Eco-Companies Partner To Provide Green Honeymoon And Service Trips For Couples

New Haven, CT – The Green Bride Guide launched a new partnership this week with Elevate Destinations to offer couples a wide range of eco-friendly and philanthropic honeymoon trips.

According to The Wedding Report, couples planning “Eco Weddings” are 20% more likely to have a destination wedding than the average bride and groom, and approximately 60% of honeymooners will travel to a foreign country.

“Many couples are not aware of the impact traditional tourism has on local communities and the environment,” said Kate L. Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide and founder of the leading green wedding website www.greenbrideguide.com . “With most packaged trips, 80% of the revenue goes to airlines, hotels, and international companies, but through Elevate Destination we are able to offer couples amazing alternatives.”

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Elevate Destinations is a leading responsible travel company offering custom designed trips that provide couples with the opportunity to better understand the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the countries they visit.

“Everything was taken care of, from someone meeting us at the airports, to outings which showcased the natural wonders of the Seychelles, to wonderful hotels. Throughout the trip, logistics and activities were arranged that made it apparent that our commitment to being green was being met,” said Tina and Kulbir Walha who went to the Seychelles on their green honeymoon.

When it comes to honeymoons, being a green does not mean giving up luxury or comfort. “One of the things we are trying to show on the Green Bride Guide site is that couples do not have to sacrifice style or comfort to be eco-friendly,” said Harrison.

“Our green honeymoons are romantic and luxurious,” said Dominique Callimanopilos, founder and president of Elevate Destinations. “We never compromise on aesthetics, amenities, service or security and every trip gives back to people and the planet.”

-Every trip is carbon offset, to neutralize the impact of travel on the earth

-5% of the net cost of every trip is donated to NGOs working on conservation and community development projects in the destination country

-Couples stay at eco-hotels and lodges that also give back to the community

In addition, couples can choose to add one or more days of community service to their adventures. Ambitious couples can plan full service trips, where they can teach English, volunteer at an orphanage, or assist with species preservation.

Billy and Kristin Byrnes, who traveled to Belize in December 2009, chose to do service with a conservation organization: “We wanted to have an eco-friendly honeymoon in which we could do some volunteer work. We tried unsuccessfully, on our own, to find destinations in the Caribbean that could accommodate our two priorities: eco-friendly and volunteer opportunities. Thank goodness we came across Elevate Destinations! They were able to fulfill both of our top priorities, in addition to planning a fabulous honeymoon for us.”

According to Callimanopulos, many couples who take service trips stay connected with the people and projects they work with and continue to support their efforts to make the world a better place long after the honeymoon is over.

The Green Bride Guide is offering every couple who books an eco-friendly honeymoon this year a free couple’s massage on their trip. Couples just need to mention the Green Bride Guide promotion when they book the trip.

About the Green Bride Guide

The Green Bride Guide, founded by Kate L. Harrison, is the most comprehensive and credible resource for engaged couples seeking eco-friendly wedding ideas, products and services. The site is a companion to Harrison’s book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth Friendly Wedding on Any Budget and offers pictures and stories from real green weddings, decor ideas, educational resources, approved green vendor directory, planning tools, and advice from industry experts. Kate L. Harrison has a background in environmental law and conservation. She recently developed the country’s first Green Wedding Professional Certification Course.

About Elevate Destinations

Founded by Dominique Callimanopulos in 2005, Elevate Destinations is a leading sustainable travel company that caters to luxury-oriented travelers seeking once-in-a-lifetime adventures to exotic destinations where they have an opportunity to better understand the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the places they visit. The company also organizes donor trips for non-profit organizations.

Source:
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/eco-companies-partner-to-provide-green-honeymoon-and-service-pr-218099.html

http://www.greenbrideguide.com/
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Honeymoons – How To Choose Your Honeymoon Travel Accommodations

Before you start packing your bags, you will need to determine what accommodation style best suits your honeymoon desires.

Would you rather be in the company of other newlyweds, joined by families and other groups of vacationers, or shut off from the rest of society? Read on and discover the types of honeymoon accommodations that are out there…

All-Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts

As the term implies, an all-inclusive rate covers it all-from your overnight accommodations, meals, unlimited drinks, and entertainment, to tips, taxes, airport transfers, and a mile-long list of activities for one flat fee. Once a phrase that carried negative connotations, more and more resorts are beginning to offer all-inclusive packages. While resorts vary on what exactly is included, you will likely only need to carry cash if you plan to indulge in gift shop paraphernalia, off-site excursions, a rental car, or spa treatments. But aside from booking a flight to your destination, all of the essentials are included. Sounds good, huh? Make sure you consider all aspects before hopping on board:

Pros

* All-inclusive packages can save you up to 25% off the cost of a vacation-just be sure to scout out the best deals and consider the cost of airfare to get to your destination. (our honeymoon travel for less guide offers more budget-friendly advice)
* Knowing exactly what your trip will cost you before you leave-no surprise costs or charges to deplete your funds.
* No need to carry a wallet-the ultimate stress reliever.
* Having the luxury of choosing a destination that offers activities to your liking.
* If your travel plans include a destination wedding, most all-inclusive resorts offer packages that include on-site ceremonies and receptions with the assistance of an on-site planner.

Cons

* Because all of the inclusive costs are for on-site activities, you may be less likely to venture outside of the property and discover all that your destination has to offer.
* A restricted number of activities and places to dine has the makings of monotony.
* If seclusion and spontaneity are what you crave, then you might want to consider another option that gives you the freedom to interact at your own leisure.

Couples-Only Resorts

What better way to start your new life together than with other starry-eyed lovers? Couples-only resorts are limited to just that-exclusively twosomes. These love nests are havens for fine dining, dancing and live entertainment, and all things romantic to ignite your libido. Before marching two-by-two to the next adult getaway, be sure to take the good and the bad into consideration:

Pros

* No scathing singles scene or screaming kids to distract you from spending some one-on-one time with your lover.
* Most couples-only resorts also fall under the all-inclusive category, where the flat rate includes a number of perks to make your stay as stress-free as possible.
* All of the amenities are crafted with romance in mind, from the intimate tables for two at dinner to the plus-size beds in the rooms.

Cons

* If you roll your eyes every time you see a revolting display of PDA, then a lovers-only getaway shouldn’t be in your itinerary.

Honeymoon Cruises

Cruises have come a long way since the mainstream “mandatory-fun” voyages. Cruises now range from weekend excursions to week-long journeys with tropical stopovers. Before climbing aboard, be sure and understand all that comes along with the price of setting sail-otherwise you might find yourself in a scene from Boat Trip!

Pros

* Because of their nature, most cruises are all-inclusive, incorporating the cost of your cabin, meals, on-board activities, and entertainment.
* Endless amounts of action abound, from buffets galore to on-board sports and dances.
* Cruise types range according to length, destination, and type so you are certain to find one that tickles your fancy.

Cons

* The phrase “cabin fever” comes to mind when thinking of being stuck out at sea.
* If you are not happy with your honeymoon selection, you are as good as stuck with your choice until the boat docks.
* Moments of privacy are few and far between.

Adventure Excursions

If rapid rivers and Gatorade run through your veins, you might want to consider an adventurous expedition for your honeymoon. Whether you yearn for a safari, multi-sport adventure, or a week away at a dude ranch, the options are boundless.

Pros

* While most vacationers come home lethargic and a few pounds heavier, you will come home lean and lively.
* Most exploits include the cost of meals, accommodations, sightseeing trips, and instructors to guide you on your tumultuous expedition.
* Form camaraderie with your new husband as well as others in search of a little excitement and solidarity.

Cons

* While exercise is known to fuel the libido, you may be too exhausted at the end of the day to do anything about it.
* No matter how restless you and your hubby are, after months of tireless planning and a whirlwind wedding weekend, you might find yourself craving a little R&R.
* If your adventure plans include activities that you and your husband don’t normally engage in, you might have to spend more than anticipated on buying or renting equipment.

Now that you’ve chosen your honeymoon accommodations, this complete Honeymoon guide will help you plan the rest of your vacation, offering everything from money saving tips, to optimal weather conditions in various destinations, and a honeymoon packing checklist.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings and Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process.

View the complete sitemap to find everything you need to plan your wedding.
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Exotic Honeymoon Ideas

It’s been months, maybe years of wedding planning that have finally ended at the wedding day. Now that the wedding is over it’s time to celebrate without 200 guests around! Now it’s time for the happy new couple to figure out an all inclusive honeymoon destination where they can go to blow off some steam and spend some much needed quality time together which will mark the beginning of their wonderful new lives.

Typical honeymoon ideas are those that include a beach and a drink with an umbrella in it. Places like Hawaii, Bali and Tahiti usually top the lists of romantic getaways for newlyweds. There are many great all inclusive honeymoon packages that can take a couple to these spots for less money than you would think. Especially now, there are many great deals to be found on honeymoon packages, and even though prices have dropped, the level of service and amenities all remain 5-star.

Places like Africa, Australia and Egypt are quickly becoming top honeymoon destinations. They offer something different than the typical destination and are more affordable than ever. Many think that the low prices reflect the type of service or accommodations offered at these spots but it is quite the contrary. There has been a drop in prices at many of the best honeymoon destinations but these are still 5-star resorts that offer the best in everything for their guests.

The typical honeymoon ideas are not the norm anymore. Whatever you can dream up you can make into an all inclusive honeymoon. Find a good travel concierge and they should have good connections all over the world and will be able to turn any honeymoon ideas into reality. Just because you can’t find a specific package that meets all your needs doesn’t mean that one can’t be customized for you.

Many new couples are finding that if they plan ahead and have a destination wedding they are able to save a good amount of money which they can use for the honeymoon. Destination weddings are intimate gatherings and will have fewer people attending. This means reduced costs from every direction such as, money spent on rooms, meals and activities. Since so much is saved on the wedding there is usually a lot of the budget left over for honeymoon travel, and then some.

With all the honeymoon ideas out there it’s easy to find the perfect place for you by consulting with a travel concierge that you can speak directly with and have them answer any questions or concerns that arise. You can throw ideas at them and they can use their expertise to tailor a honeymoon that accommodates everything that you hope to experience on your trip. The possibilities are endless and with a little bit of imagination you and your loved one can be enjoying yourselves at the honeymoon destination of your dreams in no time.

It’s been months, maybe years of wedding planning that have finally ended at the wedding day. Now that the wedding is over it’s time to celebrate without 200 guests around! Now it’s time for the happy new couple to figure out an all inclusive honeymoon destination where they can go to blow off some steam and spend some much needed quality time together which will mark the beginning of their wonderful new lives.
Typical honeymoon ideas are those that include a beach and a drink with an umbrella in it. Places like Hawaii, Bali and Tahiti usually top the lists of romantic getaways for newlyweds. There are many great all inclusive honeymoon packages that can take a couple to these spots for less money than you would think. Especially now, there are many great deals to be found on honeymoon packages, and even though prices have dropped, the level of service and amenities all remain 5-star.
Places like Africa, Australia and Egypt are quickly becoming top honeymoon destinations. They offer something different than the typical destination and are more affordable than ever. Many think that the low prices reflect the type of service or accommodations offered at these spots but it is quite the contrary. There has been a drop in prices at many of the best honeymoon destinations but these are still 5-star resorts that offer the best in everything for their guests.
The typical honeymoon ideas are not the norm anymore. Whatever you can dream up you can make into an all inclusive honeymoon. Find a good travel concierge and they should have good connections all over the world and will be able to turn any honeymoon ideas into reality. Just because you can’t find a specific package that meets all your needs doesn’t mean that one can’t be customized for you.
Many new couples are finding that if they plan ahead and have a destination wedding they are able to save a good amount of money which they can use for the honeymoon. Destination weddings are intimate gatherings and will have fewer people attending. This means reduced costs from every direction such as, money spent on rooms, meals and activities. Since so much is saved on the wedding there is usually a lot of the budget left over for honeymoon travel, and then some.
With all the honeymoon ideas out there it’s easy to find the perfect place for you by consulting with a travel concierge that you can speak directly with and have them answer any questions or concerns that arise. You can throw ideas at them and they can use their expertise to tailor a honeymoon that accommodates everything that you hope to experience on your trip. The possibilities are endless and with a little bit of imagination you and your loved one can be enjoying yourselves at the honeymoon destination of your dreams in no time.

Romance Travel Concierge offers exotic and affordable destination weddings, honeymoon ideas, romantic weekend getaways and babymoons. Break away from the norm and try something new that everyone will be talking about for years to come.
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