"Better far off to leave half the ruins and nine-tenths of the churches unseen and to see well the rest; to see them not once, but again and often again; to watch them, to learn them, to live with them, to love them, till they have become a part of life and life's recollections."
- Augustus Hare 1834-1903 / 19th Century English Writer
Hawaii, with its picturesque blue sea, sandy beaches, and dramatic mountain scenery, is not surprisingly one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. A romantic Hawaiian honeymoon, at one of the many resorts, hotels and condos that cater to newlyweds, is the perfect way to create special memories for years to come and create that special post wedding bond.
With romantic surroundings, there are properties in all price ranges, from ultra luxury to budget. And should you decide to have the wedding in Hawaii as well, you can choose a wedding/honeymoon packages that includes a chapel or beach service, a delicious wedding banquet complete with music, and honeymoon lodging at an island resort hotel.
Upscale couples looking for privacy should consider the secluded Manele Bay Four Seasons Lanai. Located on the beach, on the pristine private island of Lanai, the resort borders a marine preserve, has exceptional ocean and coastline views, and offers an exclusive spa and fine dining.
But Hawaii weddings don' have to be large expensive affairs and you may decide a simple civil ceremony in a romantic setting, say on a beach or in a fragrant garden. Less expensive spots include The Outrigger Royal Kahana, with kitchen facilities, on Maui's Kaanapali Beach, and the moderately priced Miramar, sited just a few blocks from the beach at Waikiki, surrounded by shops and restaurants, with good public transportation.
Photo Copyright Murray - Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii
On Kauai, The Princeville Resort, is an excellent luxury resort, or you might consider a more intimate surroundings of a condominium resort like as The Whalers Cove, in the Poipu Beach area, with its spacious units set on a secluded cove that is perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and diving.
Photo Copyright Murray - Maui, Hawaii
Maui offers several options if your looking for seclusion and luxury service, consider the smaller Hotel Hana Maui, with its plantation-style cottages complete with hot tubs. You can horseback ride along the Hana Coast, and relax afterward in their wonderful spa. Golfers could try the Kapalua Resort on the West Coast of Maui, where three championship golf courses will satisfy the keenest golfers.
A Hawaiian island honeymoon can be as unique as your interests. You can spend time on a remote beach, or experience the fun of shopping, dining and nightlife. The best time to visit Hawaii depends more on the location than any particular season. The leeward sides, the western and southern coasts, have the calmest waters and the driest and sunniest conditions.
Although rainfall is common throughout the year the rainy season is from November to April. During the winter, December to February, you will often find some stormy weather, although rain usually falls in short showers during daytime. The "high" travel seasons, when hotel rates can be higher, are between January and March, June and August, and during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
One of every three online airline ticket buyers has had to deal with "breaching rules on clear pricing, availability of offers and clear contract terms" said the European Commission.
The European Commission is halfway finished with it's investigation which has resulted in actions against 137 of 386 web sites monitored in a "sweep" last September. They also say that half of the sites have corrected their sites.
The report showed that over half of the violations were the result of web sites breaking down airline ticket prices to give the impression of cheaper fares without adding charges.
79 online airline ticket sites are still under investigation for advertising misleading prices. 21 for lack of availability of advertised offers, and another 67 for unfair contract terms, total 137 different sites.
If this is going on in Europe, wonder what the status of US travel sites is like. For more information on this investigation visit the EU's Consumer Affairs site.