Belize-A Great Romantic Gwtaway or Wedding DestinationWritten by Norm Goldman
Today Norm Goldman, Editor www.sketchandtravel.com and www.bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest Joshua Berman (http://www.stonegrooves.net/contact.html),co-author of Moon Handbooks Belize( http://www.moon.com/catalog/belize.html)Joshua is an expert on traveling in Belize, and recently chose this tiny Central American country for his own honeymoon; he has also lived in and written extensively about Nicaragua and Honduras. NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to Belize. Joshua: I have been living, working, teaching, and traveling in Central America since U.S. Peace Corps sent me to Nicaragua in 1998. I have been returning to region ever since to write guidebooks, lead service trips, and visit friends and adopted families. Last year, I was asked by Avalon Travel Publishing to take over Chicki Mallan's Moon Handbooks Belize, which, when it first appeared 15 years ago, was first and most acclaimed guidebook to country. I gladly accepted and proceeded to research and write sixth edition, which was released in early 2005. NORM: Where is Belize? Joshua: Belize is tucked into northeast corner of Central America, bordering Mexico's Yucatan peninsula to north, Guatemala's Petén wilderness to west, and Caribbean Ocean to east. Culturally however, Belize and its hundreds of cayes (islands, pronounced keys ) is more Caribbean than Latin. English is spoken everywhere (along with seven other languages). The diversity is astounding, especially considering there are only 260,000 people in entire country. NORM: Would you consider Belize a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why? Joshua: ·They can rent their very own waterfall for day at Hidden Valley Inn. ·Couples can get Mood Mud Massages at Maruba Resort Jungle Spa. · They can rappel into a vertical cave shaft together, at bottom of which they'll find a flower strewn bed next to a subterranean spring at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch. The list goes on and on. Belize's size (smaller than Massachusetts), easy access (only a two-hour flight from Miami or Houston), and astonishing selection of small, intimate resorts and lodges seal deal. In order to solidify my endorsement of Belize as a romantic destination, I even took my own bride here on our honeymoon (ah, work never stops) NORM: When is best time to visit Belize from point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and availability of flights from USA, Canada and Europe and Australia, etc? Joshua: Some resorts distinguish holiday season from normal high season, with even higher prices and lower availability around Christmas, New Year's, and Easter be sure to make reservations during these periods. High season (re: more tourists and hiked prices) is generally mid-December through April; this is also dry season during most years, although December, January, and even February can play to host to cool fronts that either blow right through or sit around for days. Your best bet-be prepared, both with clothing and attitude! A week of stormy weather may ruin a vacation planned solely around snorkelling, but it could also provide perfect setting for exploring rainforests or enjoying a hot tub and fireplace in Mountain Pine Ridge. June, July, and August technically fall in rainy season, and travelers during this time are rewarded with significantly discounted prices at most accommodations rain during these months may mean just a quick shower each afternoon, or it may go on for days. August is big month for European backpackers and travelers, while December and February are dominated by North Americans. Some tourism businesses shut down completely during months of September and October, peak of hurricane season. NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of costs involved if travel originates from USA, Canada and Europe and Australia? Joshua: Conventional traveler wisdom calls Belize cheapest Caribbean vacation spot and one of most expensive Central American. There are plenty of mid-range and upscale accommodations throughout country, running from US$25 to hundreds of dollars per night. Exact hotel rates are an elusive thing in Belize; seasonal fluctuations are compounded by various taxes and service charges, sometimes by as much as 25 percent additional. Always make sure rate you are quoted is actually same amount you will be asked to pay. And, of course, great deals are abundant in low season (May through November), when room rates plummet across board. ·For food, budget travelers can get by on less than US$20 per day, but you're on vacation, right? Entrées run from US$5 to US$25, depending on where you are; at trendiest restaurants in San Pedro, a fancy dinner can cost up to US$75 per person. A few resorts include meal prices in their nightly rates, which can be a good deal. ·Don't forget to budget an extra US$40-80 per person per day for activities like scuba diving, sailing trips, and guided tours of Belize's rainforests, ruins, and fascinating cave systems. Experienced, independent travelers can get around for less, but transport can be a hassle. ·US$10 per person per night is bottom line for budget lodging, and it'll get you anything from a cramped, stuffy concrete box in most towns to a generous wooden cabin at Trek Stop (in Cayo) and other backpacker hotspots. NORM:
| | Sweep Her Off Her Feet with a Last Minute CruiseWritten by Lori Wilkerson
Sweep Her Off Her Feet with a Last Minute CruiseFinding perfect gift for woman you love can be difficult, especially when occasion warrants something really special. May we suggest surprising her with something that’s sure to delight her, something that she’ll never guess? Book a last minute cruise and whisk her away for a weekend or a week of romance on high seas! It’s ultimate vacation for two, and one she’ll remember for a lifetime. In fact, a last minute cruise is height of romance – a grand gesture that has everything that a great romance needs – sunshine filled days, moonlit nights, fine dining, dancing, pampering, glamour and exotic locales. Doesn’t it sound like perfect gift for her? There’s nothing as romantic as a cruise for those special moments A cruise vacation is a great way to tell her you’d marry her all over again with three or more days of luxury, relaxation and pampering. And with last minute deals, you’ll have plenty left over to buy her something special at one of great shops at your destination, whether it’s Caribbean, Mexico or South Pacific. Thinking of proposing? Check into booking a last minute cruise, tell her to pack for a long weekend, and then sail into sunset with her on a luxury liner. After a day of sunning on golden sandy beaches, snorkeling in pristine coastal waters and fabulous seafood, you can pop question on deck while a million stars reflect off cool waters. Last minute booking means savings that you can use to set scene perfectly. Chilled champagne, soft music, roses…whatever you want to make evening special. Cruise ships are considered height of luxury living for good reason – they cater to wishes of every passenger, so let captain know when boarding that this is going to be a special trip – he’ll be sure to see that everything is perfect for you! Silver and golden anniversaries are also wonderful reasons to book a last minute cruise. If you’ve raised children and have an empty nest, it’s even easier to get away for a sea voyage, and with great discounts you can get by booking a last minute cruise, you can extend your trip to by several days for same price. In fact, for cost of what would normally be a three to four day cruise, you may be able to whisk your darling away for a week to ten days of ocean breezes, scrumptious food and wines and fabulous scenery! Last minute cruise bargains surround you in luxury There’s something so romantic about not worrying about your wallet when you’re romancing your fiancée or wife, isn’t there? With so many things to do on a cruise, two of you will certainly want to try lots of things, and having saved so much on cruise itself, you can splurge on some great extras. Some of wonderful vacation activities you can enjoy together on these ultimate vacations aboard ship are: - Fine dining in world-class restaurants - Las Vegas style shows - Gambling in ship’s casinos - Dancing to live bands - Moonlight strolls around deck - Luxurious day spa treatments
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