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It is the dream of every couple to celebrate their honeymoon in a memorable as well as unique way. Honeymoon is regarded as a newly weds’ first step towards the marriage life. However, honeymoon is not only for newly weds but also for the couples married years back. No other destination in the world would be better than the South Pacific’s French Polynesia, popularly known by the name of its main island Tahiti, for an unforgettable honeymoon.

Tahiti is an incomparably romantic destination on the earth, and is regarded as a perfect spot to renew marriage vows and celebrate wedding anniversaries. Often referred to as the ‘Island of Love,’ Tahiti, along with its 117 islands, provides the ultimate romantic getaway. From its main island Tahiti and much celebrated Bora Bora to the exotic Moorea and Rangiroa, each of the Tahitian islands is exceptional, and is shrouded in legends.

With its intoxicating settings consisting of green valleys filled with aromatic flowers, long stretches of beautiful white sandy beaches, quiet motus (islets), sparkling blue lagoons, and much more, Tahiti offers superb options for an enjoyable honeymoon. Probably, the prime reason that makes Tahiti and her islands a unique destination would be its seclusion. Endowed with cherished resorts, tiny tranquil villages, and isolated pristine beaches, Tahiti provides ultimate seclusion.

Another specialty that Tahitian islands offer for honeymooners and newly weds is over-water bungalows, built across the turquoise lagoon waters. These thatched-roof bungalows offer all facilities and amenities that a first class hotel or resort renders.

If you want to make your honeymoon truly special, then start it with a wedding conducted in traditional Tahitian style. Likewise, take a honeymoon cruise through the legendary South Pacific aboard super yachts, bareboat, freighter passenger, or top-end cruise ships with staterooms featuring private deck and superb meals, to experience the incredible beauty of the French Polynesian Islands.

Additionally, to spend a relaxed as well as enjoyable time with your better half, one of the best options would be take a pampering Polynesian spa while experiencing the tropical ambience. During your honeymoon in Tahiti, an array of activities can be enjoyed here, which among many others, are scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, safaris, shopping, and hiking.

Above all, an important aspect of a Tahitian honeymoon is the warmness of the people found here. The natives of French Polynesia are proud of their islands as well as culture, and are always eager to share them with the honeymooners and other tourists visiting the islands. Further, they always greet with you a smile.

One of the much famed destinations for celebrating honeymoon in French Polynesia is Tahiti, the largest among the 118 French Polynesian islands, which is home to Papeete - the bustling capital city and attractions like the Gauguin Museum. Located about 11 miles northwest of Tahiti is yet another popular honeymoon destination, Moorea - an awe-inspiring 51-square-mile island with a host of attractions including Tiki village. Acknowledged as the ‘Jewel of the South Seas,’ Bora Bora also provides an unforgettable ambience for honeymoons. Other islands in French Polynesia such as Raiatea, Tahaa, Rangiroa, and Huahine also offer adventure and romance for honeymooners.

There are a myriad of upscale resorts and hotels in Tahiti to cater to all of your needs in order to make your honeymoon truly special and unforgettable. Many of these hotels offer elegantly appointed rooms with comfortable beds, bath facilities, private balconies, and luxurious amenities including plasma TV with satellite and internet connections, apart from providing elegant views of the surroundings. In contrast to many hotels that share large lagoon, there are some high-end hotels that are situated on their own islands, thereby providing ultimate in privacy and exclusivity.

In addition, many resorts and hotels offer superb value packages for an enjoyable honeymoon, which are also sometimes customized according to couples’ specifications. In most cases, honeymoon packages are inclusive of five to seven unforgettable days in Tahiti, ocean view rooms with Jacuzzi, economy flights with Air Tahiti Nui, and facilities for island hopping.

In some instances, packages are crafted with all land transfers in Tahiti and Bora Bora, American breakfast, and romantic dinner. If you are well-heeled and can spend lavishly for your Tahitian honeymoon, then choose such packages designed with roundtrip airfare from the US on Air Tahiti Nui, superb spa facilities, cruising, romantic candlelit dinner, private airport transfers, and inter-island air transfers on Air Tahiti. These packages would be much affordable if they are booked in advance of the departure dates.

Apart from these, a continuum of tour operators is also in the scenario to help you in making your honeymoon in Tahiti truly memorable. All you have to do is to inform them in advance your likes and dislikes, and how many days would you like to spend in Tahiti. With just a click of mouse, you can easily do this.

So, this time come and renew your marriage vows in the Tahitian islands, each of which is really a tiny paradise on earth.

Apulia forms the heel of the Italian boot. It is situated in the southeast corner of Italy on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Apulia was often invaded by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Its numerous rulers included the Byzantines, Goths, Lombards, Normans, Spaniards, and Turks. Apulia’s moment of greatest glory was during the Holy Roman Empire of the 13th Century, when majestic Romanesque cathedrals and palaces were built. This article presents the western and usually northern part of Apulia. A companion article presents the rest of the region.

Apulia’s administrative center is Bari, the biggest city in southern Italy, with a population of over 325 thousand. It is a major port that includes a modern city center and an old town which is definitely worth seeing. Anywhere you turn you can usually see the Adriatic Sea. The pedestrian-only street Via Sparano is the site of evening strolls. The nearby Eleventh Century Bascilica di San Nicola is said to contain the remains of St. Nicholas, yes Santa Claus. According to legend local sailors stole his remains from Turkey. Funny, I was always under the impression that Santa Claus… To the northeast you will find the small port of Trani, once a major Adriatic port. Trani’s attractions include two medieval synagogues and several historic churches.

The spur of Italy’s boot is the Promontorio del Gargano (Gargano Promontory), which is a very popular tourist destination. Its mountain roads are very curvy so pay strict attention to your driving. Near the tip is the whitewashed town of Vieste known for its castle. You should take a ferry from Vieste to the nearby archipelago Isole Tremiti, but please don’t forget the word Tremiti as in tremor. The view is really spectacular.

The Foresta Umbra (Shady Forest) encompasses well over sixty thousand acres. It is home to hundreds of animal species and two thousand plant species many of which are normally associated with northern climes. Monte Sant’Angelo has been a major pilgrim destination for centuries. You’ll want to see the Santuario di San Michele (Sanctuary of San Michele) and the Tomba di Rotari (Tomb of Rotari), a medieval baptistery. Finish your tour of western Apulia at the famous Castel del Monte, which is a mysterious eight-sided castle built in the Thirteenth Century.

Among Apulia’s classified foods are Clementines, Olives, two Cheeses, and four Olive Oils. Be sure to see our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Western Apulia for a sample menu and more information on Apulia wines as well as an in-depth examination of western Apulia’s tourist attractions. The best-known local wine is Castel del Monte DOC, which is available overseas and is frankly not that great.

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an ideal vacation spot. You’ve planned for weeks and months and now your dream to travel Italy is almost a reality. Here are a few helpful pointers to help make your adventures go more smoothly.
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Italy, a real treasure chest of culture and heritage - with Italy food, Italy wine, Italy culture and Italy history, is always on the top of a European tour list. A tour to Italy would not be complete without going to Florence. This city is in the heart of Tuscany and is sometimes considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. It is a place that is famous for its abundance of fine art and architecture and in the modern day, its fashion and leather goods.

In general the weather is very hot and steaming in the dead of the summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be sure to have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential. Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland cities, so you may want to consider bringing an umbrella. The most romantic wedding traditions from around the word: Italy, Spain & Egypt

If you are feeling a little tired out after a few days of sightseeing in Florence, a Florence hills tour can be a great way to relax and wind down. With a great ambience and an aura of solitude the hills of Florence are very popular and ideal for those who wish to take a break from the city.

If you only have a few hours to spare and don’t want to venture too far from Florence, then a trip to the town of Fiesole is highly recommended. Set amongst the hills, just 5 miles from Florence, Fiesole makes a pleasant half-day trip from Florence and provides a wonderful view of the city. You can get there by bus from the centre of Florence in around 20 minutes.

If you have a full day to spare there are numerous tour companies that can organise day trips by bus, walking tours or biking trips. On the other hand you can hire a car and use a map to discover the delight of the Tuscan countryside for yourself.

A guided walking tour of the Florence hills will provide you with an insider’s view of Florence & Tuscany - you can discover the hidden treasures and learn of great legends and stories, giving you a more intimate experience of the region of Tuscany. A walk through the Florence hills is invigorating and you can soak up the beauty of the surroundings as you breathe in the fresh air and bask in the warm sun. You’ll also find plenty of photo opportunities as you pass by churches, castles, hill top towns and villages, olive trees and vineyards

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Detroit’s long list of things to do and its organized freeway system make it one of the best destinations for a holiday vacation. Grab your keys and head out to have one great summer road trip to this beautiful Michigan city!

Joining tours is still the best way to start a trip to get acquainted with a new place. It is also a good opportunity for you to take a break from the wheel as soon as you get to Detroit. The Detroit People Mover is a good start for you to discover the city’s downtown area. The ride takes you to thirteen stops, including some of the popular attractions located downtown. Make the most of this short driving hiatus by stopping at the Greektown, the Renaissance Center and the Joe Louis Arena, which are all accessible via the Detroit People Mover.

Music enthusiasts have a specific Detroit attraction in their itinerary for this summer road trip: the Motown Historical Museum. Motown Records is largest independent music label in the world that has produced big stars such as Stevie Wonder, the Jackson Five, Rare Earth and many more. Go back in history as you browse through the galleries of musical legends and visit the world-famous Studio A where numerous hits were recorded.

For those who are traveling with kids, there are lots of great attractions and activities in Detroit that you can check out. Drive yourselves just a few minutes from Detroit to Royal Oak and head to the Detroit Zoo, which offers kids (and adults) the chance to be face to face with both backyard and wild animals. The zoo’s highlights are the Penguin Aquarium and the Polar Bear Exhibit. Next, drive to East Grand River Avenue to have a little down time with the kids and enjoy an incredible and creative puppet show at the Detroit Puppet Theater (also known as PuppetART). For the months of July and August, the theater features the classic Sleeping Beauty “on stage”. The Detroit Puppet Theater also hosts puppet-making workshops to Detroit residents and visitors, and has exhibits of the most unique puppets they have created. The New Detroit Science Center is always a hit to the curious minds. It has an interesting way of introducing and/or educating science to children. The center’s interactive exhibits, the theater and the planetarium will definitely make them ask questions with answers they will be eager to learn. Summer is Major League Baseball season, and there is a trip to the Commerica Park should definitely be included in your list of things to do in Detroit for this road trip. Join the Detroit crowd as they cheer on the Tigers. If there is no game scheduled during your visit, let the kids enjoy themselves with a carousel or a ferris wheel ride, or by running around the bases.

The Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival happens every summer on Labor Day weekend. Celebrate it this year with thousands of other jazz fanatics at the Hart Plaza on August 29th until September 1st. Hundreds of artists perform during this four day-music filled event, which is certainly one of the best ways to conclude your Detroit summer road trip.

If you are unable to make a decision about your next holiday trip, do not worry, I have a solution for you. Enjoy a memorable Langkawi Holiday. The Langkawi Island is situated on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. The place features vast paddy fields, rural villages, caves, rolling mountains and ancient rainforests. You will also find an unending path of sandy beaches to relax.

Features of the island:

The islands have a lot of legends and myths associated with it. You will find a number of legends regarding romance, gigantic birds, warriors, and fairy princesses related to this mysterious island. The beauty of these islands is perhaps the best in the entire Southeast Asia.

Historical evidences:

Ideally the island is 500 million old. It has a lot of unique features. In the island, you can traverse through a number of caves which have stalagmites and stalactites. The crystal clear water around the island makes it an ideal place to organize water sports and other recreational activities. Divers also consider the Langkawi’s islands to be the best place for diving.

Places to visit:

During your Langkawi Holiday visit the attractive places of the island:

• Kuah town: In Malay language ‘Kuah’ means gravy. It is the busiest spot on the island. Basically, Kuah town is best to make duty free shopping.
• Mat Cincang Mountain: Mat Cincang Mountain is a 700m high mountain. This mountain is best for those who are interested in trekking. You can enjoy marvelous views of nature and trekking from this mountain.
• Sungay Kilim : Sungay Kilim is a nature park. It occupies a space of 100kmsq. The park has fascinating features and a lively surrounding. It boasts to have the rarest species of birds. You will find Brahminy kites, giant sea eagles and hornbills at this place.
• Never avoid the Langkawi cable car, to explore the entire island and the huge number of sandbars and islets surrounding it.
• Waterfalls: Do not miss the marvelous view of the fabulous waterfalls, Durian Perangin and Telaga Tujuh

Langkawi Island has a group of 99 tropical islands. The islands are about 30 km from Kuala Perils and 51 km from Kuala Kehda situated on the mainland. The main island amongst the 99 island is named as Paulau Langkawi.

So, do not waste time, hurry and book your Langkawi accommodation and the tickets for your next trip immediately. Have a nice Langkawi Holiday.

This fabulous place with deserted landscapes and emerald surface of the Red Sea is located in the very south of the Sinai Peninsula. The pearl of Sharm el-Sheikh is Naama Bay with numerous hotels, shopping centers, restaurants – all united at this world famous resort city. Sharm el-Sheikh is an ideal resort – prices are reasonable, level of service is rather high and thanks to its warm and dry climate people come here on their vacations all year round.

This green and perfectly clean spot is ideal for those fond of underwater exotics. Corals are located almost next to the coast. Remains of sunken ships, shark bay and other sights attract divers from all over the world. We recommend you a visit to unique Ras Mohammed National Park where flora and fauna wonders of the Red sea all come together. Diving centers offer lessons and instructions, but this is not the end of the list. Water skis are an ideal way to entertain yourself following the motor-launch along the coast. You can also go in for windsurfing which will make you feel like you are flying over the sea. Hotels offer tennis courts, water aerobics, fitness centers and Jacuzzi.

Nightlife is an excellent addition to the daytime beach, sea and excursions. Magnificent quay stretching along the Naama Bay is filled with shops, discos and restaurants. Numerous “Eastern cafes” have a comfortable atmosphere. Here you can surround yourself with cushions and drink true Turkish coffee with cardamom.

For stylish design and excellent beer go to Harry`s Pub (Marriott Hotel). Fish Restaurant will offer you fish delicacies and traditional Hilton service. Though seafood can also be tasted in many other places. Finally, if you are tired of local food, go to McDonald`s or Pizza Hut. Many tourists will be surprised to discover that there are Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood found here. And of course don’t miss the Black House disco (next to Rosetta hotel). Dance floor is a bit small, but music is energetic, and only an hour later you will feel at ease. At night visit bowling or artificial skating rink. Kids will like Fun Town Attraction Park.

In the very centre of Naama Bay there is a duty free shop to buy perfumery, household appliances, leather and jewellery. And, of course, your purchases won’t be taxed.

Excursions. Mount Sinai, or Mount Musa, is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. According to a legend this was the mount where God gave laws to the Israelites. Another legend says that all your grieves will be forgiven here at sunrise. There is also a Monastery of St. Catherine located at the foot of the mountain. This is the oldest Christian monastery.

The Colored Canyon is another natural gift: stone and sand rocks shimmer with various colours, which will make your heart beat faster.

You can also make a bus or an air trip to Cairo or Luxor to see the ancient Egyptian sanctuaries – true world wonders. If you prefer active sports, you can go in for safari, make a visit to the Bedouin village, ride aboard a camel and see traditional dancing. You can also visit Petra in Jordan, famous for its stone structures carved into the rock that will surely impress you.

If you are in the mood for a European tourist destination, why not consider the Liguria region of northern Italy, commonly known as the Italian Riviera? This thin strip of land lies on the Ligurian Sea, close to Monaco and the French Riviera. While Liguria is hardly undiscovered, its crowds are quite a bit smaller than those next door. It is home to many little towns or villages and one international port city almost smack dab in the center of the coast. This article explores Liguria west of Genoa, or as the locals call it, Riviera di Ponente (The Riviera of the Setting Sun.) Be sure to read our other articles in this series: eastern Liguria, Genoa, and Cinque Terre, five little seaside villages that just might steal your heart.

We start our tour just west of Genoa at the seaside town of Pegli. We continue southwest down the coast to the Albisola Marina, Imperia, Bussana Vecchia, San Remo, Bordighera, and end our tour at the Giardini Botanici Hanbury just west of the French Border.

As Liguria’s capital Genoa grew it almost swallowed little Pegli. You can walk around and see vestiges of its past. Its two main attractions are Villa Doria and Villa Durazzo Pallavicini. The Sixteenth Century Villa Doria is now home to the Genoa Naval and Maritime Museum honoring the world’s most famous sailor, Christopher Columbus. The Nineteenth Century Villa Durazzo Pallavicini houses the Museo Civico di Archeologica Ligure (Ligurian Civic Archeological Museum) with a beautiful park, lakes, grottoes, and a medieval-style castle. Albisola Marina, population fifty-five hundred, is famous for ceramics. I am told that experts can identify Albisolan ceramics from their shape, designs, and colors. In any case walk down the Lungomare delgi Artisti (Artists Seafront) near the beach and you’ll find beautiful souvenirs of Liguria. Stop by the luxurious Eighteenth Century Villa Durazzo-Faraggiana to see. Don’t forget to look down and admire its floor tiles. It’s close to the Baroque Parish Church of Nostra Signora della Concordia (Our Lady of Harmony).

Imperia, population forty thousand, is really two cities in one. Oneglia is an oil refining and pharmaceuticals center. So why would you want to visit there? Its Museo dell’Olivo (Olive Oil Museum) is devoted to that most delicious of oil, spanning nations and centuries. The location is quite fitting; at one point little Oneglia controlled the oil commerce for all Europe. Imperia’s other city, Porto Maurizio, has a medieval city center and some palaces. The fairly modern Cathedral, completed in 1832, is Liguria’s largest church. The city hosts the Naval Museum of Western Ligura known for its collection of shipbuilding tools.

Bussana Vecchia is an artist’s colony that emerged from a ghost town. In 1887 an earthquake destroyed a village in the Ligurian hills east of San Remo (see below). The survivors built huts near the entrance to the village but abandoned them after seven years. For more than six decades this entire area was abandoned. Then in the early 1960s an Italian artist started the Colonia Internazionale degli Artisti (International Artist Colony) for dancers, musicians, painters, sculptors, and writers. As true artists they respected the medieval characteristics of the buildings, used bricks and stones reclaimed from the rubble, and left the original facades. Don’t miss it.

San Remo, population under sixty thousand, is the largest resort in western Liguria. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Maritime Alps it enjoys an excellent climate. During the off season San Remo is probably the only animated site in western Liguria. It is an international flower center, selling some twenty thousands of tons of flowers (who measures flowers by the ton?) per year. But like the old grey mare, San Remo ain’t what it used to be. I’m told that royalty no longer hangs its hat in these parts. Is that a reason not to visit?

You should see the Russian Orthodox Church of San Basilio built less than a century ago by expatriate Russians. If you like to gamble hit the tables at the Art Nouveau San Remo Casino. Who knows what celebrity you may see there? The casino theater hosts the annual San Remo Music Festival and has done so since 1951. The initial festival attracted only three singers. I’m not naming names, but one famous (at least to Italians) contestant commited suicide after realizing that his song was eliminated from the competition.

La Pigna, the historic center of San Remo dates back about a thousand years and still maintains a lot of its unique character. Pigna means pine cone; the local streets curl around the little hill like the scales of a pine cone. You start with the Fourteenth Century Gothic stone arch Porta di Santo Stefano (Saint Stefano’s Gate) and then keep discovering more and more of that good old stuff, churches, villas, palaces, and the like. Maybe royalty and their hangers on just don’t know what they are missing.

Bordighera, population just over ten thousand, has long been a popular winter resort, especially for the English who at one time outnumbered the local residents. It’s well known for flowers and palms, proudly used in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica on Palm Sunday. Bordighera was the first city in Europe to grow date palms, well before global warming. According to legend the local date palms grew from Egyptian pits planted at the beginning of the Fifth Century. The Lungomare Argentina (Argentina Promenade) has an excellent view of the French Riviera and other churches. The Seventeenth Century parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, has fine bell tower and holds the relics of Sant’Ampelio, the patron saint of the town. He’s the one said to have first planted those Egyptian date pits. Our last stop in this part of the world is the Giardini Botanici Hanbury (Hanbury Botanical Gardens) located on a small steep peninsula sloping down to the Mediterranean Sea. At about 44 acres (18 hectares) is one of the largest in Italy, but presently only about half the property is cultivated. You can find specimens from five continents, including palms, but may only see the villa from the outside.

What about food? In spite of such a long seacoast, Ligurian cooking isn’t nearly as seafood intensive as one might think. The Ligurian coast does not offer as rich a variety of seafood as does Italy’s eastern Adriatic coast or its Mediterranean coast further south. Instead of crying about it Ligurian cooks developed their own specialties including a vegetable pie that was a favorite of sailors, surely a change from that same old fish.

Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Pansoti con Salsa di Noci (Ravioli with Walnut Sauce). Then try Polpe e Patate (Stewed Octopus with Potatoes.) For dessert indulge yourself with Castagnaccio (Chestnut and Pine Nut Tart.) Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.

We’ll conclude with a quick look at Liguria wine. Tiny Liguria doesn’t have a lot of room for wine grapes. It ranks 19th among the 20 Italian regions for the acreage devoted to wine grapes and for total annual wine production. About 34% of its wine is red or rose, leaving 66% white. The region produces eight DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Approximately 14% of Ligurian wine carries the DOC designation.

There are three DOC wines in the Riviera di Ponente region. The Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC may be produced almost anywhere in western Liguria. While this wine is always dry it may be red or white and comes from a variety of local grapes. The dry or sweet Pornassio/Ormeasco di Pomassio DOC is produced in a small area north of Imperia from the local red Ormeasco grape, called Dolchetto elsewhere. This grape is said to resemble Gamay, so if you like Beaujolais there’s a good chance that you will like this wine. The Rossese di Dolceacqua/Dolceacqua is produced from a local red grape in a small zone at the western tip of Liguria. It is Liguria’s best-known wine. Liguria exports very little wine to North America so you may have to go there to taste the wines. To tell you the truth, there are many better reasons for visiting this lovely area.