Renew Your Vows in Mexico

December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Renewing vows is a special occasion that can be as exciting yet harrowing as your wedding day. How exciting would it be to renew your vows in a foreign location such as Mexico? With breathtaking sunsets and pristine beaches, Mexico is a top destination for tourists and you can easily renew your vows there for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Choose a city in Mexico. There are many locations in Mexico that offer wedding packages and most all of them include renewal of vows. Check with the different resorts in places like Cozumel, Cancun, Playa Del Carman and Belize. It’s an excellent idea to check online reviews before you start. That way you have a heads up on what others have experienced and can avoid places where others have had issues or problems.

Once you determine a location, inquire about costs and package deals. Most resorts that offer weddings will have a variety of options to choose from such as whether or not you’ll have guests, if you want to include food or a cake, decorations and ceremony length. You can make your vow renewal an extravagant affair or a simple ceremony that is perfect for all budgets. The concierge at the resort might even be able to recommend someone to create you a piece of designer jewelry for the ring.

If you feel that a package deal is too expensive, find an officiate. Usually you can find a Justice of the Peace or an officiate at a resort to perform the ceremony. Since you are already married, there is less paperwork and legal documents. You will obviously have to bring your marriage license but otherwise, there are no legal documents that have to be completed.

Include your travel arrangements in your budget. Since you are traveling to another country you’ll have to include your travel plans and this can be the biggest part of your budget. A best case scenario is if you have already planned your trip and have decided to renew your vows while in Mexico. In that case all you have to add is the ceremony and whatever package you choose.

  • Share/Bookmark
Filed Under: Places, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: , ,

Eco-Vacations Becoming More Popular

November 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Gall(pizi)
Image via Wikipedia

Eco-vacations are becoming more popular across the globe. For many families, eco-vacations are too expensive and may appear to be out of reach. However, there are plenty of eco-trips that are located right in the USA and that work well for families.

Some of the simplest eco-vacations involve travel to one of the various wildlife refuges in the United States. If you want to explore the birds and butterflies, there are several places that are open year round. One is Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania where 18,000 birds of prey may be seen during their emigration journey. You can also take the family birding in Cape May in New Jersey. Other destinations may have more limited timeframes so check out the peak periods before booking.

If you want to expose the family to farm life, there are a variety of farms open year round for people to learn about farming; one such vacation is Handsome Brook Farm in New York State. Here the family can groom the animals and pick berries and vegetables from the garden. Another example is the Leaping Lamb Farm in Oregon where the goal is for the children to learn about conservatism, sustainable farming and caretaking. Choosing a small farm supports a local business and the local economy.

There are also eco-vacations available that explore Native American life. One, at Wild Echo Bison Reserve, allows you to stay in a log cabin, visit Lakota Sioux tipis, or study wildlife with 2 well-renowned biologists – all while surrounded by bisons in the Montana wilderness. At Clear Water River Company, the family can be hands-on with all activities; this camp is located on the Lewis and Clark Trial. You can also arrange for a volunteer vacation on Native American lands to help rescue Native American culture and traditions.

Eco-vacations are often off the beaten path but can offer a world of education and enjoyment.

  • Share/Bookmark
Filed Under: Hotels, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

All-Inclusive Vacation Packages

October 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Mediterranean Sea
Image by ChrisYunker via Flickr

There are a host of travel packages that will do the work for you when planning your next vacation. Whether it’s a trip of celebration, relaxation, or to indulge your party’s wanderlust, there are affordable deals that will take care of the travel arrangements and itineraries for you. If you want to jet-set to another country or visit a local landmark, all-inclusive travel packages allow you to experience an exhilarating vacation within your budget. Your options are endless in terms of how you will reach your desired destination and what activities you will participate in while enjoying your vacation.

All-inclusive travel packages consolidate travel and accommodation deals so you may relax and being an active force on your vacation. You can take a plane and be picked up by a limo or shuttle at the airport that will conveniently take you to check-in at your temporary home. While settling in at the hotel, bed and breakfast, or cottage, your plans will have already been booked and organized to fit your schedule. Inclusive trips often include excursions, meals, drinks, and show tickets with your trip total value. This luxury allows you and your party to have the peace of mind that your wallet won’t be thinner by the time you depart for home again.

You can relax in the sun, take a dance class, or snorkel in the Mediterranean with cost paid up-front and will a flexibility that allows most travelers to change plans or re-schedule their activities once they reach their destination or during the vacation itself. Even inclusive deals make allowances for travelers who change their mind about what their vacations should include. To pay upfront means that your next vacation will not only be affordable but convenient and exciting as you experience the vacation of a lifetime with your traveling companions and new friends.

  • Share/Bookmark
Filed Under: Hotels, Tourism, Vacation Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Traveling on the Cheap

October 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Young David Mural
Image by mharrsch via Flickr

You hear about people who “see Europe on $45 a day,” but you wonder if that can really happen. With a little judicious planning, it can.

Consider alternative forms of lodging. Hostels, private homes, bed and breakfast accommodations and others can be cheaper than a luxury hotel. Also, consider checking with universities. During the summer months, when students are off-campus, it is not unusual for some of them to offer dorm rooms for rent. You may have to supply your own linens, toiletries, and other things, but the price may be very reasonable. In addition, since universities are often located close to downtown areas, you may be closer to the attractions you wish to visit.

Consider staying “off the beaten path.” Even staying a mile from a major downtown area or tourist center may save you as much as 50% on hotel and dining expenses. It doesn’t even have to be that far. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, staying one block off the main thoroughfare can save you money on your hotel room.

Find out where the locals eat. Again, this may mean straying a little bit from the familiar, but then again you may find some of the most delicious food you have ever eaten.

Take advantage of discount coupons. These can get you savings on hotel rooms, dining, ski deals or even attractions.

With all the hoopla over paying for checked baggage going on, this can be a good time to reconsider how you pack. Pack as light as you can. Carry clothing that can be mixed and matched and only one or two pairs of shoes.

It’s all right to want to save money, but don’t make your vacation budget so tight that you can’t enjoy yourself. If you plan carefully, and make cuts or reductions in those areas that you really can, you’ll be able to have a little spending money left over.

  • Share/Bookmark
Filed Under: Adventure, Hotels, Places, Random Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , ,