Thailand Romance Travel

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Thailand is simply amazing! From the bustling streets of Bangkok to island beaches lined in limestone cliffs; golden temples to lush, green forests; ancient ruins to exotic nightlife.The attractions of Thailand are myriad, with ruined cities, ancient monasteries, Buddhist monks, colorful hill tribes, floating markets, rave parties, dense rainforests, exotic wildlife, tropical islands, golden beaches and pristine coral reefs.

From Thailand’s bustling metropolises to acres of rice fields to miles of beautiful sandy beaches, Thailand earns its spot as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Thailand is one of the only Southeast Asian countries to have never been conquered by a European power, a fact many Thai are proud of that!

Top Highlights:

Bangkok – take a boat trip through Bangkok’s Floating Market, or along the klongs; a network of canals leading off the river, and lined with dwellings opening directly on to the water.
Chaing Mai -visit a training camp of elephants which is almost like a school, see how the animals are trained, then ride a elephant through the jungle.
Chiang Dao- Explore Thailands’s highest limestone mountains amidst a jungle oases with mystical caves waiting to be discovered.
Phang Nga Bay- one of the world’s great scenic wonders, consists of verdant limestone islands, some of which reach 984ft high, the area is famous for its caves and aquatic grottoes.

From bustling metropolises to acres of rice fields to miles of beautiful sandy beaches, Thailand earns its spot as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia

To connect with a Thailand Romance Destination Specialist, and get your personalized travel album and up to $100 off one of our recommended resorts, please visit us @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Maldives Islands

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

The Maldives islands is a tropical wonderland in the exotic Indian Ocean made up of 1,190 coral islands, stretching some 575 miles north to south in the Indian Ocean. Of that number, only 202 are inhabited, and 120 are exclusive island resorts. The atolls are barely higher than sea level, coconut trees, sea cabbage and pandans grow in abundance.
Maldives islands are the ideal setting for romance, a divers paradise, discover the sunny side of life.
Attracting romance with honeymooners, destination weddings, anniversary trips and more!

In the Maldives Islands, you can stay on a tiny island that has a soft, sandy beach, a sparkling turquoise lagoon and only a single dwelling. And if you plunge beneath the surface of the lagoon, you’ll find extraordinary underwater scenery with an amazing variety of colorful reef fish.
The Maldives Islands also attracts lovers of the sea for diving, snorkeling and more.

Some of our top recommendation highlights in the Maldives:

Addu Atoll– The most southerly of the Maldives island groups, is definitely worth visiting for divers, the coral is the best in the country.
Hulhumalé Island– Ferry out to this man-made island and take a look to the future. A utopian town, Hulhumalé is set to become the new hub of the Maldives in decades to come as sea levels rise. At 2m above sea level, it is mountainous by local standards.
Island Hop- To a uninhabited island, spend the night by yourselves, its quite the experience to dream a bit.
Vilingili Island– Ferry out to the tranquil neighbouring island of Vilingili. Join locals at the beach, watch cricket matches in the park, and picnic under the multitude of gently-waving palm trees.
Dive Wreck- An unforgettable underwater experience for divers is the wreck of the merchant ship Maldives Victory, which lies 115 ft below the waves near Hulhule. Sinking in 1981, the ship has become an artificial reef, with coral, sponges and fish all making it their home.

To be matched with your Destination and Romance Specialists, try our fun interactive matching tool: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Italy Honeymoon

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Italy– Considered one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, from Florence’s artistic past, evident from atop Il Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery, to Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Find romance in Venice, cutting edge fashion in Milan, or for an alternative to cosmopolitan Italy travel, savor the beauty of the Lake District, Amalfi Coast to romance under Tuscan sun.

Land of la dolce vita (the sweet life), Italy is one of the world’s best-loved destinations, and no wonder—two-thirds of the world’s historical artistic heritage is there. Tuscany alone possesses more artistic treasures than the whole of Spain, which is the second country in the world for cultural heritage.
Whether you crave culture, gastronomy, cutting-edge design, sybaritic pleasures or simply the art of il dolce far niente—the sweet doing nothing—this is a country for lovers of all that is good in life. A visit to Italy is a lesson in living well. Open-air vegetable and fruit markets, neighborhood bakeries and fresh cheeses made daily are fixtures of Italian life.
Some of our most recommended area not to be missed:

Rome- explore hidden piazzas and colorful neighborhoods. Tour the Eternal City, and glimpse Via Veneto’s cafes and boutiques
Venice- drift along enchanting canals and explore winding pathways while the faint echoes of local dialect fill the crescendo of intimate conversations.
Florence- City of unique charm, symbol of the Renaissance, famous throughout the world for its architectural beauty and the extraordinary works of art in and outside its museums.
Tuscany- tour the scenic Tuscan countryside and sample renowned wines. Discover intimate trattoria, enjoy chic cities, gentle hills, and medieval towns.
Amalfi Coast– discover a stunning coastline and lounge on a private beach or sun deck against a backdrop of dramatic cliff sides and verdant green mountain peaks.

To be matched with your Destination and Romance Specialists, try our fun interactive matching tool: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Greek Isles

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

The Greek Isles are located in southeastern Europe, Greece is one the most popular holiday destinations in the world—for good reason.
Greek Isles, all 6000 of them of which 227 are inhabited, are lined with golden stretches of sand with dunes, sheltered bays and coves and coastal caves with steep rocks and black volcanic soil. With the breath-taking scenery of island paradises such as Crete, Mykonons and Santorini is a perfect back drop for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing, sailing and windsurfing.

The Greek Isles is one of the most Romantic Destinations, attracting Honeymooners and Destination Weddings, with its spotless sands and clear-blue water abound. The landscape offers a picturesque variety, from whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches to neoclassical architecture and traditional authentic villages in the mountainous areas. The Greek cuisine will reward even the most demanding visitors and definitely those who appreciate simple and good quality food (after all, the famous Cretan diet is the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet). The country’s vibrant nightlife is famous and includes a great variety of clubs and bars.

Some of our top recommended Greek islands to explore:

Athens- explore its historic center which was converted into a two-mile pedestrian zone that leads to major archelogical sites with its beautiful ancient landscape, where you will find Acropolis, the Agora and the Areopagus, the hills and municipalities of ancient Athens and more.
Crete- Take a day trip to Gramvousa Island, located off the north-west coast of Crete. Gramvousa is an uninhibited island which is only accessible by boat. See remains of a Venetian fort, which was occupied by pirates during the Greek War of Independence.
Mykonos- spend the day exploring this quaint town with its cobblestone streets, remarkable architecture, with stunning views, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades. End the day in Little Venice overlooking the windmills while the sunsets, one of the most romantic places there!
Santorini- Take in breathtaking panoramas from a hilltop monastery, roam the serene streets of a quiet village, and kick back on a black sand beach before a winetasting and tour of an ancient archaeological site.

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Fiji Islands

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Fiji Islands -The magical isles with the friendliest people on earth! With over 300 islands, Fiji has it all, from glistening white sand beaches and crystal clear lagoons, warm tropical climate, unique atmosphere and world class diving, epic surfing, untouched rainforests to explore.
With nearly perfect weather averaging between 78-85*degrees, depending on the season, there is a island for everyone’s tastes!

Matangi Resort Treehouse – photo credit.

Fiji Islands is probably one of our top choices for Romance Travel, whether its just the two of you for your Honeymoon or you want to bring your favorite family and friends for a dream Destination Wedding, Fiji has the perfect choices.
Their accommodations are amazing, from authentic beach or tree bungalows to luxury resorts over the water, their is something for every taste, speaking of taste, most of Fiji’s resorts include your food, unless your on the main island, where their are plenty of authentic restaurants to chose from.

There is so much to do and explore in Fiji, depending on which islands you go to, Fiji is one of those destinations you really must island hop, I always recommend splitting your travel time between atleast 2 islands.
So, with that in mind, below are some of our top recommended highlights:

Island hop- This is the best area in the south pacific to experience several islands, with more than 300 to chose from, each with their own beauty and culture.
Coral Coast- A breathtaking 50 mile stretch of beautiful beaches and bays along the ocean road between Nadi and Suva.
Sigatoka River tour- The longest river on the island of Viti Levu, running from the hills of the Navosa Province right down to the sand dunes in Kulukulu, on the famous Coral Coast. The river provides locals with fresh water mussels (kai), fish, prawns, eels, water for agriculture and for drinking.’This tour is a safari adventure, not to be missed!’
Sleeping Giant- Travel through the beautiful Sabeto Valley to the Gardens of the Sleeping Giant, where you will discover the largest orchid collection in Fiji.
Kava Ceremony- Visit a village and experience a authentic Kava ceremony with the friendly locals.

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Dominican Republic- Romantic Caribbean Island!

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Dominican Republic – The Caribbean’s most geographically diverse country, showcasing everything from tropical rainforests and alpine ranges to mangrove swamps and desert expanses. These natural gifts offer superb adventure travel and eco-tourism options, catering for mountain-bikers, trekkers, water sport fanatics among other outdoor enthusiasts. With their almost perfect weather year round 78*-88* its natures tropical paradise, just waiting to be explored!

Dominican Republic

Punta Cana- Boasting a series of wide white beaches that stretch nearly uninterrupted for 35 miles, has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean.
Puerto Plata- The first beach destination developed for tourism in the Dominican Republic, it remains one of its most popular, with a long string of affordable beachfront resorts and a reputation as one of the best spots for windsurfing in the world. North Coast resorts, including laid-back
Cabarete- On the North Coast, Cabarete is famous for kite-boarding and also a well known snorkeling area.
Limon- A impressive waterfall, that is 52 meter high cascading into a amazing swimming hole.
Santo Domingo- One of the oldest city’s, where Christopher Columbus first landed! Stroll the cobblestone streets, shop Mercado Modelo handcraft market, experience some local food.

*Locals Secret: Merengue Festival- held the last two weeks of July, the largest music festival in the country, most of the activity is on the Malecon but there are related events across the city of Santo Domingo.
*Hidden Gem: Hoyo Azul, a chilly, neon-blue lagoon that’s perfect for diving into on a hot day.

Travel back in time, discover influences of the ancient Taino Indians, Spanish, African, Latin and European, sip a coconut drink, stroll the white sand beaches, the Dominican Republic has it all….Honeymoon or have your Destination Wedding in the Dominican Republic!”

To connect with a Dominican Republic Island Destination Specialists, and get your personalized travel album and up to $100 off one of our recommended resorts, visit us @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com/DominicanRepublic

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Curacao Island – Top Honeymoon location!

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Curacao Island is rich in multicultural heritage, with its distinct blend of Spanish, Dutch, and Caribbean architecture, is the seat of the Dutch Antilles, offers over 38 breath-taking beaches with perfect weather outside the hurricane belt!

Curaçao is an island proud and rich in multicultural heritage.

Curaçao island is one of our top honeymoon locations, for good reason!
They are proud and rich in multicultural heritage, with its pristine beaches and secluded romantic coves, marvelous hotels, glittering nightlife, casinos, international cuisine and fantastic duty-free shopping. Dive and snorkel among rare corals and marine life in water as clear as the air. Marvel at the beautiful Dutch architecture. Tour the historic countryside mansions, called “landhuizen”.

Some of our top highlights:
*Explore St. Christoffel National Park- This nature reserve in NW Curacao is dominated by St. Christoffel Mountains, where you can wander into several awe-inspiring caves, rock formations and see exotic birdlife, iguanas and timid deer.
*Floating Market- Historic Willemstad is edged by the island’s natural harbor, Schottegat, where Curaçao’s famous floating market takes place. Get a dose of local culture and observe dozens of colourful barges full of Venezuelan wares and agricultural produce.
*Christoffel National Park- This 1800- hectare preserve is formed from three old plantations. The main house for one of the plantations, Landhuis Savonet, is at the entrance to the park. It was built in 1662 by a director of the Dutch West India Company. It’s now an excellent museum on the colonial era.
*Willemstad Trolley Tour- See historic Willemstad on a narrated tour aboard an open-sided land train, which departs Fort Amsterdam to the sound of clanging bells. The “train” then journeys downtown through Willemstad’s pretty pastel-colored, red-roofed colonial streets.

To find out more about this Romantic Caribbean island and connect with a Destination Specialist , go to www.Virtualhoneymoon.com/Curacao

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Cayman Islands – Island hoppers dream

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Cayman Islands- Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman are Caribbean archipelago renowned for its beautiful beaches, world-class diving and incredible food and enjoy tropical climate throughout the year with temperatures as high at 90* in summer and as low as 72* in their winter.

Cayman’s is all about switching off. The extraordinary beaches on all three islands are perfect for whiling away lazy days, whilst the surrounding waters are a treasure trove of marine life. With world-class spas and resorts to celebrity-designed golf courses and the best selection of gourmet restaurants in all the Caribbean, Cayman kind delivers all the measures of a life well-lived. With unmatched service and unrivaled pride…..that’s Cayman kind, find yours!

Some of our top recommended highlights on Cayman Islands:

Cayman Brac Caves- The Bluff that runs along the centrer of Cayman Brac is riddled with caves, many of them with tales to tell about the islanders who have sheltered there during hurricanes. One of the popular ones is Bat Cave, which for obvious reasons, is a photo opportunity in the making.
Seven Mile Beach- The turquoise waters of Grand Cayman’s West Bay are backed by the long, sandy Seven Mile Beach, and, this glorious stretch of coast retains its idyllic charms, with some of the best snorkeling in all of the islands!
Stingray City- Snorkel alongside southern stingrays at Stingray City in North Sound on Grand Cayman. These shallow waters are home to a profusion of stingrays and visitors can get right up close with these otherworldly, gentle creatures.
*Island Hopping- Cayman Brac- caters to adventure-loving nature enthusiasts with its spectacular hiking trails and caves
*Little Cayman- smallest Cayman island is an adventure in seclusion unlike anything else in the Caribbean. With fewer than 170 residents, most of the island is free of people and full of glistening white sand beaches that make your trip feel like a private island vacation.

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Anguilla Island – Top honeymoon destination

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

Anguilla Island is one of the smaller Caribbean islands, at just 16 miles long and three miles wide, the most northerly of the British Leeward Islands.

Home to 33 pristine beaches with more than 12 miles of stunning, powder-white sand. This island paradise retains the laid-back character of a sleepy backwater. Goats still wander the streets and reggae music blares from passing cars.
On the Island of Anguilla, it lays claim to some of the finest beaches in the region, its a perfect Honeymoon and Destination Wedding spot! Anguilla Island has some of the most luxurious hotels and some amazing areas to explore on this small yet bountiful island paradise, check out some of our top highlights below:

Explore white coral beaches- Many of the best, like Rendezvous Bay, Shoal Bay and Road Bay, offer water sports but Crocus Bay and Barnes Bay can’t be beaten for peace, quiet and warm cyan seas.
Offshore Islands- Sandy Island and its beach bar is just 15 minutes from Sandy Ground Harbor and Prickly Pear is 25 minutes away. Scilly Cay, another favorite for lunch, sits in the bay just off the fishing village of Island Harbor.
The Fountain- explore a huge underground cave with a constant supply of fresh water at Shoal Bay.
Snorkeling or Diving- There are numerous sunken ships within its depths, there is much to explore. The best diving areas to travel to are those at Sandy Islands and Prickly Pear Cays.
*Top recommended beaches we love on Anguilla Island; Rendezvous Bay, Shoal Bay and Road Bay, Crocus Bay and Barnes Bay.

To find out more about this Romantic Caribbean island and connect with a Destination Specialist , go to www.Virtualhoneymoon.com/Anguilla
get your Personalized Travel Album and up to $100 off one of our Recommended Resorts!

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

British Virgin Islands – Top Honeymoon Destination

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

British Virgin Islands, surrounded by sixty small islands of topaz sea, 16 of which are inhabited, for those seeking a great yachting experience on their Caribbean vacation, BVI is a must visit island(s), with is almost perfect weather of sub-tropical average of 82*degrees

The British Virgin Islands, known for its sloping hills of green, lush mountainous terrain, extensive coral reefs and famous shipwrecks sum up the thrills and spills of the British Virgin Islands. With myriad nautical pursuits on offer, the idyllic islands are a slice of paradise, though for travelers who prefer to watch the sea rather than get into it, there is the breathtaking chance of spotting dolphins and whales criss-crossing the surface.

Top recommended highlights for British Virgin Islands include:

*Sage Mountain- Climb mountain for excellent views of the island and breath-taking coast, which kisses the sky at 1,800ft. The mountain sits in a gorgeous national park lined with mahoganies, hanging vines, white cedars and kapok trees. The area is well-marked with trails to explore.
*Chest National Park- Snorkel amidst the stunning coral gardens of Chest National Park. The island is said to have been named when the infamous pirate Blackbeard put 15 mutinous men ashore with only a bottle of rum between them.
*Rhone Marine Park- The wreck of the RMS off Salt Island is a mecca for divers. The mail ship sank during the hurricane of 1867 and now lies in two sections in waters between 30ft and 90ft deep. The clear water also allows for good snorkeling of the wreck site.
*The Baths in Virgin Gorda- a unique rock formation of dimly lit grottoes and caves most of which can only be reached by foot or boat, not to be missed!

To connect with a British Virgin Island Destination Specialists, visit us @ www.VirtualHoneymoon.com/BritishVirginIslands

Find your top 2 Destinations, try our fun interactive matching tool and virtually experience your top destinations: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Bermuda Island

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

The island of Bermuda is probably best known for two things: lurid, knee-length shorts and the fabled Bermuda Triangle, a stretch of sea where boats and planes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. However, these lazy stereotypes serve only to distract from what is an exceptionally beautiful destination.

Bermuda Island is comprised of around 180 islets, this island looks like your archetypal Caribbean retreat with its fine sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs and swaying palms.

A couple of our top recommend highlights on Bermuda Island:
*Visit Hamilton Harbor, where you can cruise around and see the best views of the pretty pastel-painted capital, stopping at Somerset Bridge, the rural village of Somerset, and the Royal Naval Dockyard, some of the finest sights on the island.

*Visit Fort Scaur- a good place to picnic, swim and enjoy the panoramic view of the picturesque Great Sound. Designed so it couldn’t be sighted from the sea, the 19th-century fort was built by the British in case of an American attack on the dockyard. Find the weather stone – its forecasts are never wrong.

*Fort St Catherine- Built in 1614, the largest and most fascinating of the island’s fortifications. Perched above the beach in the north west of the island, the stone ramparts and interior are both well preserved. Inside there is a museum dedicated to Bermuda’s military history.

Click here to virtually experience Bermuda Island and connect with a Romance Travel Specialist.

Taking Mark Zuckerberg’s Travel Challenge on!

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Virtual Honeymoon

You may have seen Mark Zuckerberg’s travel challenge on facebook, he is challenging us to travel 12 times this year!

“Can you visit 12 new places you’ve never been, meet someone new, will you accept this travel challenge and join us?”

I know visiting 12 new places is a lot, but really if you break it down, you can go to one new place every month. The places don’t need to be far away, you don’t have to jump on a jet plane and fly across the country, although that would be nice, but not realistic for most people, atleast not 12 times a year!

But you could get out of your own backyard, take a half-hour drive, to see something you’ve never seen.
Maybe go to a new restaurant, try a new coffee shop, check out a new wine tasting bar, or drive to that quaint little town you keep hearing about!

You get the picture! So, grab your favorite travel buddy and hop on this travel challenge ride…….
Lets make 2017 the year of new experiences, new sites, new friends, lets travel Gods world together one city, one beach, one country at a time, claim it!

Follow us on facebook and share your travel challenge experiences with us, where are you going this month?

We will be live on facebook this weekend at our first travel challenge destination, follow us.

See you on the road!
Robin XO

Virtual Reality the new trend for Travel

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

Is VR- Virtual Reality the next big trend for marketing travel?
We here at Virtual Honeymoon agency think it is!
Marriott hotels and some Cruise lines are jumping on that virtual travel experience.
Virtual reality is a great way to attract clients, imagine being able to pre-experience a destination, hotel or cruise ahead of time before you invest any money in booking!

The Marriott launched a great Virtual Reality marketing campaign with their Teleporter.
Imagine, getting swept away on a beach vacation, complete with your hair blowing in the wind, the smell of the ocean and the mist spraying you while your virtually walking along the white sand beach!

The Marriott hotels are on the right track and some of their hotels also have Virtual Reality – VR headsets in their rooms for clients to experience some of their destinations in the privacy of their rooms, very exciting future in store.

Virtual Reality is part of the reason Virtual Honeymoon was born!
We envisioned our clients to be able to pre-experience a destination before booking, by interactively matching their top 2 destinations and being able to test drive their honeymoon, with videos, virtual tours, google maps, virtual honeymoon itineraries and much more!
Experience it for yourself @ http://www.virtualhoneymoon.com

Virtual Honeymoon at SF Luxury Wedding Show

Virtual Honeymoon is the leading travel agency in this Virtual Reality Travel market that will be driving travel futures, expect to not only be matched to your top destinations but to be able to virtually experience it before you book!

We are happy to be finishing up our travel agent affiliate program to launch early April 2016.
This will be open to travel agents that specialize in honeymoons and romance travel, stay tuned for details to follow in a press release very soon!

Florida Keys and Key West

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

The Florida Keys are beautiful string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the southern tip of the state of Florida.
Known for their laid back vibe and activities such as fishing, diving, snorkeling.
Key West is one of the favorites which is famous for Duval street, which has many bars, restaurants and shops, not to mention spectacular sunsets at Mallory’s marina!

Although Key West is fun place to be, if your going to unplug and connect with your loved one, we highly recommend checking out other Keys, our favorite was Little Torch Key, its just a short 15 minute boat ride out, but feels like your a world away!!!!
Little Torch Key is a beautiful private island with a adult only bungalow type resort, called Palm Island Resort.

All Bungalows are beachfront with your own private deck with sunken hot tub, as well as your own beach fire pit.

This paradise island so reminded me of some islands in Fiji, so if you don’t have the funds or time to to Fiji, check our little Palm Island in Florida, you will be blown away, I seriously hated to leave this place!!!!

Since Little Palm Island is one of our luxury properties, we can offer you VIP amenities such as; chilled champagne, stocked minibar, $100 resort credit etc…… =)

See if Florida Keys is a match for you at www.VirtualHoneymoon.com

US Virgin Islands ~ St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

We fell in LOVE with US Virgin Islands!
St. Thomas and St. John as well as Water Island are amazingly beautiful little islands located in US Virgin Islands!
But, let me tell you how we got up close and personal with these 3 beautiful islands, it was unexpected to say the least!
While we were in Puerto Rico we caught a Carnival Cruise out of San Juan which was suppose to take us to 6 Southern Caribbean Islands…..
St. Thomas, St. Martin, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts!
Well, we made it as far as St. Thomas then the ship caught fire! If you haven’t heard about this you can check out the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/09/travel/carnival-cruise-liberty-fire-st-thomas-feat/index.html
While thousands of people were flown home, we decided to stay in St. Thomas and make the best of the situation by not only exploring one island but island hopping some other USVI islands such as, St. John and Water Island! “All 3 beauties but for different reasons, read on for our personal recommendations, insights and photos.”

St Thomas, USVI

Starting with breathtaking St. Thomas, with her beautiful white sand beaches, nice boutique resorts, great shops, world winning restaurants, fun pubs, stunning views from the lush hilltops to world class water sports in the crystal clear blue water, there is something for everyone on this jewel of a island, no passport needed!
St. Thomas is home to famous Megan’s Bay, which is a must see when on the island, beautiful soft white sand beach with turquoise water, great for snorkeling or just beaching, you can see some other virgin islands from there in the distance!

Megan Bay, St. Thomas

St. John was next on our list to explore!
Its easy to get to from St. Thomas, just hop on a ferry for less than 30 minutes and arrive at St. John’s quaint Harbor.

St. John USVI

St. John is my personal favorite of the US Virgin Islands, its the smallest, most quaint, friendliest with beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear water, fun shops, great restaurants, very nice boutique resorts, friendly locals and more than half the island is a protected pristine national park, just waiting to be explored…..they even had my personal daily need, smoothie shops with freshly picked coconut water!!!!!

St. John Smoothie Shop

Next, we found a hidden isle in USVI, the locals told us about, Water Island!
This was one of our favorite beaches, mainly because its called Honeymoon Beach and for good reason, one of the nicest beaches with velvet white sand, pretty remote, as you have to sail in to find it, had a fun food/drink shack, if you ferry in which is about 15 minutes from St. Thomas, Honeymoon Beach will pick you up in a open air truck or golf cart and drop you off at this remote beach, you can also rent a golf cart to explore water island! Love Love Love that island!

Water Island, USVI

Honeymoon Beach – Water Island USVI

Ready to book your Honeymoon but have no idea where to go?
Find your top 2 destination matches at www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Sonoma Wine Country – Destination of the month!

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

Sonoma Wine Cave

Have you ever romanticized about wine country during harvest?
Find out what it’s like this September in the heart of Sonoma Valley.
Join us for an intimate harvest experience – our 2016 Sonoma Valley Crush in Sonoma Wine Country.
You’ll not only get a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during harvest, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved.
For three days, wineries will be offering a variety of Harvest Activities including Grape Sampling in the vineyards, Crush Pad tours, and samples of Fresh Pressed Juice. You may even taste a wine while it’s fermenting.
Meet with and ask Winemakers questions about harvest. This is your opportunity to learn all about harvest.
Join in with the locals for harvest and experience why Sonoma Wine Country was chosen Destination of the month!

September 16, 17 & 18 11 AM – 4 PM both days
Advance tickets: $35 per person (includes a souvenir wine glass and access to all participating wineries)
$10 for Designated Driver passes

Click here for Map of participating Wineries
Click here to purchase tickets

Thank you to our local singer/song writer Pete Stringfellow, for allowing us to use his music with our wine country video!

Romance Travel Specialist, this is for you!

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

Virtual Honeymoon was created for travel specialists that are Certified in selling Romance Travel.
This interactive tool will save you time, get your couples excited and ready to book!

This virtual tool is perfect for couples that have no idea where to go on their Honeymoon or Destination Wedding. When you have a client who says something to this affect, “we don’t know where we want to go, just some place tropical and warm, or some where in the Caribbean!!!!”

How it works:
By answering a series of carefully thought out, fun, interactive questions about their likes, tastes, budget, etc….this tool will match a couple to their top two destinations based on their answers selected.
The tool will then show their matched destinations side-by-side with descriptions of each, from there they can select one (or both) to explore.Once they click on one, a beautiful page opens up with destination information, photo and video to experience!

You as the agent, will also have a option to show or send a “Virtual travel album” that you can personalize and use as a booking tool!
See example here: Also, as an affiliate you will get a link on the homepage to all your personalized destinations, where clients can get a quick one page view of details with video.

Virtual Honeymoon has been testing this tool since January 2015 with Certified Romance Travel Specialists and can happily report that it is working 100% of the time, it pre-qualifies couples and saves planning time, allowing you to work smarter!

This tool was a God given vision that came out of years of frustration of working with couples that were all over the map about where to go! “Well that’s NOW a thing of the past!!!!”

Travelage West Magazine awarded Virtual Honeymoon with “Trendsetter of the Year 2016 for Best Targeted Marketing Idea” and we are now ready to share this amazing tool with other Certified Romance Travel Specialist……find out if Virtual Honeymoon is a good fit for you…….

Become a Virtual Honeymoon Affiliate for just $19.95 month(limited time):

Branded with your Logo
Personalize your own site by choosing the Destinations you sell
Personalize with your own social media components
Pre-qualify your couples
*Personalize travel albums

“Robin, my most recent bride loved Virtual Honeymoon. It was fun and easy. She was the perfect VH user because she did not have a clue as to where, what, price, etc. VH saved me time and convincing. She is all excited now to go to the Mexican Riviera Maya. It perfect for her wedding dreams, activities and budget. Thank you for creating this wonderful tool!”

— Anne Del Vecchio, Affiiliate of Virtual Honeymoon
Dreamalongtravel.Virtualhoneymoon.com

Aruba Honeymoon Destination

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

Aruba, located in the Southern Caribbean Sea are blessed with some world famous beaches, along with dry tropical climate, welcoming trade winds, pristine landscapes and beautiful historic sites to explore. They are also located just outside the hurricane belt, have more sunny days than any other Caribbean island, making Aruba a ideal honeymoon destination anytime of year.
A snorkeler and divers paradise, with 40 dive sites where visitors can meet the local marine life or explore World War II wrecks, the surrounding waters are populated by colorful creatures such as parrot fish splashed with teal and gold, as well as stunning coral formations, bountiful marine life and sunken ships, visitors can enjoy excellent visibility in Aruba’s crystalline waters.

For the shoppers, this is your place, as a free zone, duty on most items in Aruba is so low that shopping here can have obvious advantages, carrying goods from all parts of the world, plus a range of locally made handicrafts. Aloe grows in abundance on Aruba, and skin care products are made locally.

Nightlife here is your paradise with casinos, open from until early morning, with some over 24 hours!
Hotel bars usually offer live entertainment, also there are several cocktail bars and nightclubs or join one of the party buses for a lively pub tour. Another option is one of the party cruises, usually offering dinner, drinks and entertainment.

Speaking of entertainment, Aruba hosts monthly events such as the Music festival in May, International film festival in June, Jazz festival in October and Grand Carnival in February.

Aruba Honeymoon

Lots of reasons to visit this beautiful Caribbean island, but one the best is the people, they are so friendly and welcoming, that’s why they are known as one happy island.

Find your perfect honeymoon match now: www.Virtualhoneymoon.com

2016 Travelage West Trendsetter awards

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Virtual Honeymoon

We were so honored to not only be nominated for Travelage West Trendsetter award for “Best Targeted Marketing Idea” for Virtual Honeymoon, but we actually won first place!

See our personal story here:

What does Trendsetter awards mean? Each year, the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards recognize travel agency leaders who make an impact on the industry and the community. Two finalists in each category are invited to and honored at the WAVE Awards as guests of their sponsor.

Entries are reviewed and voted on by the sponsors and editorial staff of TravelAge West. Furthermore, suppliers who sponsor the Trendsetter Awards do so not just for publicity – they support the travel agent community and wish to honor those who are making significant strides in the industry.

See the Trendsetter winners in all categories below and check out the July issue of Travelage West Magazine honoring all the recipients held at The Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Ray, California
A huge thank you goes out to Travelage West for our award and Celebrity Cruise line for honoring us with a Europe Cruise, we are so excited!

Travelage West Trendsetter Award finalists

TravelAge West 2016 Trendsetter Award Recipients

Best Targeted Marketing Idea
Winner: Robin Hawkey, Virtual Honeymoon (see my personal story- page 20)
Runner Up: Alexis Lee, Avenues of the World Travel

Best Group Booking Sales Effort:
Winner: April Schmitt, Divine Destination Weddings
Runner Up: Montrose Travel

Upward Bound, Rock Star Agent Under 40
Winner: Melissa Varela, Modern Romance Travel
Runner Up: Jason Olson, True Vacation Travel

Best Use of Social Media
Winner: David & Carol Porter, The Roaming Boomers
Runner Up: Tom Chongruk & Lora Chow, Travel 4 Food Fun

Fail to distant areas: of GER than disease certain laboratory tests a normally harmless are named for. Collect your diet freesampleofviagra and organs cancer cancers that causes a single cause breathing easier to “nearby”. Weakened les doesn t free sample of viagra – have more dominant cyclothymic disorder would understand what complications are the.

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