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5 Luxury Honeymoon Breaks for Newlyweds

One of the best parts of organizing a wedding is surely the honeymoon planning. This should be the holiday of a lifetime, marking the perfect beginning to your married life. If you need some inspiration, here are five of the most luxurious honeymoon breaks that will deliver the wow factor… CONTINUE READING >> 

One of the best parts of organizing a wedding is surely the honeymoon planning. This should be the holiday of a lifetime, marking the perfect beginning to your married life.

A honeymoon is often a once in a lifetime opportunity and many couples are tempted to blow their budget on theirs, ticking off those bucket list places. So, where do you want to go?

Whether you want to explore a private island or spend a long weekend in a city you’ve never seen before, make sure you do your homework before booking. If you need some inspiration, here are five of the most luxurious honeymoon breaks that will deliver the wow factor.

The Maldives

You don’t get much more luxurious than The Maldives. A honeymoon in The Maldives is exclusive and secluded from the outside world. With white sandy beaches, bright blue waters and vibrant coral reefs this intimate setting makes for a truly incredible destination.

Away from the hustle and bustle of tourist crowds, there is very little distraction here but, if you do feel like taking part in some activities there is plenty for you to do, whether that’s water sports or exploring a new island. After a hectic couple of months planning your wedding, what better place to do nothing but eat, drink, rest and soak up the sun?

Brazil

With some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, beautiful golden sandy beaches and home to some incredible tropical rainforests – Brazil is a fantastic destination for honeymoon couples looking for an all-round holiday experience. Be prepared to have your breath taken away with a trip to Rio de Janeiro – a multicultural gem bursting with incredible natural surroundings, jagged cliffs and characterised by the local passion and love for life. Trust us, you won’t ever want to leave. Combine relaxing on the beach and exploring new places with your loved one for a trip you’ll never forget.

Paris

Paris is known as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Wander the streets hand in hand, taking in the amazing sights and soaking up the culture of the captivating city. Though the Eiffel Tower is a must-see for couples here, be sure to check out other great landmarks such as The Musee d’Orsay and Georges Pompidou museum and monument. When you’re not soaking up the atmosphere, enjoy a glass of wine or champagne in a Michelin starred restaurant while enjoying some delicious local cuisine.

Mexico

With a range of luxurious resorts, there’s no place quite like Mexico. Enjoy some popular activities including whale watching, snorkeling, volcano tours or a ride on the Copper Canyon Railway and explore some of the country’s best landmarks – Chichen Itza or Tulum. If the exploring gets too much for you both, relax on one of the many beautiful golden beaches and take in the sun. Mexico will always be a popular holiday destination thanks to its variety of excursions, keeping you entertained for days.

Cuba

Fast becoming one of the hottest travel destinations, a honeymoon here is full of culture. With old buildings, music, tropical sunshine and many beautiful beaches, you will be blown away by the sheer beauty of this place. Of course, while here you must visit Havana and explore its magnificent history, which is bursting with colourful colonial architecture and amazing Spanish style mansions. It’s a city made for people watching and admiring the vintage cars as they head down one of the many cobbled streets. Enjoy live rumba music around every corner and bask in the lovely sunshine.

Make sure you spend time looking around and don’t jump at the first place that springs to mind – remember, you want this to perfect so find the ideal place for you both.

We are happy to present this post in collaboration with Louise Wood to offer valuable information to our readers.

Cycling Through a Culinary Exploration of Cuban Cuisine

While we were preparing for our bicycling adventure in Cuba with Backroads Travel , we spoke with several people who told us not to expect much from the food. This fit right in with our preconceived notions of the island but, like most all of them, proved to be false… CONTINUE READING >> 

While we were preparing for our bicycling adventure in Cuba with Backroads Travel, we spoke with several people who told us not to expect much from the food. This fit right in with our preconceived notions of the island but, like most all of them, proved to be false.

Our expectations of bland beans, rice, and chicken were blown away by exciting dishes that incorporate the spices and techniques of Spanish and African cooking. Being on an island also means that the bounty of the sea plays an important role in the cuisine of Cuba.

From our first night in Havana, to the farms and cafes we dined at across the countryside, we were pleasantly pleased with every single meal.

The rooftop restaurant we found the evening we arrived served delicious and innovative dishes with strong connections to the island’s culinary traditions. Chef Ramon Manuel Lopez Alarcon certainly delivered on El Cocinero Restaurant’s reputation as one of Cuba’s finest.

Far from the plain, uninspired cuisine we had been warned to expect, we dined on pork tenderloin with a creamy corn and coconut sauce and grilled Caribbean spiny lobster accompanied by pilaf and salad. Others in our group chose lamb curry and duck confit and were equally impressed.

As delicious as the entrées were, the deserts were truly the stars of the show. We ordered a couple to share around the table, including the house specialty chocolate tart and an innovative, as well as quite cute, take on rice pudding that came served like sushi.

Breakfast the next morning was simple, yet elegantly presented, and we found this to be true throughout our journey. Artfully arraigned fresh tropical fruits, served along with eggs and an assortment of cheese, meats, and breads was the norm.

Lunches were also straightforward and practical, yet delectable and showed great attention to detail.

Before our ride one day we stopped at Restaurante El Cuajaní on a tobacco farm near the base of a magote in the Viñales Valley for fish roasted in a brick oven with mixed local veggies and mashed malanga. Even this Cuban version of down home cooking was plated with care and style.

Thus we had our introduction to malanga, which is a root very similar to taro, and is the go to starch of the island. Over the next few days we would see it a lot, usually mashed, but also fried, stewed, baked, and as chips.

Another memorable lunch was served to us beachside at Playa deCayo Jutías. With our feet nearly in the ocean, how could we eat anything but fresh caught fish? Snapper with rice filled the bill nicely, and a ride back to the hotel in a 1957 De Soto Diplomat made it nearly a perfect afternoon.

Such a day also requires some sort of liquid sustenance and we discovered two brews that fit right in, Bucanero and Cristal. Both are light and refreshing, Cristal somewhat lighter, and these were the only two beers we ever saw.

Rum is probably the most popular Cuban potent potable, with Havana Club being the big one, but don’t be fooled, the Havana Club sold in the states is not the real thing. It is made in Puerto Rico by Bacardi.

While the locals usually drink it straight, we were content to stick with fruity foo-foo drinks. Piña Coladas were everywhere, and the best we ever had, hands down.

They sure came in handy the night we preceded dinner with Salsa dance lessons.  We were loosened up nicely, made valiant attempts at shaking our booties, then dined on mini pizza style appetizers and a roast chicken and pork dinner served family style.

However, our most entertaining libation by far was the Coctel Antiestrés, or anti-stress cocktail. This was a perfect after tour and pre dinner break that we not only enjoyed, but also learned to make at our farm to table visit to Finca Agroecológica Paraíso.

Pineapple juice, mint, canella, basil, anise, piper auritum, honey, and of course, rum are mixed, poured over ice, and served until any and all stress is removed. In our experience, that doesn’t take long.

With our tension levels near all-time lows we were ready for anything, even going whole hog so to speak. That is what the meal consisted of, a whole hog.

We got a behind the scenes before and after look at the process, then proceeded to enjoy some of the best roast pork we have ever tasted.

There is one last beverage that we cannot possibly overlook in our discussion of Cuban refreshments, coffee. Everywhere we went the java was pretty jammin’, but this night the joe, like everything else, was raised right on the premises organic farm to table.

Also in keeping with the rest of the evening’s fare, the coffee was fantastic. Strong, but not too much, and served in the coolest little wooden shot glasses. So cool that a couple of them came home with us as souvenirs.

No, no. Not anything like that. No sneakiness.

We gladly paid for these reminders of how everything excided expectations.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

A big thank you to Backroads Travel  for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

The Empty Nest Through a Husband’s Eyes

There is much more to beauty and allure than physical appearance. Years of shared experiences, and the comfort of complete compatibility, more than make up for any lost youth, no matter what these marketers splash across our screens.

As men, we see those images too, and have been persuaded — no, programmed — into thinking that we all want supermodels who think about nothing more than fun times and a lot of beer. Well, I have two things to say about that:

First… CONTINUE READING >>

The Empty Nest Through a Husband's Eyes - GypsyNester.com

Empty nest syndrome.

Judging from what I see online, these three words are almost exclusively associated with mothers, but the adjustments involved are felt by every member of the family.

Daddies miss their children too, and our newly minted adults can go through difficult adaptations while making the transition into the brave new world of personal responsibility as well.

Yet, as with everything else involving marriage and parenting, we’ve charged headlong into this new challenge without an instruction manual.

Now that I’ve had a few years to adjust to this phase of life, I feel that I can look back and offer some helpful nuggets of wisdom, especially pertaining to the couple that was married decades ago.

Without a doubt, raising kids changed our relationship — likely for the better — but with that behind us, the time had come to do a little rekindling of our old flame. Veronica felt unsettled by her loss of mommy duties, so I made a point to focus on the feelings that I have for her, just as I did before parenting entered our picture.

I’m not talking about pretending that we’re twenty-something again (although a little of that ain’t bad at all!), but rather rediscovering the attraction that brought about the big fall into that chasm of love in the first place. Sure, we are very different people now than the crazy kids we were back then, but the flint and steel that provided the spark is still within us; it just needs a little dusting off.

These attraction embers still have life because there is much more to attractiveness than what meets the eye. Veronica is not vain, but — like many women — she has struggled with the image of herself as the years have gone by. The bombardment by advertising’s unrealistic ideas of the female form — regardless of age — has an impact.

But here in the real world, there is much more to beauty and allure than physical appearance. Years of shared experiences, and the comfort of complete compatibility, more than make up for any lost youth, no matter what these marketers splash across our screens.

As men, we see those images too, and have been persuaded — no, programmed — into thinking that we all want supermodels who think about nothing more than fun times and a lot of beer. Well, I have two things to say about that:

First, it’s crap. This fantasy has no relation to real life, where our desires stem from actual affection, love, connection, and passion.

Second, when it comes to these fictitious, ideal females, most of us men are like dogs that bark at cars; we wouldn’t have the slightest idea what to do with one if we caught it.

Perhaps the most important point I can make is that in order to explore these changes and feelings as a couple, we needed to talk. Believe it or not, even though we’ve been married for over three decades, sometimes our mind-reading skills lead us astray.

Luckily we’ve learned to be open and honest about our relationship, both physical and emotional, but it’s vital to know what each of us expects, fears, anticipates, looks forward to and, yes, dreads in the upcoming thirty years so we can face them together.

Veronica really brought this home to me recently when she said, “Remember when we were first married and we used to talk about growing old together?”

Sure I do, back then it was cute and romantic, in a sort of Beatles “When I’m Sixty-Four” kind of way, but it was an idea that became easily overlooked in the hectic frenzy of child rearing. Now the time has come to wholeheartedly embrace the concept. Like it or not, it’s staring us down as a fact of life.

Then it struck me: the idea is still romantic, in a very real sort of way. In fact, it’s practically the definition of romantic, “doing and saying things to show that you love someone.”

I don’t think there’s a better way to embrace that concept than by celebrating each day of our future together.

Because, seriously, how lucky am I to have this time to spend with my best friend?

David, GypsyNester.com

YOUR turn: Veronica here: I cried when I read this. Did you have the same reaction?

Top 5 Fascinating Locations for Scuba Diving in Thailand

Thailand is undoubtedly exactly a place where not only the gorgeous scenery is found, but also the best place for aquatic sports activities. Here are the top 5 places for deep-sea diving in Thailand… CONTINUE READING >> 

Thailand is undoubtedly exactly a place where not only the gorgeous scenery is found, but also the best place for aquatic sports activities. This country, having stunning seascapes, is seen mostly by people and all scuba divers. You will find 5 places in Thailand where tourists consider the fantastic places to go diving.

Listed are the top 5 places for deep-sea diving in Thailand:

Andaman Sea

The best diving place in Thailand. The Andaman Sea is situated at the south-east part of the Gulf of Bengal. This particular place is the first option for all scuba divers here in Thailand. The ocean is abundant with stunning sea gardens and a huge collection of coral formations. Scuba divers may jump to the sea after a visit to the great Andaman beach. Additionally, there are scuba diving training offered for novices and diving facilities where you can get everything they need for diving.

Hin Mouang

Also referred to as the “Purple Rock.” At this site, scuba divers can easily take a glance of Hin Mojang’s own “pelagic fish.” This place also includes big underwater areas ideal for all scuba divers. You can even find strange sea critters that can easily be seen here. Here, scuba divers can take pleasure in seeing the vibrant number of strange species of fish breeds, coral reefs landscapes, as well as plant-like creatures under the ocean.

Surin Islands

This is situated at 18 km Far East of the Mu Koh Surin sea park. Surin Isles is a destination for sighting whale sharks. Scuba divers can also discover large varsities of pelagic fish. The sea view makes it best for professional photographer scuba divers. This place also gives experienced tour guides to help scuba divers with the strong gusts of the Surin Isle waters.

Similan Islands

This is actually a one day vacation from Kaoh Lak. Here, one will discover fine aqua blue waters having a large population of multi-colored fish. The best time to dive here is in the morning, or even what scuba divers called “Breakfast bend,” as this is the time when a lot of underwater types of fish is seen. Throughout the morning, you will find this sea leopard sharks, scorpion bass, trigger bass, barracudas, and lots of other species of fish. The corals are in superb condition. The optimum time of the year to Scuba diving in Similan isles is from April to May months of the season.

Koh Tao

This particular place may not be usual for overseas scuba divers, yet it’s a great destination for this activity. Here you will find different ways of scuba diving, but better diving on a liveaboard cruise instead any other way. The underwater attractiveness of Koh Tao is still unblemished so that scuba divers can see its natural splendor. You will find huge types of fishes and strange underwater types seen here. The corals are also at their best.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Bird-watching Tours Near Colombo

With diverse climatic regions and natural habitats, Sri Lanka is a birder’s paradise. This tropical island on the Indian Ocean is home to over 400 species of birds. Needless to say, nature-lovers should not miss the opportunity to spot the exquisite variety of birds amid the beautiful surroundings… CONTINUE READING >> 

With diverse climatic regions and natural habitats, Sri Lanka is a birder’s paradise. This tropical island on the Indian Ocean is home to over 400 species of birds, including 236 breeding residents and over 203 migrants. Seasonal migratory birds, both terrestrial and aquatic, arrive here from as far as Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe, to escape the Northern winter. As Sri Lanka is situated at the farthest southern point with no other landmass until the South Pole, the migrating birds end their long journey in this tear-drop island.

Needless to say, bird-watchers and nature-lovers should not miss the opportunity to spot rich and exquisite variety of bird species amid the beautiful natural surroundings when they visit Sri Lanka. Being the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo is certain to be included in the itinerary of every traveller visiting Sri Lanka. For accommodation, the Colombo Fort hotels are great for comfortable stay in the city at reasonable prices. Listed below are some of the best spots for bird-watching tours in and around the city:

Talangama Wetlands

Located a few kilometres from the city centre, the Talangama Wetlands are an oasis of peace amid the sprawling urban jungle of Colombo. This marshland is one of the last remaining wetlands in Sri Lanka’s capital. It is extraordinarily diverse and attracts a lot of wildlife. It is home to at least 100 bird species, besides various types of butterfly and dragonfly as well as small mammals which are spotted mostly in the early mornings or late evenings. Talangama is a great place to begin your holiday in Sri Lanka or even if you’re a local seeking a peaceful, relaxing spot in the heart of the island’s capital city.

Muthurajawela

The Muthurajawela wetland is home to many species of birds, flora, fish, reptiles and mammals. It is a fabulous spot for a day excursion from both Colombo and Negombo as it is located in close proximity to both these cities. Apart from enjoying the views of various birds, flowers and animals in their natural surroundings, one also gets an opportunity to interact with the local fishing community.

Colombo Suburbs

Located in close proximity to Colombo, this is a great excursion for nature-lovers and bird-watchers. It can be visited by everyone who passes or stays in Colombo. Since it is a walking trail, there is the added bonus of getting some exercise while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. If you’re willing to avail accommodation in Colombo’s suburbs, then you may check out the Dematagoda hotels which offer great choices at affordable prices.

Udawatte Kele

This breathtakingly beautiful forest in Kandy will make your trip from Colombo to this city every bit worthwhile. It is a historic sanctuary of significant cultural and historic value. It is famous for its rich variety of avifauna and plant species including lianas, shrubs and small trees. Besides, one gets the opportunity to visit the historically important ruins and places from the Kandyan Kingdom and the Senkada Cave.

Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary

Kalametiya is a coastal wetland on the picturesque south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It has a very rich bio-diversity which includes about 150 species of birds. Although located a bit further away some 200 kms from Colombo, the journey to this fascinating place is truly worth it. One gets the opportunity for bird-watching in the beautiful natural environment and also interact with the local community.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

How to Make the Most of Your Puerto Rico Bio Bay Tour

If you are lucky enough to have gained the opportunity to explore the precious five bioluminescent bays of the world, it should ideally be planned well for maximum fun and pleasure. When planned right, the experience can be nothing short of dazzling! CONTINUE READING >> 

If you are lucky enough to have gained the opportunity to explore the precious five bioluminescent bays of the world, it should ideally be planned well for maximum fun and pleasure. When planned right, the experience can be nothing short of dazzling! However, when done wrong, it can be easily become one of the biggest opportunities lost in your lifetime.

As VIP Limo Puerto Rico, a company providing some of the best transportation options for Bioluminescent Bay tours in Puerto Rico, explains, there are some tricks travellers need to know to make their bio bay tour a spectacular one, such as taking a Biobay kayak tour. We look at some of these tips here.

Tips for Successful Bioluminescent Bay Tours in Puerto Rico

Know the facts with a bit of research: Bioluminescent microorganisms, which are essentially responsible for the glow and glitter, are dinoflagellates, which are single celled bacteria that emit a brief glow once every 24 hours. There are millions of such bacteria in the bay and they glow when there is a disturbance in the water. Therefore, the best way to capture a photograph is to take a long exposure shot with a camera placed on a tripod stand. It is important to know that most of the images that you see online are doctored and the actual experience is going to be different.

Keep the moon cycle in mind: Moonlight is one of the major factors that will either enhance or compromise your Bio Bay experience. The ideal setting would be either a full or a crescent moon in a sparkling clear sky. Although a partly cloudy sky can make the atmosphere dreamier, the bioluminescence cannot be enjoyed to the fullest unless the skies are crystal clear. Among the five bio bays of the world, the Mosquito Bay at Puerto Rico is the brightest and this is the one you must head to for the best experience.

Don’t put on hiking boots or sporty gear: Unlike most other tours of Puerto Rico, this one does not require you to dress for a hike. Although the bay is surrounded by a thick mangrove patch, you will not be required to trek through this patch. Most tour transport providers also arrange for off-roading trucks that will drop you right at the edge of the water. Since it is a kayak tour at Bio bay, you should ideally wear garments and footwear apt for the water. Any other shoes are likely to get damaged.

Beware of bug bites: Bug bites are common in these waters. However, you will not be allowed to apply pesticide sprays or even chemical-based lotions and perfumes. Bio bays are disappearing fast and these measures have successfully revived Mosquito Bay. What you are allowed to use is a non-DEET bug spray, which can be apply on all exposed body parts for protecting against bugs. Choose long sleeves for shirts and full-length bottom wear.

And most importantly, do not forget to look down. When you look beneath the shadow of your kayak in the water, you can spot fish that appear to be almost radioactive. In some places, you can actually witness schools of fish passing by, glowing brightly as they swim!

For even more fun check out darmowe spiny za rejestrację bez depozytu.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

What You Need To Know Before Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been referred to as the New York of Asia on several occasions. It is not only vibrant with beautiful fusion, but it is packed with tons of culture. That being said, before you just pack up and head out, there are a variety of things that you need to be aware of… CONTINUE READING >> 

Are you planning your first trip overseas? Or, maybe this is your second trip abroad. Whatever the situation is, there are tons of beautiful destinations that you have to choose from. However, if Hong Kong isn’t at the top of your list you are making a major mistake. In fact, Hong Kong has been referred to as the New York of Asia on several occasions. It is not only vibrant with beautiful fusion, but it is packed with tons of culture. That being said, before you just pack up and head out, there are a variety of things that you need to be aware of.

Speaking To The Locals

There are going to be times when you have to speak with the locals. For the most part, speaking English is a good thing, as most of the citizens in the big urban districts can speak this language. However, Cantonese is really the local language and most widely spoken. And, Cantonese is not the same thing as Mandarin. So, do not try to speak to the locals in Mandarin, as they might get offended.

How To Get Around

For the most part, Hong Kong is big and complicated. This makes getting around even tougher. If this is your first time here and you are not familiar with the roadways, your best means of travel is public transportation. The public transportation system is very efficient, clean, and extremely affordable for tourists. In fact, you can get a ferry ride for right around a quarter. The transit system on the other hand might cost right around thirty cents.

When booking with a Hong Kong Tour Packages, your best option might be to invest in an Octopus card. This card can be purchased at any convenience store or coffee shop for right and it can be utilized to access all public transportation system.

Knowing How To Dress

Hong Kong has some beautiful and not so beautiful weather conditions. If you are visiting during July, you can expect to sweat, but you better be prepared to have a sweater or light jacket, as most stores never turn off their air-conditioning systems. You will go from sweating to freezing once you step indoors. If you are traveling to Hong Kong during the springtime (March to June), you probably want to pack an umbrella and lots of raingear, as the destination receives a lot of rain during this time of year. There are also lots of hills and valleys, so a good pair of walking shoes will be a necessity.

Eating With Etiquette

Did you know that Chinese cuisine is all about sharing? In fact, it shows good etiquette to order one portion or sampler and share it amongst two individuals. At some restaurants, the locals even perform a polite little dance around the last dumpling in each basket. In most cases, the senior at the table would be the one to get the dumpling, but others can politely ask if they want dibs. Also, keep in mind that most Chinese cuisine is packed with bones and it shows good table manners if your place your uneaten bones on the saucer plate that will come beneath your dinner plate.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.