Del Sol Travel Blog

Paper Decorations for Your Destination Wedding

2012-02-13T00:40:00.005-07:00

When planning the décor for a destination wedding, you mightwant to take some things with you to customize your wedding. Check out some ofthe ideas below which are fun, light weight, and easy to pack.

Custom Tissue Wedding Banners – traditional Mexican laser cuttissue personalized banners customizedwith the bride and groom’s name, the wedding date, and a word or two. Available in every color of the rainbow.String a few of these together to make a banner for your reception.

Photo courtesy of Etsy.com

Or simply use romantic floral elements over a dotted netting as illustrated in thepicture below. Very pretty and utterly unique!

Photo courtesy of Etsy.com

Tissue Paper Pom Poms –Buy these already made at Etsy or take the tissue paper and make them yourself. Click here to go to Martha Stewart's site on how to make tissue pom poms. Be sure to try a couple before you leave home.

Photo courtesy by Etsy.com

Round Paper Lanterns – add a splash of color to your wedding byusing these colorful paper lanterns. Add a single LED light to illuminate it toadd atmosphere and soft lighting after the sun sets. You can also use Battery operated LED hanging lights to put inthe paper lanterns.

Photo courtesy of destinationweddingfavors.com

Available in 10 inch, 12 inch,14inch,16 inch, and 20 inch, and 24 inch size in numerous colors. If you live in Canada go to printcanadastore.com or in the States shop save-on-crafts.com or destinationweddingfavors.com.
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Edward Ross Photography

Muriel MacRae plans weddings, destinationweddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers,honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel,she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries.Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn theirideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating theircustomized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways,destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary andBanff area and throughout North America. For more information about planningyour wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway,please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055.

Sandals Emerald Bay - All Inclusive Bahamas Resort Honeymoon Vacation Paradise

2012-02-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts

One can't really explain what a Sandals resort is like, especially Sandals Emerald Bay? How do you describe incomparable service, luxury, and quality? How does one get someone to understand just what a beautiful turquoise blue color the ocean really is? How do you really know what it's like to be pampered unless you have been pampered? How would you like to spend your honeymoon or have a destination wedding in beautiful tropical location at this all inclusive luxury resort. You can choose from an ocean view room or suite with butler service in this exotic private escape on Great Exuma in the Bahamian Out Islands. Watch this video and imagine for a few minutes that you are a guest on this island paradise. You'll love it! All of the couples that we send to Sandals Resorts come back and tell us much they loved it and how they can't wait to go back!

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Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055

Tips for New Travellers

2012-02-08T09:50:00.002-07:00

If you haven't travelled a lot, here are some things that you might want to do before you leave on your trip.

Fairmont Kia Lani Lobby In Maui, Hawaii
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Take some time to read some travel books about the area that you are going to visit.
Spend some time on the internet learning about the area and what to do there.
Check out the customs of the area and make sure you find out about how safe the area is.
Learn a few words of the local language or take a pocket translation book.
Book your car rental reservation BEFORE you get there.
Embrace the differences in culture and don't expect things to be like they are at home.
Make copies of all your important documents and keep them separate from the originals.
Make another copy of important documents and leave them with a contactable family member or friend at home.
Put your bank phone numbers in the contact section of your cell phone.
Call your bank and Credit Card Company BEFORE you trip and inform them of your travel plans. Then they won't put a freeze on your account thinking there is fraud on the account
Check for major holidays on your destinations. Avoid periods where the hotels and restaurants are closed.
Check what the weahter is like and what types of clothes to pack.
Make sure your passport is valid several weeks AFTER your departure date. Some countries insist on six months.
Don't pack brand new shoes - they will hurt!
Turn off your data roaming on you cell phone so that you don't get huge roaming charges.

Enjoy your trip and "take some time to smell the flowers!"

Coastline of Aruba
Photo courtesy of Bart Grover

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

Monday Hawaii Photo

2012-02-05T23:27:00.001-07:00

Opeka Falls, Kauai
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

You Went to the Wedding Fair 2012 - Now What?

2012-02-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Wedding Fair 2012 was held in Calgary two weekends ago! Without a moment’s hesitation, I will tell you that it was a fabulous exhibit of many of the best wedding vendors from Calgary and its nearby surrounding areas all under one roof! What made it even more spectacular was all the amazing displays and efforts that each vendor brought to the show, putting on one of the best wedding show exhibits that Calgary has ever seen. There was so much to see, lots of deals to be had, and tons of décor ideas. The brides came by the thousands, many accompanied by grooms, mothers, and close friends, to see and learn more.

Edward Ross Photography

While it was great to see so many of you at Wedding Fair, I know from conversations I've had with many brides over the past two weeks, that a number of you mentioned feeling overwhelmed at times and on "overloaded" with all of the information that was coming at you.

Edward Ross Photography

Here are some ideas of how you can make the most effective use of your time at Wedding Fair:

You collected bags, brochures, and business cards by the armloads (and bagfuls!!!). Make a point of going through them while things are still relatively fresh in your mind. Make notes and put ones to the side that you want to follow up with. Sort through the others and either discard or keep as a possibility to follow up with at a later time. The longer you put it off and avoid it, the more it will all blur together. Get it done sooner rather than later!
Figure out what your biggest priorities are and contact a vendor or two to move forward and set-up a follow-up appointment. Wedding Fair is great, but it was too crazy to have a clear conversation and get a firm idea about services and costs. Find a mutually convenient time to sit down with your chosen vendor, or vendors, and get the information you require so that you can move forward in planning your wedding.
You saw how many people were at Wedding Fair! It was crazy!!! All of them are getting married and are looking for vendors too! The sooner you book an appointment, the better chance you have of finding the right vendor for you who is also available on your wedding date. (The longer you wait, the longer you may have to wait for an appointment time as vendors’ schedules fill up fast.)
Make a note of any décor ideas that you liked. It might have been related to colors, objects, centerpieces, or even a place card. Try and remember who had what and make notes. When you meet with a decorator, having a description of what you liked or even a cell phone picture makes it much easier to help put all of your ideas together into develop them into one cohesive vision.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help! As an established wedding planner in Calgary and the nearby Rocky Mountain areas (Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise), I have had the great privilege of working with a variety of vendors in and around the Calgary area. I know who are the quality vendors and can find the one that is just right for you. Even if you don’t think you need a full wedding planner, maybe someone who can help you find a few key vendors and answer some of your questions in a consulting capacity is exactly what you're looking for. In addition to full and partial planning services, decor, weeekend event orchestration, we also do hourly consulting. You would be amazed at how much we can get done in an hour-long phone call or appointment. That information might be exactly what you need to send you on your way to have the wedding of your dreams!

A special surprise at the end of the day - we won Best Booth For Event Planning and Design
Photo by Edward Ross Photography

My incredible team of ladies at Creative Weddings!
Photo by Edward Ross Photography

At Creative Weddings and Occasions, we don't believe that all brides fit into a standard package. Instead, we feel that our couples are unique and deserve a customized program designed specifically to meet their wants and needs. We want our couples to have a wedding that reflects their individual style and personalities. We want you to have a wedding that is everything you imagined and more!

Make the right decision and give us a call at 1-888-790-6986 or e-mail us at info@creativeweddings.ca for your COMPLIMENTARY INITIAL CONSULTATION now and you'll be on your way to planning the wedding that begins with "Once upon a time..." and ends with WOW!

Our Table Top Entry
Photo by Edward Ross Photography

Edward Ross Photography

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Edward Ross Photography

Cathy MacRae is a Calgary Wedding Planner in the business of making dreams come true! In addition to being CEO of Creative Weddings and Occasions, she is also their lead wedding choreographer and design coordinator. Operating out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans weddings for couples in and around the Calgary, Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise area. Her clients want a wedding that is all about romance, elegance, and personalized style! Her experience in the wedding industry allows her clients to have that unique wedding celebration that tells a story and sets the stage for their own "happily ever after." As a destination wedding specialist, she also works with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world, including such exotic locations as Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Cathy is a member of the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, the Association of Bridal Consultants, the International Special Events Society, and the Community of Wedding Innovators.

For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddings.ca or call 1-888-790-6986.

Advice for Couples Planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica

2012-02-01T01:14:00.001-07:00

Adestination wedding on a beautiful beach in a tropical location may be one ofyour dreams. However, if you are planning on getting married in a lovely placelike Costa Rica, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

Married by the beach in Costa Rica
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

1) CostaRica is considered a third world countryand things are not the same as they are at home. In Canada, we work with themost professional vendors and hotels, but in Costa Rica be prepared for thingsto happen at a more leisurely pace. Once you get down there you will enjoy the “sloweddown time” yourself. However, when you are waiting for a reply or forinformation from a hotel or vendor, the wait can really add to your stresslevel. Relax, don’t let it get to you and enjoy the moment. Relaxed peopleenjoy life more.

2) Realizethat weddings in Costa Rica are not the same as here. In Costa Rica, onlyCatholic priests and lawyers have the legal right to marry you. If you wouldlike a Protestant minister, rabbi, or other religious leader to marry you, alawyer must be present at the ceremony. Many times the ceremony is in Spanish.One prospective destination wedding bride got really upset when she learnedthat her ceremony was going to be in Spanish. She just couldn’t understand whyit was not in English. Her reasoning was that English–speaking people visitCosta Rica. Note that some resorts offer English as one of the choices of theceremony language, but please don’t take it for granted that all ceremonies inCosta Rica will be in English.

Lawyer marrying couple in Costa Rica
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

3) Ihave had couples tell me that they plan to have 100 to 150 people at theirdestination wedding. My question is why do they want a destination weddingthen? Most destination weddings are not that large and it take an extraordinate amount of time to organize and plan for such large groups. Make surethat the destination venue or resort that you choose can handle such a largegroup. Also, make sure that your budget can afford that many guests.

4) Manybrides get upset with the challenges when they want to make their wedding moreunique and start adding on to the customized packages. Don't expect chair sashes in 30 different colors. Bridal bouquets withpeonies or Lily of the Valley are going to cost a lot more since the flowershave to be imported. Costa Rica has a lot to offer but not the same choicesthat we have here at home. Embrace what Costa Rica has and do not expect thesame options you would have in your home town. No, an ice sculpture is usuallynot one of the options.

5) Onebig piece of advice is to hire a destination wedding planner. Many brides who decided to save money by using the event coordinator at the hotel orto do it themselves, tell me later that they wish they had hired a weddingplanner. Remember the hotel wedding planner is hired by the hotel and their jobis to look out for the hotel, not you. Costa Rica is not like the United Statesor Canada. If you are planning on throwing the most important and mostexpensive party of your life, why not leave it to the professional who knows thecountry and the venue. You need someone who knows how to save you money inplanning your wedding, knows the vendors, and knows how to organize your dayso it will run smoothly without any glitches. Why not save yourself some money inthe long run and avoid the stress? Many destination wedding planners are alsotravel agents so they are well equipped to handle your guests’ travel as well. Thelast thing that you want to do is to deal with the travel logistics for all ofyour guests – leave it to a pro instead. You want to be able to sit back, relax, enjoy the experience and let someone else handle all of the details! Your job is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the lovely hotels located in Costa Rica.

Occidental Grand Papagayo - a great place for a wedding!
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

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Monday Hawaii Photo

2012-01-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Cruiseship in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Lots to Celebrate

2012-01-25T23:06:00.001-07:00

The end of January is almost here and I can't belive that the month is almost over. This has been a really busy month and we are pumped! We have been busy planning upcoming weddings and are in the midst of destination wedding season. In fact, we have a sweet couple leaving for their destination wedding at the Occidental Grand Papagayo in Costa Rica during the first week of February. Congratulations Courtney and Scott! This weekend we have a winter-themed reception for another couple, Mike and Kim, following their destination wedding in Mexico in January.

We've have got our new branding and logo for Creative Weddings and Occasions, our sister company, and are currently working on a new website. We have shortened the name to Creative Weddings and the web address is www.creativeweddings.ca

Here is a picture of our new logo. What do you think?

Creative Weddings won the Wedding Wire Brides Choice Award and last weekend we won the Best Booth for Wedding Planning and Decor at the Wedding Fair 2012! We shared our booth with our favourite florist, Mandala Floral. They supplied our beautiful flowers and bouquets and helped us with the planning. The huppah is one of our signature pieces that we offer our couples who book their decor with us. The wedding fair was a huge success and our team was so excited to meet and talk with so many brides and couples. We have been very busy this week setting up appointments and we've already met with many couples and are booking for 2012! A special thanks to all of the brides, friends, and mothers (and grooms) who dropped by our booth to talk.

I am adding some of our photos below so if you weren't able to attend the show, you can see what our booth looked like. A very special thanks goes to Edward Ross from Edward Ross Photography for taking such great pictures of our table top and our booth.

We also displayed some of our ideas in a Table Top Display. Purple is still such a popular color, we wanted to give our brides some inspiration on how to make their decor look great yet simple to do!

All of the stationary shown has been created by Creative Weddings. If you would like more information about our new stationary line call Cathy at 1-888-790-6986, ext 705.

If you want help with your decor or planning your wedding or destination wedding, contact us at cathy@creativeweddings.ca. We would love to answer your questions.

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Muriel MacRae plan sweddings,destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055

Monday Hawaii Photo

2012-01-23T11:48:00.001-07:00

Na Pali Coast on the island of Kauai
Photo courtesy of Chris Jones

If you have a photo of Hawaii that you would let us use on our blog, please send a jpeg file to travelinfo@deslotravel.ca. Give us a brief description of the photo and the name of the person who took the photo.

Aloha!

Wedding Fair 2012 - Part Three

2012-01-20T06:42:00.001-07:00

Wedding Fair 2012 is almost here! It happens on Sunday, January 22nd at the BMO Centre (Calgary Stampede Grounds) from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

This is Calgary's biggest and best bridal show, showcasing many of the talented wedding vendors from in and around Calgary all gathered under one roof. This is your opportunity to come down and check out who is who and find out about the latest trends. Decorators, photographers, DJs, planners, florists - OH MY! The list goes on and on, and the best part is that they are all there for your convenience!

You also won't want to miss the fashion shows, featuring the latest in bridal fashion for you, your maids, and your groom-to-be too! With three to choose from, there will be one at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and the last showing at 4:00 PM, you have lots of choice to see the show and still take in all of the exhibiting vendors. You don't want to miss this opportunity!

Of all of the bridal shows, this is my favorite one of the year, but on that same token, it takes a smart and savy bride to navigate it and use it to her best advantage. Over the course of the week, we'll share some hints and ideas with you to make your experience at Wedding Fair 2012 a little easier and more productive.

By the way, if you haven't bought your tickets, you can still purchase them online here for convenience. Be sure to enter "creative" into the Promo Code box to save yourself $2.

Can't wait to see you there! Be sure to stop by our booth at #419. I don't want to give away any secrets, but let's just say that we're having "double" the fun planning this year.

Wedding Hugs,

Cathy

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One of the things we've always tried to do when we've designed our booths for Wedding Fair or Bridal Expo is to bring in some different and unique items from elsewhere. This year, we will showcase items from La Tavola and Wildflower Linens, both exclusive linen companies from California.

Wedding Fair Tip #1: Wear a good and comfortable pair of shoes!!!

There is lots to see and do! You'll be walking a lot, and possibly backtracking too, so we recommend you wear a comfortable pair of shoes with good support. This isn't the place to wear you favorite pair of heels! (No matter how good they look!)

Wedding Fair Tip #2: Bring A Camera

So many of the vendors have worked hard on their booth to make it both appealing and inviting for all of the brides. For the planners and decorators, this project has most likely been in the works for months. You will exposed to different styles and new trends in flowers, cake design, and decor. Having a camera to snap a photo or two will make it easier to share some of your favorite ideas later, when trying to describe your vision to your vendors. I know we're always flattered if someone wants to get a photo of our work. After all, that's why we're there - to INSPIRE!

Wedding Fair Tip #3: Stay Hydrated

Make sure you bring some water, and even some healthy snacks. You want to look after yourself and be at your best to make the most of your time there! There is a concession at the Stampede, but the lines are often long and the selections are pricy. Maybe also throw a light snack in your bag, like a granola bar or bag of almonds. Having something with you will just make your life easier and more convenient.

Wedding Fair Tip #4: Print Off Labels With Contact Information In Advance

There are tons of contests, give-aways, and so much more! Make sure you bring a sheet or two (or three) of pre-printed address labels containing your name, your contact phone number, your e-mail, and your wedding date to save you both time and keep your hand from cramping up!

Wedding Fair Tip #5: Be Aware Before Buying Your Dress

Be cautious about buying your dress at Wedding Fair. There are some definitely great deals to be had, but if the dress doesn't fit right, you may end up spending more on alterations than you originally save in the first place.

Also make sure you inspect the gown carefully for rips, tears, stains, or snags. The gowns are final sale, and I'm sure you don't want any surprises later.

Unless youre absolutely sure that it's your dress, you may be best to shop in the more relaxed atmosphere of a bridal salon sometime after the show.

Wedding Fair Tip #6: Bring A Canvas Bag Or Light Backpack

There is so much to see at Wedding Fair and tons of stuff for you to take home. Bring a canvas bag or something a little sturdier for the numerous brochures, business cards, and print materials that will be distributed throughout the day. (And check back with us after Wedding Fair when we share what to do with all the stuff!)

Wedding Fair Tip #7: Devise a Plan Before You Go

There's so much to see at Wedding Fair that it is easy to get distracted. Whether you're heading down with your fiance, your mom, or a couple of your BFFs, let them know what your priorities are BEFORE you get there. Are you looking for certain vendors, like a photogrpaher or a DJ? Maybe you're going to get dress ideas. With so many vendors and ideas, I want you to make sure you find what you're looking for and not end up with a bunch of things you don't need. I've met couples who went down to look for their last couple of vendors and came away ice sculptures, candy bars, and photobooths (All great things by the way!), and nothing left of their budget for the two vendors they really needed.

We would encourage you to go to Wedding Fair and take it all in. (Don't limit yourself to just the vendors you need.) Talk to anyone that appeals to you (whether they are on your list or not), but in regards to anything outside your original plan, possibly get the vendor's contact information so you can think about it and make a decision once you're sure you have room in your budget for these extra expenses.

Wedding Fair Tip #8: Know Your Budget

This hint goes hand-in-hand with Tip #7. Part of the goal of Wedding Fair is to expose you to lots of new ideas and innovations that will help make your wedding day unique and everything you ever dreamed about and more. It's a great opportunity for you to get a general introduction to wedding vendors and learn more about the various services they offer, and most importantly, familiarize yourself with how much things cost.

As you connect with various vendors, there is a good chance you'll want to put money down to secure their services, but make sure you're within your budget range or it may mean sacrificing something else off your list later, or worse yet, the negative feelings associated with buyer's remorse.

[Special Note: If you're having difficulty setting up and establishing a budget for your wedding, this is often where a wedding planner can really help you out.]

Wedding Fair Tip #9: Keep Your Numbers Small

"Too many cooks spoil the broth." We've all heard the saying before, but in this case it definitely has merit. While you might be tempted to bring the whole gang, you will get further if it's just you and your fiance, you and your mom/sister, or you and your maid of honour. The fact is, if you keep your numbers small, you will see more, be able to talk to the vendors you need to without feeling pushed to move on, and be able to navigate the crowds much easier.

Wedding Fair Tip #10: Avoid Sales Pressure

Yes, summer in Calgary is a busy wedding season, but don't fall victim to high-pressure sales. Make sure you seek out and speak with some of the various vendors in each category so you can can compare services and pricing. More than that, take the time to learn what their packages include so you can ensure you're comparing apples to apples. (E.g. "Day Of" Wedding Planning often looks quite different from planner to planner with variations on the how long before the wedding they start, how much help is provided along the way, the length of the day, how many staff are included,....) You would be far better to take make a connection with a vendor AND book a subsequent appointment with them in the following week or two where you can talk in more detail about their services, guaranteeing that you find the vendor who is the best fit for the wedding that YOU want.

Final two tips tomorrow...

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"Our job is to bring your dream to life." Photo courtesy of Andras Schram

Cathy Recommends... Hire A Wedding Designer

A wedding planner plans weddings.
A wedding decorator decorates weddings.
A wedding designer tells an inviting story and creates a unique and memorable experience for both you and your guests!

My job is the absolute best - I literally get to make dreams come true!

As a wedding designer, I sit down with my clients (the earlier in the planning process the better) and we literally design a wedding. We begin by learning more about you and your fiance - what you like, what you don't, important moments from your history, what you envision for your wedding, and so much more. From there, we weave the details together, coming up with an enchanting story that becomes your wedding.

We are planners in that we handle details and utilize our vast number of contacts in the wedding and event industry to find the best vendors for our clients, help our couples stay on budget, and handle the myriad of details associated with planning a wedding. More importantly, however, we coordinate a cohesive team of people who will work together to pull off an incredible event created exclusively for YOU! Your wedding should be more than just slapping some chair covers down and a bundle of flowers on the table. It should have a direction, with each vendor contributing to the overall picture or vision.

I compare a wedding to a one-night Broadway show. From the moment your guests arrive, they should be captivated and transported to a different time and place. In this way, our decorating skills come in handy as we create the "sets" you and your guests will explore. But once the curtains opens, your wedding becomes the main show, telling a story as captivating and unique as the two of you. As I say to many of our clients, "your wedding should begin with "Once upon a time," and end with WOW!" Our job is to tell your story (with your budget in mind), creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you or your guests will never forget!

That's the difference between a planner, a decorator, and a wedding designer!

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Consulting With An Expert On Your Wedding Flowers

- By Dana Heald, Mandala Floral -

[Editor's Note: Over the years I've had the great pleasure of working with Mandala Floral on numerous occasions. I've watched time and time again as they create stunning works of art for my clients, creating bouquets and centerpieces that the bride simply falls in love with! Read on and learn what to look for in a good wedding florist.]

Orchids and roses and gerberas, oh my! Deciding on your wedding flowers can be a little overwhelming. Flowers will be in the majority of your wedding photos so you want to make sure they make a statement. Your flowers should add to your wedding decor without taking the focus off of you and your bridal party. Booking a consultation with an experienced floral designer can ensure that your wedding day is enhanced by the flowers you choose.

When deciding on a florist for your consultation, be sure to find one that has a good reputation for weddings, either recommended by another bride or wedding planner. Read online reviews or visit the florist’s website to view their portfolio beforehand. Most flower shops will do wedding flowers, but try to find one that specializes in weddings and events. Don’t be afraid to ask to see the shop’s portfolio or photos of recent weddings! Booking a consultation at least six months before your wedding is always a good idea. Most florists require time to order in your flowers, as well as any vases or supplies they may need. A florist the specializes in wedding flowers will book up almost a year in advance. Booking early also allows more time to make changes to your order, so that extra boutonniere or table-center you may need can be added on without any problems.

Consultations take at least an hour, so set aside enough time to go through every detail with your florist. During your first consultation, it’s a good idea to keep your budget out of the conversation – your initial quote should be based on your vision. (We like to start with what your ideal bouquet would look like, and work from there.) After the initial floral quote, if your flowers are over your budget, work with your florist to maintain the look you were going for, either by substituting similar flowers or downsizing your arrangements to suit your budget. You may discover that your dream flowers aren’t far from reach!

Some flower shops offer wedding ‘packages’ and although they are convenient, your flowers should be unique. This is your special day and you should enjoy creating a bouquet that reflects you! Bring pictures of bouquets and arrangements that grabbed your attention, as well as flowers you like or may be special to you, keeping in mind that they should be pictures of fresh flowers as silk flowers tend to be unrealistic in size and color. A sample of your wedding colors is also a great thing to bring, as it will help the florist suggest certain flowers and fillers. We do recommend that you leave the quantity of flowers in each bouquet to the florist, as they know how many flowers they will need to achieve the look you are going for.

Picking your flowers should be a pleasant experience. It should be done without pressure or inconvenience. Don’t be talked into anything you don’t like! If you are having trouble picturing your bouquet or centerpieces, ask the designer if they will make ‘mock-ups’ that you can view before you make your final decision. Remember that cheaper isn’t always better, if you are getting quotes from several different flower shops because you are looking for the one that is the least expensive, you may just end up getting what you paid for. This is your special day and you should be able to look at pictures of your flowers years from now and still say, “I love my flowers!“

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Photo courtesy of Bliss Photographic

Find Us On Facebook

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Creative Weddings Facebook page here. (If you can "Like" us while you're there, it's always appreciated.)

We have many galleries of real wedding photos, especially some of our most recent ones, to showcase our work and to possibly provide inspiration ideas for your own special day. As well, we keep a copy of our blog articles on countless wedding topics under the Notes section of our Facebook page. We know brides are looking for information and wanted to keep it in one easy-to-access place just for you!

Make sure you come by our booth, Creative Weddings (#419) and plan to say hi (and grab a seat)! We can hardly wait to see you there and hear how your day is going!

Oh, I almost forgot! I wanted to let you know about our BIG give-away at the show. We will be giving away THREE complete hours of wedding planning/design to one lucky bride! This will include suggesting incredible vendors, helping her with her budget, setting up her timeline and guestlist, including access to our online resources. (Retail Value: $1000) Make sure you stop by to put your name in the draw!

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Wedding Fair Tips - Part Two

2012-01-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

This fantasy centerpiece from Bridal Expo 2010 has always been on of my favorites - lush, romantic, and opulant! Special thanks to Mandala Floral for working with us to create this masterpiece.

Wedding Fair Tip #1: Wear a good and comfortable pair of shoes!

Wedding Fair Tip #2: Bring a Camera

Wedding Fair Tip #3: Stay Hydrated

Wedding Fair Tip #4: Print Off Labels With Contact Information in Advance

Wedding Fair Tip #5: Be Aware Before Buying Your Dress

Also make sure you inspect the gown carefully for rips, tears, stains, or snags. The gowns are final sale, and I'm sure you don't want any surprises later.

Unless youre absolutely sure that it's your dress, you may be best to shop in the more relaxed atmosphere of a bridal salon sometime after the show.

Wedding Fair Tip #6: Bring a Canvas Bag or Light Backpack

More tips coming in the days ahead...

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Photo courtesy of Andras Schram

Cathy Recommends....Table Top Designs

Make sure you have your cameras ready....

Each year, in addition to their regular booth, the decorators and wedding designers are asked to create a table scape on a regular five foot table. This is one more opportunity for them to showcase their design expertise and innovative ideas. Even better, it gives you another chance to look at a second example of their work, hopefully displaying a new concept, a different style, and hopefully some ideas that you may want to utilize and incorporate into your own wedding design!

The best part is that the tables are usually kept all in one area together. This year, they will be featured right down the center aisle. Having them all in one place will make it easier for you to decide on what you like (and what you don't). Make sure you don't miss out on this incredible display!

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Photo courtesy of Andras Schram

Find Us On Facebook

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Creative Weddings Facebook page here. (If you can "Like" us while you're there, it's always appreciated.)

Make sure you come by our booth (#419) and plan to say hi! We can hardly wait to see you there and hear how your day is going!

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Come See Us at the Calgary Wedding Fair 2012

2012-01-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

Wedding Fair 2012 is almost here! It happens on Sunday, January 22nd at the BMO Centre (Calgary Stampede Grounds) from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

By the way, if you haven't bought your tickets, you can still purchase them online here for convenience. Be sure to enter "creative" into the Promo Code box to save yourself $2.

Can't wait to see you there! Be sure to stop by our booth, Creative Weddings and Occasions, at #419. I don't want to give away any secrets, but let's just say that we're having "double" the fun planning this year. We will be happy to answer your questions.

Wedding Hugs,

Cathy

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Here's a picture of our booth from Bridal Expo 2011. I had always wanted to do something with manzanita branches, and this was the perfect opportunity to showcase them! Special thanks toMandala Floral for creating this magnificent centerpiece arrangement.

Wedding Fair Tip #1: Wear a good and comfortable pair of shoes!!!

Wedding Fair Tip #2: Bring A Camera

Wedding Fair Tip #3: Stay Hydrated

Make sure you bring some water, and even some healthy snacks. You want to look after yourself and be at your best to make the most of your time there! There is a concession at the Stampede, but the lines are often long and the selections are pricy. Having something with you will just make your life easier and more convenient.

More tips coming in the days ahead...
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Cathy Recommends....

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Creative Weddings Facebook page here. (If you can "Like" us while you're there, it's always appreciated.)

Photo courtesy of Andras Schram

Make sure you come by our booth (#419) and plan to say hi! We can hardly wait to see you there!

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Hawaii Photo Monday

2012-01-16T06:30:00.001-07:00

Beach at Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

With the temperatures 21 degress below Celsius outside right now, wouldn't it be great to be here today!

Getting Married At Dreams Puerto Vallarta

2012-01-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is all about romanceand is a perfect place to celebrate your wedding. If you are looking for aromantic getaway that is secluded in itsown private beach cove, then look no further. This luxurious haven for couples,friends, and family is situated on a beautiful 500 metre private beach alongthe Bahia de Banderas bordered by the magnificent green mountains of the SierraMadre Mountain Range and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, making it aperfect vacation hideaway.

The resort features 337 spacious guest rooms and suites allwith an ocean view, Mexican décor, vibrant colours, marble floors, and artworkby renowned artist Manuel Lepe. Guest can choose from four a la cart gourmet restaurants,a buffet, a grill, and a café as well as 24 hour room service. A great featureof Dreams Resorts is that there are no reservations at the specialty restaurantsand the guests do not have to wear armbands.

The resort also has a fully supervised children’s program, Explorer’s Club, which entertainschildren from ages 3 to 13 providing different daily programs great for thechildren.

For the couple planning a destination wedding, the resort provides wedding information and a list of their services online and weddingplanners who are masters at helping you plan your destination wedding.

Watch this video about getting married at Dreams Puerto Vallarta.

All photos and videos courtesy of AM Resorts

Call Muriel at 1-866-653-4055 or email travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca to start planning your destination wedding or romantic holiday today!

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MurielMacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacationsfor discerning travellers, honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As theowner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalizedservice and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients iscritical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorablemasterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary,Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons forcouples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America.For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerationalfamily travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.caor phone 1-866-653-4055

Vacation Getaway for January or February

2012-01-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of the snow already and shivering from winter’s chill? Are you wondering where you can go for a great vacation experience in January or February?

One of the best choices is to head south to warmer climates. It’s high season in the Caribbean and summer in in the Southern Hemisphere in places like Australia.

Some of the best places to vacation during January and February are:

1) Hawaii: Hawaii is one of my favourite destinations and a perfect place to visit whether it is summer or winter. Located about a five hour flight from the US/Canadian mainland, it is the perfect place that is far enough away from home to fell like a real getaway. The warm tropical weather is near perfect all year round and is cooled by the gentle breezes of the Pacific. The humid season runs from November to April but the daily temperatures range from 65°F to 81°F with more rainfall than during the dry season.

Kauai: Whether you are a new visitor or have travelled to Hawaii before, the six unique islands offer you experiences that are different from island to island. Visit beautiful Kauai with its lush greenery, and the spectacular cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Being the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, it has a dramatic, natural beauty. Explore the beaches of the Coconut Coast, visit America’s Best Beach, “ Poipu Beach Park”, or visit spectacular Waimea Canyon, nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.

Hanalei Bay in Kauai
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Oahu is the where most of the population lives in Hawaii. Honolulu, the major city, includes the bustling Waikiki Beach, which is the gathering place of visitors from around the world. Located rightin the city on a beautiful beach, Waikiki is the main hotel and resort area. Along the main strip of Kalalaua Avenue, you’ll find word class restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. It is located within a half an hour to numerous Oahu attractions including Pearl Harbour, Hanauma Bay, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Iolani Palace, and the Honolulu Zoo.

View of Waikiki Beach from Marriott Waikiki HotelPhoto courtesy of Muriel MacRae

The Big Island is the largest of the islands and has 11 climatic zones. Known for its volcanoes, it also contains beautiful waterfalls, rainforests, botanical gardens, and beaches. Being the youngest of the islands, it is the home of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, and Maunakea, the tallest sea mountain in the world. Visit the Kohala Coast 20 minutes north of the Kona International Airport where you will find some of the island’s finest resorts such as the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the Fairmont Orchid, Hilton Waikola Village and the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort. The interesting thing about this area, is that these luxury resorts are built on the jet-black and rust-red lava rock fields, and appear like a green oasis filled with luxury accommodations, dinning, and golf courses.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Maui has been named as the “Best island in the World” by Conde Nast Traveller Readers Choice Awards. It’s a great place for the adventurous traveller, the family looking for a family friendly vacation, or the honeymoon couple looking for a relaxing retreat away from the crowds. You will find your own special reasons to enjoy Maui as you enjoy the beautiful sunsets, stroll the seaside streets of Lahina, drive the winding road to Hana, or view the majestic Haleakla National Park.

South Maui has the sunniest, driest weather with miles of sandy beaches and clear views of the islands of Lanai, Molokini and Kahoolawe. Golf on world-class courses in Wailea and shop and dine in some of Hawaii’s finest restaurants and resorts. This is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts on the island, including the Grand Wailea Resort and Hotel or the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

Fairmont Kea Lani
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

2) Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a very popular destination for tourists with its diversity and spectacular scenery which includes cloud forests, volcanoes, lush valleys, green mountainous countryside, water’s edge jungles, rain forests, waterfalls, beaches, and many national parks. It is located between Nicaragua and Panama and bounded by the Caribbean on its Eastern shore and the Pacific on the western shore. It is considered by many to be a genuine tropical paradise. For the visitor who loves wildlife, it is the place to go. I love the variety of scenery in each area. It seems that you can drive for a few minutes and the landscape totally changes. Then as you travel over the next hill, the scene changes again.

JW Marriott Guanacaste
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

The Costa Rican people are a friendly, happy people who go out of their way to make you feel welcome in their country. Although it is a Spanish-speaking country, English is widely spoken so that you can feel comfortable as you travel throughout the country.

The best times to visit are during the dry season from December to April. The rainy season runs from May to November. The temperatures vary from area to area. The one important thing to remember is that Costa Rica does not have snow!

San Jose is the capital city and is also the largest city. From there you can travel and get to know the country by taking day tours. There are many available including Irazu Volcan, white-water rafting, or a visit to an ox cart factory.

Part of the appeal of Costa Rica is the less inhabited spots. Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast is regarded as one of the ten most beautiful spots in the world. Another popular area is Guanacaste province which has some beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels. One of my absolute favourite beaches is Flamingo Beach – a must visit if you go to Costa Rica!

Caribbean: If you are looking for a sunshine fix, then you must consider the Caribbean! With so many different islands to choose from, the problem becomes which island should you go to? It all depends on personal preference and style. If you prefer to dine at five star gourmet restaurants and have a wide variety of nightclubs, then you want to head to St. Barts, one of the most sophisticated islands in the Caribbean. French-influenced and celebrity-favored, this little island ends its peak season just after New Year’s Day.

If you love to shop, especially for jewelry, then you will want to visit St. Thomas on the US Virgin Islands.

Visit the lush green and mountainous St. Lucia and stay in a luxurious, stunning retreat such as Jade Mountain or The Landings. If you are looking for a quieter, less populated island with no traffic lights, no fast-food restaurants, and no buildings taller than the tallest palm tree, then you will love Nevis. With its “gingerbread’ architecture and “yesteryear” charm, tourists love this island as a secluded getaway. Stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Nevis which is a hangout for the” rich and famous”. Or visit famous Aruba with its beautiful blue ocean!

Aruba's beaches
Photo courtesy of Bart Grover

Maldives: If you want to enjoy an exotic beach vacation, then you will want to visit the beautiful Maldives! It is made up of hundreds of islands, each surrounded by pristine white sand, swaying palm trees and beautiful turquoise blue seas. If you have an adventurous streak, then this is the place for you.

If you love underwater activities, wonderful reef and wreck diving experiences are waiting for you. Island –hopping is also an activity you should definitely try as one island is very different from the next.

The Maldives also has some wonderful unique accommodations. Banyan Tree Madivaru provides guests with a new style of accommodation – just six tented pool villas, each with large living, eating, and bathing tents! The lavishly refurbished Conrad Maldives offers a range of dining experiences including the world’s only under sea restaurant. Visit the Soneva Fushi Resort where shoes and television is banned!

Plan to do some out-of this- world diving at Baros which is known for its world-class diving. For those who want to travel even further travel to French Polynesia and stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort.

Contact Muriel at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or call 1-866-653-4055 to plan your January or February vacation.
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Monday Hawaii Photo

2012-01-08T21:35:00.003-07:00

Looking towards Grand Hyatt Kauai from Point at Poipu
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Looking Forward to 2012

2012-01-06T02:29:00.000-07:00

As we alllook forward to the new year 2012, there is much to look forward to at Del Sol Travel. Having been in business for just over two years, I can’t help thinkinghow far we have come in such a short time.

Our originalintention was to have a firm that offered luxury travel to tropical climates especiallythe South Pacific, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. Soon my daughter, Cathy,needed more help in her growing wedding décor and planning business, Creative Weddings and Occasions, so I started assisting her. As a result, I became aCertified Wedding Planner and Destination Wedding Consultant through WPIC sothat I could help her with her weddings. As we started to grow, we found more and more demand fordestination weddings and Cathy soon started helping me with my business aswell. We realized that we are one of the few companies in this area that offersour clients the benefit of having a travel consultant and a wedding plannerunder the same roof. As time went on, we have added other services such aswedding invitations, save the date evites design, wedding websites, newslettersto our clients giving specific information about the area they were visiting,and much more. We are constantly educating ourselves about destinations andweddings so that we can offer our guests our best. We have also had the chanceto grow our relationships with some fantastic suppliers, prime vendors, andphotographers so we can provide hands on personalized service and an excellentexperience for our couples.

Photo courtesy of Arnaud Brichet

Destinationweddings are a growing trend but still need planning like a traditional wedding.We are passionate about sharing the magic of a destination wedding and/orhoneymoon through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. In manyinstances, the wedding coordinator at the major hotels are so busy that they donot have the time to give the attention needed to couples having a destinationwedding. They also work for the resort, not the couple taking the destinationwedding. We found that we could help couples plan most of their wedding ahead of time by coordinating with the wedding planner at the resort. Many couples needed to be educated about destinationweddings so we started a blog to help give our readers information and planningtips about destination weddings, honeymoons as well as the best resorts.

Our missionis creating lifelong memories, onevacation at a time! It is all about the experience and the memories thatour clients will have for a lifetime. Probably the single greatest thing thatseparates us from other leading destination wedding companies is our size. Weare small – and proud of it. We have no intention of being “big”.

Being smallgives us many luxuries that benefit our clients. For one, we are able to customdesign every single itinerary for our clients. The order of events is 1) theclient comes to us, interested in a destination wedding or honeymoon; 2) wedesign their itinerary and NOT the other way around, which is how bigger touroperators work with about 80% of their clients. I love the fact that as a smallcompany, we don’t have to worry about volume discounts with specific propertiesand then push clients to those properties in order to keep the volume. No, weare able to listen to our clients, incorporate everything they desire, and thenpresent them with an itinerary that perfectly fits their budget, timeframe, andtravel tastes, This could mean something specific such as organizing a trip ofthe guests to the nearest ruins, or planning a shopping trip to thenearest town for the day.

Anotherfantastic luxury of being small, is that our clients work with the OWNERS ofthe company. Muriel and Cathy have a long term view in mind and are mostconcerned with the long term relationship with the client, not the short term gain.When we design our client’s itineraries, we want to expose them to the joys ofa destination wedding/ honeymoon and keep their needs in mind.

So what doesthe new year mean to us? We are working at making our service better by helpingour couples create more wonderful experiences that they will never forget. A wedding should definitely be a once in a lifetime experience which brings back fond memories. It’s a privilege tobe able to help our couples plan their destination wedding or honeymoon. To allof the couples we have worked, with, I want to thank you. It is always greattalking to you every other day and getting to know you better. We loveto hear your latest news and help you finalize the plans for your wedding or honeymoon.We always wait in anticipation to hear how the wedding day went or what was thehoneymoon like! Once you are married, we hope you will come back and let ushelp you plan future trips. One of the things which makes our job so rewarding is knowing that you were thrilled with you destination wedding or honeymoon.

To all ofour couples travelling this year, we hope you have a wonderful trip. We wisheverybody all of the best in 2012 and beyond.
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Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055

Fairmont Hawaii Resorts Strike Gold with Readers of Conde Nast

2012-01-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

Two of my very favourite hotels in Hawaii, the Fairmont Kea Lani and the Fairmont Orchid, have been voted for the best places to stay in the world. Having been to both of these properties, I can certainly understand why they have been selected. Read the article below to learn more about these fabulous Hawaiian properties. Come to think of it I love all Fairmont properties - the service is always out of this world! We are a preferred vendor of the Fairmont Palliser and working with the staff here is always a pleasure.

- Two Luxury Island Resorts Land Prestigious TravelRanking-

Hawai’i, January, 2012 – Readersof Condé Nast Traveler have selected both Fairmont resortsin the state of Hawai’i for themagazine’s coveted Gold List, an annual ranking of the travel industry’sfinest hotels, resorts and cruise lines. The Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui and TheFairmont Orchid on the Island of Hawai’i have both been voted among the best places to stay in the world based on location, activities, service and guestrooms.

The Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui is also proud to be recognizedon the magazine’s new Platinum Circle List, a mark of distinction for ranking on The Gold List the past fiveyears consecutively. Earning high praise from readers for its all-suiteaccommodations and attentive guest service, The Fairmont Kea Lani also offersexclusive 2- and 3-bedroom villas just steps from the pristine Polo Beach. Theaward follows three years of renovations to the property, totaling over $28million.

The Fairmont Orchid, a luxuryAAA Four Diamond resort located on the Kohala Coast of the Island of Hawai’i,was only one of two resorts on the island to earn the prestigious ranking. It was recognized for its pristine location,outstanding service, unique Beachboys program and its sustainable cuisine atthe AAA Four Diamond award winning Brown’s Beach House.

“Weare thrilled that travelers have recognized both Fairmont Hawai’i Resorts onthe coveted Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List,” said Shannah Milstead,Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. “To be acknowledged not only forour luxurious accommodations, but also for our genuine sense of Aloha isincredibly rewarding.”

Travelers can now experienceboth award-winning resorts with the Dual Island package, currently availablefor stays between March 1, and December 20, 2012. When guests book a minimum of three nights in any one-bedroom suiteat The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui and a minimum of three nights in any guestroomor suite at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i, they will receive the seventhnight free at either resort (subject to availability, blackout dates mayapply). For more information, vacationers may contact the Fairmont Hawai’iResorts Reservations Specialists at 888-404-7022.

ABOUT THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI,MAUI

Located on the pristine white sands of Wailea, TheFairmont Kea Lani, Maui is Hawaii’s only luxury oceanfront resort featuring 413spacious suites and 37 villas. This iconic hotel encompasses 22 acres oftropical landscape and features two lagoon-style pools, an adult pool, four restaurants,exclusive retail shopping, Keiki Lani Kid’s Camp and the full-service Spa KeaLani. Just minutes away are Wailea's three championship golf courses andfourteen tennis courts. With warm and personal serviceand authentic Hawaiian cultural activities, the resort offers travelers luxuryaccommodations with the true essence of Aloha spirit.

ABOUT THE FAIRMONT ORCHID, HAWAII

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii on the Island of Hawai’iis a AAA Four Diamond luxury destination resort on 32 oceanfront acres offering538 guestrooms on the island’s northwestern coast. Inspired by Culture,Well-Being and Genuine Aloha, The Fairmont Orchid’s facilities and servicesinclude the Hawaiian-inspired Spa Without Walls with 10 waterfall hale (hut)and 5 oceanside cabanas, authentically local daily beach and culturalactivities, golf, tennis and water sports, year-round children’s program, sixdelectable restaurants and expansive indoor and outdoor meeting facilities allsurrounded by service with Aloha.

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

Located in world-class destinations around the globe,Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotels thatincludes landmark locations like London’s The Savoy, New York’s The Plaza, andShanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel. With more than 60 hotels, Fairmont is known asmuch for its warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences, asits classic hotels that imbue a sense of heritage, sophistication and socialimportance and are often considered destinations in their own right.A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for itsresponsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program.Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company withover 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The companyalso manages Fairmont and Raffles branded estates and luxury private residenceclub properties. For more information or reservations, please call1-800-441-1414 or visit fairmont.com.

Become a fan of Fairmont. Join our online communitiesat everyonesanoriginal.com,twitter.com/fairmonthotels,and facebook.com/fairmonthotels.For career opportunities, visit facebook.com/fairmontcareers.

Some Great Locations for Destination Weddings

2012-01-04T01:37:00.002-07:00

More and more couples are planning a destination wedding ina gorgeous location. With so many beautiful destinations to choose from it ishard to know where to start. Many couplespick a favourite vacation spot or choose a place that they both have been dyingto visit. Whatever the reason, here are some ideas of gorgeous venues where youmight want to host your destination wedding.

The Fairmont Orchid: Big Island, Hawaii

This luxury 540-room resort sits on the oceanfront on theKohala Coast of the island of Hawaii. The views are terrific in all directionswith five volcanic mountains surrounding the region. The resort has gorgeouswaterfalls and sweeping oceanfront views which make a wonderful setting foryour destination wedding. The resort has a variety of outdoor and indoor weddingsites to choose from and a wedding planner on site to help ensure that everyaspect of your wedding is a success. The outdoor gazebo with the amazing blue ocean for a backdrop is perfect setting for those tropical destination weddingphotographs.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa: Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii

This beautifully landscaped property located overlooking theocean has many lovely lagoons, waterfalls, and river pools making it theperfect spot for a destination wedding. It has to be one of my favouritelocations for a wedding. the flowers onthe property are absolutely breath-taking and it has some really nice outdoorvenues for wedding ceremonies including two gazeboes. The 602 classic Hawaiian decoratedguestrooms with private balconies or patios have been recently renovated to create a more inviting retreat. The resorthas wedding planners on site to help you plan you special day.

Grand Wailea: Maui, Hawaii

This beautiful hotel is located on 40 landscaped acres just stepsfrom the beach. This Maui hotel has 780 elegantly appointed guest rooms andsuites. There are numerous outdoor and indoor sites for weddings including alovely chapel with a gazebo close by. This resort offers a wide variety ofpackages for both the ceremony and the reception. The on-site wedding planners helpcouples create a memorable event for their guests.

Peter Island Resort and Spa: British Virgin islands

What better place to get married than on a private island ina lush tropical location. With colorful flowers, and lots of beaches, thisresort is the perfect tranquil spot for a tropical wedding. It features avariety of accommodations including furnished villas. There is plenty to doincluding sailing, diving, hiking, biking, shopping in Charlotte Amalie andsunbathing on the beach.

Secrets Silversands: Mayan Rivieria, Mexico

Located 20 miles from Cancun airport, this perfect seasideescape has 433 luxurious suites withprivate and furnished terraces or patios. Being an adult only resort, thisresort has one or two weddings per week so you will get extra special servicefrom their on-site wedding planner. many of the larger reosrts in Mexico have 6 or 7 weddings a day! The resort offers three different weddingpackages. You can also check on line to see the online calendar of available datesfor weddings.

Sandals Grand Rivieria: Jamaica

Photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts

Located in a lush paradise with green foliage, floweringtrees and plants, and beautiful turquoise water that laps on the white sandybeach. Set amidst the St. Ann Mountains, this resort has 93 villa pools andluxurious suites that help you escape from the outside world. This resort hasunlimited gourmet dining at 15 restaurants and five full service bars including a swim-up bar. Sandals resortsare considered the most romantic place on Earth for your destination wedding.Our couples who have had their wedding there would agree!

JW Marriott Guanacaste: Costa Rica

Locatedin the private community of Hacienda Pinilla, this oceanside luxurious resort included310 guest rooms including 20 junior suites. The pool is one of the largest inCentral America and meanders throughout the property. There are numerousoutdoor and indoor locations for destination weddings including a delightfullittle chapel built right on the property. The onsite wedding planner is thereto help you plan your dream wedding.
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Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners, and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055

Monday Hawaii Photo

2012-01-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Lagoon beside Tidepools Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
Photo courtesy of Cathy MacRae

Mind Your P's and Q's Regarding Destination Weddings

2011-12-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Do you know what the correct wedding etiquette is at adestination wedding. Here are some tips to keep you informed of what isexpected.

Destination wedding at Sandals Ocho Rios

When should you send out save-the-date announcements? It is best to send out save-the-dates as soon as you have confirmed the details. Usually nine to 12 months is the perfect time. This give your guests plenty of time to schedule time off work and make travel plans. It also allows them to save for their trip. Many couples today have a website which gives information about the wedding destination and details about the resort.
When should formal invitations be sent out? With traditional wedding, invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, with destination weddings invitations should be sent out two to three months ahead of time. Be sure to include the ceremony location so guests will know the appropriate footwear needed.
How do you give a gift to the couple at a destination wedding? Make sure that the gifts are sent to the couple’s home. Do not take them with you to the resort where the destination wedding is being held. Who wants to tote a salad bowl back home? Some couples will have a gift registry which will give you some helpful gift suggestions. If a couple has lived together for a while, a cash gift may be appreciated.
What should guests pay for at a destination wedding? The guests are responsible for the same things they would pay for at a traditional wedding. They should not expect the couple to pay for anything beyond the wedding ceremony and the reception. Even though they may have travel and accommodation costs, they are expected to give the couple a gift. They also should give the couple some “alone time’ and not expect to be entertained by the couple throughout the trip.
Are guests who are invited to a post-wedding at-home reception but not the destination ceremony itself, required to give a gift? Typically, an invitation usually results in a gift whether or not the guest is able to attend the destination wedding. When receiving an invitation to a reception back home, a guest is not expected to bring a gift. Some people will want to, but it is not expected.
What is appropriate dress to wear to a destination wedding? Check out the couple’s invitation or website for dress suggestions. If it is not stated, then your best bet is to think country club or high-end restaurant in the summer. Casual shorts and bathing suits are not acceptable!

Hopefully these etiquette tipswill help you out in your time of need. If you have any remaining questions, feel free to contact Muriel at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca to askthem.

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Tips To Ensure Your Destination Wedding Goes Smoothly

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ahh, paradise! The waves gently wash up on the sugary white sand. The sun is just starting to set slowly over the horizon, creating a magnificent sunset backdrop for the ceremony. Your closest family and friends have travelled from near and far to join you on this special day. It’s your wedding, and everything is going perfectly according to plan, or is it?

Destination weddings, just like regular weddings, are prone to obstacles. One of the problems that occurs is due to the distance involved, many destination couples hope for the best and assume everything will go perfectly in paradise. The challenge lies in making sure you’ve got all of the details covered, just like planning for a regular wedding. Furthermore, you want to ensure that you are prepared to handle any possible situation that may arise. After all, avoiding any unnecessary surprises is half the battle!

Lost Luggage
You’re travelling to a destination which often involves suitcases and airplanes. Anyone who has lost their luggage will tell you what a terrible experience it is. There is a limited amount you can do to avoid this from happening, but there are some steps you can take to make things easier if it does occur.

First of all, ensure that all bags that you’re travelling with are clearly labelled with your name and contact information. If possible, put a second tag on it as well. Also check the luggage tags yourselves to ensure they are properly checked through with the correct airport codes. If your luggage does get lost, taking these simple precautions will make it easier to be identified.

Secondly, put some of your clothes in his bags, and vice versa. This way, if one of you does lose your luggage, you still have some items to work with in the meantime.

Third, if you plan on carrying your wedding dress onboard, check with the airlines in advance about making arrangements to do so. Most brides have no idea that these arrangements often need to be made ahead of time, sometimes risking huge fees at the airport at the last minute in order to bring their wedding attire along on the flight.

Proper Paperwork Filed
What could be worse than getting ready for your wedding only to learn that the proper paperwork wasn’t filed on time, and therefore, your ceremony won’t be legal? Try and keep smiling with that going on in the back of your mind!

To start with, I recommend that you check with your resort wedding coordinator for the requirements of a legal ceremony in your destination location, but I wouldn’t stop there. I would also encourage you to check out other websites, including government ones for the most up-to-date regulations and requirements. Also check with your own government if a wedding from your destination country is considered legal and if there is any special paperwork that may be required. Especially when the legality of your wedding is at stake, it is better to be safe than sorry.

In addition, make sure you note any important dates and set yourself a deadline well ahead of the final cut-off. For example, a number of countries require the paperwork to be registered 30 days prior to the ceremony. With that in mind, I would aim for getting it there two months ahead of time, giving yourself extra days to allow for transportation of documents, and possible any translations that may have to occur.

Officiant Hired and Confirmed
Most often, the onsite wedding coordinator will book your officiant. To safeguard yourself, I would ask for the contact information and confirm it myself just to be safe. I heard of one couple whose wedding ended up being delayed for three hours waiting for a back-up officiant to arrive because the onsite coordinator had made a mistake and forgot to book one.

Secondly, make sure that you clearly understand what the ceremony will be like. In many Hispanic countries, the language spoken throughout the ceremony will be in Spanish, although it can be arranged for a translator to be present at the ceremony.

It is also important to find out if you are able to have some personal touches in the ceremony. Are you allowed to have other friends or family perform readings? Are you able to have a sand ceremony or a candle ceremony (harder to do if you’re outside in the breeze)? Your onsite wedding coordinator can probably answer some of these questions for you, but you may want to take the initiative and either ask her to confirm the details on your behalf or speak with the officiant yourself.

Poor Weather Alternative
As much as us hope for perfect weather on our wedding day, we can’t always get what we want. My motto is to prepare for the worst, and that includes bad weather. When you are booking your wedding, make sure you know what the contingency plans in case of poor weather. Don't just let the onsite coordinator tell you it is covered. Ask her for specific details. If you’re moving to an indoor location, what will happen in terms of décor, etc? Who makes the final decision about whether it is outside or inside? When is the latest that decision can be made? You will want to ensure that the alternate location is suitable for the size of your wedding and that it can be quickly adapted into a nice location.

If a poor weather alternative is not provided, then I would seriously consider another resort or get the coordinator to come up with a suitable plan of action before you commit to anything. If the plan is in place and you don’t need it, great! If the worst happens and there is a torrential downpour, the wedding can still continue and everyone will stay dry and happy!

Heat and Humidity
Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles couples aren’t prepared for is the difference in the heat and humidity that they face compared to the climate they’re used to at home. If possible, book your wedding ceremony for either early or late in the day to avoid some of the extreme temperatures that are experienced from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM or so.

Encourage your guests to dress in clothes more suitable to the climate. At a recent wedding in Costa Rica, the couple asked everyone to dress in white (color reflects the sun) and to choose clothing in fabrics of cotton or linen that are cooler and breathe easier. Of course, these were only suggestions that were made, but gave guests permission to dress more casually and make suitable choices for the climate and location.

As a bride, you will want to make sure you have your make-up bag on hand as you may have to freshen up often to avoid looking wilted. Dry powder will help keep you looking fresh, but you may have to take a few moments to remove some of the old make-up and reapply so you avoid the look of having it caked on. Anything that is “oilfree” may also help reduce the amount of shine that can come with perspiration.

For the groom, you may want to make sure you have an extra shirt or two, or even a second pair of pants. At a recent wedding in Costa Rica, the groom perspired through three shirts. (He brought five so that wasn’t a problem.) But he never anticipated that he would sweat through his pants as well. Thank goodness one of his shirts was a little longer and covered the “wet spots” on the back of his pants!

Finally, this may seem like common sense, but make sure that you drink lots of water to stay hydrated and possible even avoid long sessions in the sun on the day of your ceremony. You certainly don’t want to get heat exhaustion on your wedding day!

Wedding Coordinator
I always advice couples to have someone on hand to handle and coordinate all of the details of a wedding. The last person who should have to be dealing with these things is the bride herself. The bride and groom should be able to enjoy their wedding day without people constantly asking them if they should start serving the tapas or dealing with the musicians that have not yet arrived.

Many of the resorts have a onsite wedding coordinator. This person is usually designated to looking after the weddings that happen on the resort property, but while many of them are quite good, you often don’t know the experience of this person. Check websites, such as http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/ to get current and updated information about other couples who have gotten married at the same resort. These people can be a source of great information and insight. Also good information source is Google to check out what other people have said. Now, you do have to edit and filter the information that is out there, but it should give you an idea fairly quickly of whether people are pleased with the services they received or not. Even if everything has been arranged ahead of time, make sure you book an appointment with your wedding coordinator early in your trip to review the details and ensure that everything is as you requested and pictured. It's just one more step to confirm and review the details to make sure your wedding is what you planned and envisioned it to be. You certainly don’t want any surprises!

If your wedding site location does not have a coordinator, it would be in your best interest to either hire one from the location or bring one from home experienced in destination weddings. Having someone who can confirm and own all of the possible challenges that may arise will be worth every cent that you end up paying, as the other option is that you end up doing it all yourself.

My philosophy has always been that if you have a back-up plan, you won’t need it. Planning a destination weddings has just as much potential for problems as planning a regular wedding, if not more as so many of the details are looked after long-distance. The key to making sure things go smoothly is to get the details looked after and confirmed ahead of time, and have alternative solutions to some of the more possible problems. This care and attention to detail ahead of time will ensure that your wedding celebration goes off without a hitch!

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Monday Hawaii Photo

2011-12-27T11:21:00.001-07:00

The Hanalei Pier on beautiful Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Our Special Christmas in Costa Rica

2011-12-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Our hotel in San Jose with its Christmas decorations

Since this is my last post before Christmas, my thoughts are drawn back to the wonderful experience our family had in spending Christmas in Costa Rica. Years ago, we had an year-long exchange student, Diego, from Costa Rica who has since become our unofficial “son”. Two years ago, we finally decided to visit him in Costa Rica at Christmas time. We were fortunate to be able to visit his country with him as our own private tour guide and see Costa Rica through his eyes.

Diego and Muriel

One of our most special moments was spending Christmas Eve with his wonderful family and experiencing their Christmas traditions. Of course, his family treated us like royalty and each of them have a very special place in our hearts. I love to visit other countries but my favourite thing to do is to get to know the people and see first hand how they live. Our wonderful two weeks in Costa Rica will live in our memory forever and every Christmas we will think back to our wonderful vacation in Costa Rica that Christmas.

Christmas Pointsettias

Christmas is a very special time in Costa Rica. The children begin their “summer vacation” from school. The four month rainy season has ended and dry cooler temperatures arrive. Christmas is a time for celebrations, festivals and time for the family to spend together. There does not seem to be the commercialism of Christmas that we see here in Canada. Christmas in Costa Rica is centred on the Christ Child and the Posadas (the inn) and the La Portal (the manger) are a very important of the religious celebration.

A Nativity Scene with laundry hung on the line

The Christmas tree is put up just a few days before Christmas. It is decorated in a homemade fashion with lace ornaments, small figurines and brightly colored strips of paper. We did not see a lot of lights on the trees like we do here. I gather that Christmas lights, both on the Christmas tree and on the houses, are becoming more popular there.

A friend's Christmas tree (with lights)

The family Portal takes up a large part of the living room. The Christ Child is placed in the manager just before the family leaves for midnight mass. We saw the nativity scene in many homes, restaurants, and hotels minus the Baby Jesus. Apparently, he is placed in the manger at midnight on Christmas Eve.

A really cute Natvity scene at the Biodiversity Center

The Navitiy scene at our hote before Christmas

For Christmas Eve, we were invited to Diego’s mother’s home along with all of his siblings and their families numbering to close to 50 people. Luckily, the weather was warm outside as there was not enough room for everyone in the house and some people had to sit outside.

Diego's sisters hugging Chris, our son, after he sang them a Christmas carol in Spanish!

Not speaking Spanish, I did not understand a lot of what was going on until someone stopped and explained it all to me. The manger scene was there along with a Christmas tree. We had a late Christmas Eve dinner about 10 pm which was a feast with tons of food including pork and beef and special Costa Rican tamales which apparently took hours to make. Things seemed to lead up to midnight as far as I could understand. It was a big deal who was selected to hand out the Christmas presents. Cathy, our daughter, had the honor after her name was pulled from a draw. Apparently this is a very privileged job.

Muriel and Diego's mother

After dinner, all of the men were sent outside. The door was shut and we women stayed inside. I was informed that we were doing the “Posada”. Apparently it is a popular tradition where families recreate the celebration of Mary’s and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Family members are selected to play the parts of Mary and Joseph and sing a special song. All of the males were sent outside of the house to sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter. The females stay inside and respond singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there was no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until the innkeeper finally decides to let them in.

At midnight, Diego’s mother placed the baby Jesus in the manger. Then everyone gathered to open gifts. There seemed to be a special procedure on how each gift was opened. The special person selected (Cathy) handed each gift out one at a time.

Cathy handing out Christmas presents

When the person received his or her gift, it was then opened with everyone else watching. The person opening the gift showed everyone what he or she received. To my surprise, everyone clapped and cheered making a big racket!

Diego opening one of his presents

I was told the onlookers clapped to show the person how excited they were for the individual getting the gift.
After the gift was opened and everyone cheered, then the next gift was passed out.

Everyone clapping and cheering

With so many family members present, it took a long time for all of the gifts to be handed out. Cathy didn’t know everyone so she got some of the children to help her. Not everyone got a gift and you only gave a gift to certain family members. I never did figure out what the criteria was to select someone, but everyone seemed happy. You could tell by their faces that some of the smaller children were a bit disappointed that they got clothing instead of toys but there was no complaining.

In the wee hours of the morning, everyone went outside to the street to see the fireworks display some of the family members had purchased.

Lighting and watching the fireworks

In Costa Rica, you do not park your car on the street in case it is vandalized so the gated yard was full with the families’ cars. At three in the morning, we went back to our hotel to collapse after a very long but wonderful day. In a few more hours it would be time to get up to travel north to Flamingo Beach for a week’s stay.

View of Flamingo Beach

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Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055

Happy Holidays

2011-12-21T21:40:00.001-07:00

Five Reasons to Travel to Aruba

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Aruba Coastline
Photo courtesy of Bart Grover

A friend of mine recently got back from Aruba and ravedabout his vacation there. In checking it out, Recommend magazine has called it one of the Caribbean’s most dynamicdestinations. Aruba has been recentlyranked number two in the top 25 destination in the Caribbean by TripAdvisortravellers. This small island which is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide islocated in the southern Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Venezuela. For thetraveller who is looking for more than white sandy beaches and beautiful blue turquoisewaters, it is an island of rich culture and tradition. Five reasons why you shouldselect Aruba for your next vacation:

Happy, friendly people. Aruba has some of the friendliest people around. Since most people are affected by tourism, the local residents are friendly and welcome visitors with a warm smile. The island’s motto is “One Happy Island”…
Aruba has a modern airport and is served by most Us scheduled airlines. Canadians can choose from scheduled air, with connections, through US carriers or select a Canadian charter operator with non-stop service from Toronto. Aruba is located about 2 1/2 hours from Miami by air.
Wide variety of accommodations. Aruba has many luxury hotels with all the amenities as well as smaller , more laid-back hotels and boutiques properties. Some of the hotels offer an all-inclusive packages, while others offer the European Plan and/or offer a variety of meal plan options.
Aruba offers a wide assortment of land and water activities. Snorkeling and scuba diving is one of Aruba’s popular water sports with its calm waters and it incredible underwater sights. Aruba is also considered a shopper’s paradise and has many museums and historical sights and attractions.
The weather. Aruba has cooling trade winds which helpkeep the humidity low. The year round temperature is in the low 80s (F) withless than 20 inches of rain a year.

Monday Hawaii Photo

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Grounds at Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui overlooking the ocean
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

NAMALE RESORT & SPA IN FIJI OFFERS A ROMANCE PACKAGE TO MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY MEMORABLE

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Namale - Fiji's #1 Resort & Spa

-The Most Romantic Resort in the South Pacific Offers Two Nights Free forValentine’s Day -

NewYork, NY / December 2011 –Namale Resort & Spa inFiji announces a special Valentine’s Day package, offering guests the chance tostay seven nights at the 5-star resort for the price of five. Voted the BestHotel for Romance in the South Pacific by Trip Advisor® and One of the Top 50Most Romantic Places on Earth by LuxuryMagazine, the all-inclusive resort and spa provides the idyllic backdropfor romance, unparalleled luxury and privacy.

Namale’s Valentine’s Day special includes twofree nights in any bure or villa, plus the following amenities:

· All Meals - Full service breakfasts, 3-courselunches and 5-course dinners and snack in between each meal

· All beverages including beer, liquor, red andwhite wines and champagne

· Round trip transfers to and from SavusavuAirport

· Fully stocked and daily replenished mini-bar

· Daily laundry service

· Complimentary access to the Namale FitnessCentre, Kava Bowl (Indoor Entertainment Centre) & Hydrotherapy Room at theNamale Spa & Sanctuary

· Complimentary activities include freshwaterpools, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, golfing, volleyball, bowling,virtual golf, waterfall hikes, movie theatre and more!

Totake advantage of this package, guests must plan to stay at Namale now throughFebruary 28, 2012. Couples can also expect extra perks upon their arrival atthe resort.

NamaleResort & Spa served as TheBachelorette Ashley Hebert’s fantasy getaway in the ABC’s TelevisionNetwork’s seventh season. Namaleoffered Ashley and her potential suitors the ultimate in romance –privatevillas, walks around the grounds to nearby rushing waterfalls, private dinnersand luxurious spa treatments – an experience any couple can take advantage ofwith Namale’s Valentine’s Day package.

Offering19 bures and villas of award-winning accommodations, along with 120 on-callstaff members, Namale caters to anything their guests could ever need or want.Set on a volcanic cliff near an opaque rain forest, the Namale Fiji Spa andSanctuary provides world-class treatments, ancient aromas, soothing rhythms andskilled therapists to guide guests on unforgettable journeys of rediscovery.

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About Namale

Namale is the getaway for romance, relaxation, pampering and a spiritualrenewal. Located on the edge of the KoroSea in Savusavu, Fiji, the award-winning, five-star resort and spa has receivednumerous accolades, including One of the 50 Most Romantic Places on Earth by LuxuryMagazine and 2010 World Travel Award as Fiji’sleading Spa Resort. The 525 acre resortand spa boasts 19 unique villas and bures, a world-class spa that mergesancient wisdoms with the knowledge of modern medical sciences and research tocreate a generous variety ofactivities.

See article on Fiji in the Los Angeles Times

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Great Place for a Wedding – Sheraton Keauhou

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Entrance to lobby

Hawaii has always been a popular place for couples to getmarried. The Big Island has many well-known resorts which offer weddingpackages for destination weddings. The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa on the Big Island is one ofthose special resorts located on a beautiful property with a charming littlechapel overlooking the ocean.

Gardens overlooking the ocean

The resortis located 6.4 km (4 miles) from Kailua Kona Village, and a 20 minute drive tothe airport. The Sheraton Keauhou Resort and Spa sits on a lava flow along theBig Island’s leeward coast.

The resort includes 511 rooms and 10 suites with contemporary décor and furnishings. Featuresof the hotel include an meandering pollwith lave tube water slides. There aretwo 18-hole championship golf courses surrounding the resort. There is ancomplementary trolley service through Keauhou Resort to the historic KailuaVillage. The outside ground are indeed spectacular with flexible outdoorvenues.

Gazebo on the grounds

The wedding chapel is located in a quiet garden with a reception areaand includes a cute little gazebo perfect for the couple who wants to have a small private wedding. The resortoffer full wedding coordination.

Chapel in the garden

The windows inside the chapel open to let in the outside

Reception area in the garden

All photos courtesy of Muriel MacRae

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Hawaii Photo Monday

2011-12-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful blue ocean at Point of Poipu, Kauai
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Want to Feel Like Royalty -Stay at The Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal

2011-12-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination with itsvolcanoes, diverse landscape, spectacular beaches and friendly people. Recentlythe Westin bought out the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort in Guanacasta whichreopened in May 2011. Extensiverenovations to the hotel’s 406 suites and public areas are expected to be finished by December, 2011.

The exclusive Playa Conchal Resort and Spa is located on ConchalBeach about 45 minutes from the Liberia Airport. The Westin Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal islocated on a beautiful property with a lagoon-style pool and expansive gardens.

It is located next to the championshipRobert Trent Jones II golf course.

Reasons to Visit This Resort:

Eight contemporary international dining options
Five premium bars and lounges
Royal areas for adults only
Ahuia Spa
Four lighted tennis courts
24 hour all-inclusive service
Kid’s Club with lots of activities
Westin workout facilities
Perfect for the family or honeymooners who want a luxury beach location
Service is out of this world and the staff are very friendly
A wonderful place to relax in beautiful setting
Topquality food

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Honeymoon in Antigua

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you are planning a honeymoon why not stay at the ”World’s Most Romantic Resort”, voted 12 years in a row, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa. Located in the middle of the Caribbean Islands, Antigua has 365 white sand beaches with beautiful turquoise waters and miles of green pastureland. This small island, which is part of the Leeward islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide. Temperatures usually range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. With an annual rainfall averaging only 45 inches, it is one of the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands. The northeast trade winds are nearly constant providing ocean breezes to keep you comfortable and the humidity low. The hottest season is May to November.

Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Pierce Brosnan, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Liza Minelli have vacation homes here. Travellers are drawn to the perfect year-round weather, the island’s beauty, and the totally relaxed vibe. What better place to simply relax and let all of the wedding stress disappear and simply enjoy your days together as man and wife.

Just look at this beautiful beach!

Why choose this resort: If you want to experience the best of two worlds on the idyllic island of Antigua, then Sandals Grande Antigua is for you. Enjoy two resorts in one on the most famous beach, Dickenson Bay. Discover the authentic charm of the Caribbean Grove with its true island architecture and unique Rondovals, and the Six Star elegance of the all-oceanfront, all-suite Mediterranean Village with private plunge pools and the Easter Caribbean’s largest pool.

Honeymoon Garden Rondoval with Private Plunge Pool

The incredible suites are designed to be luxurious and sensuous opening to the outdoors.

Or perhaps you would prefer an ultra-luxury villa one bedroom suite with your own private plunge pool?

Dining: The food is out of this world. With eleven world-class restaurants and a global team of chefs, eating is a main event. With plenty of menu choices, whether you like your food spicy, tangy, zesty or sweet you will not find the food monotonous.

Enjoy some fiery island dishes at Eleanor’s Restaurant

A lunch time favourite is the rispy thin pizza baked in the gourmet wood-oven pizzeria at the pool every day.

Best of all is the phenomenal beach . At Sandals all of the water sports such as sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and kayaking are included.

What fun you will have!

Imagine the two of you sitting in this spectacular setting enjoying a romantic dinner on the beach.

All photos courtesy of Sandals Resorts.

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Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners and multigenerational families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans romantic getaways, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, multigenerational family travel, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 1-866-653-4055 .

Monday Hawaii Photo

2011-12-05T06:35:00.001-07:00

Looking at the Na Pali Coast
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Monday Hawaii Photo

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

What better way to ensure a beautiful day in Hawaii?

Kayaking at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort on the Big Island

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae