Five Amazing Overseas Destinations for Honeymooners

For most newly married couples, the perfect honeymoon would consist of a tropical island, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, warm breezes, and accommodations that provide a luxurious and romantic experience. However, the perfect honeymoon for some couples is something completely different, perhaps an adventure trip such as an African safari or Swiss Alps ski trip. With thousands upon thousands of overseas destinations to choose from, a couple has the opportunity to create whatever type of memory wanted.

Greece

Greece is a magnificent place to honeymoon. Contrary to what most people believe, there are several cities in Greece that are very affordable. One of the main attractions to Greece is diversity, which makes it possible to enjoy a variety of experiences. For instance, Athens is a bustling island with plenty of things to do and see while Santorini is a relaxing city that boasts some of the world’s most pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and tranquility of the Aegean Sea.

South Africa

This is another wonderful international destination for newlyweds offering diversity. While there are actually several great places a couple could consider, we provided information specific to two.

o    Mozambique – The azure waters are simply stunning and unlike beaches in larger and busy regions of the country, most of the beaches around Mozambique are deserted. As a result, honeymooners have the chance to enjoy real romance. However, Mozambique is also a great place for water sports to include scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing.

o    Botswana – Staying in a rustic camp on the Okavango Delta would offer a honeymooning couple the ultimate outdoor experience. A stay in Botswana would entail vibrantly colored sunsets, leisurely canoe rides down calm waterways, and up-close views of wildlife such as black rhinos, elephants, zebra, leopards, buffaloes, and even lions roaming the isolated and unspoiled land.


Italy

Of all international destinations for couples on a honeymoon, Italy is one of the most romantic. Of course, the best place to visit is Rome, an Italian city that offers a unique combination of ancient history and modern day pride.  During the day there are incredible tourist attractions such as the Sistine Chapel, Ancient Rome Coliseum, and the Vatican, among others but at night, fine dining, nightlife, or romantic walks on the beach.

For something extra special, a couple could sneak away to the beautiful city of Tuscany and take in the view of Montalcino vineyards, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pienza, or walk through the medieval town of Montepulciano. Of course if wanted, a couple could simply retreat to the sanctity of a five-star resort to enjoy unrivaled amenities.

Thailand

There are actually a number of destinations in Thailand that would be ideal for a honeymoon. The “City of Angels”, more commonly known as Bangkok, is a large and exotic city where local people are warm and hospitable. Nighttime activities consist of dancing in some of the city’s most exciting nightclubs, dine on authentic Thai food, or visit night markets such as the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Major Ratchayothin Night Market, and Patpong Night Market.

Of course, Thailand is just as spectacular during the day as it is night. In addition to a wide range of things to do on the beach or in the water, honeymooners could take a trip to various ancient temples and museums or simply relax around the resort’s pool while enjoying a couple’s massage.

Switzerland

For an entirely different honeymoon experience, Switzerland would be an excellent choice of a foreign country to visit. Zurich and Lucerne are great cities but Geneva has something very special for couples looking for romance. As one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Geneva proudly boasts numerous four and five-star resorts with the snow-capped Swiss Alps as the backdrop.

This city also has more than 40 museums, parks filled with beautifully colored flora and fauna lining the banks of gorgeous Lake Geneva, and Rousseau Island in the city center complete with a wonderful restaurant and bird sanctuary. In addition to restaurants that serve local cuisine and exotic wine, as well as quant shops that sell items made by Swiss artisans, a honeymooning couple that loves the outdoors could participate in kayaking, skiing, swimming, horseback riding, bike riding, and hiking but as a finale, enjoy mesmerizing views of Geneva on a romantic hot air balloon ride.

Tips for Safe Travel to Foreign Countries

People have always taken the necessary precautions when traveling to foreign countries but after the devastating events of September 11, the level of concern increased dramatically. Some people became so worried about international travel they stopped taking trips altogether. Obviously, no one can be faulted for being afraid but it is important to know that in recent years, many new systems and technologies have been implemented to again make foreign travel safe.

However, safety while traveling could also be enhanced with a few smart decisions. While there has always been some degree of concern with international travel, there is no reason a person has to spend an entire trip worrying about safety issues. Whether traveling on business or for pleasure, there are specific steps to take during the planning phase but also while abroad to include the following recommendations.

In-Depth Research
Any current travel concerns or confirmed risks for a country being visited could be acquired from a local travel agent or through any number of reputable online travel websites. With the information gathered, an individual would have the opportunity to make an informed decision to continue with the trip or reschedule for a later date.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
This United States government program is free and designed to assist US citizens traveling within foreign countries. By signing up for the program, someone on an overseas trip would be notified in case of a family emergency back home but also receive assistance if faced with some type of crisis.

Medical Coverage
Depending on the international destination, personal medical insurance might cover expenses incurred in case of emergency. However, if a policy does not offer medical coverage, it would be worth purchasing a special policy for travelers. Unfortunately, there are many reports of people who have been forced to pay a significant amount of money out-of-pocket or have received compromised care while in a foreign country by not having medical insurance.

Travel Information and Documentation
Someone on an international trip should carry important travel information and original documents such as passport, visa, and travel itinerary. In addition, a copy of everything should be kept in each piece of luggage and left with a family member of friend back home. Other information would include a list of people to contact in case of an emergency to include phone numbers and if a person has a major medical condition or depends on specific medication, the name and phone number of the doctor should be included along with prescription information.

United States Embassies and Consulates
These government agencies provide assistance to American citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. When planning an international trip, the phone numbers for both agencies should be obtained specific to the country traveling to and carried around securely.

Laws and Customs
Regardless of destination, the laws of the country a person plans to visit must be followed. Therefore, the most pertinent laws should be researched prior to travel. Keep in mind that knowing a country’s customs is not required but to avoid an uncomfortable or even potentially dangerous situation by unintentionally offending someone local, it would also be recommended to become familiar with customs for the country.

Crime Prevention
Even when going to a country deemed safe, an individual should always use common sense to avoid becoming the target of a crime. A few examples of things a person should NOT do include the following:
o    Wear expensive jewelry
o    Carry a significant amount of cash around
o    Be on the streets after dark
o    Dine, shop, or sightsee alone
o    Accept a package from an unknown party
o    Leave luggage unattended

Restrictions and RegulationsFor both the country being visited and home country, there are restrictions and regulations regarding things that can and cannot be brought in as a way of preventing a catastrophic environmental occurrence but also terrorist attack. There are a number of online resources a person should research prior to departure that provide a comprehensive list of acceptable and unacceptable items.

Five Uncommon (but very useful) International Travel Tips

Traveling around the world is simply one of the best things that you can do.  It is packed with excitement, adventure and new experiences whether you are traveling for business, education or pleasure.

But as many of you already know, international travel can be a stressful and harrowing experience if you are not prepared! 

So to make sure that you are a slick, savvy and satisfied traveler we have compiled list of some lesser-known tips and tracks for travel abroad. 

1.    Buy a SIM card for your cell phone when you land:

If you travel with your in-country SIM card when you travel overseas, most phone companies will charge you at expenses international rates.  This means that if anyone calls you, or if you call anyone from your regular cell phone, it will be very pricey.

However, almost all international airports have stores and vendors where you can buy local, pre-paid SIM card for as little as $5.  In fact, at places like Heathrow Airport in London, for just $15 you can pick up a local SIM card with unlimited data.

It’s a great way to save money and hassle.  It also means that for friends and colleagues in country with you, they will just be paying a local cell call to stay in touch with you.

2.    Scan all of your important documents and save them to a free e-mail account

When traveling things can go wrong, so you have to be prepared. 

And nothing is worse, or harder to sort out, than losing important official documents like your passport, visas, travel itinerary, plane tickets, travel insurance and important phone numbers. 

But one way that you can always have access to these important documents no matter what happens is to scan them into a digital file such as a .jpg, .pdf etc. and then send them to one of your free e-mail accounts.  Just make sure that you set up a free account that is accessible from anywhere like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.

3.    Take Melatonin to beat jet lag

Melatonin is a dietary supplement that you can buy at any drug store in the USA.  It helps you to naturally overcome jet lag and get your body clock in line with your new time zone, much faster than you could normally.

This is a must-have, especially if you are travelling into a major time difference.

4.    Don’t Keep All Of Your Eggs in One Basket

When you are travelling, you are cut off from everything except what you have on you, and what you have packed in your luggage.  So don’t  put all your eggs in one basket by keeping all of your cash, traveler’s cheques and credit cards in the one place like your wallet, because if you lose your wallet or are robbed, then you are in serious trouble and left begging for help.  Definitely not ideal!

The best technique is to divide everything into two or three and store it in separate locations.  Keep some money and cards on you, some in your luggage and some in your carry-on. 

That way, if anything is stolen or lost, you still have enough money to get a cab, get to a hotel and sort the whole darn thing out!

5.    Research Your Destination Airport

Don’t presume that the airport that you are traveling to has everything that you need or is the same as you have back home.  It’s best to check in advance so that you don’t get stuck in a difficult situation.

Some airports close much earlier than they do here, or you may have to book hire cars in advance so make sure you know what facilities are available before you depart.

You don’t want to arrive to find out that the money-changer is closed or that all the rental cars are booked out leaving you sleeping on a bench!

6.    Your international travel tip…

These were just some less-common travel tips that we have helped save us time, money and frustration.  Hopefully these little ideas will save you some time and hassle the next time you travel.

But what about your travel tips?   Comment here or tell us on FaceBook what your clever little tricks are to stay in control and happy when traveling.

Why Nothing Beats a Magical African Safari

Picture this, my friends: You wake early in the morning, just as the first rays of sunlight are penetrating above the distant horizon. A low mist clings to the cooled ground and the eerie noises from animals greeting the day meets your ears. Giraffes can be seen in the distance, walking serenely between the largest trees to grab their first meal of the day; and then, a tiny deer-like creature scuttles in front of you: this is a dik dik which is a small species of antelope that you probably wouldn’t have heard of until you have ventured to Africa.

Absolutely no where else on this great planet of ours will you feel and marvel at the magical natural beauty of our world, other than on safari in Africa. Unless you do it for yourself, you can only imagine how you might feel when you are there. To really immerse yourself into this whole experience, it is imperative that you spend at least a couple of nights at either the campsites or lodges which are located deep within the African savannah.

If you do fancy the idea of an African safari, you need to ensure you book with a reputable and knowledgeable tour guide. This way they will know exactly where to take you to see the biggest range of animals; otherwise, you may simply spend several days aimlessly wandering around without hardly seeing a thing.

Of course, most people go on an African safari in the first place in order to catch what is known as The Big 5 Game. These are the animals which are deemed to be the most highly sought-after on a safari and originally they were believed to be the most difficult hunting targets on foot. They are the lion, leopard, buffalo, black rhino and the African elephant. If you manage to catch sight of at least three of these during your safari, you may count yourself as being very fortunate.

There are numerous other different types of animals to enjoy during a safari and for many people, they may feel that the giraffe, hyenas, mongooses, ostriches or warthogs etc. are equally rewarding sights during their trip. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with the sheer number of species of animals in this part of the world; you will definitely appreciate the fact that this part of our planet has an amazingly diverse eco-system in play.

If you are definitely contemplating the prospect of an African safari, you may be wondering where to go. Top of the list has to be Kenya, where you will find that the country has set many different national parks aside for the animals to wander around freely. Tsavo East and Tsavo West are the largest national parks, however, The Masai Mara is perhaps the best known. The Serengeti, in Tanzania, is also world-famous; especially for the mass migration of millions of wildebeest every year. You might also like to think about South Africa or Botswana.

Wherever you eventually decide to go on your African safari, rest assured that if you have a heart beating in your chest and a soul, you will not be able to help feeling moved and totally inspired by such a life-changing experience.