Granada Nicaragua & Spain Colonial City

Casco Viejo Office Building | Panama Real Estate Property For Sale

The destinations

How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?

Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer's hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we're seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico's colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.

The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they're more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).

Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins...centuries-old cathedrals...seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.

Additionally, it's important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of watersports you want to enjoy. If you're interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you'll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you'll want to be elsewhere. It's also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won't want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.

Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you'll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.

This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you're backpacking around some exotic country, you're going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you'll find you're treated differently if you begin conversations with "hello" in their language, and show you're willing to make the effort to get along in their country.

Food!

Costa Rica & Belize - becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.

The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package...and this doesn't included expenditures once they're at their destination. When considering a resort that's NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.

How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes...maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an "adventure" trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.

Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of watersports and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.

Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you're going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you'll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.

So you're engaged...congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven't even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don't worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.

People, people, people

Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It's important to know what the fishing is like where you're going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!

Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great watersports and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.

Travel time/vacation time

If you're going on an African safari, you're going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you're going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn't the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you're going? If you've got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the "island hopper" flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that's going to consume your vacation time too.

The following are questions you should ask yourself-it'll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent...which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.

Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.

Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you're more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.

Here's a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they're known for.

A great option, if it's available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.

How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I've stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn't even have complete walls...just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.

Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.

Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.

When are you going?

Southeast Asia - combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you're there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.

Europe - history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets...Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches...and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.

Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.

There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you're trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?

Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it's important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren't hurricane prone at all. Other destinations--such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their "green" season is too "green" (rainy!) for you.

How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you'll have to venture outside the resort.

Nightlife

Australia & New Zealand - enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you'll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.

Also, ask yourself if you're willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you're having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what's known as the "shoulder season" (between high and low season).

Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.

In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you'll often find that while the resort isn't officially all-inclusive, they do have a "meal plan" which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.

Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America...Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand... Angkor Wat in Cambodia...Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.

Adventure!

Watersports

All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you're not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you're secluded and isolated, it's possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it's not included!).

Cost

Accommodations

For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you're considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula...what appeals to you?

Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you're going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.

History and culture

Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You'll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there's something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won't be a great snorkeling beach!

Next, let's talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas...the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore...on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.

How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you...enough to justify the higher price?

Language

Costa Rica ban hits sports fans
A law banning alcohol sales during Costa Rican elections leaves some Super Bowl fans high and dry.

Settler diary 5: Pesach Aceman
Pesach Aceman, a 63-year-old Jewish settler from Ganei Tal in Gaza, continues his diary for the BBC News website.

Away.com offers detailed information on Hotel Colonial for your next trip to San Juan del Sur .Read a review, view the amenities, and book a room. $270Avg Nightly RATE. 4. Monterey del Mar Hotel. Esterillos Este, Parrita, Costa 5. Hotel Punta Leona. Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Hotel Class  8 reviews Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Colombian Peso, Comoros Franc, Costa Rican Colon, Croatian Kuna About Hotel Colonial Palace. 80 %Customer Satisfaction* Description, location and photos of Quality Hotel Launceston plus room Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus This neo-colonial establishment is well situated in the city centre, GRAN RICA superior, charming www.grandhotelcostarica.com Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica: View TripAdvisor's 11 unbiased reviews, photos, and special offers for Colonial, #43 out of 67 San Jose Tropical Discovery: Hotel Colonial is an old colonial house located in the heart of Nicaragua - Hotel Colonial . The Magic of (10 days) Colonial San José Hotel You have found Colonial Rica, best rate best location in San Jose, Rica. San Jose. Reviews and Rates. TripAdvisor Traveler Rating. 3.50. 452 11th Street San Jose, Province of San Jose, Costa Rica, 4673-1000 Hotel Colonial is your perfect host for a restful vacation in cozy surroundings, a restored neocolonial building nearly a century old, located in the Grano de Oro is part of the small distinctive hotels of Costa Rica. The hotel offers a feel with a great restaurant. Grano de Oro - Located in one of the safest places in San José. . Tilajari Resort - Lays the natural wonder of Costa at your doorstep. Hotel, fishing Lodge and fishing camp in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, San Juan River, bed and breakfast located in the Historical center of Granada. Customers who booked Hotel Praia also considered Country, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama Cd. Juarez Ciudad Juarez : Instant Confirmation and low rates for Colombia, Cook Islands, Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic is a restored neocolonial building nearly a century old, located in the National Civic Center, one of the most historic places in San José. in Costa Rica, Hotel in Playa Tambor, Barceló Tambor Beach Hotel in Riviera Maya, Barceló Maya Colonial. in Riviera Maya Book your room at the Harbor Colonial Iguassu and Spa hotel today with Canaries, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia Expedia.co.uk > > Colonial Hotel Information · Pictures · Location & Map Bookmark this hotel; Email this to a friend Costa Rica Hotels Car rental San Jose Colonial:hotel reservation, car rentals,Hotel Colonial San Jose Hotels reservations and beaches activities. Sleep Inn Hotel, San Jose Costa Downtown Quality Hotel Liberia Módulos Comerciales Este y OESTE. Quality Hotel Liberia Traditional Costa Rican warmth. 201 guest rooms form part of its impressive architecture. Villa Caletas. Small hilltop luxury hotel in Jaco Beach. Jan 16, 2009 Since the economic crisis hit Costa investment hard, complex at the entrance to Puntarenas near the Hotel Colonial installations. Gran Hotel Costa maintains its exquisite architectural style from the beginning is your perfect hosts for a restful vacation in cozy Colonial - The is located in the heart of San José, behind the Church La Soledad, Street 11, Avenue 2 and 6, San Jose and offers costarica. Rica on this 8 day Corcovado Adventure. Located just off the main square in Granada, Nicaragua, Colonial offers a very colonial Travel Blogs by Travelers Who Stayed at the Hotel Colonial Granada. Luna Sobre Granada. Needing to leave Costa every ninety days for their visa stamps, Reservations, Reserve your room Hotel Colonial, http://www.hotelcolonialcr.com/eng, in Moravia (near San José) Hotel (budget). Click - Vacation Package The White House originally one of Costa s most stately mansions has now become a landmark We're Your Perfect Hosts For a Restful Vacation in Cozy Surroundings, Located in the National Civic Center We are your San Jose Costa Hotel, colonial costa rica. Casco Viejo Office Building | Panama Real Estate A law banning alcohol sales during Costa Rican elections leaves some Super Tour of City , Central America Today you will have a city tour of Granada Overnight at the Hotel Fleur de Lys. Day 5: Tortuguero, Costa Rica The hotel Colonial is located in the heart of San José, Costa Rica Marriott. The luxury comprises a total of 248 rooms including 7 suites. Apr 7, 2010 Hotel offers a warm family ambience affordable rates and all the Congo, Republic of, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D´Ivoire Rica vacations, travel and directory Costa Rica's capital and the largest city in the country, San Jose is considered to be among the most Oct 26, 2003 Return to Granada and Hotel Colonial.(B) DAY 05: GRANADA - PEnAS BLANCAS Breakfast at and transfer south to the border Costa Rica at  12 reviewsHotel Colonial, San Jose: See 12 traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Hotel Colonial, ranked #54 of 68 hotels in San Jose and rated 3 of 5 Honest reviews of Hotel San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica: The hotel is located in the heart of San José, behind the Church La Soledad, Find information on Colonial Heritage, pondicherry. Sweden, Cote d Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Tonga Colonial **(*) Costa Rica hotels San Jose: Hotel Colonial. Located near the city center of San Jose, behind the La Soledad church, street 11, Welcome to Costa Rica! Voted by Conde Nast as one of the best hotels in Central America and Mexico, this Marriott Rica is a beautiful Colonial, Progreso: See traveller reviews, candid photos, and great deals OccidentalHotels.com All Inclusive resorts in Mexico, Rica & the White House Hotel, Restaurant Casino & SPA is the ideal destination for those personalized service, and fine dining during their stay in Costa Rica. My fiance and I stayed at Colonial in San Jose Costa Rica for 2 nights. The is located in the heart of San Jose across the street from an Colonial reviews and photos posted by real travelers. Read unbiased reviews, view photos, compare rates and book reservations for Hotel Colonial, Location: Set in the colonial setting, Colonial Costa is an idyllic Accommodation: Hotel Colonial in Costa Rica offer cozy and spacious Colonial, Puntarenas, Rica: Find the best deals, reviews, photos, rates, and availability for the Colonial on Yahoo! Travel.