Honeymoon in the Caribbean Garden of Eden: The Island of Dominica

The secluded, romantic Caribbean island of Dominica is sometimes referred to as “The Hawaii of the Caribbean.” With lush mountain peaks soaring to heights of almost 5,000 feet, surrounding coral reefs, pristine waterfalls, and rain forests with over one thousand colorful, aromatic tropical plants, this magical island could also be called the Caribbean Garden of Eden.

Located in the center of the Caribbean archipelago, Dominica is nestled between the more traveled islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Not to be confused with the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic, the English-speaking island of Dominica (say “DOE-min-EEK-uh”) offers honeymooners a chance to spend leisurely days on black or golden sand beaches, or to experience a more adventurous visit, sailing on a whale watching boat, snorkeling or scuba diving, hiking through old-growth rain forests, and even experiencing the island’s seething volcanic body of water, aptly named “Boiling Lake.” Read the full article in the fall issue

A Slice of the Big Apple

Call it “The City That Never Sleeps,” “The Capital of the World,” or “The Big Apple,” but no matter which name you choose, New York, New York is a city of some of the most varied and exciting attractions imaginable. With musical entertainment ranging from Broadway shows to Lincoln Center concerts and cool jazz clubs, world-class museums and restaurants offering French, Italian, Scandinavian and even Tibetan and other cuisines, New York City has much to offer honeymooners during any season.

If you’re planning on taking your bride to the big city, the good news is that NYC not only offers world-class attractions, but can also accommodate a wide range of budgets. Read the full article in the summer issue

Honeymoon Trends

The imminent setting of the sun tints the dusk sky with a red hue. Water cleanses the sand from your feet as you look out on the seemingly never ending ocean. For a split second you close your eyes and take a breath. A comforting feeling of peace engulfs you. You are content with your surroundings, and the future. You have embarked into the great unknown; your risk now rewarded with paradise. You look to your right, into the eyes of the woman you love. A smile comes to your face and is returned with a kiss - quick but full of passion. This is your honeymoon.

Honeymoons vary from person to person. Some people look for exotic getaways, others to quaint, quiet locales. Some couples look for an adventurous trip, others prefer to use their honeymoon as a chance to wind down.

No matter the preference, though, a couple's honeymoon is the reward for months of planning and stress. It is a time to relax and escape the banality of the "real world." After months, maybe years of planning, many grooms see the honeymoon as their time to shine. Sandy Lovick of Market Square Travel in Minneapolis, MN explains, "Historically, the honeymoon is one place the groom gets interested. Minnesota people love to go where there is beautiful water," she said, "We always see interest in the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, and Jamaica." Read the full article in the premier issue