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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Romantic Honeymoon Getaways!


So the question was popped, the wedding is being planned, and it is now time to start thinking of the perfect honeymoon. This of romantic honeymoon locations is from the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine. Great list of wonderfully romantic destinations! 


Villa Cortez, One & Only Palmilla - Los Cabos, Mexico 
After waking up in your 10,000-square-foot upscale hacienda, sidle up to your private infinity-edge pool (which appears to empty into the Sea of Cortez). When happy hour arrives, order up a margarita made with Damiana, a Mexican liqueur with aphrodisiac properties. Not that you’ll need it, of course. 





Island Romance Suite, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa - Florida Keys 
As you set off to this private island 29 miles north of Key West (either by seaplane or boat), the real world drops away—as do modern fixtures like in-room TVs and Internet access. But who needs Wi-Fi when you have the Island Romance suite, outfitted with an outdoor shower, private deck and personal fire pit. 






Pavilion Room, Amanyara - Turks and Caicos 
Situated on the island’s northern side overlooking Northwest Point Marine Park, Amanyara boasts 40 standalone pavilion rooms with king-size beds, freestanding marble tubs and sliding glass doors that open on three sides, unveiling three separate terraces that soak up the sun. 





Eiffel Suite Classic, Hotel Plaza Athenee - Paris, France  
This 191-room landmark on Avenue Montaigne was the hotel of choice for fashionistas long before it appeared in the season finale of Sex and the City. Top digs, like the 1,400-square-foot, show-stopping Eiffel Tower Classic, offer terraces with views of the city’s iron icon. 




Ocean Panorama Pool Villa, Six Senses Yao Noi - Thailand 
This rustic-chic getaway spoils honeymooners adventurous enough to make the trek around the globe. Exhibit A: This “do not disturb”-worthy villa, which offers views of the Technicolor rainforest and karst-dotted Phang Nga Bay from the bed, the bathroom (complete with outdoor shower), and the private pool and terrace. 





Papala Suite, Verana - Mexico
 Verana is truly a secluded honeymoon haven. (Getting there requires a plane, a boat, a taxi, and a mule.) The thatched-roof Tea House is an open-air suite housing a gauze-draped bed, a plunge pool and a Japanese-style living room. And the epic views of the Pacific and nearby mountains are the stuff screensavers are made of. 





Private cottage, Klein’s Camp - Tanzania 
How about a lantern-lit dinner for two at Klein’s Camp, a private safari concession covering 24,800 acres in Serengeti National Park. The property has only 10 cottages, each with verandas perfect for viewing the Great Migration, which passes through the property every year. 




Tudor Suite, Fawsley Hall - England
 Sorry to sound cliché, but this 58-room regal manor (northwest of London) really is fit for a queen: Elizabeth I visited regularly until 1575. Newlyweds can summon their inner Will and Kate by staying in her suite of choice—named for that year—or the equally sumptuous Tudor suite. 





Perivolas Suite, Perivolas Hotel - Santorini, Greece
 Originally created as a private home, Perivolas features 20 hotel suites, including the Perivolas Suite with its own private plunge pool. But the public infinity pool is the main attraction—you might recognize it from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. 






Baldequin Suite, La Mamounia - Marrakech, Morocco
 Kick off “happily ever after” in storybook style. Enter through a foyer lined with slinky couches topped with oversize pillows; from there, the French doors open to the Atlas Mountains. The larger of the two bathrooms (yes, there are two) features a rain shower and claw-foot tub for two. 





Stone cottage, Pashan Garh Lodge - India 
Most come to north-central India’s Panna National Park in search of the elusive Bengal tiger. You’ll come for the seclusion that 200 acres of private jungle can afford. Each of the 12 stone cottages boasts a lantern-lit patio area and a private outdoor sala like this one.





Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas in Germany

Christmas is one of my personal favorite times of the year. I love the lights, decorations, seasonal drinks, the music and especially the traditions. I have never spent Christmas anywhere other than my home state of Alabama. I need to venture out more, I know. Last Christmas my lovely cousin, Melissa, did a study abroad for three months in Spain. She majored in teaching and went down there to teach English for three months. On the weekends she would travel to neighboring areas. On Christmas, she went to Germany. I was completely jealous but loved seeing and hearing about her experiences. 




The German observance of what is commonly know in English as Christmas Day is called Weihnachten. Many families celebrate Advent, which is the religious preparation for the arrival of das Chriskind (the Christ Child). Most Americans also celebrate Advent as well. Traditional Advent activities include the Adventskranz, or the Advent wreath. It is set up on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and candles are lit every Sunday around it until Christmas. 




One thing not to miss while in Germany during Christmas time are the Christmas Markets. Germany is know for the markets during Christmas. They are held in cities and towns across the country. The Christmas gifts you will find at the markets are not mass-produces. The craft work is of real quality. You will find traditional gifts such as toys, wood carvings, marionettes, candles and lambskin shoes. The ambiance of the market is unbelievable. The smell of mulled wine, hot chestnuts, grilled sausage and other tasty snacks is alluring. Kids will love the gingerbread houses as well! Most markets are open all day during the month of December. 





The weather in Germany in December is very unpredictable. Always be prepared for rain. Very cold with temperatures dropping below zero. The average low in December is 27 degrees with a high of 41 degrees. There are fewer crowds and lower rates during the winter. 

My cousin traveled to Brussels, Bruges, and Dusseldorf. 

Brussels is known for their light show during the Christmas time. The light show takes place in the heart of Brussels at the Grand-Place. It is part of the Winter Wonders, which includes a Christmas Market, Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, ice rink for skating and a Christmas tree. 





Brussels is in Belgium, which is known for its chocolate and waffles. As you can see, the waffle and chocolate stores are everywhere! 











In a small town in Southwest Germany (about 5 hours away from Belgium), there is a ChocolART Festival. It is a chocolate festival full of chocolate tasting, chocolate making, and all sorts of chocolate from around the world. Talk about a dream come true! 

The next place on Melissa's list was Dusseldorf. It is in Northern Germany and known for fashion and art culture. The food is unbelievable as well. a restaurant by the name of Im Schiffchen is the number one ranked place to eat in Dusseldorf. The food is French and Italian. If you want traditional German food, try Schweine Janes







Bruges was the last stop. It is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is located in the Northwest of the country. It is often times referred to as "The Venice of the North" because of the canals in the city. Bruges has beautiful Christmas Markets that you do not want to miss! The town itself is so lovely that you will not want to leave. 










In North Germany in Heiligengeistfeld (I know, what a name), there is a festival called the Hamburg Dom Festival. It is an open air fair with Ferris wheels, roller coasters, concerts, and fireworks. A great way to spend a December nights with the family or friends!


When traveling in Germany during December, you will run across many traditional Christmas treats. Gluhwein, which is mulled wine is a popular treat. Also Eierlikor, which is egg liquor. Far from American egg nog, it has egg yolks, spirits, sugar, brandy and vanilla cream. The food that is popular during this time of the year is roast goose, kale, carp and potatoes. Gingerbread, fruit cake and spicy shortbread are the desserts you will find...and enjoy!







"Frohe Weihnachten"