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Shutterstock/Mykola Komarovsky
Shutterstock/Mykola Komarovsky

What That Online Hotel Ad Isn’t Telling You

Travel Tips | Written by Susan

You’ve seen the ad. Cute guy comes on the screen and says, This is Bob. He owns a hotel. He needs to sell an empty hotel room so he’s putting on these three sites for different amounts. You just pick the cheapest. Sounds good, right? But it’s not exactly true. Yes, Bob has a hotel and yes, Bob has empty rooms. But all of these rooms are not alike. One Ocean View room is on the top floor with a balcony and a great view of the ocean. Another room (also called Ocean View) is actually blocked by a big column, so you have to crane your neckLearn more

Courtesy of Hacienda Encantada
Courtesy of Hacienda Encantada

Cool Los Cabos all inclusive resort

Destination Weddings | Written by Susan

Los Cabos, Mexico is one of our favorite places for destination weddings, due in no small part to the amazing five-star hotels there. But let’s face it; not everyone can afford five-star, and even if they can, not everyone wants to ask guests to pony up that much. Enter Hacienda Encantada, a 150-room, all-inclusive resort that’s a sweet blend of plush and convenience. It’s still a luxury property, but the fact that it’s not as well known as some of the bigger names means it offers unexpected value. The resort is 20 miles east of downtown San Jose del Cabo, so you’re far enough away to enjoy Cabo’s rugged natural beauty, but it’s an easy taxiLearn more

The best, chic lightweight luggage

Cool Finds | Written by Susan

Why does something so fun have to be so ugly? I’m talking luggage. I go through a suitcase every year or two, and each time I start shopping for a new one, it’s an ordeal. Most cases are either really plain, really expensive or designed for teenagers (if they’re in colors beyond basic black and blue). I figure I’m not the only one who has this issue, so I thought I’d show you my thought process behind this important shopping decision as I look for my summer suitcase. Steamline Correspondent Stowaway I’m a travel writer by trade, so the name Correspondent tugs at my heart strings.Learn more

outdoor bed at Singita Lebombo on a safari honeymoon
outdoor bed at Singita Lebombo on a safari honeymoon

South Africa’s Sexiest Honeymoon Safari Lodge

Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

People ask me all the time “What is your favorite hotel?” It’s so hard to narrow down; I love so many for different reasons! But one that is always top of mind is Singita Lebombo Lodge in South Africa. Singita has twelve intimate lodges across southern and east Africa, but to my mind, Lebombo is the sexiest. It’s set on a private tract of land adjacent to South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Private land means that you’re not encountering tons of other safari-goers, so you don’t have the classic “safari traffic jam” — 10 Land Rovers converging on one wildlife sighting, like a shade-seeking cheetah. Lack of traffic means theLearn more

A sunset destination wedding at Cap Juluca on Anguilla; courtesy Cap Juluca
A sunset destination wedding at Cap Juluca on Anguilla; courtesy Cap Juluca

See Our Destination Wedding Tips in USA TODAY

Destination Weddings, Press, Travel Tips | Written by Susan

We love honeymoons, obvs; it’s in our name. But we also love destination weddings — helping clients with everything from choosing the right resort to connecting with the perfect planner for their taste and budget. We wrap it up by negotiating room rates and extras, and then manage the guest travel from start to finish, keeping the experience as stress-free as possible for the to-be-weds. An educated couple is a happy couple, so Susan was happy to share her 10 favorite tips for planning a Caribbean wedding with USA TODAY Travel — and brought in two of the country’s best destination wedding planners, Michelle Rago of Michelle Rago Destinations andLearn more

Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean
Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean

Beachfront boutique hotel on Antigua

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

If you’re a beach-lover, you should know about Antigua; the island claims to have 365 (“one for every day of the year”). Carlisle Bay sits one a beautiful one, small and tucked inside a deep cove that’s bookended by bluffs. The limited access means you don’t encounter people from other hotels — the vibe is private and serene, which is different from so many beachfront hotels. Guestrooms sit in three-story, cottage-style buildings along the beach. Interiors are the same size and style whatever category you’re in: all junior suites with airy living areas, private patios, and extra-deep soaking tubs. That said, the best for honeymooners are the OceanLearn more

Globetrotter: Photographer Donna von Bruening in romantic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Destination Weddings | Written by Susan

Photographer Donna von Bruening recently traveled to one of our favorite places: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Set in the highlands 170 miles north of Mexico City, SMA is an artist’s haven, with cobblestone streets and marble-fronted buildings dating back to the 1700s. The atmosphere makes it an amazing spot for destination weddings. Donna was there for the Celebration of the Birthday of General Allende, a street party in honor of the town’s founder. Here is the city through her eyes: We stayed at Casa Hyder (aka Casa Elegantes), an 11-bedroom compound that belongs to art collector.  It is comprised of three homes, and everywhere you turnLearn more

Courtesy of Elise Muhawi/Virtuoso.com
Courtesy of Elise Muhawi/Virtuoso.com

Destination Wedding Accolades on Virtuoso

Destination Weddings, Press | Written by Susan

I am tickled pink by this interview on Virtuoso.com with a recent client. Our name is The Honeymoonist, but honeymoons aren’t all we do–we also work on destination weddings. I love doing this; I have so much knowledge from my experience as a wedding-magazine editor, and it feels so good to put that to use with clients! People ask me how it works, and I never know quite to say. Sometimes we work directly with couples, helping them with everything from choosing the right hotel to going over room-block and wedding contracts, and sourcing the best rates and extras through a variety of channels (someLearn more

Courtesy of Blancaneaux Lodge
Courtesy of Blancaneaux Lodge

Sexy Jungle Hideout in Belize

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

We love Belize as an off-the-beaten path honeymoon spot. It’s close (just below Mexico) and easy to get to, with plentiful connections from the U.S. The offshore islands like Ambergris Caye and Robert’s Caye are reknowned for snorkeling and diving, but if you stick to the coast you miss half of the country’s beauty. That’s why we suggest combining beach time with jungle time at one of our fave romantic hotels, Blancaneaux Lodge. We fell in love with this hotel on our first trip to Belize, almost 10 years ago. It’s set in the Cayo District in northwest Belize, home to ancient Mayan ruins, cave systems ideal for climbing andLearn more

Courtesy of Iryna Rasko/Shutterstock
Courtesy of Iryna Rasko/Shutterstock

Booking The Best Flights: Consider The Connections

Travel Tips | Written by Susan

We all love a nonstop flight, and it’s definitely the way to go if it’s available. But more often than not, your flight (especially long-haul) is going to involve a connection somewhere. So when planning, it’s not just about looking at your departing airport, but where you are connecting. There are some obvious red flags to avoid; for instance, if you’re flying in winter, try to avoid connections in snowy Chicago. But airports known for delays are another factor to consider. This summer, New York’s JFK is undergoing runway resurfacing, which means at any one time they’ll have only three ofLearn more

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