Vieques Island & Puerto Rico

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

So we set off to hit some Southern Caribbean Islands starting with Puerto Rico and Vieques Island, since we are tropic specialists, every year we add new islands to our portfolio to visit.
We feel very strongly about personally traveling from Island to Island to give our clients first hand knowledge, we know its a hard job but someone has to do it!!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

First Island was Puerto Rico, this is a pretty big island to explore so we spent a several days there and traveled our way through, from Old San Juan with its cobblestone streets to the modern city of San Juan and its beach towns to the lush rain forests and their beautiful out islands, we will try our best to virtually travel you through with us………

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Our first stop was Old San Juan, with its historic past, cobblestone streets and distinctive Spanish architecture, this was a real treat!
It has shaded courtyards, lively cafe’s and designers boutiques and highly regarded galleries, you kind of feel like you stepped into what I think of a little European town? (keep in mind we are tropic specialists not Europe specialists!) lol
Its now thought of as a real modern world capital, where the old world meets the new.

Condabo Beach, Puerto Rico

Next stop, one of my favorites, to check out the most popular beach areas! Puerto Rico is blessed with hundreds of miles of sandy beaches.
Condado Beach, which is one of the most popular, right in the heart of Puerto Rico and is the backyard playground of Condado’s resort hotels, also close to restaurants, shops, pubs etc…
The beaches along Isla Verde Avenue, have white sand, palm trees, ocean breezes, beautiful bodies, and plenty of bars and eateries. In between the two neighborhoods is Ocean Park, with its wide beaches and tree-lined streets…just to name a few in San Juan area.

Gran Melia, club level, PR

Gran Melia, Club Level Pool, Puerto Rico

Gran Melia, Puerto Rico

Now, lets hop on over to the other side of the island, which is spread-out more and has a remote, slower pace feel to it!
We stayed at Coco Beach, where we were graciously invited by the Grand Melia Resort, club style! I can’t say enough good about this beautiful property, in my opinion its a great location for a Destination Wedding or Honeymoon, the beach is more private and
located much more remote, pretty much by themselves surrounded by beautiful Coco Beach and Donald Trump’s lush golf courses! There is something for everybody there, if you want to be a little more private and pampered opt for the Club side of the resort, where you will get special amenities like private cocktails and snacks and full daily breakfasts as well as special VIP pool amenities like Bali beds and a butler at your becking call, trust me, the extra $ is well worth it!

Vieques, Puerto Rico

The W Resort and Spa, Vieques

Vieques Island Hopper

Next stop, my personal favorite, Vieques Island! I love to island hop and Puerto Rico is a very nice island to do that from, you can either take ferry or little hopper over, which we did, love love love it, beautiful scenery you fly over and its only about 15 minute flight to this little island paradise!
We were invited and picked up at the airport by the famous W Resort & Spa, which by the way I fell completely in LOVE with, its the perfect size with a boutique feel and oceanfront with white sand beach, beautiful rooms, amazing oceanfront dining and a infinity pool to die for!!!!!
I’m completely in love with this island, after visiting the entire island of Vieques we decided to put it on our top 10 honeymoon list, and of course highly recommend staying at the W Resort, we made some great contacts there that promise to VIP our couples as well!
Vieques island is so quaint, its only 21 miles long and 4 miles wide, its fun little island. You see horses just roaming the island, sometimes in the road or at the beach, you never know where you might see them, scooters, bikes and jeeps seem to be the main mode of transportation there.
There are 2 cute little main towns on the island, Esmeralda which is known for their fishing and boardwalk along the beach on the southside and Isabel is the capital located on the northside of the island.
I have to say, I will definitely be back, I met some locals who I’m sure will be long time friends, I left another piece of my heart on this beautiful island paradise!

Vieques Island

Honeymoon Locations – Top 5

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Honeymoon Designers shared their Top 5 Honeymoon locations, based on all our couples that are getting married and honeymooning for 2015.
1. Tahiti and her islands (Bora Bora & Moorea)– “Favorite honeymoon locations, year after year!” The most romantic place on earth, with its clear turquoise blue lagoons and palm fringed beaches. Known for their over water bungalows, small peaceful villages, this is a honeymooners dream paradise, rated #1 most romantic place in the world!

2. Maui, Hawaii– The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. This island paradise is very desirable with its diversity and attractions, with white and black sand beaches, waterfalls and more.
Perfect for those couples that can only visit one island on their honeymoon and have never been to any before, Maui really is the best mix of all the islands wrapped up in one!

3. Belize & her outer island (Ambergris Caye)– Located in Central America, north of Mexico & west of Guatemala. A divers paradise, truly unique with multicultural experiences. From rainforests to white sand beaches, whether you want to stay in a beach cabana or luxury resort, Belize really is really untouched beauty, it is Un-Belizable!

4. Fiji– The magical isle with the friendliest people on earth! From glistening white sand beaches & crystal clear lagoons to untouched rainforests, known for their Tree Top Bure’s and many beautiful islands to chose from, Fiji really is a slice of heaven on earth!

5. Mexico– The fastest growing tourist destination! From its soft white sand beaches, turquoise crystal clear blue waters, to its ancient Mayan ruins. Riviera Maya area attracts honeymooners looking for the perfect all-inclusive resort while being budget friendly as well.

To find your perfect honeymoon match, try our new interactive honeymoon planning tool @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

Waikiki Beach Marriott~ Honeymoon Giveaway!

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Announcing our next honeymoon giveaway in the heart of Waikiki!

Imagine a resort that is close to the excitement of Waikiki, but tucked quietly away – making it your perfect honeymoon getaway.

Waikiki Beach Marriott is centrally located next to famous Diamond Head Crater and near all the main attractions and sights, this Waikiki resort offers unrivaled service, in a landmark setting.

Couples can enjoy the resorts two fresh water, heated pools, 24 hour fitness center, Royal Kaila Spa, five award winning restaurants, lush tropical landscaping with water features that will awaken your senses, spacious rooms with private Lanai’s to relax your soul and connect with your loved one and of course all Waikiki beach has to offer and beyond!

The lucky couple that wins this Waikiki Honeymoon, will enjoy four days and three nights accommodations, chilled bottle champagne & dozen chocolate covered strawberries to start your honeymoon off right!

To enter to win, take our short quiz on Virtual Honeymoon and join the contest!

“We would like to thank our favorite wholesaler, Pleasant Holidays, who graciously donated this getaway.”
We will be drawing live, the first week of May, stay tuned for exact day and time to follow soon!

Honeymoon Planning made easy!

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Honeymoon planning can often be very stressful and overwhelming for couples, keep in mind that perfect honeymoons don’t just happen, and planning requires thoughtfulness, patience, careful attention to details, and a lot of decision-making along the way. This is why we highly recommend using a certified honeymoon specialist who don’t charge any fees for their service and will save you alot of stress along the way, honeymoon planning made easy!
Here’s some of our top honeymoon spots from 2015:

Top Honeymoon Hotspots

Your honeymoon can be the most romantic trip you’ll ever take, and it can also be a lot of fun. Look for a destination that offers everything you want. Remember that there is no “ideal” destination – the personality of you and your partner will determine where on the planet your honeymoon should be. However, the following locations traditionally are considered the greatest spots to honeymoon and top many newlyweds” travel wish-lists………BUT we recommend finding your personal honeymoon match, just take a quick fun interactive quiz together and find out your top 2 destinations match, you will be able to virtually explore together, try it now: www.VirtualHoneymoon.com
Once you find your perfect match with our new honeymoon planning tool, our honeymoon designers will help you find the best resort match based on our likes and dislikes, its complimentary to use one of our honeymoon designers, they have all traveled and been certified in every destination we recommend!

Hawaii – Hawaii remains the number one destination for honeymoons year after year because of its romantic sunsets, magnificent beaches, and luxurious hotels. Visitors to Hawaii can also conveniently hop from island to island to experience just about any climate and adventure under the sun, including kayaking, mountain climbing, surfing, scuba, and even hiking in a rainforest.

Mexico – From the Yucatan peninsula to the Pacific Coast, Mexico is all at once romantic, adventurous, and laid-back. A collection of spectacular land- and seascapes larger than almost anywhere else in the world, reasonably priced attractions and an easy-to-reach location make a Mexico vacation hard to beat. Honeymooners can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including eco-tourism, water sports, horseback riding, diving, and touring ancient Mexican ruins.

The Caribbean – The islands of the Caribbean have long been favorites for honeymooners. While we mention a few below by name, your travel consultant can assist you with destination materials that provide a wealth of information for helping you choose the perfect spot.

Bahamas – With over 700 separate islands, you”ll find numerous resorts with all the water sports, pampering, night clubs, fine dining, casinos, and beaches you could possibly want. Many amazing islands in the Bahamas can also be visited easily in one trip by booking a cruise. If you”re seeking a truly romantic paradise for your upcoming honeymoon, look closely at the Bahamas.

Jamaica – If you”re eager to just get away and relax after hectic wedding planning, Jamaica is the place to be. From the famous reggae music festivals to the beautiful shorelines, it”s easy to get into the Jamaican state of mind. Whether you stay on the island in a luxurious resort or simply visit for a couple of hours on a cruise ship stop, Jamaica”s culture of fun, sun, and romance will make you feel welcome.

U.S. Virgin Islands – Replete with sailing, snorkeling, sports fishing, and tons of shopping, honeymooners have long been attracted to the Virgin Islands for an active escape.

Tahiti and the South Pacific – These islands are becoming an increasingly popular destination for couples (including celebrities) seeking an exclusive honeymoon experience and are the closest most ever get to a private island retreat. The sheer beauty and history of the land and the people allows couples to participate in awe-inspiring eco-tourism and cultural activities. Many also opt to stay in traditional style burés, some of which are directly over the water, to take advantage of the unparalleled views.

Fiji- Is the magical isles with the friendliest people on earth! From glistening white sand beaches and crystal clear lagoons and unique atmosphere to world class diving, The Soft Coral Capital of the World has epic surfing and untouched rain-forests to explore. They have some of the most romantic beach bure’s from Treetops to the beach.

Wine Country, Ca. – Many couples are drawn to distinctive locations throughout the United States. California, one of the most popular, offers marvels ranging from San Francisco”s Golden Gate Bridge to Wine Country. Its incredible range of world-class hotels, entertainment, and shopping venues gives honeymooners an exciting vacation from home. Offering fun and romantic tourist attractions that welcome visitors year-round. Traveling within the U.S. is an excellent opportunity to experience the unique diversity for which America is world-renowned.

Planning a Stress-Free Honeymoon

For honeymoon planning, the best prices and availability we recommend booking 6-12 months in advance also considering your budget, know that all-inclusive resorts take care of most of your meals, athletic equipment, and tips. Some also include liquor and bar costs as well as resort-specific activities. These arrangements vary widely, however, with some including roundtrip airfare, so find out exactly what is and is not included in the price.
Speaking of budget, we recommend using a honeymoon registry, where your guests can help pay for your honeymoon, check this out here, its free: Honeymoon Registry

Once you have a budget, decide when to go and for how long. Figure out how many vacation days you have and how many you”ll need before the wedding to take care of odds and ends at the last minute. Decide whether you want to leave immediately after your wedding, or wait a few days or weeks to give yourself more time to focus on the trip. It”s usually a good idea to give yourself at least a day or two to continue the honeymoon after returning home, before you head back to work and settle into your everyday life.

Have questions with honeymoon planning or need more ideas, feel free to contact one of our honeymoon designers at info@virtualhoneymoon.com
Call us at 707-824-8826!

Hawaiian Islands – Oahu

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Doing what we love to do……….exploring the Islands!

We were recently traveling through the Hawaiian Islands and wanted to share some of our personal favorite things to do and see. I personally love to go off the beaten path, this is how you find nature at its best, those hidden gems are worth searching for, so don’t be afraid to explore, as long as their is public access and no private property signs, I say GO explore!!!!!!!!!

We will start with Hawaiian Islands- Oahu.
Oahu is the “Heart” of Hawaii with its timeless beauty blended with today’s modern luxuries and the most historic of the islands.
With its perfect 75-85 degree weather, anytime is the right time to visit.

We always start at the beach, the most popular beach in Oahu is famous Waikiki!
We say check out Waikiki, especially if its your first time, its a great area for taking surf lessons!

But when your ready to relax and get away from the craziness, head over to north side, where its a little more lush & serene……..
You will find authentic farmers markets where if your like me, you can get your daily coconut water to stay hydrated, yes I’m addicted!

The north shore waves in Oahu will be the biggest, if your lucky you may see some famous surfers practicing for the world surfing competitions that are often held here.
They also have the best sunsets on the north side, my favorite is sunset beach, in all my travels, I’ve never seen such stunning sunsets!

Another one of my favorite things to do is go horse back riding on the beach! So relaxing, there are several areas with trails, through pineapple fields all the way down to the beach, you don’t have to be experienced, they have horses for all stages from beginning to experienced, so just do it, even if your not a animal lover, its so fun and peaceful way to experience nature at its best!
I was lucky enough to travel with the Hawaii Tourism on this particular trip to Oahu, so they really showed us the best of everything, such as Helicopter over Oahu, WOW what a amazing experience that was and highly recommended, to be able to see everything from a “birds eye view”like hidden waterfalls that you can only get to by helicopter, remote beaches and even see Pearl Harbor.….and the best part, yes this was Magnum PI helicopter!

We were also very blessed to have been in Oahu for the anniversary of Pearl Harbor!
While I always recommend checking out Pearl Harbor, if you ever happen to be their during the anniversary which is Dec. 7, it is absolutely amazing, to see all the service men & women come together, the families of the survivors, even some of the survivors are still around, I got to meet some amazing survivors, they stole my heart, I didn’t personally have any family in Pearl Harbor, but it didn’t matter, something happens when your there for the anniversary, it leaves you emotional and grateful for our country, it was a teary day and I will always cherish it deep in my heart, much Aloha!

Engaged couples, if your looking for the perfect island style honeymoon, enter to win one at Virtual Honeymoon!
One lucky couple will win 4 days 3 nights at the breath-taking Waikiki Beach Marriott

Sip, Zip & Stay Honeymoon Package!

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

We are so excited for Valentines Day to be here!
To celebrate the launching of our new interactive honeymoon tool planning site @ www.Virtualhoneymoon.com
We are giving away our most popular Wine Country Honeymoon, “Sip, Zip & Stay” honeymoon package! We feel so blessed to work with some amazing vendors
here in Sonoma Wine Country who graciously have given us a vineyard house, ziplining tours, wine tastings, vineyard tours etc…….
the lucky couple who are chosen for this honeymoon are going to be so happy!

We will be at Occidental Road Cellars on Saturday to have the winery/vineyard owners draw one lucky name, we will be video-taping and will stream it live on our you tube channel and vimeo sites, so be on the look out and share with your engaged friends & family!

“Its not too late to enter to win, if your a engaged couple, you can go to Virtual Honeymoon site and take the short quiz, fill out contact form and be automatically entered, good luck!

Announcing the Wine Country Honeymoon Winners!!!!!

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

First off, thank you to all that entered our “Zip, Sip & Stay” Honeymoon package for beautiful Sonoma Wine Country!

A BIG thank you to Occidental Road Cellars for so graciously giving their Vineyard House & wine tasting tour, and to Sonoma Canopy Tours

For the zip-lining the redwoods tour for 2!

We love working closely with our partners in putting together incredible, “one of a kind” honeymoon getaways and this Wine Country package is one of our favorites!

On Valentines day we went to Occidental Road Cellars wine tasting bar in Sebastopol, Ca. to meet with owners, Richard & Joelle Prather, we got to interview them and had them personally do the drawing for the lucky winner.
Check out our interview and meet the owners :

Congratulations to Marianne & Levi of Rohnert Park, California, who are our Wine Country Honeymoon Winners. We can’t wait to hear all about your stay!!

Stay tuned for our next honeymoon giveaway in May to Jamaica, YAY MON!!!!!!

To enter for Jamaica Honeymoon, just take our quiz and fill out contact form to win @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

Wine Country Honeymoon ~ Giveaway!

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Virtual Honeymoon is working with some amazing vendors in Sonoma Wine Country in giving a dream honeymoon away to a lucky couple for help with launching our new interactive honeymoon tool: www.virtualhoneymoon.com enter to win, take our quiz and fill out contact form.

One lucky couple will win our “sip, zip & stay” 4 day honeymoon package!
Stay in our favorite vineyard house with a romantic picnic and zipline tour for 2 through the redwoods!
See details below, and get to know our wine country partners…….

Owners Richard & Joelle Prather of Occidental Road Cellars who not only have beautiful vineyards and amazing award winning wine, they also have a breath-taking house situated within a beautiful, private 20-acre vineyard that grows award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

This property is in close proximity to all that Sonoma County Wine Country has to offer!

The winning couple will experience the winemaker’s lifestyle for 4 glorious days………
Relax on the deck with a glass of wine while looking at the spectacular views or take a leisurely stroll through the vineyards.

The lucky couple will get to personally meet owner/winemaker Richard, he will take them on a private vineyard tour, followed with a personal wine tasting, choose your favorite bottle for a romantic vineyard picnic!

Next, meet our zipline partners……

Nestled off the coast of Northern California and deep in the Redwood forest, Sonoma Canopy Tours is high adventure and completely unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

The winning couple will enjoy a two-and-a-half hour Guided eco tour that includes 7 ziplines, 2 sky bridges, a majestic spiral staircase, a rappel to the forest floor, and the unparalleled beauty of the world famous California Coastal Redwoods.
“Winning couple will be drawn at Occidental Road Cellars on Feb. 14 ~ Good luck honeymooners!”
Please share with your friends and enjoy the journey @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com
*accommodations based on availability through 2016

Romantic Honeymoon Destinations for 2016!

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Virtual Honeymoon

Below are our most romantic honeymoon destinations, read on to see why we love them so much!

1. Bora Bora – “Honeymooners favorite year after year!” The most romantic honeymoon destination on earth, with its clear turquoise blue lagoons and palm fringed beaches. Known for their over water bungalows, small peaceful villages, this is a honeymooners dream paradise, rated #1 most romantic place in the world and our personal favorite, opt for overwater bungalow!

2. Fiji– The magical isle! From glistening white sand beaches & crystal clear lagoons to untouched rainforests, known for their Tree Top Bure’s and many
island to chose from, Fiji really is a slice of heaven on earth, our recommendation is to opt for Bure in the trees!

3. Ambergris Caye, Belize– Located in Central America, north of Mexico & west of Guatemala. Ambergris Caye is one of Belize’s outer islands, small friendly island, main form of transportation there is golf carts & bikes and of course walking! With their beautiful white sand beaches, quiet and serene or stay near town for little more action, opt for Cabana on the beach!

4. Kauai– The island of discovery, with 50 miles of breath taking beaches against the clear pacific ocean with its sparkling blue water to its lush rainforest and waterfalls with rushing rivers, colorful valleys and quaint historic small towns, opt for luxury resort with oceanfront lanai for the most romantic honeymoon destination!

5. Costa Rica– One of the most bio-diverse spots on the planet, with stunning variety of landscapes, micro-climates, flora & fauna. If Mother Nature can ever be accused of showing off, it is in Costa Rica, opt for their most amazing spa resorts for another romantic honeymoon destinations!

Find your perfect Honeymoon match now @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

Try before you Fly!

Monthly Archives: December 2015