5 Top Honeymoon Destinations in the USA for 2017

America honeymoon ideas and inspiration for the trip of a lifetime, with destinations including Hawaii, New York and California.

A honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in life, and typically the end of a lot of wedding planning! The destination you choose for your holiday is a personal choice that reflects you and your partner – are you looking for something relaxed, active, adventurous, luxurious, scenic, secluded or exotic? Every couple will want something slightly different from their special trip to match their tastes and celebrate their relationship.

At Bon Voyage we have seen many happy newlyweds jet off after planning their honeymoons to the America and Canada, and they come back wishing they could do it all again. Here are 5 incredible honeymoon destinations in the USA to inspire you. If you’re looking for a tailored trip, or you need help and advice, our honeymoon experts are happy to help. Get in touch today.

Hawaii

Aloha! Hawaii is a honeymoon destination to remember, and whilst many are drawn in by the beautiful beaches with their white sands and turquoise waters, the exotic islands are rich in culture and offer something for everyone. From Maui to Molokai, there’s eight main Hawaiian Islands, six of which are open to visitors. Each island is different, and for the best trip we would recommend some island hopping – after all, if you’re going to make the 17+ hours trip from London, you should ensure you have a good itinerary.When you arrive in Hawaii you’ll be greeted by friendly people, vibrant culture, natural beauty and unique surroundings. You won’t find all-inclusive resorts, so enjoy mixing with the locals and exploring the islands. Zip line through waterfalls, see lava trickling down volcanoes, swim with manta ray or simply relax on the beach, or by the pool.

A Hawaii honeymoon can also allow you to tick off another US destination as a stopover to break up the long trip. Popular choices include San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, but at Bon Voyage the USA is our oyster, so speak to us if you have a particular stopover destination in mind and we’ll try our best to make it happen.

New York 

If you’d rather spend your honeymoon visiting iconic attractions, shopping in some of the best stores in the world, eating anything and everything your heart desires and exploring the city that never sleeps – New York is the place for you. Appealing to those who would rather revel in the charming culture of Coney Island’s beaches, than sit and sunbathe all day, New York has much more to offer than just the obvious attractions. Whilst Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square should all play a part in your New York adventure, the city can also offer luxury and romance.

At Bon Voyage we’ve sent many newlyweds on their way to marital bliss via New York City and they’ve come back deeply in love – with the city!

A popular choice due to how flexible you can be on budgets, time and exactly what you’re looking for, New York honeymoons can cater to any requirements. Horse drawn carriage at sunset through Central Park? Check. Helicopter ride over the city? Check. Michelin-starred fine dining? Check. Slice of pizza as big as your head at 3am? Check. New York has it all.

Florida

 

 

This may strike you as a family holiday destination, but Florida is also a great honeymoon destination. The sunshine state has it all, and whilst you can kick things off with a visit to the theme parks in Orlando, there’s a lot more on offer. Head to Miami and enjoy the bustling music and club scene on South Beach, or rent a convertible and take the scenic ocean-view drive down to Florida Keys.

When it comes to accommodation, you can pick from small and intimate, or huge resort style hotels, holiday homes or luxury villas with private swimming pools.

Couples who have honeymooned in Florida have praised the laid back vibe, beautiful beaches and the breathtaking coastal sunsets. There’s also a whole host of jazz clubs, one-of-a-kind shops and of course, all the fantastic food you could hope for.

Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas! Whilst some attach a Vegas honeymoon onto the end of their Vegas wedding, many others head there to enjoy the glitz and glamour – and there’s really no place like it! Vegas is known for its incredible hotels, boasting 17 of the 20 biggest hotels in the USA. The best thing about Vegas hotels, other than their impressive themes and incredible size, can be the value for money. Because much of their revenue comes from the casinos, rather than the rooms, it’s the best place to treat yourself to 5* luxury. Perfect for your honeymoon!

We recommend you head there for a Sunday to Thursday trip if you can as it tends to be cheaper and less busy mid week. Accommodation in the middle of the strip is best, but even then you’ll find yourself doing a lot of walking.

When it comes to Vegas it can pay to be organised; book shows in advance and plan some time to enjoy a day off the strip with a visit to Red Rock Canyon or a helicopter to The Grand Canyon.

California

The Golden State of California offers everything from the bright lights of Hollywood, through to the natural beauty of the National Parks such as Yosemite. Whether you drive the scenic coastal road, or just visit a few handpicked places, there’s something for everyone.

One of our favourite ways to enjoy a California honeymoon is to take the breathtaking drive down the coast, starting in San Francisco. Spend a few days exploring the city before you head south through San Jose, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Malibu. Ending your trip in San Diego allows you to choose from staying downtown in the charming Gaslamp Quarter, or along the beautiful water.

If you’re partial to a glass of wine, you must visit Napa Valley for wine tasting. This can be done from San Francisco and there’s a few options available, including a guided tour, or taking the Napa Valley Wine Train. There’s also a lot to do and see inland, including Palm Springs and Yosemite National Park where you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, or just take in the sights and have a picnic.

Whatever you want from your honeymoon, it’s important to be organised. The last thing you want is something else to worry about with a wedding on the horizon. Speak to a USA expert at Bon Voyage today.

The top 10 restaurants in the USA for foodies

Do you take the time to consider the best places to eat before you even get around to booking your holiday? Is the food a key priority for you when you head abroad? If so, the USA is the place to go. A haven for any self-confessed foodie, America has a wealth of different cuisines on offer. So many in fact, that an entire TV show was devoted to it. Off the back of the success of Man vs Food, we take a look at some of the best eateries in America (in our humble opinion). Then the onus is on you to visit yourself!

 

Daniel – New York, New York

This French restaurant in the Upper East Side is frequently found at the top of the list for the best eateries across Manhattan, having gained two Michelin stars. The contemporary feel coupled with great food created by head chef Daniel Boulud makes this a favourite among the locals and tourists alike. Be sure to try the Panda Swizzle cocktail to perfectly finish what will undoubtedly be a night to remember.

Bazaar Meat by José Andrés – SLS Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

Satisfy your inner carnivore with the incredible choice on offer at Bazaar Meat in the SLS. Chef José Andrés offers a wild, wonderful experience with fun cuisine. Meat is at the heart of this restaurant with guests being able to see the chefs at work, as they create all manner of weird and wacky dishes such as Cotton Candy Foie Gras. The pièce de résistance is the whole suckling pig available by preorder only. If you want a classic American steak in Las Vegas, Bazaar Meat is the place to go.

Gino’s East – Chicago, Illinois

When in Chicago, only a deep-dish pizza will do. For that authentic, real American-Italian pie, there’s nowhere else but Gino’s East. While enjoying fame brought by Adam Richman, Gino’s East really doesn’t need any further introduction. Handmade, fresh ingredients set these pizzas apart from the rest. Make sure you engrave your own message into the now infamous stucco walls and be a part of history.

Primanti Brothers – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Although not the most obvious holiday destination, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania actually has a lot to offer. If you’re on a road trip across America, then stop off at the Primanti Bros. They’ve been making sandwiches for over 70 years and we don’t think anybody does it better. Their calling card is soft Italian bread, stuffed with crunchy coleslaw and a pile of French fries with whatever filling you fancy. These are no ordinary sandwiches, so tuck in with both hands and be sure to take a picture – it’ll last longer!

Erling Jensen – Memphis, Tennessee

If you’re looking for something a little bit special, head to Erling Jensen’s restaurant in the heart of Memphis. Perfect for anniversaries or final nights, this varied menu brings a touch of luxury to good southern food. Lobster pancakes, mountain elk and Kahlua soufflé all feature on the main menu, while the bar offers delectable treats if you want something a little lighter. The ambience and service is at the centre of Erling Jensen’s restaurant, so expect to walk away with a fantastic experience.

Vortex Bar & Grill – Atlanta, Georgia

This all-American institution has an extensive and controversial set of rules. They are an Official Idiot-Free Zone and they are all about having a good time. Their Laughing Skull structure has become an Atlanta landmark and this family owned bar and grill serves some of the best burgers in the state! Vortex has won several awards for Best Burger and it continues to this day to be one of the best places to get a classic, American burger. Whatever toppings you fancy, it’s likely you’ll find it on this menu. Just make sure you don’t wind up the staff!

Mama’s Fish House – Paia, Hawaii

If you’re on your honeymoon in Hawaii, or have simply tacked this stunning state onto the end of your holiday to the USA, make sure you grab a table at Mama’s Fish House in Paia. This family-run establishment has become one of the best places in Hawaii to get fresh fish, caught by the restaurant’s own fishermen every day. The menu even names the fisherman responsible for the catch and where it was caught. With a varied menu containing things like ahi, ehu and opakapaka, you won’t find a more exciting or fresh menu than at Mama’s.

Taylor Oyster Bar – Seattle, Washington

While we’re on the topic of seafood, be sure to check out Taylor Oyster Bar in the centre of Seattle. This is definitely one of the more casual eateries on our list, but it’s by no means any less amazing. As well as serving oysters (obviously), Taylor Oyster Bar also offers up geoduck, crab, mussels and clams, along with an array of beers and other beverages to wash everything down with. For a unique take on fast food, make sure this is a stop on your holiday in Seattle.

Munchies 4:20 Cafe – Sarasota, Florida

This cafe was created after a couple of guys wanted food in the small hours at the end of a great night out. They realised there were no options at the time and thus Munchies 4:20 Cafe was opened, serving food until – yep, you guessed it – 4.20am! You can expect the usual American classics like hot dogs, burgers and the now somewhat famous Fat Sandwiches. If you’ve got the munchies after a hectic night or the Florida heat causes you to make a pit stop, make sure Munchies is your first port of call.

N/Naka – Los Angeles, California

LA is famed for offering all sorts of cuisine and this Japanese restaurant is one of the finest. N/Naka serves vegetables from its own vegetable garden and presentation is immaculate at all times. Thirteen course menus are available with optional wine pairings, so if you want something special and unique, you can guarantee that you’ll get great service and even better food. These tasting menus are fantastic if you’re after the experience as much as the cuisine itself.

So there you have it. Our list of the top ten best places to eat across the USA. This list is by no means exhaustive – there really are way too many eateries to narrow it down to a specific list, but this is our pick of some of the best ones. They’ve featured on TV programmes, have won awards and boast world-class chefs, so whichever places you pick, you’ll be sure of an amazing meal.

If you’d like more ideas on places to eat or if you’re planning a holiday to America, let Bon Voyage help. We’ll be able to recommend great excursions, destinations and of course, restaurants – all based on our personal experiences, so give us a call now and book your holiday to the USA with us.

How to Prevent Lost Luggage

Losing luggage is something we all fear at one point or another. The idea of starting an amazing holiday without your belongings seems like a complete nightmare. Being left with no clothes, toiletries or even spending money is enough to make anyone panic. So what can you do to ensure it doesn’t happen to you? Or at the very least, try to make sure it doesn’t happen?

Think about what you pack

Take the time to consider what you NEED to take with you and what you can put in your hand luggage instead of in the hold. Things like jewellery and electronics are not necessarily covered if your luggage goes missing, so if there are specific items that are allowed in with your hand luggage and you can’t bear the thought of losing them, keep them with you. Make sure you have the right insurance that will cover you for any loss or theft of items within your luggage as well to give you the peace of mind.

Take photographs

Before you leave, take pictures of your items and a picture of the outside of your bag. If it does go missing, you can show the photos to the airline staff, who may be able to help you track it sooner. It’s worthwhile taking pictures of the baggage claim ticket using your mobile phone camera as well, in case you lose this. If the airline staff know exactly what your bag looks like, they’ll find it easier to spot, should it appear anywhere. You may also find the picture of the contents helps in the event of having to make an insurance claim as well.

Split your items

It sounds obvious, but split your items between two bags if you’re travelling with family or a partner. If you have a mix of items in each bag, then both of you will have access to the essentials, should one of the cases go missing. Obviously, it means that if one bag goes missing, both of you have lost items, but you won’t be completely without anything. Make sure you don’t put all of the necessities in one bag and all of the desirables in another as well – if you lose the bag of necessities, both of you will be stuck!

Use your hand luggage

Most airlines allow you to have one carry-on bag, so use it wisely. If you’re going on a beach holiday, pack your swimsuit and some sun cream in your hand luggage, while if you’re heading somewhere chilly, wear a jumper or coat for the journey. You can also make sure you have some spare underwear and your spending money with you, so that it’s always in your sight.

Invest in luggage tracking

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but installing a tracker into your luggage is one of the easiest ways to ensure it doesn’t get lost. If you do happen to lose track of it, you can simply switch on the tracker and find out exactly where your bags are. It sounds extreme, but if you can find out instantly where your belongings have ended up, you can speed up the return that much more.

Be aware

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your luggage doesn’t get lost on your holiday is to be aware and alert of your surroundings. One of the most common reasons bags get lost at the airport is because the staff member inputs the wrong airport code to your luggage tag. You then find that you’re heading to LAX, while your case ends up in LGA – not ideal when you’re starting a two week driving holiday in California! Check that the attendant inputs the right code and ensure your bag heads in the right direction. Make sure you add a clear differentiator to your bag as well; a coloured ribbon or even a patterned bag is ideal  so that you can spot your bag on the carousel and it won’t get muddled up with everyone else’s plain black Samsonite.

Use the baggage tags

When you head off on holiday, add a tag to your bag that contains your name and address or contact telephone number. Make sure the information is up to date as well, that way if your bag turns up in another airport, you can be contacted to get it back. Using a bright, Bon Voyage luggage tag is ideal because you’ll spot it quickly and it will allow any baggage handlers to notice it if you do report it missing as well.

Report it immediately

If you do lose your bag – or worse, forget to collect it from the carousel – make sure you let the authorities know immediately. They’ll be able to start the search sooner and hopefully reunite you with your bags. You should also complete a lost luggage report at the airport and ensure you get a claim number and contact information to check the status of missing baggage. Without these key details, finding your luggage again is a lot harder, if impossible!

Check in early

A lot of people opt to do this anyway, as it just makes the overall airport experience far less stressful. However, there is a benefit for ensuring your luggage ends up in the right place as well. As the departure time draws closer, checking agents will start rushing more as they have a steady stream of customers to check in. Be an early bird and check your bags when things are quiet. Your agent is likely to be more focused and have the time to check everything is correct before you even board the plane.

Pack your itinerary

This is particularly useful if you’re planning to head to multiple destinations on your trip. For example, if you’re driving Route 66, you won’t be in one place for long, so if you did lose your bags, they’d probably end up being returned to a destination that you’re no longer in. Add a copy of your holiday itinerary to your luggage, so if it’s found, the person will know where to send it and when.

So there you have it – ten things you can do to try and avoid losing your luggage. None of these are guaranteed, but taking the measures above will at least ensure you’ve tried to keep your luggage safe. If the worst does happen, you can always purchase more items when you arrive. In fact, if you’re planning a holiday to America, the shopping is incredible, so you can turn a negative into a fun day out!

Top Tips for Packing Light

When you’re heading off on your USA holiday, the last thing you want is to worry about carting around heavy suitcases. There’s the risk of having to pay weight penalties at the airport and it’s not much fun having to take several bags with you anyway. So how can you ensure you pack light but still have all the essentials you need? Check out the top tips from the team at Bon Voyage below.

Make a list

One of the first things you should do before you pack anything is make a list of everything you need to take with you. Split it into categories for clothes, toiletries, electricals and anything else you’ll need, then sub-divide that into things you absolutely need and things you’d like to take with you. The list will give you an idea of things you want and also give you time to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. You don’t want to head on holiday without any underwear!

Provisionally pack everything

Pack everything on your list into your suitcase and see how much space you have left. You might be lucky and find that you do have room, but chances are, your bag will be overflowing, or at the very least full to the brim. If it does all fit with a lot of space, then consider downsizing your bag to a smaller one. Expandable suitcases are ideal if you are planning to bring home more than you take out, as you’ll have the extra space available at just the pull of a zip.

Make another list

Once you’ve made your initial packing list, make another one. Take a long look at your first list and see what you can remove from it. Do you really need 10 pairs of shoes for a four-day city break? Probably not. When you go through your list again, you’ll find that you can cut out a lot of things. If you’re travelling with someone, you can also split some of the joint essentials between you. There’s no point in taking two hairdryers when you can simply share one.

Pack the night before

Some people like to pack weeks in advance, but then there’s a strong chance that you’ll need to keep taking things out to use them along the way. This could result in you forgetting to re-pack things and as we’ve already mentioned – you don’t want to head off on holiday without your underwear! If you are super organised and want to pack ahead of time, take everything out the night before and repack it, just to make sure nothing has been forgotten. Check everything off your list as you go and that way, you’ll know you have everything.

Think about what you can buy when you’re there

This one largely depends on where you’re travelling to, but don’t automatically assume you have to buy everything before you travel. If you’re taking a holiday to the USA, a trip to Walgreen’s when you arrive will give you access to all the toiletries you’ll need for the duration of your trip. Save the space and weight on taking shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste with you and simply buy some travel sizes when you arrive. If you have any left, you can bring them home, but most people choose to dispose of them when they leave and save the hassle.

Use your hand luggage wisely

Don’t pack anything you won’t need in your hand luggage – keep to the essentials. This is where you want to have all of your travel documents and spending money, so that everything is kept with you at all times. You may want to make purchases at the airport after check-in so having some cash is always useful, and if your bags get lost, you will be able to buy the essentials as well.

Roll your clothes

This is a trick that has been offered up again and again, but it really does help you to save some space in your suitcase. If you roll your clothes, you can also help to avoid so many creases when you unpack, as well as keep everything organised in your bag. Packing cubes are also useful to separate out your clothes, toiletries and everything else. You’ll then see exactly how much space you have left in your bag and be able to find things more easily when you’re away.

Think positive

Don’t think of the worst case scenario – think of the best and buy your way out of any trouble. If the weather at your destination is normally hot and sunny, don’t pack a thick jumper ‘just in case’. If you do experience a sudden cold snap, you can always buy that jumper when you’re there. Your suitcase is better off being filled with thin, wearable layers as opposed to bulky, large items that may not even get worn.

Follow all of these rules and you should be able to downsize your luggage – or at the very least have some spare room in your suitcase. When you start your holiday, you can always squeeze in a little shopping trip to fill up the extra space if you want to; it’s just another reason to make sure you pack light before you go!
If you’re thinking about booking a holiday – or even a weekend city shopping break – contact Bon Voyage to find out about our tailor-made holidays. We’ll be able to give you a quote and tailor-make your itinerary especially for you. We’ll even tell you what to pack if you like!