Holidaysplease.co.uk suggests three honeymoon destinations for newly weds of all ages and personalities.

So you have the wedding flowers ordered, dress ready and groom organised (as much as he can be).  It’s time now to think about the most important part, the part which you will look forward to after the big day, and the part where it’s just you and who you really only want to be with. The honeymoon…

This can be a tough choice and depends on your preferences and so I have chosen three locations which should suit most tastes…

Maldives Honeymoons are regarded as some of the most luxurious on earth, with vanilla sand and turquoise sea. The small islands are perfect if all you want to do is spend time in each other’s company with complete privacy. Some of the islands are so small you can walk around them in 20 minutes! Diving is a unique experience in the Maldives with the water temperature being perfect, and who better to share this with than your new partner.

If you enjoy more of an adventure but still enjoy luxury Thailand is probably the destination for you. It offers breathtaking beaches and scenery along with beautiful temples and vibrant cities. Bangkok known as the “city of angels” is thriving with history and culture, with temples and royal residences.  It is the perfect destination for active honeymoon couples.

Mauritius Honeymoons would offer a happy medium between the two above destinations. Mauritius is a tropical paradise offering gorgeous beaches, mountains and volcanic lakes. With 100 miles of coastline surrounded by coral reef, Mauritius falls right in the middle of active and relaxing.

All these destinations have luxurious accommodation to make your honeymoon even more special.

This is a sponsored post.

Holidaysplease.co.uk provides expert advice and service for couples looking for the perfect honeymoon. They will advise according to your needs, always offering luxurious accommodation with once in a lifetime experiences.

Europe is one of the most visited destinations in the World. Its cultural diversity, deeply-rooted traditions and rituals, together with the rich history creates an unforgettable atmosphere, which attract millions of visitors each year. Increasingly, however, holidaymakers are looking for off the beaten track destinations, which remain undiscovered, pristine and idle. The EU-initiated project European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) aims at promoting these destinations, and revealing the grand potential of some of the most remote areas in the participating EU member states, candidate countries and the EFTA countries as new tourism destinations. It invites tourists from all over the world to discover the hidden gems that Europe has to offer.

Every year a specific topic is chosen to manifest the EDEN project. Topics such as ‘Best Emerging European Rural Destination of Excellence’, ‘Tourism and Local Intangible Heritage’ and ‘Tourism and Protected Areas’  have been the focal points in the previous years. In 2010, the theme of excellence is ‘Aquatic Tourism’. 25 countries were participating and 25 beautiful destinations have been awarded the EDEN prize. Endless river valleys, pure lakes, natural resorts, health-related sites – all located in picturesque spots, have been selected to showcase to tourists looking for a new experience. These off the beaten track destinations present an excellent opportunity for travelers who are looking for something fresh and new.

EDEN supports and promotes sustainable development, and invites you to visit the European Destinations of Excellence! All EDEN destinations have been rewarded for their sustainable outlook and the wide range of activities that they offer. Whether you are looking for peace and quiet for meditation and relaxation, or whether you prefer active holidays – you will find it all in any of the 25 destinations. Moreover, since most of the selected sites have a rich historical heritage, there are plenty of possibilities to explore local traditions and culture. EDEN offers a unique opportunity for responsible travelers to enjoy the wilderness of the undiscovered areas, to learn about the local culture from the locals themselves and contribute to the long-term, sustainable development of tourism in Europe.

For more information, please consult the following website:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/

List of the EDEN winners for 2010:
Austria ‘Seelentium’
Belgium ‘The lakes of Eau d’Heure’
Bulgaria ‘Regional Administration Silistra’
Croatia ‘Nin’
Cyprus ‘Kato Pyrgos’
Czech Republic ‘Bystřicko’
Estonia ‘Lake Võrtsjärv’
Finland ‘Saimaa Holiday’
France ‘The Grand Site du Marais Poitevin’
Germany ‘Western Pomeranian River District’
Greece ‘Prefecture of Serres’
Hungary ‘Lake Tisza’
Iceland ‘The Westfjords region’
Ireland ‘Loop Head Peninsula in Co. Clare – Kilkee’
Italy ‘Municipality of Monte Isola’
Latvia ‘Sea Resort Jurmala’
Lithuania ‘Zarasai Region – Heavenly Shore on Earth’
Luxembourg ‘The nature park of the Upper Sûre’
Malta ‘Isla (Senglea)’
Netherlands ‘WaterReijk Weerribben Wieden’
Poland ‘The Biebrza Valley and Wetlands – Wildlife Sanctuary’
Romania ‘Geoagiu Bai’
Slovenia ‘River Kolpa’
Spain ‘A Guarda’
Turkey ‘Bitlis – Nemrut Crater Lake’

Today, we travel to Paris for a hotel stay near Arc de Triomphe, a walk along the Champs Elysées, and dinner at one of rue du Faubourg Saint Honore’s restaurants.

Balcone view from the Hotel Belfast Paris.

Hotel Belfast Paris is located in the heart of the prestigious area Etoile-Champs Elysées, probably the closest hotel to the famed Arc de Triomphe and to the Champs Elysées. From our superior rooms we had our breakfast on the balcony with a view on the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, which was rather chic.

The building dates from the 18th century and is a classic Parisian building in all aspects. The venue sets an example of the refinement and elegance of the French classic style. While being in the center of Paris, the hotel offers a calm setting in which you can relax after a busy day in the city.

My luminous and spacious room offered modern comforts such as air conditioning, Internet access, LCD flat screen TV and soundproofed walls. It was decorated with beautiful antique furnishings and elegant fabrics. Although facing the street, the room was surprisingly quiet.

Another advantage of the hotel location is the Air France coach stop from Charles De Gaulle Airport and a metro and RER station entrance, both just in front of the hotel front door – so easy access to all major spots in Paris within minutes. The service minded staff makes you feel at home and I want to thank them all for making my stay memorable.

Of course, while there, as it was our first time in Paris, we went up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and enjoyed the amazing view of the city. We saw as far as the business district called La Defense and on the other side the Louvre; also the Eiffel Tower and many Parisian building roofs that give the city its unique grey colour.

On the Avenue des Champs Elysées, we had fun getting through the huge 66 shop, with a wide display of famous brand items. In the Chocolate Bar Mauboussin, also on 66, av. des Champs-Elysées, I ordered a delicious chocolate.

As for restaurants in the area I had a great dinner at Graindorge, rue de l’Arc de Triomphe, very close to the hotel, and got delighted with their Flemish cuisine and excellent beer. Another memorable dinner was L’Angle du Faubourg, rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, especially their sublime dessert of pear with coffee. The area is literally crammed with exceptional restaurants that can satisfy everybody.

Hotel Belfast Paris is an excellent choice considering its superb location, high level of service and reasonable rates. Booking through the hotel’s website hotelbelfastparis.com guarantees the lowest rates, sometimes up to 20% cheaper than through third party reservation sites.

Choose Belfast for a unique stay in Paris close to the best parts of the city and all the great attractions. Not just for your stay but also for your wallet. To find similar hotels to this in these prices ranges or better, try explorotel.com/france/ile_de_france/paris/hotels/hotel_belfast

This is a sponsored post.

Rosalie Scott shares why September is an ideal month for holidays in New York and what you can do once you’ve arrived. Make sure to book a cheap flight to New York to have more money left for attractions in the city.

Written by Rosalie Scott

The kids are heading back to school, the weather is still warm and the sun is still shining — making New York City in September an ideal destination. Check out a ball game at Yankee Stadium, have dinner in Little Italy during the San Gennaro Festival, or grab a water bottle and explore the city with one of the many walking tours available.

New York Yankees & Mets Baseball Games

Sports fans visiting the city in September should take themselves out to a Yankee or Mets game, particularly because both teams have moved into brand new state of the art stadiums. Baseball aficionados wanting to delve into the rich history of the game will enjoy the behind the scenes tours available at Yankee Stadium, which includes a visit to the dugout, the New York Yankees Museum, and Monument Park which showcases the greatest baseball icons including Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. New York Mets fans can take in a game at Citi Field which has replaced Shea Stadium. Yankee Stadium is located in the Bronx at East 161st Street at River Avenue (across from the original stadium) and Citi Field is situated at 126th Street and Roosevelt in Queens. For game schedules and information on how to buy tickets, visit the Yankees and Mets official sites.

San Gennaro Festival, The Feast of San Gennaro

With its vibrant parades, delicious food and the renowned cannoli eating competition, this event draws more than a million people from around the world to the streets of Lower Manhattan’s Little Italy every September. Mulberry Street is closed for this colourful festival, which begins the second Thursday of September and celebrates San Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples. The event has a long running history, having first been celebrated in 1926 by immigrants from Naples. A mass is held at Most Precious Blood Church on Mulberry Street, which houses the shrine of San Gennaro, and then a religious procession carries his statue through the streets of Little Italy. The festival runs along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets. A performance stage hosts live entertainment and street vendors offers delicious delicacies at every turn. Visit their official website for a festival map, event schedule and a list of recommended Little Italy restaurants and cafes.

Walking Tours of New York City

The best way to truly experience the sights and sounds of New York City is to simply walk its streets. September is an excellent month to sign up for a walking tour since it’s still quite sunny and warm, but typically less humid than July and August. Guided walking tours are a particularly good way to view Ground Zero, the memorial grounds for those who died in the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. The Ground Zero/Lower Manhattan walking tour offered by New York City Vacation Packages takes you to the site of the former World Trade Center as well as the FDNY 9 11 Memorial Wall with a licensed tour guide.

Walking tours are great activities for travellers wanting to learn more about neighbourhoods like the famous East Village or the Lower East side but don’t know where to start. New York City neighbourhoods are packed with history that a guide can provide as you stroll through the streets and take in the sights. Some walking tours include Alphabet City, Five Points/Chinatown and even the Gangsters, Murderers and Weirdos walking tour which covers the escapades of characters like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel.

NewYorkJourney.com will give you a comprehensive look at several hotels, attractions, tours and shops in the Big Apple. Get the information you need to know before you travel and make sure you get to see and stay at the best of the best in New York City.

After spending their summer in the Wagon Queen Family Truckster, John and Steph have learned how to keep a low budget while on a road trip.

Written by John and Steph

Taking a road trip is fun, but it can also be quite expensive. The following tips are suggestions for how to make your wallet stop crying when the travel bug bites and you decide to hit the road:

Go the speed limit. It’s safer and a financially responsible decision to travel at the recommended speeds posted on the highway. Think less police encounters and greater fuel efficiency

Stay in a vacation rental. By using vacation rental websites, like HomeAway.com, you can often find great deals on any number of housing accommodations in the area you’d like to visit next. You can even RENT A WHOLE HOUSE FOR HALF THE COST OF A HOTEL! And I do mean a ‘ whole house’… John and I ALWAYS have our separate rooms (and often separate bathrooms too!) and there is usually a spacious living room and a kitchen that afford us the extra space we need to spread out after spending 5-9 hours in the Truckster together. Don’t take my word for it though – just peruse the 540,000+ rental listings within the HomeAway network to find the perfect fit for you and your family.

Buy groceries. I’ve already mentioned the perks of having a kitchen just because of the space it provides in contrast to the car-cramped traveler. But there’s not need to be a fastfood-ridden traveler…having a kitchen also allows the money conscious family to make a grocery stop, so eating out all the time won’t be necessary. *Also a good idea for the healthy eater/traveler.

Always know where your next cup is coming from…COFFEE! If you’re a coffee drinker that just can’t go without the taste of caffeine early in the morning, you’ll want to ask you’re rental owner if they provide a coffee pot and grounds. Many of the rentals I’ve encountered this summer do have the coffee-lover’s basics in the kitchen for guests to enjoy. However, if not, you can still save a few bucks during your travels by purchasing some instant coffee like the Starbuck’s brand Via. It really isn’t that bad and you can always splurge with a gas station $0.99 cup every once in a while.

Do laundry. Save money on baggage fees if your road trip starts or ends with a flight by packing light and doing laundry while on vacation. Many vacation rentals come with an in-house washer and dryer. I know that some might say “why would I want to ruin my vacation by doing laundry” but I can personally attest to the fact that it won’t put a damper on your vacation fun if you throw in a load before dinner or bedtime. Plus, your wallet will thank you since you won’t be throwing away money on needless fees, AND you’ll be able to de-stress without hosting anxiety about having to lug around a gargantuan suitcase.

Be smart about eating out. If you are planning to eat out, I recommend the (more affordable) lunch menu, water as a beverage choice. Also, talk to your vacation rental owner, who is often a local expert, about community restaurants. These establishments tend to offer cheaper cuisine than your average chain restaurant. In addition, you’re likely to stumble upon fresh and delicious tastes that are characteristic to the area. Avoid the tourist traps!

Pack a water bottle. John and I save so much money by filling-up our bottles each morning before we head out for the day or hit the road. It’s so tempting to wander into the gas station and buy a drink when you’re stretching your legs or refueling, but if you’ve got plenty of water with you, there’s no need. Stand outside and enjoy the fresh air instead!

Find out what’s happening locally. Pick up the local newspaper and find out what events are going on during the course of your stay. Your homeowner may also have the inside scoop on activities as well. During our Truckster road trip, the Truckies have discovered a number of free attractions, summer concerts, and must-see stops that cost nothing.

Say Cheese. Skip the tacky souvenir in lieu of great photos by bringing a camera on your trip. There are all kinds of things you can do with the memories you capture with a camera or video recorder: make a movie or scrapbook or slide-show or decoupage your next coffee table with photos from your adventures. The possibilities are endless…

How’d I do? How do you save money while on the road? If you have any other tips that might be helpful on the Great American Road Trip, please let us know.

Learn more about John and Steph on the page of the HomeAway Truckie Team.

In today’s sponsored post, we visit the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca.

The Balearic Islands lie between Spain and North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea. These beautiful islands are a province of Spain and are a popular travel destination. Balearic Islands holidays are perfect for travellers who want long sunny days, fun on the beach, good food and lively nightclubs. The average summer temperature for these islands is a balmy 29 degrees Celsius with little rainfall. There are four main islands each with its individual characteristics.

Ibiza is known as “’party central,” and is home to some of the most famous nightclubs in the world. Along with its lively nightlife, Ibiza has more than 80 different beaches to choose from. While some beaches are hot spots for the crowds, it is possible to find a more secluded place, to spend a day in the sun. There are plenty of water sport activities available on the island as well, including snorkelling, wind surfing, and sailing.

Majorca is another island that has plenty beaches and nightlife. In addition to the many water sports on this island, there is also golfing, horseback riding and go-carting. Majorca also offers many water parks and theme parks for the kids. Travellers will want to visit the many historic sites of this island. Ancient Roman ruins, a beautiful 13th century cathedral and medieval castles are all must sees while here.

Cala d'Alcaufar, Menorca

For travellers desiring a more relaxed and quiet pace, the Island of Menorca is perfect. This island is known as “the Jewel of the Balearics” and has more beaches than the other three put together. Rich in history, Menorca has many ancient sites and monuments to visit. The quieter pace makes this island perfect for families, although there are still plenty of water sports and the diving here is supposed to be the best the region has to offer.

As far as the cuisine goes, the fresh seafood tops the list among visitors as well as locals. There is myriad of other fine dishes to choose from including fine pastries and sweets, fine wines and other Mediterranean treats.

Beautiful beaches, exciting nightclubs and a rich history are what make these islands a perfect holiday destination. For travellers planning for Spain holidays these islands are not to be missed. Try Travelmatch.co.uk for great deals to the Balearic Islands.

Essential Travel gives advice on how to make your family getaway that much more relaxing.

Written by Essential Travel

As any family with small children will know, a family getaway can sometimes be less idyllic than it sounds. Children are very active by nature, which can result in a trip that’s more work than relaxation. But fear not. We have 7 great tips ready to help you make your family trip that much more relaxing for you, and for the kids.

Be Prepared
Unpredictability goes hand in hand with parenthood, so make sure you go prepared. Always travel insured with kids, as you never know what could happen. If you’re traveling via plane, get a family friend to drop you and the kids off or go for a meet and greet service. This will make getting to the airport less frustrating on both you and the children.  

Keep it simple
Avoid cramming too many activities into one day. Traveling with kids requires flexibility and having an itinerary filled to the brim might not work too well. Instead, try and split the activities over more days, or only schedule a few important ones so you can spend some quality relaxation time together as a family.

Plan Together
When planning your holiday make sure that you’ve taken each member of the family into consideration. Each of them have their individual likes, and trying to meet these will result in a better holiday for everyone. Don’t forget about yourself though. Make sure that you’ve seen to your own needs amidst the concern about the kids.

Think Ahead
Make sure that all the travel essentials are taken care of. These include vaccinations, travel insurance, and all the important documents. Check that there are doctors in the area in which you are staying, especially if someone in the family suffers from an illness. Also try and keep passports with you at all times, just in case of any emergencies.

Accommodation
If your children are at the age where running around is a main priority, avoid hotel living altogether. Kids are by nature very busy and need more space than adults. Hotel rooms are often not built for family living, and can work out very expensive for a small space. We suggest trying a guest-house or a lodge as they often offer more space for less.

Be Ahead of Schedule
Kids can be a handful sometimes, so make sure you account for this to avoid running late. In order to catch all flights and bookings on time, make sure you are at least fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. Once again, family travel comes with a certain measure of unpredictability, so be sure you’re prepared for it.

Bring Entertainment
Because of luggage restrictions, kids can’t take a variety of toys along. Trust your parental instincts when it comes to choosing which books and toys go with. If their favourite toy keeps them occupied for hours at home, then it’s likely to do the same thing on a plane, or anywhere else.

These travel tips were brought to you by Essential Travel, the award winning travel add-ons provider.