The buzz is growing about Nicaragua. The Central America country is undergoing a tourism renaissance, and our recent visit found a lot of romantic eco resort options — including Jicaro Island Ecolodge, an unexpected treasure.
Latest from the Honeymoonist
See Our Latest Travel Picks in the Spring 2016 Issue of Destination I Do!
Pardon my braggy moment, but I was so excited to go to my bookstore today and see the latest issue of Destination I Do! I travel a lot, scouting for clients and writing about top honeymoon and wedding spots for various magazines. Destination I Do is one of my favorites; they share my undying passion for travel, and are some of the smartest, kindest people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. For this issue, I headed to Los Cabos, Mexico, which is a fave spot personally as well as for weddings and honeymoons, thanks to the abundance of great hotels, gorgeous natural beauty and the fact thatLearn more
Globetrotter: Bernadette Smith of Gay Wedding Institute on Why She Loves Riviera Maya
Our friend Bernadette Smith has long been a leader in same-sex weddings. She started planning same-sex weddings in 2004 with her company 14 Stories, and has written three books on the topic. When legalization began sweeping across the country, she wanted to bring her passion and knowledge to other planners. So in 2009 she founded the Gay Wedding Institute, which works with individual planners and travel corporations like Marriott, teaching them all how to best serve their same-sex clientele. Bernadette travels a lot for work, educating on same-sex wedding planning, but when she needs a break, Riviera Maya, Mexico isLearn more
Is This The Sexiest Honeymoon Resort in Seychelles?
We don’t like to make blanket statements, and there are a lot of amazing resorts in the Indian Ocean. But for honeymoons, it’s hard to beat this one. First of all, there’s the setting. MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa sits on its own peninsula in a marine preserve, so the views are second to none. The digs are pretty sweet, too. The resort has 30 standalone villas, each with its own plunge pool. They’re centered around a main pool area with pool bar and pristine white-sand beach. There are only two room categories: Signature Villa and Ocean Panoramic Villa. The main diference is whereLearn more
Cool Los Cabos all inclusive resort
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
South Africa’s Sexiest Honeymoon Safari Lodge
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
Beachfront boutique hotel on Antigua
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
See Our Mexico All-Inclusive Picks in Destination I Do
We’re thrilled to see our feature on Mexico All-Inclusive picks in the new issue of Destination I Do magazine! These gals have their pulse on what’s cool and different in the world of romance travel, and we love working with them. In the feature, we spotlight a few of our favorites all-inclusive resorts along Riviera Maya. We love all-inclusives for their ease — there’s one bill, for as much food and drink as you want, not to mention activities and sweet rooms, which makes them a favorite for destination weddings. But be warned: They range wildy in terms of style and quality,Learn more