Romantic Gateway - MALDIVES

This tropical paradise, is the most exotic place in Asia and one of the most enchanting places in the world.  Maldives is all that and more.  Visit this place and you will know why it is described as such. 

Set among the blue waters of the Indian ocean, this beautiful island is located South-east of Sri Lanka.  Out of total 1190 small islands only 200 are inhabited by humans.  This island is a mix of live corals and sand bars consisting of 2000 coral reefs alone.  It is an ideal place for one of the most Romantic Gateways that one can find.

Tourism is the main source of income in Maldives and so one can have the best options along with friendly and co-operating locals of the island.  There are various activities that one can enjoy in Maldives, mostly consisting of water sports.  This small tropical paradise also has some historical treasures and monuments which can be unearthed. 

The Beaches – On any tropical island, most of the island activities are seen on its beaches and Maldives is no exception.  It has some really exquisite beaches like Cocoa Island, Nika and Banyan Tree Island which are a photographer’s dream location with its white sandy beaches, clear emerald water and bordered with palm trees. 

The Resorts – Staying in a Resort  on Maldives is an experience one has to cherish with. Out of the 200 islands, 87 of these are now converted into private resorts which cater to each and every need of the tourists.  Situated in waters and on the pristine beaches, these resorts are the ultimate destinations for a Romantic Gateway.  Just gaze out of your cottage room lying on a comfortable bed in each other’s arms and see the splendid view of a sunset, or else just stroll outside your rooms on the virgin beaches absorbing the nature.  These resorts offer a number of facilities from honeymoon packages to renting out different equipments for water sports activity.  Spa Resorts provide you with couple massage packages which can be a rejunivating experience for both of you.  If required, these resorts provide with special marriage arrangements to be made in Maldives.

Water Sports – Being a tropical island, Maldives offers a variety of water sports to its tourists. 

·        Fishing - being the main occupation of the inhabitants of Maldives, it is the main attraction for tourists too.  Enjoy fishing in the deep sea waters.  You can catch fishes of a large variety such as barracudas, rainbow runner, squirrel fish, sword fish and the famous tuna.  Just rent a yatch or a boat and take your fishing rod with you for that romantic trip in deep sea waters of Maldives, either fishing or just laying out on the boat for a sunbath.  Most of the arrangements are made by the Resorts.

·        Snorkeling – Snorkeling is another great attraction in Maldives as you can take a look at the vast underwater marine treasures that this island has to offer.  Maldives in fact, offers the best of marine underwater world with an array of colorful fishes and a variety of oral reefs which attracts tourists from all over the globe.

·        Scuba Diving – It is another sport that can be experienced on your trip to Maldives.  Some of the main sites for diving are Baa Atoll, Lhaviyan Atoll, Raa Atoll and Vaavu Atoll.  These sites are specially selected for their rich flora and a serene atmosphere which are ideal for scuba diving.  All the resorts in Maldives offer scuba diving equipments and conduct tours for these sports to its visitors.  Night Scuba diving is also conducted in Maldives and it can be an exciting experience if you have not done it before.  Just dive in the calm and silent waters on a moonlit night and see the treasures of this beautiful island in the darkness.  It is an experience just out of the dreams.

·        Wind Surfing – This activity is another adventure you can embark upon on this island.  Surfing schools are available in Maldives for the novice.  Some sites are selected for this type of sports activity and surfing on clear emerald blue water and catching strong waves are truly a great moment. 

Along with these main activities there is the submarine diving activity where you can board the submarine which goes down to about 150 meters beneath the water and one can watch the marine treasures of Maldives.  Underwater photography can also be done in these waters and the resorts provide you with the camera and equipments necessary for the same. 

If you both want a break from these water activities, Maldives have a number of historical places to explore such as the National Museum which has belongings of the Sultan of Maldives along with stone carvings and archeological findings in Maldives. The Friday Mosque, Huskuru Miskyii is the biggest in Maldives which can house around 5000 worshippers at a time.  Then there is the Presidential Palace and Mulee Aagee monument to explore.

Tourists enjoy places such as Baa Atoll, Faumulaku and Kudahuvadhoo for their beauty and serenity.  The city of Male in Maldives offers tourists a view of the traditional culture and way of life in Maldives with its busy vegetable markets, fish markets and the firewood markets.  Enjoy the local cuisine of Maldives which consists mainly of fish and fruits mixed with the local spices adding flavor that is totally divine. 

For that ideal Romantic Gateway Maldives, just soak in the sun absorbing the beauty of this place, or take a sip from a drink, lying under a coconut or Palm tree, enjoy the various sports activity or else just stay at one of the exotic resorts of Maldives enjoying the evening sunsets or sitting on one of the large verandas of the Cottage room.  Go for a night stroll on the virgin beaches of Maldives along with your partner and then have a Maldivian dinner which is the icing on top of your most Romantic Gateway that every couple wants on their honeymoon. 

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.