://www.greekembassy.org/

** Other Unique Sites To Visit **
Here are a few other web sites that provide interesting information about Greece:

http://www.greekislands.com/zakynthos/home.htm – Visit the island of Zakynthos.

http://www.lakelandschools.org/EDTECH/tours/ancientgreece.htm – Take a virtual tour of ancient Greece.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/vt/1/ – From the map at VirtualTourist.com, click on Greece for a great virtual tour of Greece, the Greek Islands, Museums, etc. Slow loading, but well worth the wait.

About the Author

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles on her Honeymoon Travel pages.

What can be more romantic than a honeymoon in France? Paris itself is filled with some of the most beautiful gardens and architectural buildings in the world. Alive with romance and fascinating history, this is one honeymoon location that is sure to delight anyone.

Paris boasts some of the finest restaurants in the world. But if a large, expensive restaurant is out of your budget, you can still enjoy the many small cafes and bistros found throughout the city. Sit and enjoy a cafe au lait and sample some of the most most delicious pastry confections around. Then take a stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg gardens and don’t forget to take a turn along the Seine river.

Be sure to include a visit to Notre Dame and the nearby Ste-Chapelle, a chapel with the most amazing stained glass windows.

The Musee du Louvre contains a monumental collection of the worlds finest antiques and paintings by the most famous artists of history. And of course, we can’t forget a tour of the Eiffel Tower, which was built for the World Exhibition of 1889.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Looking for some other things to see and do while in France? Check out these local attractions:

In Paris, visit the Musee d’Orsay, which was once a railroad station and now converted into a beautiful museum housing 19th century antiques and art.

Be sure to also make a stop at the Musee de Cluny, which contains one of the world’s best collections of medieval art and unicorn tapestries. The museum itself is found within a 15th century mansion.

Tour the Latin Quarter on the "Left Bank of Paris" and then take an awesome balloon ride over the Loire Valley.

France also contains many canals from which you can hire a boat and cruise past famous vineyards and historic villages.

PLACES TO VISIT OUTSIDE OF PARIS

Some other places to visit outside of Paris that are easily accessible by train or car are:

The Chateau de Fontainebleau which is situated in a beautiful forest setting. It is a royal chateau built with a distinct architectural style.

The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomete is a 17th century palace. It was considered the ultimate in luxury in its day and includes gilded interiors, frescoes on the ceilings and gorgeous landscaped gardens.

Of course, your tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Louis XIV’s home, Versailles.

WEBSITES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP

Looking for some more adventures? Here are some web sites to check out for more information on what you can see and do while in France:

** Backroads **
http://www.backroads.com
Choose France as your destination in the drop down menu, and then choose the activity you want. It will then bring up various places and tours that you can take. Choose the ones that interest you for more information.

** Treasures of France **
http://www.francetreasures.com/anglais/promena/index.htm
Choose from various tours to find out what’s available throughout France and exactly where they are located.

** Chateaux-France **
http://www.chateaux-france.com/index_en.html
This site lists 403 historical monuments throughout France that you can visit. Just click on the general map to choose a location section. This will in turn, bring up a more detailed map of various cities, towns and villages.

** Montgolfiere’s Balloon Company **
http://www.franceballoons.com/
Fly high over the French countryside for a spectacular view of rivers and villages, châteaux’s and century old forests teeming with wild boar and deer.

** Caves and Grottos **
http://www.grottes.net/
Did you know that France contains some very unique and interesting caves? It’s true. Check out this site for what they have to offer. (This site is written in French, however, you should be able to get an idea of the type of tours they contain).

SPECIAL INFORMATION SITES
Some other important information sites that can help you plan your honeymoon to France:

French Government Tourist Office
http://www.francetourism.com/

Paris Tourist Office
http://www.paris-touristoffice.com/index_va.html

Eastern France
http://www.easternfrance.com/overview.htm

HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS

And finally, some quick honeymoon travel tips:

Make sure your passport is up-to-date when traveling.

You need a valid driver’s license to drive in France and you must be 18 years of age or over. Proof of insurance is also required.

Distances are measured in Kilometers. Unless otherwise stated, speed limits within cities/towns/villages is 50 km/hour (30 miles/hour) and 130 km/hour (80 miles/ hour) on highways.

Banks are open regular hours on weekdays (9 am to 4:30 pm). Outside of Paris, banks will often close for an hour or two during lunchtime.

Nearly all ATMS will accept Visa and MasterCard withdrawals. You can also find ATM’s that will also accept American Express. Keep in mind that you will often get the best exchange rate on your money at ATM machines.

The currency used in France is the Franc.

Most restaurants charge tax and add a 15% surcharge to your bill. If the food and service is exceptionally good, it is customary to leave an additional 10 francs.

In hotels, tip porters 10 francs per bag and tip chambermaids 10 francs per day.

Tip taxi drivers 10% to 15% of the metered fare.

Tour bus drivers are usually tipped 10 to 20 francs.

You can purchase 1, 3 or 5 day passes to museums and monuments. These are available through main metro stations and tourist offices. This gives you direct access to the attraction so you don’t have to stand in long lines to get tickets.

About the Author

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles on her Honeymoon Travel pages.

First you will need to figure out your budget. After you have set a budget figure out how many weeks it is until your honeymoon and divide the total cost by the number of weeks and set that much back every week or two weeks whenever you get paid.

Once you have taken your budget into account figure out how much you would like to spend daily on your honeymoon.

Choose all inclusive when picking your destination. Most of the time you will not need any money at all and your meals are included.

Hidden costs are everywhere. You need to figure in all the tips, cab rides and all the meals you will be eating.

Go on a picnic. Picnics are cheap and memorable.

The costs of meals can really add up. So set a budget and look for all the deals possible.

Consider mentioning to local restaurants that you have just got married and are on your honeymoon they might throw in a little something extra.

Eat where most tourist do not. Restaurants will charge more around the tourist areas.

Use your credit card whenever possible because most credit card companies will give you the currency exchange rate.

If your buying mementos shop at mom and pop stores they will usually bargain with you.

Most of all just remember some of the best things in life are free.

About the Author

Yolanda Nash is the owner of http://www.yolandasweddingfavors.com and wedding planner. She enjoys seeing all the different table decorations, flowers and wedding party favors on the wedding day.

Destinations for Romance on Your Honeymoon

If you’ve decided on the wedding date, location and even theme, you might be wondering what’s next. Why, you’ve got to plan the honeymoon, of course! Choosing a place to spend your first days as man and wife can be just as important as planning the wedding and even more fun

Combine the words Hawaii and honeymoon, and you get romance in the language of love. Millions of people from the United States and other countries flock here each year for honeymoons. The islands of Hawaii – which include the Big Island (Hawaii), Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai — are the perfect location for your dream honeymoon. The smaller islands of Lanai and Kauai are especially so and less crowded than the more popular islands of Oahu and Maui.

One excellent choice for your Hawaiian honeymoon stay is the Hanalei Bay Resort, located in Princeville, Kauai. This resort offers suites and regular rooms, with either breathtaking ocean views or beautiful mountain vistas. Golf courses surround the resort, and nestled within the property are two waterfalls. You can even have your wedding here as well, if you’d like to have a destination wedding!

Another location that oozes romance is the Caribbean. This area of the world offers many different resorts and islands to choose from, but they’re all infused with the exotic feel of the tropical climate, as well as the warmth and charm of an island getaway. One great place is the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in Nassau, Bahamas. This all-inclusive resort offers the best spa in the Caribbean according to Condé Nast Traveler magazine, and is known as the Caribbean’s most elegant resort. A honeymoon here means you don’t have to carry cash or pay extra for anything, and a wedding ceremony is even included in the price of your stay! (There is a seven night minimum stay for the free wedding.)

There are many honeymoon spots to choose from when it comes to romance, and it would be impossible to highlight them all. Just remember that when choosing a location, it’s important that you find the place romantic and relaxing. Don’t book your honeymoon somewhere on the advice of anyone else, be sure to select a resort that’s right for the two of you — it’s your trip.

About the Author

Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com – reviews and articles on spa resorts.