Holiday Travel // 2014

It is that time of year again. The wind is blowing and the chill in the air makes you want to cozy up to a fire and sip hot chocolate. The holidays are fast approaching, but it is not too late to plan an exciting adventure.

 

I have compiled a list of five places to visit this holiday season.

 

Amsterdam

The legend of Santa Claus is strong in Amsterdam and the houses are strung with lights at the very beginning of December. During the colder months, Amsterdam is a great place to go ice skating! Fun activity for the kids! The Dutch really know how to make the most of the holiday season. From parades to good food and from markets to festive parties.

 

 

 

 

 

Finland

What is in Finland you ask? Well visiting during the winter is simply breathtaking. Take a trip out to the Urho Kekkonen National Park. It is an actual winter wonderland. You can cross the fresh snow on a reindeer pulled sleigh! Or go cross-country skiing! You can also stay in an igloo!

 

 

 

 

Munich

If you go for only one reason alone, it would to see the hundred-foot Christmas tree. The markets are also a wonderful part of Christmas in Germany. The squares are full off vendors selling mulled wine, gingerbread, and also live holiday music!

 

 

 

 

 

 Charleston

If traveling across seas is not in your budget, not to worry! South Carolina has a lot to offer! Bourbon spiced eggnog, roasted pecans, and choir singing! The streets are decorated with garlands and wreaths adorn all the houses. A prefect quaint Christmas! Not to mention the wonderful food found in Charleston!

 

 

 

 

 

 Boston

Boston is a natural choice for the holidays. The New-England charm is full of coziness! The cobblestone streets covered in snow are picturesque! Boston has so much to do from great bakeries and breweries to sports and shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course there are hundreds of other places to venture to during he holiday season. Skiing, the mountains, somewhere tropical. So if you are thinking of getting away this winter, do not hesitate to call Travel Planners at 205.870.3031. We can help you celebrate the holidays in style!

 

 Happy Holidays! Stay Safe!

Hot Wedding Trends // Summer 2014

This summer has brought some great trends in the wedding industry. I love seeing all the new color palettes, especially rose gold!

(By the way, how GORGEOUS is this dress!) 

Rose Gold and Layered Neutrals

Peach was a big trend this spring and summer, which brought the attention to more muted but gorgeous neutrals. Champagne and sage grew in popularity along with rose gold accents. The colors are very elegant up against a white table cloth. Definitely loving this trend!

Bold Patterns

White and blue patterns are very in this summer. So is embroidery. This summer is all about the cocktail hour, so why not spice up the usual white table cloth clad reception tables with fun and vibrant patterns! Animal motifs, wooden accents, and hanging elements are popular as well!

Jeweled Bouquet

Think flowers are the only way to go? Not anymore. Brides have added some sparkle to their wedding day bouquets. Brooches, family jewelry, pearls, and hat pins are among the wedding bling!

Local Fare

The "eating local" movement is in full swing, especially in Birmingham. Brides are starting to get in on the action. Looking for locally sourced ingredients in the food encourages a fresher fare that can make a wedding meal much tastier and unique!

Charity 

While many brides love grabbing that registry scanner and finding a great set of china to scan, the socially conscious brides are choosing to ask for a different kinds of gift. Charity contributions are being added to the registry list more and more! I love the idea of adding the choice on the registry!

Backyard // Outdoor Wedding

This is the best time to start planning backyard and outdoor weddings. The weather feels amazing, the flowers are blooming and everything is a lush green. My parents live on top of the highest mountain in Birmingham and have a gorgeous backyard. I have always dreamed that some day I will get married at their house. In fact, my brother and sister-in-law had a backyard wedding there in 2007 and it was beautiful!

They had a custom light pink and green dance floor built for their wedding and placed in the drive way under lights strung from the trees tops. Paper lanterns adorned the branches and the night was perfect for lit luminaries. 

This to me is the ideal wedding and reception. No extra costs for a location, very laid back and of course a GREAT view!

We all know that wedding planning can be stressful. And we all know that every bride wants her big day to be perfect and go off without a hitch. There is a LOT that comes into making a wedding happen and it certainly cannot be done overnight. 

Many brides see these lavish weddings on TV and dream to have a wedding that mirrors Jennifer Aniston's nuptials. And brides will drive themselves crazy on Pinterest trying to plan the ideal wedding straight from Southern Living or The Knot. 

At the end of the day, the wedding is about you. Yes, fancy things and big weddings are nice, but they are not "must haves". A backyard wedding is a great alternative to a wedding venue and it is incredibly budget friendly. 

There are dozens of ways to make a backyard wedding perfect. First, use the natural scenery. For my brother's wedding, we used the trees to hang lights and paper lanterns. It was wonderful and was used as lighting when the sun went down! Floral arrangements can be very expensive so if there are flowers already present, that is a huge bonus! Use what you have and be resourceful! Lighting can be as easy as putting tea candles in mason jars or lighting luminaries along the path. 

Try not to over think anything. Making a backyard wedding have a romantic feeling is very easy. Centerpieces can be flowers/plants from the garden. Decorations can be lights strung through the trees. Make signs. Create your own unique touch to the wedding. Maybe you want streamers in the trees or even a clothes pin photo display. Make it YOU!

For a backyard wedding, buffet style catering is simple and easy to manage! It is very casual and people love it. Simple is the way to go. Try BBQ or a slider bar. Minimum stress with maximum deliciousness.

 

A few extra ideas:

*Loose flower petals along the walkways

*Drinks in tin coolers/drink table

*Hang ribbons

*DIY Photobooth or hire a Photobooth 

The Caribbean's Best Kept Secret

When I think of the Caribbean the first places that come to mind are Saint Thomas, Antigua and the Grand Cayman just to name a few. Most people can name most of the islands, but it seems as though the twin island country of Trinidad and Tobago remain the best kept secret of the Caribbean. 

Located on the northern edge of South America, the islands are in fact among the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean. The key to keeping Trinidad and Tobago such a secret is the fact that tourism is not a major industry, leaving the islands abundant with unspoiled beauty not found in many of the Caribbean islands. 

With the average temperature being 70 degrees, both islands are a dream location. Trinidad is divided by three distinct mountain ranges with an abundance of rivers and streams. Thus making the landscapes gorgeous to view while enjoying a hike or laying on the beach. Tobago is mountainous but dominated by just one main mountain ridge. The ocean views are gorgeous surrounding the islands. Both Trinidad and Tobago are popular locations among yacht owners. Cruise ships also dock at the bays. 

Arriving to the island can be achieved by a direct air service from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Orlando, New York, and Newark. For outside the US, London and Georgetown offer direct air services as well. The flights from the US are usually 4-5 hours depending where you are traveling from. 

Popular beaches in Trinidad are Maracas, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Toco, Mayaro, Chagville, Los Iros and Quinam. Most of the beaches on the North coast are beautiful, with powdery sand and clear blue water. 

Popular beaches in Tobago include Pigeon Point, Store Bay, MT Irvine, Bucco, Grange, Englishman's Bay, Canoe Bay. Tobago's beaches are extremely beautiful.

When I travel to Trinidad and Tobago in the hopeful feature, I have a feeling I would never leave the beach. The water is absolutely gorgeous. There is also a natural coral reef, the Buccoo Reef, so snorkeling is a must when in Tobago!

If you are anything like me, seeing the local wildlife is a must. Both Trinidad and Tobago are full of rare birds, leatherback turtles and home to a wonderful zoo near the Port of Spain.

When I go out of the country, I sometimes worry about language barriers. I usually try to learn the language enough to get by, but sometimes that can be very difficult depending where you travel. Luckily for those who have trouble with learning new languages, Trinidad and Tobago's official language is English. However Hindi, French, Spanish and Chinese are often heard there too, so if you enjoy learning you might enjoy grabbing some Rosetta Stone!

One of my favorite things to do is eat when I travel. Trinidad and Tobago have excellent and varied food options. A popular cuisine is Indian. The food tends to be spicy and full a flavor! Another big thing is deep fried shark. Very controversial, but they still serve it because it is so widely popular. Not my cup of tea, but the locals love it.

If you are into something more light and healthy, they are known for their wonderful kale soup. Now that is something I would be on board for. 

Enjoy a great local alcoholic drink if that is your thing. They are sugar cane colonies, so rum runs freely at the bars on the islands. Moonshine is also popular on the islands!

Remember, always call your local travel agent for more information. They are knowledgeable and can tell you facts that you may not be able to find online. Travel Planners, Inc. in Mountain Brook knows all the details on remote locations and can answer any questions you may have!