Snorkels!

I don't go on any Caribbean vacation without my US Divers snorkel set. The quality is great and it comes with a compact bad that helps fit all of the pieces into your suitcase! Retailing for $69.97 at Sports Authority, it's an investment that you can bring on all future vacations.

Honeymoon Series: Culinary Honeymoons

I love the idea of a Culinary Honeymoon. Culinary Quests is a tour company that lets you explore a country by way of it's cuisine. There are tours through Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain. Each day you are paired with a local chef who takes you to local markets where you can pick out fresh ingredients for the lesson of the day. Make dishes like penne strascicate, Tuscan meat ragu, pollo alla cacciatora, and ricotta cake with lemon and orange zest. Your mornings are usually filled with lessons followed by eating the lunch you prepared. Then, you have the afternoons and evenings to see the sites!

Honeymoon Series: Moleskine Notebooks

If you are anything like me, you like to plan trips and keep mementos. The Moleskine Notebook is the perfect way to do this! They have City Books which are a guide to each city as well as a place to keep items you have collected for years to come. They have US Cities, Asian Cities, and European Cities. Retailing at only $16.95, how could you not pick one of these up?

Moleskin also offers a ton of different planners, notebooks, and art books.

Honeymoon Series: Trunk Bay!

Trunk Bay on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. And with good reason! It's absolutely breathtaking. You aren't limited to seeing Trunk Bay if you are staying on St. John. There is a daily ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. It's quick and easy. From there you can take a cab or open air bus through the winding mountains and see Trunk Bay from above before arriving. There is a set snorkeling trail that you can follow if you are new to snorkeling. All of your snorkel equipment can be rented on the beach. There are full service facilities near the beach as well. It's a beautiful way to spend the day while in the Virgin Islands!

One tip: If you are staying on the islands, check and see which days there will not be cruise ships in. This is a common excursion on most cruise ships, so you may want to pick a day when less ships are in port.

Honeymoon Series: Biarritz, France!

In high school, I toured France and Spain for a few weeks. On our journey through the countries, Biarritz is one of the places that I vividly remember. Set in Basque country, this waterfront town is incredibly unique.

The Hotel du Palais is one of the finest hotels in Biarritz. It is a Leading Hotel of the World, and looking at the lobby you'd expect nothing less. This hotel will make you feel like royalty.

Biarritz attracts an athletic crowd. Best known for it's surfing, golfing and rugby. It's the perfect balance of opulence and activity to satisfy every traveler.

Honeymoon Series: Honeymoon Registries!

A few months back, I discussed honeymoon registries. I still do believe that it's a great alternative for couples who have been living together and have most of their housewares. However, there are a few things to watch out for when selecting your Honeymoon Registry to make sure that it's right for you.

Honeymoon Registries act almost like a bank account. Your registry consists of anticipated activities and trips, and your guests can pay into those activities. You get a check or deposit for that money and can use it accordingly once a gift is given. From that money, the registry takes up to 8.85% to cover their costs. Be aware of these fees.

Also take into account that the excursions and items you register for may not get purchased. However, in order to ensure that you can take advantage of them, you may need to book them well in advance. You will need to front that money with no guarantee that someone will purchase it for you. Register wisely to avoid purchasing items you ultimately cannot afford.

Honeymoon Series: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise!

Whether you like to ski during the winter or explore the wilderness in the summer, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta Canada is an ideal honeymoon destination. The backdrop of the Canadian Rockies and the turquoise waters of Lake Louise make you really feel like you are in a fairy tale.

The activities are endless at Lake Louise. If you come during the winter, you'll want to focus on snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and ice skating on Lake Louise. If you visit during one of the warmer months, you won't want to pass up a boat cruise, mountain biking, or exploring the Athabaska Glacier aboard the Brewster Ice Explorer.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers a wide range of dining service, from a fine dining experience overlooking the mountains to a 24 hour gourmet deli.

The best activity to take advantage of is the Gondola Rides. The Banff Gondola is an 8-minute ride to the top of Sulphor Mountain. The Lake Louise Gondola is a 14-minute ride which takes you up 2,088 feet where you can check out the amazing views, wildflowers, and natural springs.

Honeymoon Series: Tepper Jackson Travel Accessories!

With so many suitcases and travel bags available, it's tough to know yours from someone else's. To avoid grabbing someone else's luggage, pick up some travel accessories from Tepper Jackson.

You can use a brightly colored passport cover as a wallet while on your trip.

Tepper Jackson offers a huge line of totes in all different sizes, shapes, and colors.

You'll never miss your luggage if you tie on a brightly colored luggage tag like this! Tepper Jackson has a ton of different patterns to choose from, all just as vibrant!

Check out Tepper Jackson for all of this and so much more! Photo courtesy of Jane Pennells, lavishgiving.com.

Honeymoon Series: Isla Mujeres

On a trip to Cancun last summer, I stayed at the Cancun Palace. One of the available excursions was to spend the day on Isla Mujeres, The Island of Women. We boarded a bus and took the short ten minute drive to the ferry which took us to Isla Mujeres.The island is only 5 miles long by a half mile wide. There is a small downtown area with shops and restaurants.

Having traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, I was blown away by what I found when I get to Isla Mujeres. Our boat tour took us to Playa Norte, or North Beach. The water off of North Beach was the clearest water I have ever seen. There was no seaweed, no fish, just white sand and gorgeous water. We were in absolute awe of this beach. If you are anywhere in the Cancun area, this is the one place you MUST visit.

With our stay at the Cancun Palace, we had the ability to resort-hop to any of the Palace Resorts and stay and eat. Our excursion led us to the Isla Mujeres Palace, a resort focused more on honeymooners. It was much quieter than it's Cancun Counterparts. If you visit any of the Palace Resorts (which I highly recco!) make sure to visit the Cancun Palace and eat at the Hibachi Restaurant, Miyako. It ranks in the top 10 meals I have ever eaten in my life!

The resort features only 62 rooms, all of which have balconies. There are 4 couples spa rooms and 5 individual spa rooms. It's an all-inclusive resort with two swim up bars (order a BLUE LAGOON!), a pool, as well as a beautiful beach.

If you're looking for more than a honeymoon, you can have
your wedding here on the beach as well.

Disclaimer to Honeymooners: Isla Mujeres was once a sanctuary to Ixchtel, the Mayan Goddess of childbirth and medicine! You never know, it could be lucky for those looking for a honeymoon baby!

Honeymoon Series: Strida Bikes

If you are taking an adventure honeymoon, or would just like to see the sights in something other than a cab, try the Strida Bike. It's a folding bike that is greaseless and maintenance free. It folds in 7 seconds or less. You can bring it on a subway, on a train, or even checked on an airplane. When folded and in it's carrying bag, it looks like a set of golf clubs. It can easily be stored in a hotel closet when not in use. It comes in many different colors and three different sizes.

Retailers are located throughout the world. To find one in your neck of the woods, check out the Strida Bike Dealers.

Honeymoon Series: Adventure Honeymoons

Forbestraveler.com compiled a great list of the ultimate adventure honeymoons. If laying around on a beach is not your style, check out this list by Forbes Traveler.


The World Beach

If you're determined to just lay on a beach somewhere but can't agree on which stretch of sugar white sand it should be, there's an adventure honeymoon to suit. TCS Expeditions "Around the World: Islands" private jet trip stops in the Seychelles, the Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, Tonga, New Zealand's South Island, Tasmania, Brunei, Madagascar, Seychelles and Malta. And the $64,950 per person price tag will make the cash you blew on the wedding seem like small change. (TCS Expeditions)

Safari: Kenya

Abercrombie & Kent's safari in the Masai Mara is ideal for cat lovers. The stealthy guides driving open-sided jeeps know exactly how to approach to within a dozen feet of slumbering lions, leopards, cheetahs and more. (Apparently, humans don't resemble lunch until they step from the vehicle.) At Olonana tented camp—overlooking the Mara River and resident hippopotamus pods—the outdoor showers, double vanity, free laundry service and morning delivery of fresh coffee make it hard to believe you're in one of the wildest places on earth. Rise early for a tree-skimming dawn balloon ride to spot leopards, crocodile and all manner of predators before chowing down on a sumptuous champagne breakfast. (Abercrombie & Kent)

Archaeology Cruise: Egypt

Abercrombie & Kent's 13-day Romance Along the Nile itinerary will suit honeymooners who want more honeymoon and a little less adventure. Visit the Pyramids with your very own Egyptologist guiding you through secret passages and chambers. From the vantage point of a table set for two, watch the sunrise over the pyramids while your gloved waiter pours yet another glass of the bubbly. (Abercrombie & Kent)

Camel Camping: India

India's kaleidoscopic culture and royal connections make it an ideal destination for honeymooners with an adventurous spirit. Greaves Tours suggest an itinerary taking in Reggie Singh's Camel Camp, located in the dramatic Rajasthan desert. (Reggie's informal name belies the fact that he is actually the grandson of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.) On camel, visit local villages by day and, by night, return to camp to relax in the heated swimming pool among sand dunes. Before leaving India, spend a night at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, where Greaves can arrange for the Maharaja himself to join you for tea. (Greaves India)

Elephant Safari: Thailand

It's the "regal arrival" option at Anantara Golden Triangle that really lets your fellow travelers know that this is no ordinary vacation. Guests who choose this option arrive via long-tailed boat and elephant ride to be toasted on arrival with champagne. The three-day elephant safari brings you closer to nature and teaches you how to be a mahout (elephant driver). Ride to the top of a nearby mountain for sunset cocktails and dinner overlooking the Mekong River as it meets at the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Staff can also arrange a private breakfast in one of the nearby 600-year-old temples. (Anantara Golden Triangle)

Gorilla Trekking: Uganda

Travcoa's gorilla trekking itinerary includes three nights in a gorilla forest camp, nestled deep in the misty mountains and giant bamboo of Bwindi National Park. This verdant valley—not surprisingly a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is home to half the world's gorilla population and is lush with orchids and, rather conveniently for new couples, mistletoe. When honeymoon guests arrive back at camp after a day communing with their distant evolutionary cousins, they'll find a bath drawn, candles lit and flower petals spread across the floor. (Travcoa)

Hiking: Bhutan

Every visitor to Bhutan feels giddy and lightheaded. It might be love, but it's probably the altitude—20,000-foot peaks are spread across this tiny Himalayan kingdom. Embark on Uma Paro's ten-night Druk Path hike, taking in the region's precipitously positioned architectural and natural wonders. The highlight (which should be attempted only after fully acclimating to the altitude) is making the pilgrimage to Taktsang Monastery, known locally as the Tiger's Nest. After each day's rigorous hike, return to Uma Paro hotel where clawfoot tubs, open fireplaces, couples massages and hot stone baths await. The resort can also arrange traditional Bhutanese wedding ceremonies. (Uma Paro Hotel)

Rock Climbing: Italy

In the Tyrolean village high in the Dolomites, Rosa Alpina Hotel and Spa may have just invented Michelin-star climbing. The property's two-Michelin-star restaurant, St. Hubertus, is the perfect culinary base camp from which to explore the region's crags and peaks. Enthusiastic guides like "Pippo" Cola (who is also a professional chef) provide fascinating history lessons by exploring the vie ferrata (a network of suspension bridges, cable ladders and boardwalks used during the world wars). Don't miss a night in the property's remote rustic cabin, high in a verdant alpine meadow. (Rosa Alpina)

Sailing: Tahiti

With a plethora of over-water bungalows from St. Regis, Four Seasons and Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa, Tahiti is enduringly popular with honeymooners but can be a little light on adventure. After the novelty of feeding sharks and stingrays wears off, charter Taravana, the world's first catamaran capable of big game fishing under sail. A sunset cruise complete with a glass of bubbly in one hand and a thrashing marlin in the other will ensure that ordinary sailing will never be the same again. (The Art of Travel)

Scuba Diving: Australia

The thing that makes Lizard Island—the northernmost resort on the Great Barrier Reef—so remarkable is both the abundance and variety of fish and the vibrant color of the coral. The outer reef location means bluer water than the slightly greener inner reef. Find colorful fish, including the "Nemo" clownfish, without having to endure a lengthy boat ride. Highlights are cobalt blue Mori wrass, cuttle fish (the chameleon of the sea) and giants like and 1,000-pound blue marlin and 300-pound curious potato cod at Cod Hole. (Voyages)

All photos and information from Forbestraveler.com

Honeymoon Series: Underwater Camera

For any type of honeymoon that you choose, the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW camera will be a great tool to have. The camera is shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, dustproof, and crushproof. It can survive in temperatures down to 14 degrees, withstand 220 pounds of weight, falls up to 6.6 feet, and go down to 33 feet. It's the perfect tool if you are going scuba diving or snorkeling, skiing, or surfing.

You can find the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW camera at the Olympus Store, on Amazon.com, or at most major electronics retailers. Estimated retail price is $349.99.

Honeymoon Series: Flip Camera

One of the last things you'll want to pack on your honeymoon is a camcorder and all that goes along with it. If you still want to recorder a few key moments without all of the baggage, grab a Flip Camera. You can choose between 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB. There's the option of regular video or HD. Now, you can also personalize and design your Flip Camera. They range from $149.99-$229.99. The Flip Camera comes with software that allows you to edit, create movies, and add music to your clips. It's a great item to pick up before your wedding if you aren't having a videographer. Assign one of your guests to capture a few of those special moments like toasts and entrances.

You can buy the Flip Camera online or at most major electronics retailers.

Honeymoon Series: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort

If you make it to the Phoenix area for your honeymoon, take the short drive to Scottsdale to eat at the Italian restaurant named Sassi. They hold weddings and events there if you're interested in a destination event. The food is excellent, but the real draw is the beautiful design of the restaurant.

The glass candle holders on each table are made by a local artist who designs especially for the restaurant. He just loves what he does and wished to remain anonymous. Eventually, after much persistence, he decided to sell them at the restaurant. They are rare, so if you have the opportunity to purchase one, it makes a great gift to bring home. I have one and it's one of my favorite pieces in my home.

I love that this restaurant is made up of different rooms. Each room has a different layout, rather than one larger room. There is always something new to discover around every corner.

If you were to have your wedding at Sassi, it could be held on the lawn with the gorgeous desert backdrop.

Your cocktail hour or any other small event can be held on the patio. My personal dinner recco at Sassi? Hands down, the lamb!

While in Phoenix, The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort is one of the nicest hotels you can stay in. The grounds are stunningly beautiful, the hotel is immaculate, and the food is to die for. There are 81 suites and 950 guest rooms, yet the resort never feels crowded. You are surrounded by the desert and mountains. It's truly a gorgeous oasis retreat.

You'll never go hungry at the Desert Ridge Resort. For casual dining, head to Blue Sage and order the blue corn pancakes. For more formal dining, dine outside overlooking the fountains and mountains at Tuscany. You cannot under any circumstances go to Phoenix without stopping at Tuscany and trying their gnocchi. I have been trying to replicate their recipe for two years now with no look. It's incredible. The Meritage Steakhouse is another great option. The cow-patterned chair give the steakhouse an authentic feel, but the firepits and flat screen tv's add a bit of comfort.

Relaxation is inevitable when you open the doors to the Desert Ridge Spa. You are immedately calmed by the fountain centerpiece in the foyer. There are 41 rooms where you can get anything from a mani/pedi to a romantic couples massage.

There is nothing better than laying out in the pool, lazy river, or hot tub and seeing an 18 hole golf course up against the backdrop of the desert mountains. It's absolutely breathtaking.

Other great hotels to stay at in Arizona are the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort (the entire hotel does a complimentary tequila shot every night at 5pm!). Consult with the Arizona Guide for more information on traveling to Arizona.

Honeymoon Series: Honeydew Intimates

Honeymoon lingerie doesn't need to break the bank. Honeydew Intimates has adorable intimate sets that are sporty but sexy. They have an entire section of 3 for $36. It's a bargain you can't pass up!


I love that they feature so many boyshorts - so comfortable!

The best part about Honeydew Intimates is that they offer a gift registry and gift certificates. So, if you're on the modest side, this is the perfect thing to register for to avoid opening extremely inappropriate lingerie in front of your friends and family at your shower.

You can buy Honeydew Intimates online or in select Dillard's, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom.

Honeymoon Series: Passport Covers

The most important thing to bring with you on your honeymoon (aside from your new husband or wife) is your passport. Here are a few unique passport covers that ensure your passport stays safe and keeps it easily identifiable.

Mr. & Mrs. Passport Covers by the Classy Bride - $39.95 per set.

Personalized Passport Cover by Marilyn's Keepsakes - $22

Unique Passport Cover by HandiGift on Etsy - $10.50

This seller has a ton of different designs so you can pick one out for your husband as well!