Holly Maguire with Escapio paints a picture of Berlin that will be hard to turn down for upcoming honeymooners. Read more about all the luxury and intimacy that can be found in Germany.

As the culture capital of modern Germany, Berlin is able to offer some of the most romantic experiences. From the quirky, intimate cafes and bars in the back alleys, to the skyline at sunset, to the classic horse-drawn carriage ride, Berlin is a feast of romantic getaways options.

Believe it or not, Berlin boasts even more bridges than Venice. A leisurely boat ride through the city at sunset is the beginning to a perfect evening for two, especially along the channel Spree, which offers views of the Prussian-era architecture lining the banks. If the cool river air has built up an appetite, take your beloved to the rotating restaurant that is located in the Fernsehturm, an ideal romantic location with panoramic views across the city. The varied architecture dazzles all year round – whether in summer’s endless blue skies or the deep snow of winter. What a backdrop for a marriage proposal or candlelight dinner on a honeymoon! Mixing romance, luxury and relaxation is easy with multiple spas to choose from in Berlin. These are the ideal places for a couple to have fun together, as well as indulging in a little pampering. Take advantage of the massages and mud baths that are specifically designed for couples. For lovers who enjoy the outdoors, head to the Wannsee, a beautiful lake less than half an hour from the center of Berlin. This green and tranquil area is perfect for hand-in-hand strolls or hiring a boat (perhaps with a picnic basket and bottle of bubbly) for an idyllic afternoon spent rowing.

There are numerous romantic hotels in Berlin that are designed very much with couples in mind. The newly opened Soho House Berlin for examples, combines innovative interior design and some stunning Bauhaus architecture. The ackselhaus & bluehome boutique hotel is located in trendy Prenzlauer Berg, the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city’s cafes, bars and restaurants. Inside each room is designed with a different theme – ocean, movie, honeymoon… providing an ambience perfectly intimate after a busy day. The Da Vinci Suites offer a little slice of old Italy in the heart of Berlin.These stylish rooms draw on the romantic décor styles of the late 19^th century, and come complete with wrought-iron four-poster beds and lush furnishings. Each suite has a balcony for views, over cosmopolitan Berlin at breakfast or with an evening aperitif in hand.

Berlin hotels are just a handful of the luxury, boutique and design hotels perfect for honeymooning couples.

Are you planning your honeymoon in Germany?  Give our upcoming brides tips and travel suggestions while they are visiting!

You begin by heading over to Lanai or Molokini to snorkel, if you are traveling during the winter months, November – January, you sail right through a large area for whales.  Whales pop up everywhere around your boat.  The law is you must stay 100 feet away from the whales, apparently the whales aren’t aware so they will pop up a few feet away and all we can do on the boat is kill the motor, watch and wait. After a relaxing sail across the water, you come to the island of Molokini and jump into the blue water to see some of the most unbelievable tropical fish you can ever imagine. After swimming for an hour with the unique fish of Hawaii, you are whisked off to Turtle Town where you swim with turtles as big as you.  These turtles will swim right up to you and say hello.

The trip home is relaxing and exciting all at the same time.  Soak up the sun, enjoy the whales and the calming sounds of the water while eating a delicious BBQ lunch on the boat.

Flyin’ Hawaiian Zipline is a brand new course offering eight different lines to zip on, including the longest and most amazing ride in Hawaii.  The final line on your trip is 3600 feet in length, which ends up leaving you nowhere near land for about a minute! This course starts at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu and ends in Maalaea… two completely different towns!

When you first arrive, your guides for the trip get you set up in the equipment and give you the standard safety rundown.  You learn the two moves that will help you glide gracefully and stop when necessary. After a very rocky and rugged 4-wheel drive up a hill, you begin a short hike to the first practice line.  Once you have perfected the moves – they send you on the second longest line right away.  The guide lifts you up and lets you fly – your first thought is ‘I can’t believe I am doing this,’ followed by a tremendous appreciation for the untouched scenery around you. You are able to sit back, enjoy the ride and take a moment to savor the greenery.

While on the tour you learn a bit of history about the land.  In order to make money off of the land the owner was looking to sell it, and in an act to save it from being developed a friend of the owners came up with this zipline adventure.  To help reduce their mark on the land the guides take with them a new state flower plant on each trip to add to the land.  Once you get to the side of the mountain they have designated for planting, you plant and water your team’s new flower and than you use water bottles and help water the flowers planted on past trips.

This is not a scary, adrenaline pumping ride, you will be surprised how relaxing and almost peaceful this trip is.  You are able to sit and glide through untouched beauty and look over views that not a lot of tourists or locals get to see. ** This is a must do when you visit Maui!**

Step Two: Drive safely. There are a lot of one way bridges and curves on the drive, you never know when to expect another driver around the next turn.

Step Three: Make sure you stop and enjoy the scenery.  There are designated places to pull over and I highly suggest you take advantage of each one!  Hidden waterfalls, deep valleys and coastal views await you!

Step Four: Plan ahead.  It is a long drive and while you will love every bit of scenery, there are only a few restrooms and restaurants.  Bring food because when you finally get to Hana you have about three choices of places to eat, none are too enticing.  Bring a packed lunch with you and pull over at one of the stops and eat while taking in the beauty.  Also, it is around a 6 hour round trip drive three hours each way. So don’t expect to be back before lunch.

Diamond Head has always been a defining feature of the view known to Waikiki. The volcanic cone is a United States State Monument in that part of it serves as a platform for antennas used by the U.S. government and is closed to the public.   The crater’s proximity to Honolulu’s resort hotels and beaches makes the rest of it a popular destination for tourists.

A .75 mile hike leads to the edge of the crater’s rim. Signs at the beginning of the trail say that the hike takes 1.5-2 hours round-trip, and recommends that hikers bring water and flashlights. Although not difficult, most of the walk up is on unpaved trails winding over uneven rock in addition to two steep uphill climbs on stairs, each set is 75 – 99 steps up!  This is a great change from Waikiki beaches and crowds.  You get a chance to see untouched beauty on Oahu and truly appreciate the land you are spending your honeymoon on.

You will find what is called the ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ stretch of beach that begins in Haleiwa, a famous surf town, and ends in Turtle Bay.  If you are lucky you will come on a day when The North Shore is host to one of the numerous surfing competitions that take on these massive waves.  Grab a plate lunch from one of the many roadside stops and sit out on the beach and watch the brave souls ride these treacherous pipelines.  My only requirement is that you drive to Matsumoto’s and order Shave Ice (NOT shaved ice)!  I can’t put my finger on it, but this is the best shave ice you will experience on the island – and it is located here on the North Shore in Haleiwa!

If you are a beginner and are interested in trying the waves yourself there are areas on the beach where they can give surf lessons.  You might not be hitting up the 20 foot waves quite yet, but soon enough you will get the swing of it!  Be careful not to get in over your head, most of the main beaches do have lifeguards and if they think you aren’t prepared to handle the level of waves they will get on the loud speaker and call you in.  This is for your own safety and the safety of the surfers around you – those waves can have a mind of their own sometimes.

Research costs.

Plan for a Long Trip.

Pack Lightly.

Expect to be tired.

These are the few flying laws of going to Hawaii.  Start early and sign up for the travel deal websites such as Airfare Watchdog, Priceline and Travel Zoo.  They will send you weekly updates and help you find the right time to book.  Once you get a feel for the general prices, when you see a good deal JUMP ON IT!  If you want a good price on your ticket, I would expect a layover in LA or Seattle.  If you want to spend the money and not deal with the travel hassle, than you can get a direct flight (but it will cost you!).  From Chicago the flight takes about 9 – 10 hours typically with an hour layover.

My favorite way to get to and from Hawaii is to fly the red eye.  Leave Hawaii at 11 PM and fly overnight to your destination.  This is only best if you can sleep on a plane.  Expect a long trip!  No one enjoys sitting on an airplane for 6+ hours (especially if you are the lucky one with the middle seat), bring books – update your iPod – or take sleeping pills!  One of the three will get you through the flight.  I encourage you to take advantage of the layover to stretch your legs.  Walk around and get some food because the airlines no longer offer you a bite to eat more than some peanuts or pretzels on the flight.

Above all – pack light!  If you are hopping islands from Oahu to Maui and Kauai, you will be going through security numerous times and the chance of something happening to your luggage only increases!  What more do you need in Hawaii than a few dresses, flip flops and 2 or 3 bathing suits.  Wear anything bulky such as a sweater or tennis shoes on the plane with you to save more room in the carry on. Especially on your honeymoon you won’t be thinking about the stilettos  in your closet, when you are spending quality time  in the sunshine.

Expect for the both of you to be tired after traveling 10+ hours.  Be careful, although you will be still on a high on your honeymoon, I personally get cranky after not sleeping and having to sit in a small seat for a long period of time.  Even though I don’t want to take things personally, every comment and movement is heightened – so be patient with one another.  Especially focus on each other’s needs, and every now and then give your new wife/husband a kiss to make sure they are still smiling.

Spend the month of February traveling the islands with me as I discover new and exciting adventures for the two of you in Hawaii. Good Luck and Happy Travels!!

I am off on a three island, 11 night hop through the Hawaiian Islands.  When I come back I will have plenty of suggestions for all of you brides heading to Hawaii on your honeymoon!

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Your honeymoon will be romantic whether you are in the middle of a hut in Bora Bora, or in a random hotel in the middle of nowhere. The point is to get away, relax and enjoy the first moments of being married in pure bliss!

I have always loved the breathtaking pictures and thought of Bora Bora but have yet to make the trip out there! I want to hear from brides that choose to spend the week in a hut over the water in a romantic heaven!  Stories are welcome!

Check out their special Honeymoon Package:

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has launched the Hyatt Gift Registry, where couples can register online for a variety of amenities, services and accommodations at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide!  Imagine dinners on the beach, scuba diving or an anniversary stay at a favorite hotel on a gift registry?  It’s an ideal option for the couple who has everything!

Guests make a contribution towards Hyatt Gift Cards (redeemable at Hyatts in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean) or Hyatt Check Certificates™ (redeemable at Hyatts worldwide). Just like traditional registries, couples are notified as gifts arrive and they can make revisions with just a few easy clicks. Best of all, there are no expiration dates or blackout dates so any extra honeymoon credits can go towards future vacations, spa treatments, etc.
And if you’re planning a destination wedding, couples who wed at a participating Hyatt property (in the U.S., Canada, Cancun, Mexico or Aruba) by June 30, 2010 will receive up to five complimentary nights towards their honeymoon.  (YES, I said 5 Nights!)  You earned yourself a relaxing honeymoon, so take the time off to truly enjoy it!

Have you had a destination wedding at a Hyatt?  What exotic location did you choose?