Romantic Gateway - Hawaii

ALOHA !!!  THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM

Golden Sand, long stretch of beaches, a surfer’s paradise, world’s tallest sea mountain, several active volcanoes and the warmth of native people.  That’s Hawaii for you.  One of the most preferred Romantic Gateway for couples all over the world.  One of the most exciting destinations for that Romantic outing you ever had.

Hawaii Islands comprises of a total of 8 islands and small islets which have a land area of 6,423.4 sq.miles.  It is the 50^th State of United States of America.

There are 6 Main islands in Hawaii – Big Island, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Maui.  The state capital is Honolulu.  These six islands have their own uniqueness which is filled with a lot of activities and adventures.

Honolulu – Your romantic trip starts with your flight landing at Hawaii’s most popular airport in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii.  Honolulu has a number of world class shopping zones, luxurious spas and exquisite dinning.  The beaches of Honolulu are a dream  of every romantic couple with white sands and blue pacific water.  The beaches are lined with palm trees for that secluded walk through the sand.

Honolulu has just about everything for you to enjoy with a number of Tropical Gardens, rain forests and waterfalls.  The panoramic views will surely enhance your spirits with a feeling of over-joy and amazement. Basking in the sun on the beaches lying next to each other was never so romantic.

There are various activities in Honolulu if you are bored of just bathing in the sun.  If you enjoy surfing, Honolulu has the best waves to ride on; there is the Diamond Head Crater, a fort with majestic views of Honolulu.  The Helicopter ride over the city of Honolulu gives you a bird’s eye view of this beautiful city, sitting besides your beloved.  Water activities like Scuba diving and snorkeling are a must for all those who visit Hawaii.  The amazing underwater life is something no one can miss to see.  The scenic waterfalls of Honolulu can be seen from the roads while driving but if you want to explore the unseen ones, go for a small trek, hand in hand for some truly magnificent waterfalls.  Then there is the Iolani Palace with its vast Hawaiian royal heritage.

Last, but not the least is the visit to USS Arizona, the Memorial which is dedicated to the American servicemen who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  The visit to Honolulu is not complete without the Iuau, a traditional feast of the Hawaiian food which includes a pig and poi.  Enjoy this meal with the famous Hawaiian dances & the culture of Hawaii which includes drum beats & ukuleles along with storytelling called Hula.  There are the fire dancers to accompany them and the night is filled with an aura of scintillating atmosphere.  There are various Hotels in Honolulu for the tourist and one can get the rooms according to his budget.

Maui – This is one of the most preferred islands for honeymoon couples.  It is far away  from the rustle and noise of Honolulu, a true heaven for couples to enjoy.  You can stroll on deserted beaches on a sunny day or take long walks on moonlit nights.  Snorkeling is another activity which is famous due to some very good visibility.  The Kaanapali Beach of Maui is the longest in the world.

Kauai – This is another spot which makes your romantic gateway worth going to.  It is surrounded by rugged terrain, some lush tropical vegetation and excellent beaches with clear blue waters.  One can take a drive through Kauai in a jeep to explore this beautiful island.  There are the other activities like snorkeling or diving in the water to enjoy.  The beach of Kauai, the Hanalei Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii.  It is almost 2 miles long with an enchanting lineup of palm trees. One can have some spectacular views of mountain peaks and waterfalls standing on Hanalei beach.  It is the most romantic gateway in Hawaii.  Also one can visit the Wailea Canyon, which is an amazing spot.  It is also called ‘mini-Grand Canyon’.  The Kauai cuisine is a feast to enjoy.

Oahu – This is the island which consists of the capital Honolulu.   There are a vast number of options for tourist in Oahu.  One can go to the Pali Outlook which has one of the most spectacular views of the tropical forest.  Then there are the Hanauma Bay, sunset beach, Waikiki beach, Makapu’u lighthouse, Pearl Harbour, Aulani - a Disney Park and Valley of Temples.

The vast sea surrounding Hawaii is a coral paradise and through the clear waters, one can have a look at the beautiful sea life.  Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most in-demand water activities in Hawaii as people get a look at the amazing corals and the colorful fishes which are the true treasures of the Hawaii islands.  One can even go for a swim with the giant turtles in the sea. 

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is a place where one can get a true picture of the Hawaiian wildlife with its wide variety of animals such as axis deer, pigmy hippo or the Bengal tiger.  The exotic birds of Hawaii are also displayed here.  The zoo is in fact divided into three sections, the wildlife, the bird sanctuary and the aquarium.  Alternately, there is the Haleakala National Park which is near the 10,000 ft. high volcano Haleakala Mount.  The view from the top is stunning and can be trekked by a 2 hour hike.  Most couples go to see the sunrise with their partners and sit on the summit with blankets wrapping them together and witnessing the sun bring out its rays of light.  This is truly a great experience. 

Another option is to drive the 2 hour long road from Kahului to Hana which goes over various hills with spectacular scenery and a number of waterfalls on the way. As said earlier, the waterfalls in Hawaii are truly magnificent and the best among them are the Akaka falls and Kahuna falls. 

The list of attractions can go on and on and on…………

Shopping – Shopping in Hawaii is the ultimate experience.  It is said that when you leave Hawaii, the baggage is doubled from the original.  There are various shops in Hawaii for that assortment of momento and gift articles.  The malls & shops in Hawaii are a shopper’s dream.  Each shop has something unique to offer to you, may it be clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, wood work or the famous Kona Coffee.  Also there are the tropical flowers, body-surfing fins and of course the foods and herbs.

For eating in Hawaii, along with its traditional Iuau, there are a number of cafes and restaurants which offer a variety of flavors.  The local Hawaiian cuisine is typically a blend of vegetables, fruits and herbs.

For accommodation, Hawaii offers a lot of options to suit every taste and budget.  This may include 5-star luxury hotels to bed-and-breakfast facilities, cabins, condominiums and even campgrounds. 

The best time to visit Hawaii is mid-December to March.  But the rates of Hotels and other activities are also on the higher side due to the peak season. 

All in all, Hawaii can be the ultimate place for a truly Romantic Gateway.  If you are planning for the perfect wedding and honeymoon, there is no other option greater than Hawaii. This island gateway is by far the best for relaxation and tranquility.

Romantic Gateway - Bath

The dream of every couple is to find a place where the surroundings are serene and green, with lush outfields and beautiful houses in-between, where nature is spread all over till their eyes can see, where there is romance in each and every place they visit, old castles, pebble stone walks and above all privacy for a sedate evening.  If this is the dream that you have then come to Bath, the city of your dreams, a romantic gateway for the perfect outing.

Bath is an astounding place on earth & that too just 100 miles west of London.  It must be one of the most fabulous and superb destination to visit with your partner.  This beautiful city, named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, lies amidst the calm settings of Avon valley near Bristol.  This city has a number of architectural sites which date back to the Roman era.  In fact, Bath got its name from the Roman Baths which are the major attraction of this city.  The main attractions for the tourists are the Reto Gardens at Ilford Manor, the

Royal Crescent

, the Circus, the Paragon Bath, Roman Baths and the 15^th century Abby. 

For an ideal romantic day, it can starts with a balloon ride over the city of Bath along with champagne as your company.  You can see the beauty of Bath from the air as it transfers you to the world of fairy land with its small houses, castles and busy streets and the lush green lawns spread far and wide.  After that one can have a ride in one of the vintage cars which are available for a ride through Bath or else there is the Oriental Express to go through the outskirts of Bath.  Then there is the couple’s treatment at Thermae Bath spa which drenches you in natural springs of water along with aromatherapy.  Then one can also enjoy the boat ride in the river Avon with your loved one. 

The countryside of Bath is truly stunning and one can go for an excursion on these tracks for a quite and romantic afternoon stroll, exploring the various fields and the small houses with their well maintained lawns along with the friendly residents of Bath.  Don’t be surprised if you get an invitation for a late afternoon cup of tea. Evenings are the best time for shopping and if you are enjoy shopping, then Bath has a variety of shops to cater to your needs.  Bath is a city known for its rich culture, fashion & romance, entertainment and of course the food.  The Pump House is an ideal setting for an evening brunch.  

For that romantic gateway Bath, there are some special places in Bath which includes the Prior Park Garden which has amazing landscapes round it and an excellent view of the City.  The ‘Bath Skyline’ (6 miles of circular path) offer you a variety of sites to see in Bath.  Ilford Manor is another place for you to have a quiet and calm evening.  Along with these attractions if you are a theatre buff, then Bath has a number of theaters   like Bath Theater Royal, Ustinov Studio, The Egg, The Rondo Theater and Mission Theater.  If there is nothing else to do, one can stroll through the streets of Bath, hand-in-hand on the unique cobblestone walks surrounded by the small cottages with their unique architectures.  Thus, Bath is an excellent gateway for that Romantic outing you might be planning about. 

For Accommodation, Bath offers a wide range of options, right from tent-accommodation to 5-star luxury hotels.  The tariffs of these hotels suit the budgets of each and every tourist.  But if you really want to enjoy Bath to the full making your outing a memorable one, try the Boutique Hotels of Bath.  These are Hotels with personalized service & a lovely atmosphere giving you the feel of home comfort and excellent stay.  The Boutique Hotels have an elegance of their own with their unique architectural designs and vast amount of landscapes.  There are also various luxury hotels and apartments available for tourists.  If one wants to stay in the countryside, there are various options available.  These countryside hotels offer you excellent service and comfortable stay along with some stunning countryside views.  Most of these hotels are managed by local residents and offer the local flavor in their restaurants. The log fire can be really cozy for an evening snuggle & a personalized service for all your needs for a Romantic gateway Bath.

The Food that Bath has to offer is the typical country meal to the high-end recipes from all over the world.  Don’t miss the ‘Flavors of Bath’ which is a unique activity where one can purchase ingredients from the market and then learn how to make the perfect romantic meal in the kitchen.  Some of the recommended hotels can be Lucknam Park, The Garden Studio, Priory Hotel, Ansley House Hotel, The Kings Arm, Royal Crescent Hotel, The Queensberry Hotel Bath, The Spa Hotel, Homwood Park Hotel, Beechfield House Hotel, Fosse Farm House, Withy Mills Farm and Allens Cottage.

As Bath is a World Heritage Site, it is always full of tourist from all over and as such it is always good to book your hotel before coming here.  Also there are special events that take place in Bath like the Bath Film Festival, Bath Beer Festival or Bath Literature Festival which are the occasions to come to Bath for the extra something.

 So how about a Romantic gate – bath and you will cherish it for all your life.