Destination Weddings, Europe, General, Group Travel, Honeymoon, Romance Travel, Spain
It’s Wine O’clock Somewhere.
Best Destinations for an Unbelievable Wine Tour
You don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy a good wine tour in a new destination. Wine tours are great activities for both couples and friends. If you’re looking for an educational (and boozy) experience on your next trip, check out some of the best destinations for a great wine tour.
Why Go on a Wine Tour?
Wine tours are a great excursion to incorporate into your next trip for a few reasons:
- Of course, the best part of a wine tour is trying all the amazing wines native to the region. Wine tours offer you the opportunity to try a variety of wines and allow you to figure out which ones you enjoy the most. Many wine tours also offer the option for food and small bites to keep your stomach happy the entire time!
- Wine tours allow you to check out different wineries with transportation included. No need to worry about having to drive back later!
- The process of making wine is super exciting and differs for each winery. On a wine tour, you’ll be able to appreciate better the wine you’re drinking because you’ll learn the process of making it. By the end of the wine tour, you’ll feel like a total wine expert–even if it’s your first time at a vineyard!
The Best Wine Tour Destinations
- Napa and Sonoma, California
You can’t talk wine without mentioning Napa and Sonoma in California! If you’re a wine newbie, California is the perfect place to dip your toes into the world of wine-making. Across Napa and Sonoma, there are more than 600 wineries (you may even be able to visit the vineyards that make some of your favorite wines!) There are many excellent wine tour options, and most will even take you to see the Old Faithful geyser at the top of Napa Valley!
- Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town offers so much to see, from beaches to wildlife and even vineyards! Within Cape Town, you’ll find Cape Winelands, which boasts a significant production of wine, as the name suggests. There are several wine trails in Cape Winelands, and there is even a wine tram where you can hop off and on to visit different wineries and architecture.
- Santorini, Greece
If you’re traveling with your partner, Santorini is the ultimate destination for both romance and wine tasting! Santorini has one of the oldest wine-making histories dating back to 3500 BC. The volcanic soil and warm, moist climate of Santorini make it the perfect place to grow grapes. You’ll fall in love with the white wines and breathtaking views.
- Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is a gorgeous city covered in beautiful hills and picturesque vineyards. Most vineyards in the region offer tours and tastings where a wine expert comes in to teach you how to taste the notes of wine and the best wine and food pairings. Many of these wine tours will allow you to try not only the famous wine but also the world-class food and olive oil (which is to die for!)
- Rioja, Spain
Rioja is the wine capital of Spain, and it’s not hard to understand why! Rioja is home to over 500 vineyards and is the name of a red wine that the region produces. The area has been making wine for more than 2,000 years, dating back to Roman times. Today, there are many self-guided and private wine tours where you can enjoy learning about Spanish wine-making history.
- Bordeaux, France
Did you know that Bordeaux is considered the world’s wine capital?! With over 6,000 wine estates, Bordeaux is the ultimate wine-lover’s dream. The city is home to many wine chateaus, which frequently have castles on the property! Bordeaux has so many vineyards because the soil has the best nutrients and moisture for growing grapes. Much of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red, but the region is also known for its white dessert wine! If you consider yourself a lover of wine, you can’t miss a trip to Bordeaux.
- Yarra Valley, Australia
Located in Melbourne, Australia, Yarra Valley is known for its vineyards and wine-making. The area is most famous for its Pinot noir, sparkling wine, and Chardonnay. With just 80 wineries, it is on the smaller side compared to other wine regions, but don’t let that fool you! Paired with fresh, local food and stunning views, you shouldn’t skip a visit to Yarra Valley if you are in the Melbourne area. In fact, it’s one of Australia’s favorite summer getaways!
- Mendoza, Argentina
Are you heading to South America? Make sure to check out the largest wine region in Argentina, Mendoza! The heart-stopping views of the vineyards situated on the edge of the Andes Mountains make this trip worth it! Not to mention their famous Malbec wine. If you’re looking to explore several of the city’s vineyards, try renting a bike with your group! The area is relatively flat, making it easy to get around on a bike without missing any of the stunning views.
If you know it is your destiny to become a wine connoisseur after reading this, contact me, and I’ll pair you up with the perfect wine tour on your next vacation.
Africa, Caribbean Destinations, Cruises, Destination Weddings, Dubai Travel, Europe, General, Group Travel, Hawaii, Honeymoon, Jamaica, Mexico, Romance Travel, Spain
Say Cheese!
How to Take Better Vacation Photos
Have you ever been to a beautiful place? If you have in recent years, you know when you see something beautiful on vacation, you want to capture that magical moment. You may want to share it on social media, use it for a blog or a project, or you may just want to keep it for yourself to immortalize that moment. How many times have you looked at your photo and felt like it did not compare to what was before your eyes? Are your eyes playing tricks on you, or is your camera not up to the task? Now before you go and invest hundreds of dollars in a new camera, here are a few things you can do to improve your photo quality on your camera phone.
Make sure you clean your lens.
Your camera is obviously a part of your cell phone. Just think to yourself. Where has this phone been? In the bottom of your purse, in your linty back pocket, maybe the floor if you suffer from the dropsies? Well, then that is where your camera has been. And if that’s the case, chances are your camera and lens are pretty dirty, which would affect your picture quality. So before you snap that photo, give the glass a quick wipe.
Switch it up and try a new angle.
Most of us take pictures standing directly in front of an object or person. Let’s try switching it up. Change your perspective and the perspective of the photo. Try sitting or squatting down and then looking up at your subject. Or even standing on something (safety first), perhaps a stool or a step, and then looking down at the subject. How about having your muse throw sand or splash water before you snap? That would put a different twist on your photos.
The sun is your best friend.
I personally hate the flash button. The best light is natural light. And if you can get photos in the twilight hour (the hours right before sunset or right after sunrise), your photos will be amazing.
Try an external photo lens.
This may sound drastic and expensive, but I’m telling you it’s not. For about $30.00 on Amazon, you can get a kit that includes two clip-on photo lenses, a tripod for stability, and a carrying case. You can use the lens to get a closer photo without the distortion of the phone’s zoom feature. You can also create that beautiful effect that blurs everything besides the subject of your photo.
Take Candids:
My favorite tip. Candids are my all-time favorite picture types. Try taking a picture while your subject is getting ready to pose, right after they pose, or better yet when they don’t expect it at all. I promise those will end up being some of your favorite photos.
There are a ton of inexpensive things you can do to improve your photo quality. The most important things you can do is keep trying, try different things, and, most of all have fun.
Africa, Destination Weddings, General, Group Travel, Honeymoon
Grown-ups Only!
7 Destinations for the Over 40 Crowd to Consider
Let’s be honest. There’s adult travel, and then there’s grown-up travel. If you’re reading this and over 40, you most likely desire grown-up trips. You don’t want to go to the same overdone destinations, you need something off the beaten path, and you crave luxury, pampering, and stunning views
Read on to discover destinations to consider if you’re an over 40 wanderer.
- U.S. National Parks
The U.S. has many stunning views and breathtaking wildlife that many citizens don’t ever get the chance to experience in their lifetime! Taking a road trip throughout the Western National Parks (think Yellowstone, Zion National Park, and more) is always a great option because you can take it as slow or as fast as you want to! While traveling, expect to see wildlife like bison and wolves in their natural habitats, jaw-dropping mountain ranges, and rivers that you can float down.
- Alaska Cruise
If you’re tired of Caribbean cruises, opt for a cruise to Alaska instead. On an Alaskan cruise ship, you will find the same amenities as a tropical cruise, but instead of sand and sun, you’ll see snow-capped mountains and moose! Alaskan cruises also offer great excursion options off the ship, including whale watching, tours of glaciers, and more.
- Las Vegas
Many people think of Vegas as a destination only for young people to party all day and night, but it’s a great city for people of all ages! Whether you are into gambling or not, Las Vegas has so much to offer, from top-rated restaurants to one-of-a-kind shows to day trips to the amazing Grand Canyon. There’s truly something for everyone in Las Vegas which makes it the perfect “grown-up” travel destination.
- Phuket, Thailand
Thailand should be your first pick if you need some off-the-beaten-path de-stressing! Many resorts in Phuket offer wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, and journaling. And did I mention the unbelievable spa treatments? You can even head into the center of Phuket to explore stunning architecture or get your peace by lounging on one of the local beaches!
- African Safari, Kenya
Once you’ve experienced a safari in Kenya, you’ll look at the world with brand new eyes. The safari experience is unlike any other vacation. You’ll come in close contact with the big five animals–lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos. On top of awe-inspiring wildlife, you’ll experience fantastic landscapes and exhilarating activities like up close and personal nature walks and hot air balloon rides. The safari experience is the grown-up trip of a lifetime.
- Croatia
Croatia is truly one of the most underrated travel destinations, but is a place that everyone should visit at least once! When you visit Croatia, you can choose whether to take it easy and relax or see many of the beautiful landscapes this Central European country offers. From river rafting to cave tours to boat rentals and museum hopping, you may never want to leave once you visit Croatia! If you’re going to get the most out of your trip, look into a Croatia river cruise to see the best of the country!
- Bali, Indonesia
Bali is another one of those destinations where you can truly unwind and relax for the entirety of your trip. Bali offers perfect beaches, gorgeous forests, waterfalls, and so much more. This providence also has so much history within their temples and day-to-day markets. While it may be pricey to fly to Bali, it’s incredibly budget-friendly once you get there, meaning you can experience all this travel destination has to offer!
Ready to take a “grown up” vacation? Contact me to get started with a quote
Caribbean Destinations, Destination Weddings, General, Honeymoon, Romance Travel
Getting Married in Paradise: Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings
Are you getting married soon?
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!
As you start the planning process, you may find that deciding on the perfect wedding venue is one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make for your big day. If you’re considering a destination wedding, you’re not alone. Destination weddings have been growing in popularity for many years now. Nearly 20% of all weddings are now destination weddings. The only thing you have to decide is if it makes sense for you.
What Makes a Wedding a Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings are ceremonies that are held away from the couple’s hometown and usually require travel for the wedding party and guests. You could decide to get married in a tropical location across the world, or you might opt for a rustic bed and breakfast just a couple of hours from home.
When planning a destination wedding, there are both pros and cons to consider. Let’s discuss both.
Pros of Destination Weddings
- A destination wedding can double as a vacation for others and a honeymoon location for you.
Destination weddings are a great way to get a head-start on your honeymoon. All you have to do is say goodbye to your wedding guests after the reception and start your honeymoon. Of course, you don’t need to stay in the same location where you hosted your wedding; you can select a different hotel or resort for your honeymoon.
- You can cultivate a more selective guest list.
Because of the logistics involved, destination weddings are best for a smaller, more intimate guest list. While this can be a pro or a con, there’s something special about celebrating your big day with the most important people in your life!
- You can avoid some stress.
Destination wedding venues have figured out how to provide you with a seamless, stress-free process. Many destinations have packages that professional planners create. The packages usually include all the elements needed for a beautiful ceremony. The bride and groom need only make a few custom selections, and the professionals handle the rest.
Deciding to have a destination wedding allows the happy couple to say “I do” in front of a breath-taking view. It doesn’t matter if you choose to host a beachfront celebration or a glamorous, outdoor party at a picturesque chateau. The gorgeous scenery will only make your wedding photos that much more stunning.
Cons of Destination Weddings
- Legality can be an issue.
Destination weddings require more thought about how you can legally tie the knot. Rules and regulations for legal ceremonies differ by destination, with some locations requiring over 12 months’ notice and a bunch of paperwork! You can save the stress of navigating international marriage laws if you go ahead and get legally married in your home state before or after your trip and host a beautiful symbolic ceremony in your dream destination. No one will be the wiser.
- Your honeymoon might become a family affair.
As much as you love your family, you may want to enjoy some private time with your new spouse. To get a break from your loved ones, make sure you schedule away time and insist on it. And after saying “I do,” make your honeymoon plans clear to your guests in advance to avoid any awkwardness. They’ll understand!
Traveling to another state or country may be a lot to ask, and some guests may not be able to attend due to conflicts with work, family, health, or other reasons. To avoid conflicts, make sure you run your ideas by your inner circle before deciding your dates and destination! Make sure those who are most important to you can attend.
- Navigating COVID-19 restrictions.
No matter how hard we try, it seems we can’t completely shake Covid-19. We now know surges are possible and unpredictable. As your date gets closer, make sure you and your invitees become familiar with any rules related to COVID-19. It’s also crucial to look into vaccination, testing, and quarantine requirements as your travel dates get closer. You’ll also want to be clear about cancellation and rescheduling policies, just in case.
When deciding on your wedding venue, the biggest thing to remember is that this is your big day. Ultimately this is about how you and your love dream of starting this new chapter in your lives. Once you’ve decided on that, everything else will fall into place.
And if you need any help planning a destination wedding, contact us, and we’ll get started planning.
Caribbean Destinations, Cruises, Destination Weddings, Group Travel, Uncategorized
If you’ve ever wanted to see a new place but didn’t because you didn’t have anyone to go with you. If you’ve ever had people make travel plans with you, only to cancel later. If Solo travel is not for you, you might want to look into travel groups.
Travel groups, otherwise known as social travel, are groups of like-minded individuals that come together to travel. They are growing in popularity and might be the answer to your travel problems. Here are just a few of the benefits.
Safety
One of the biggest concerns for solo and female travelers is safety. There is always a concern that those who prey on female tourists will target you when you don’t have numbers on your side. But when you travel with a group, that risk is drastically reduced.
Perfect for Extroverts and Introverts
The extra opportunities to socialize even after the day’s activities have concluded make travel groups an obvious choice for extroverts that love to travel. But people tend to think that introverts just want to stay buried in their shells and never see the light of day. The truth is introverts love to wander and explore just like anyone else. But after a day of socializing, they may need the option to slip away from the peopling, throw on a hoodie, grab a book or playlist and enjoy some alone time, which they can find in a travel group.
No Stress
If you’ve always wanted to travel to faraway places but found the planning part overwhelming, a travel group might be the perfect answer for you. Most travel groups plan trips to exotic destinations that people don’t go to every day. Not only will a travel group get you there, but your organizer will plan out every detail, so you don’t have to. Hotel, transportation from the airport, activities, meals, and more; you’ll find it all taken care of. Some travel groups also send a host to make sure everything goes smoothly for you.
Bye Bye Comfort Zones
If you’re afraid of trying new things on vacation, there is a good chance you’ve surrounded yourself with the same type of people in the past. So, when you say Uh-Uh, I’m not going up there, or Uh-Uh there’s no way I’m getting on that, there’s usually a chorus of your folks nodding their heads in agreement.
Well, in a travel group, you’ll find the chorus sings a different tune. No, they won’t pressure or shame you. Instead, they’ll throw caution to the wind and try all the activities that make you nervous. And when you see the smiles and hear the laughs, you might find yourself encouraged to try something new!
Pick Your Group
Today, there are groups for just about any interest. If you’re a single mom who wants to start traveling safely with your children, there’s a group for that. If you’re single and ready to mingle on a cruise ship, there’s no need to swipe left. If you’re a book lover who wants to have book club meetings abroad, get ready to pack up your favorite read. No matter what you’re into, you can always find someone to travel with you.
Make Friends for Life
As much as you love your friends and family, sometimes they don’t share your passion for travel. Maybe they have the desire but not the time, money, or general ability to travel. Once you find your perfect travel group, you’ll never have to worry about that again. You’ll have a group of friends that share your love, desire, and ability to travel. And the best part is you can make new friends on each trip.
So, stop saying goodbye to your travel dreams when you don’t have anyone to travel with you. And, start saying hello to travel groups, your new favorite way to travel.
We would love to have you to join us on our group adventures. You can check them out here: https://paradiseviptravel.com/group-travel/
Destination Weddings
A Destination Wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime and an amazing experience that you will cherish for years to come. You’ll have to work with the right vendors and make sure things are going according to plan from miles away. What if you discover that there’s an option to help make things easier for you?
An all-inclusive resort could be just what you need. All-inclusive resorts are just as the name suggests—all-inclusive. They have all that you need to have your wedding successfully in one place. Here are five advantages that come with having your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort.
Stress-Free Planning
At an all-inclusive resort, they do the bulk of your wedding planning work for you. They’ll have the vendors, venues, and items you need to make your wedding a success. All you’ll have to do is converse with these professionals to share your vision. You won’t have to research your vendors or travel to visit places to find out which works for you.
Flexible Options
Most all-inclusive resorts give you more than one package to choose from. All you have to do is determine your budget and pick which works for you. With some places, you could even tailor your package, choosing to exclude or include some things to make your wedding experience better.
No Transportation Logistics
With all-inclusive resorts, you’ll get your wedding accommodations, ceremony, and reception venue in one place. This automatically cuts out having to worry about transportation. You and your guests can wake up relaxed, go for your wedding and return without having to use vehicles. The ease that comes with that is indescribable. You deserve that!
You Can Have Fun on Your Wedding Day
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Sadly, many couples do not enjoy theirs because they are often still organizing on their special day. An all-inclusive resort eliminates such a possibility. This is because all that you need for your wedding would already be in place. You only have to show up and get married. You can dance, party and have a good time without worrying about what vendor is coming and when they are getting there.
You’ll Have Time for Yourselves and Your Relationship
Sometimes couples become strangers before their wedding. All those hours spent planning and running for vendor meetings take their toll. They wake up just before their wedding day and discover that the only thing they’ve been discussing for the last couple of months is wedding-related. That can be unhealthy for your relationship.
An all-inclusive wedding takes such stress off your hands. With the planning for your wedding sorted, you’ll have more time to focus on each other. It then becomes easier to build your relationship and be better while planning the wedding of your dreams. Many couples find that this is the best thing for their relationship.
In conclusion, planning your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort is a great idea. You’ll have most of the things you need for your wedding handled, like your catering, décor, venues, and even your wedding cake. Most times, the only thing left is for you to do is find the perfect wedding gown and transport yourselves.
Are you struggling to plan your destination wedding? Schedule a complimentary consultation today: https://letsmeet.io/paradiseviptravel/destination-wedding
