Stop all activity for a few seconds, close your eyes and imagine your ideal romantic vacation. Are you sipping locally grown wine, sharing a gourmet meal in a Tuscan villa? Perhaps you’re basking in the sun on the balcony of your overwater bungalow in a tropical paradise. Or maybe you are escaping in a romantic castle, surrounded by lush greenery and serene lakes? The opportunities for romantic getaways are virtually endless and can be found in every corner of the world. Here are a few examples of both traditional and more out-of-the-ordinary ways to share the perfect romantic experience.

Exotic Islands – Bora Bora is said to have the most beautiful lagoon in the world. The Maldives is often called the “last paradise”. Fiji’s mystique and culture are the perfect combination for an exotic escape. These islands, with their white sand, turquoise water, tropical flora, ultra luxurious resorts, and seclusion from the race of every day life, are virtually the definition of romance. Snorkel or dive among the sparkling coral reefs and colorful marine life, sunbathe on the balcony of your over-water bungalow or indulge at one of the gourmet restaurants.

Culinary experiences - What could be more romantic than a private tour through the luscious vineyards of Tuscany or learning to cook an authentic Italian meal to share with your sweetheart? Though Europe is one of most traditional destinations for culinary travel, unique food and wine experiences can be found all over the globe and can often be customized just for the two of you.

Private villas – From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and everywhere in between, private villas provide couples a wonderfully spacious and private alternative to traditional resorts. Relax in the private pool or hot tub, sip champagne on the terrace or cook a romantic dinner in the fully equipped kitchen the many villas offer. Mountain escapes – Whether you’re sitting atop the Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand or overlooking the Swiss Alps, there’s something incredibly romantic about curling up with someone special at a quiet resort on the top of a mountain and gazing out over miles of picturesque landscape below. Mountain destinations are breathtaking in any season – you don’t have to be a winter enthusiast!

Small cruising or barging – While large cruise ships overflowing with family groups and teenagers on spring break may not seem overly romantic, being on the water can be quite romantic in a more intimate setting. Small cruise ships, which vary in size but often carry fewer than 150 people, are better able to cater to individual needs and offer a greater degree of privacy. For an even more secluded vacation at sea, consider a river barge or a private yacht. River barges slowly traverse smaller waterways, such as the European canals, stopping in towns along the way. Most have hold between 4 and 10 passengers and include meal service (often personalized to guests’ suggestions). Private yachts, while not inexpensive, offer the ultimate in personalized cruising, allowing you to virtually create your own itinerary.

Destination Spas – Scented oils, side-by-side massages, in room spa treatments and chocolate body wraps make destination spas a newly emerging option for couples seeking a romantic getaway. With a variety of romance and honeymoon packages, these resorts are perfect for a long weekend indulgence or a week-long honeymoon. Not to worry, gentlemen. Spas realize that they are no longer primarily women-only destinations and most offer specialized treatments catered exclusively to men.

Unique accommodations - Sometimes, all you need to add a romantic flair to your vacation is a unique place to stay. Scotland’s castles, Napa’s wineries, tree top hotels in Brazil, farm houses in Tuscany, lighthouse hotels and Bed and Breakfast’s all over the world are just a few examples of an interesting twist on the common accommodation. Often, it’s the coziness of these places, as well as the history, culture and surrounding scenery that make them ideal for couples looking to escape. People mistakenly believe that quality accommodations have to come in the form of expensive resorts. In fact, these unconventional accommodations often provide more spacious rooms and increased amenities due to their focus on creating an unforgettable experience for their guests.

• The beaches for visitors in Bora Bora are almost all created by the hotels, and are not very large. The local beaches are available, if you don’t mind sharing them with 70-year-old Tahitian women sunbathing topless. The water near some beaches contains a ton of coral, and hence swimming/wading near the shore is not always advised.

• If the waiters/chefs at a restaurant in Italy tell you what you want to order, or don’t give you a choice and just bring you out something, this is actually a compliment – they’re giving you the chef’s favorite/best dishes.

• In much of Europe, it’s considered rude for the server to bring you the bill after the meal unless you ask for it (ie they’re telling you to leave). You may end up sitting there for over an hour wondering why it’s taking them so long, so when you’re ready to leave, just ask (”can I please have the bill” is a pretty common phrase in most language translation books). If you’re desperate, making the check sign is rather international, though shouldn’t be your first choice.

• It’s illegal to tip in Argentina, which is why if you pay by credit card you won’t see a space for a tip.

• If you’re treating yourself to a spa treatment, carefully read the description – a massage is not the same around the world and I’ve personally experienced the embarrassment of not realizing the type of massage to expect!

• Some countries (South Korea for example) require an international drivers license in order to rent a car, and this is not usually something you can get on the spot. If you plan to rent a car, make sure you know everything you’ll need before you go. This is where a travel planner can make your life much easier!

• If you’re an American not used to traveling to Asia, is not okay to eat from the street (or boat) vendors in and around Bangkok, no matter how good it smells. Nothing illegal about it, but your stomach might think there should be!

• If you don’t want your sandwich bread buttered in Australia, tell them so upfront. That goes for a lot of other foods here as well. Everything tastes better with butter, right?

• If you’re traveling to Venice in the December or Costa Rica in August, bring your galoshes. Rainy season in Costa Rica is aptly named. December in Venice can make it difficult to tell where the canal ends and the sidewalk begins.

One could probably write a book and this (and I’m sure someone probably has). These are a few tips from my personal experience which I wish I’d known pre-travel. I’d love to hear your thoughts. My intention is not in any way to diminish any of the destinations above – I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Rather, I simply want to share some thoughts I took away from my experience that might help others. So let’s hear ‘em!

This is not to say that it’s a warm weather destination, it is not. However, in the summer (really the only time to go for casual tourism) it can reach into the 60s Fahrenheit. Iceland is an ideal destination for active and adventurous travelers, as well as those interested in nature and photography. Among the landscape of this country are geysers, waterfalls, volcanos, natural hot springs, lava fields and mountains.

By contrast, the capital of Reykjavik is a lively, cosmopolitan city with shopping, dining of all sorts, museums, galleries and nightlife that’s tough to beat. The city is small, so can easily be explored in a two days, allowing plenty of time to enjoy all that the outdoors have to offer here.

The Golden Circle, which is in the south near the capital, is home to some of the country’s most popular attractions. Gullfoss, a double tiered waterfall which falls 30 meters into a narrow canyon, is among the most visited sites. In this region visitors can also find the spouting hot spring of Geysir.

The opportunities for hiking in Iceland are plentiful. From Reykjevik, take a hike along the hot springs river, or for something a bit more intense, hike to the top of Mt. Hekla, Iceland’s second most active volcano. There are numerous tour operators who provide small group and private guided hikes throughout the country, and for those inexperienced in hiking in these conditions, a guide is recommended.

Iceland’s waters provide ample opportunity for sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting and diving. For those who prefer to stay further above the water, it is also one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

Of course, a trip to this northern country would would be virtually incomplete without seeing the Northern Lights, which are visible from September to March. For those who truly want to take advantage of Iceland’s location, take the ferry from the town of Dalvik (way in the north of the country) to Grimsey Island, where you can actually cross the arctic circle. A warning – the water may be quite choppy so if you tend towards any seasickness, take along some medication (over-the-counter or prescribed) to combat this.

Finally, I thought I’d share a few suggestions from a client of mine who went to Iceland this August who had some great feedback for visitors:

“Go north!  Visit the northern city of Akureyri and stay there if possible…From there one can get to Myvatn Lake, Detifoss and the northern national park called Jökulsárgljúfur. If you want to go to Grimsey Island and cross the Arctic Circle then a bus can take you to the ferry in Dalvik (there is no real reason to stay in Dalvik).

We raced through the eastern part of the island making our way back to Reykjavik and I think we all wished that we had more time.  One of my favorite roads to travel was route 939.  It is a road that cuts off part of the Ring Road (Route 1) in the east and allows for more direct travel.  We took it from the north down toward the coast (i.e. from the interior) and were treated to some spectacular scenery as well descended over 600 meters from the highlands to the fjord.  We saw many waterfalls and clouds bisect mountain ridges as we experienced the weather change throughout the decent.  It was amazing!  We then continued west on the Ring Road and eventually came to Jokulsarlon (again approximate spelling).  This is also a MUST SEE location.  This a a glacier created lake that is filled with icebergs making their way to the sea.  WOW!  The views are otherworldly (as are a number of views throughout the whole country).”

Fast Facts:

Entry Requirements: US visitors do not need a visa to enter Iceland.

When to visit: Temperatures are warmest in July and August. Reykjevick, though, is a rainy city (average 213 days of rain per year) and May and June tend to have a few more sunny days than other months.

Getting there: Icelandair operates nonstop from New York, Boston, Orlando, Toronto, Seattle and Halifax. Icelandair and other carriers operate with connections throughout the world.

If you’ve seen images of Madagascar on television or in movies, you’ve most likely seen the dense forests with lemurs (of which there are 40 different species there) swinging among the trees, or some similar image. In fact, while this certainly is a major part of the country’s landscape, visitors will also find beaches lined with palm trees, grassy plateaus to volcanos.

Travel to Madagascar is not for everyone. This country is still developing its tourism infrastructure and has not quite caught up to some other African destinations. However, those who don’t mind being a little flexible with their plans and traveling a little “off the map” will be greatly rewarded for journeying to Madagascar and take advantage of all that it has to offer.

• Divers and snorklers should head to Nossi Be (or Nosy Be) archipelago in the northwest to experience the world-renown coral reefs. The white sandy beaches on these islands complement the underwater beauty, making this a popular vacation spot for locals and visitors. This region is also known for its production of lemongrass, vanilla and rum.

• Perinet, also known as Andasibe-Mantadia, is nature preserve home to the indri, a tail-less lemur.

• Ampfey is a volcanic region about 90 kilometers from the country’s capital city and boasts magnificent waterfalls and geysers.

• In Ambohimanga, the birthplace of the Malagasy state, visit the citadel,  whose main gate is an enormous stone disk required 40 men to roll it into position. This city, nicknamed “the blue city”, “the forbidden city” and “the holy city” and is surrounded by forrest.

• In the capital city, Antananarivo (often abbreviated Tana) visit the Royal Palace and the Queen’s Village.

• Tsarantanana is the country’s highest mountain, located in the lush north region of the island. Reaching to 2880 meteres it’s covered with ferns and high altitude rain forests.

• In Antsiranana at the northernmost tip of the island, visitors will find a more modern port and can enjoy the lakes, waterfalls and rainforest that surround it. Here one can also explore Montagne d’Arbre national park – just make sure to obtain permission from the Ministère des Eaux et des Forêts located in town.

Fast Facts:

• A visa is required to enter Madagascar (for US citizens)
• The official languages are Malagasy and French, and English is not widely spoken.
• The country is very laid back, which means timelines and itineraries are not necessarily followed.
• The main airport is in Antananarivo. Flights from the US depart from New York with a connection in Paris or Amsterdam, and flights from London have a connection in Paris.
• Cyclone season runs from January to March so travelers may want to avoid this time of year, especially if visiting the coast.

Almost without exception, one of the best things about returning from a trip (sometimes the only good thing!) is sharing your vacation pictures and storiess. These days, with all of the photo sharing opportunities online, its easy to just post your pictures and let others leave comment underneath. To me, this takes away some of the fun. Sure, it takes less time – as long as your not technologically inept – and allows a much viewing audience, but I feel its just not the same as getting to share your stories and memories in person.

Seeing pictures and hearing travel adventures always gets me excited my future travel possibilities, and I thought others might feel the same way. Hence, the spawn of next month’s Photo Sharing Night.

What is it?

A night for people to come together and share their travel photos and stories. These don’t have to be professional looking pictures, just shots you’ve taken while traveling. In fact, there will be two local photographers – Debbie Bonacci and Courtney Apple – to share some of their work and provide tips on travel photography.

Where is it?

20 N. 3rd Street on the 2nd floor. This is the location of Independents Hall Coworking facility. Note, this is not Independence Hall, as in the famous historical building.

When is it?

Friday, February 5, 2010 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.  This is also First Friday in Old City, so a perfect night to be out and about in Philadelphia.

How do you attend?

Just email me to let me know that you are coming and how many people you’ll be bringing with you. Space is limited (seriously, that’s not a marketing ploy) so if want to come, please RSVP and if you RSVP, please attend!

I look forward to seeing you all there! Now, for a couple of photos….

Photo by Debbie Bonacci

Easter Island - photo by Debbie Bonacci

Photo by Courtney Apple

Dublin Market photo by Courtney Apple

If you subscribe to our emagazine, TraveLuxe, you will see that tomorrow’s release of the January-February edition sheds some light on three of our top destination suggestions for 2010. (If you don’t subscribe, hurry up and do so now so that you can receive tomorrow’s edition!).

First off, let me say that there are virtually innumerable destinations around the world that we suggest. Some of these, however, we don’t feel need the extra boost as they are already quite popular and not by any means emerging (ie Rome, Paris, London). Instead, our suggestions focus either on emerging destinations, or those that just don’t necessarily get as much press as some of their neighbors.

Secondly, even with the list narrowed down as described above, we didn’t have nearly enough room in this TraveLuxe edition to focus on each destination. We chose perhaps our top three for the issue and are continuing the list in this blog throughout the course of the next few weeks. As a preview for what’s coming up, here are some of the destinations we’ll be highlighting:

• Egypt
• Morroco
• The Maldives
• The Seychelles
• Madagascar
• Russia (via land or river boat)
• A few more surprises via train and boat!

As for the countries in tomorrow’s issue, well you’ll just have to read it to find out! This is just a short list of our features over the next few weeks. We would LOVE to hear your ideas for additional features. After all, we want to help you learn about the destinations you are most interested in! Please leave your comments for the countries, regions, or types of travel that you would like to explore in the next year (or next several years).

Happy New Year and Happy Travels!

*A note: this blog will now be posted on Mondays and Wednesdays, instead of Tuesdays and Thursdays as it was last year. For the next few weeks, the destination of the week will not be featured on Fridays, as we the weekly blogs will be dedicated to destinations features. Instead, each Friday will feature photos from around the world to help spark your travel bug! Destination of the Week will return shortly!

1. Begin your planning early. This is the most important step. People are starting to emerge out from under the recession blanket, and this means that as the year progresses, hotels, cruises and tour companies may may not eventually have to go to such lengths to entice customers. While there are still great values to be had, as more people begin to travel, space becomes more of a premium which, means prices rise.

2. Determine your time frame, taking into account the events above. If you plan to visit South Africa, for example, avoid June and July. Airfare is are already up to approximately $2200 per person for this time period, and can be much more affordable other times of the year. In addition, choosing the off season for any destination will almost always result in lower rates.

3. Browse the “where to go” lists to spark some ideas – you may come across a destination you would not have otherwise thought of. On the flip side, if something is on every hot list, you may be competing with everyone and their brother for flights and accommodations so look for those emerging destinations that still may not be overcrowded.

4. Talk to your travel planner about potential hot spots for 2011! Yes, we do have ideas of where these might be, even in the end of 2009. Being ahead of the game means you experience these destinations before tourism hits them full force, and generally ensures a more authentic experience. Plus they will probably be less expensive.

5. Think about themed or niche travel. Are you particularly interested in history and architecture? Would you love a wine and cooking vacation? Have you considered a river cruise through the towns along the Rhine or Danube? Perhaps you want something adventure-based? Themed or niche travel can help you make the most out of your vacation and is ideal for creating a customized trip that truly fits you.

6. Focus on value. Value is very different than price, and can make a world of difference (pun only slightly intended) in your trip. Price focused means getting the lowest rates possible, regardless of service, amenities, customization, etc. Value-focused means “getting the best bang for your buck”. This focuses on incorporating the features and customization that you want, plus some you may not have even thought of that are already included, therefore fully making your experience worth the cost.

I realize the end of the year is coming up. I also realize that if you weren’t planning to book a luxury vacation before the end of the year, these promotions may not have you running for your wallet to book one. I am hoping, though, to inspire some ideas for 2010 vacations and show my readers some of the unique opportunities “out there.” If in fact you were toying with booking your vacation before the end of the year – say as a big family holiday gift – then these promotions just might help you take that step towards booking and save you some money doing so!

I do not recommend just any company that is having a sale. I carefully examine the company’s quality, my experience and that of other trusted industry professionals and the value of the offer.

Yachts of Seabourn – This company has recently begun offering year-round sailings in Asia and as an inaugural celebration, they are offering free business class air to Asia. Journeys on the Seabourn Pride include itineraries through China, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Lindblad Expeditions – One of the leading adventure tour companies in the world, Lindblad is offering $1500-$3000 off plus complimentary air travel for select itineraries for Britain/Ireland and Norway to Iceland. This promotion extends past the new year to January 30, 2010.

Travel Impressions – this company which works exclusively with travel professionals is offering a wide variety of discounts for destinations around the globe. Examples include $500 savings at the Excellence Riviera in Cancun, 4th night free at the Le Meridian in Tahiti, free nights at Outrigger properties in Hawaii and more.

Hurtigruten – These upscale, small ship voyages to some of the world’s most breathtaking locations are being discounted 10% to 30% until December 31st.

These are just a few examples of the large amounts of savings and value available in travel right now. While these promotions are only for a few more weeks, similar values are available year round. The bottom line is, everyone in the travel industry wants to see people continue to travel. We do what we do because we love to help people experience the world. In many cases, that means providing reduced rates, free nights, and value added services as incentives. If you have an interest in a destination, hotel or specific type of travel, chances are there are opportunities for excellent value. We also like those who plan early in the industry and tend to provide additional incentives for doing this. So start early planning your 2010 and learn what type of value you can receive!

A major focus of the show revolved around the question “why luxury travel?”. Furthermore, what exactly defines luxury travel? The second actually is a bit trickier, and as there really is no set definition, I’m going offer my own based on personal experience, that of my clients and my education as a luxury travel specialist.

Luxury travel provides an exceptional experience that caters to the specific preferences of each client and offers the highest quality for each and every aspect of your vacation.

The tricky thing about incorporating the word luxury into a phrase is that it tends to scare off a large number of people. They think that luxury equates to expensive. While it is true that luxury hotels are going to be more expensive than your Holiday Inn, the term luxury is actually referring to the experience, the way you feel during your flight, hotel, cruise, transportation and every other aspect of the trip. Personally, I have experienced luxury at hotels that did not cost much more than any other major hotel brand in the city. Instead, it was the impeccable service, unique amenities and customization of my vacation that made me feel more like a queen.

Given this (rather loose) definition of luxury, it is easier to address the question “why luxury travel?”. Simply put, who doesn’t want to feel exceptional, one-of-a-kind and well taken care of on their travels. Certainly there are travelers who are purposely “roughing it” because that is the point of their journey – to stay in the wild, live like the locals or experience a habitat in its absolute raw form. For these people, luxury travel is obviously not the way to go. For others however, here are a few examples of how luxury travel differs:

Luxury Cruises: Larger cabins, personalized meals, customized shore excursions, on board lectures and private events, unique ports of call not available to tradtional mega ships.

Luxury Hotels: VIP service for everyone, large rooms and suites as the standard, included amenities that usually cost at traditional hotels, top-rated restaurants and spas, butler service

Luxury Air: Things like food, blankets, pillows and drinks are actually included! Plus larger seats, more leg room, more personal service.

Luxury Rail: Private suites, lounge cars, club cars, conference cars for business, complimentary snacks and drinks, meal services

These are just a few examples of the benefits of luxury products offer. This is not to say that every traveler can afford to enjoy South African’s Blue Train or stay at the Ritz Carlton. Instead, it’s to point out that often, for not that much more, you can find an accommodation, cruise or transportation option that caters to you, the traveler, as you wish to be catered to and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg. With the economy as it’s been through 2009, people tend to focus on price. What they forget to focus on is value. While the price may be right, who knows what you are actually getting for that price? Instead, focus on getting the best quality possible for what you can afford. Luxury can, and often is, a great value for the service and amenities that you receive, and this is what truly makes your travel experience exceptional.

To learn more about your luxury travel items, subscribe to our blog – we will be focusing on various luxury options throughout the next several weeks.

Sure, unexpected travel come up, and you have to get a quick Southwest flight and a night in the hotel last minute. For the most part though, vacations are something we know that we want to take. Many people who plan to travel have a “bucket list” of destinations they’d like to visit and if you’ve ever read an article or book on how to achieve your goals, you most likely recall that writing them down is a major step toward achieving them. So why do people continue to run after their travel dreams blindly?

Putting together a travel plan is quite easy and in the end, creates less work for the traveler. Here’s how it works:

1. Contact your travel planner and let them know you are interested in a travel plan. Though five or ten year plans are the most common, any time period works.

2. Meet with your planner in to discuss the destinations you’d like to visit over this time period. If you do not have specific destinations in mind, that is ok! Let them know the types of trips you’d be interested in – i.e. adventure vacations, romantic getaways, etc – and they can help you narrow down the possibilities.

3. Prioritize these trips and discuss how often you’d like to travel and the times of year that would be best for travel (this may in part be determined by the destinations).

4. From here your travel planner will put together a travel plan which spans the chosen time – five or ten years for instance – and when you plan to travel to each destination on your list. Of course this is not set in stone; it simply helps organize your travel plans.

5.  Here’s the best part – once the plan is written your travel planner handles everything. Within a year of each trip, she or he will contact you to begin the detailed trip planning. In addition, if “can’t miss” promotions for a destination on your plan come up, you will be contacted with the option to take advantage of this opportunity and rearrange your plan as needed.

Basically, a travel plan does the same as a financial or any other plan – we industry professionals keep track of your plan and proactively do the work so you don’t have to! At Chimera Travel, we are currently offering free five or ten year plans! To begin, contact us by email or phone at 856-266-8898. If you are not in our local area, that is fine too! Though face to face meetings are the first choice, plans can be created via email and phone as well!