Sadly, we’re at the end of our beautiful voyagearound the world to the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Spots. If you’ve just joined us, don’t hesitate to check out some of our previous destinations:  Turtle Island in Fuji, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa in Dominica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica and Six Senses Soneva Gili in the Maldives. 

Chumbe Island Coral Park

If you’re looking for a secluded spot to spend time with your loved one, don’t move a muscle because we have the place to you. Last but not least, is my personal favorite the Chumbe Island Coral Park located in Zanzibar, Tanzania. In this gorgeous spot, only 7 couples can be on the island a time. Can you say paradise?

Activities

If you’re an adventure seeker on this island hideaway - have no fear. There are dozens of activities to keep you occupied including the Reef Sancutuary, Scuba Diving, Nature Trails, Forest Reserve, and a Historical Monument to explore.

Accomodations

Accomodations provide the privacy and freedom you’ve always wanted. Each Eco- Bungalow overlook the sea and give you that romantic take your breath away feel that you can’t get anywhere else.

Eco-Chic Fact:

Each bungalow collects its own freshwater supply from rainwater (captured from the specially designed expanse of roof) during the rainy season. This rainwater passes through a complex filtration system and is stored in spacious underground cisterns (under each living room). The water is then hand-pumped (by either Ali, Juma or Yussuf on the Chumbe Team) through a solar-powered heating system into hot & cold-water containers for the shower and hand basin in the bathroom.

Beyond that, the open design of the bungalows, with minimal barriers to the open air, allows for maximum through-draft for cooling of the bungalows; a form of natural air-conditioning. To enhance this louvres are in place that can be lowered or closed depending on the desired temperature.

Organic Soaps can also be found on the premise produced by a local women’s co-operative in Zanzibar. Drinking water is provided by advanced filters (made in Switzerland) located on the island. These effectively clean readily available tap water from Unguja, avoiding the need for mineral water in plastic bottles (which are still available for purchase, but are not readily encouraged, as plastic bottles are a problematic environmental hazard recently introduced into Zanzibar).

Check out this beautiful getaway at their website:

http://www.chumbeisland.com/index.html

Located in Rim of Copper Canyon, Urique Mexico this Tarahumara owned lodge was built with government funding and operated by Canyon Travel. You’ll be wowed by the panoramic overlook - known as the biggest of any canyon rim lodge. 

The lodges are comfortable, environmental friendly and offer dining rooms with scenic views.  All rooms have two double beds, tiled bathrooms, and fine bed and bath linens including terry-cloth robes.

If you’re a hiker, you will find some of the best hiking in North America here. For those that are less active you can take a van and go sightseeing to a nearby stream with a waterfall.

For more information check out their website..

http://www.canyontravel.com/unoydoslodge.htm

As Always… Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

We’re almost to the end of our dash around the world to the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Spots. Check out the previous destinations we’ve already been to: Turtle Island in Fuji, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa in Dominica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica and Six Senses Soneva Gili in the Maldives.

Ranweli Holiday Village

Located in Sri Lanka, Ranweli Holiday Village is an eco-friendly resort located on a 22-acre peninsula where mangrove forests and winding rivers converge to meet the sea. If you’re an adventurer at heart, Ranweli is the perfect place to explore the fascinating history, culture and nature of Sri Lanka.

Cultivated from a coconut plantation surrounded by wetlands, architects used the spacing of the rows of the coconut trees (called the coconut grid by agriculturists) as the discipline for the design. Cutting was kept at a minimum as the bungalows were built. In fact, For each bungalow only one tree was removed and the tree trunks were used as pillars in the construction.

Accomodation

If you’re looking for a bungalow style accomodation — this is the perfect place for you. This unique ethnic style was built to resemble a typical Sri Lankan village. There are 72 bungalows and 12 riven view rooms in the middle of the forest to provide a cosy and peaceful atmosphere.          

Many Tours are offered at the location such as Bird Watching, nature walking, cycling river cruising, craft demonstrations and butterfly watching. If you’re looking to explore Sri Lankan habitat, they offer tours to the Anaiwilundawa Wetlands, Sunharaja Biosphere Reserve and to Panduwasnuwara.

Looking for a Destination Wedding?

Enjoy a tropical Ranweli wedding where the bride is ferried on a raft across the river to meet the groom in a traditional ceremony guided by dancers and drummers.  After the ceremony, the couple has the option to take a ride on a majestically dressed elephant in the Ranweli gardens before joining the wedding banquet.

At twilight, the honeymooning couple will enjoy a night cruise in placid magical surroundings along the river under a starry sky. While cruising, a 4-course gourmet meal specially prepared will be served, accompanied a bottle of champagne. A personal butler will be in attendance.

Eco-Chic Fact:

The Ranwali Holiday Village conducts all business in an environmentally friendly manner, by efficiently using their resources – water & energy – and effectively managing their waste to minimize the impact on the environment.

Check out their website for more information

http://www.ranweli.com/Index.htm

We are halfway through our sail around the world to the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Spots. If you’ve just joined us, you can check out the original article on how to travel with eco chic style on your honeymoon, and you can check out the destinations we’ve already been to: Turtle Island in Fuji, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa in Dominica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica and Six Senses Soneva Gili in the Maldives.

Tiamo Resort

Nothing says “Tiamo” better than the Tiamo Resort in the Bahamas. Located in the Out Islands, Tiamo Resort is a compliation of eleven, intimate and charming beachside bungalows near the South Bight of South Andros Island and 125 acres of natural paradise. Tiamo is the perfect place for the adventurer with kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkelling, or just exploring.

Eco-Chic Fact:

Tiamo Resort’s environmental committment is extensive. Not only have they provided sustainable measures for water, and power they regularly participate in local trash-cleaning projects,  ecotourism projects with local schools,  and involvement in events with organizations like Reef Relief, Shedd Aquarium, The Wildlife Conservation Society and The Bahamas National Trust.

The construction of Tiamo Resort is also interesting. Site clearing was done by hand using machetes and chainsaws to preserve the existing vegetation. Transportaion of materials was also done by hand, using small shallow draft boats to reduce the likelihood of the dredging that a larger vessel might do. All wood used in construction of Tiamo was precut in one area, then moved to each building site and assembled with light power tools.

Tiamo Resort is specially designed to minimize site impact. It uses passive-cooling techniques such as wraparound porches, white reflective roofs, and high-pitched ceilings, and is as energy efficient as it can be.  The buildings of Tiamo are wood frame structures constructed of nontoxic treated pine harvested from sustainable forests

For more about Tiamo Resorts extensive environmental commitment to sustainable tourism please check out:  http://www.tiamoresorts.com/tiamo/sustainableTourism.cfm

Currently the resort is going under some changes and is not taking reservations, but if you would like more information you can check out their website at:

http://www.tiamoresorts.com/index.cfm

Until then, Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

Hey There! We’re almost halfway through our Top 10 Eco-Chic Honeymoon Spot series.. We’ve been to Turtle Island in Fuji, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa in Dominica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica, and now we’re headed to Six Senses Soneva Gili in the Maldives.  

Six Senses Soneva Gili

Six Senses Soneva Gili is luxury resort and spa located in the Maldives.  For those who don’t know, the Maldive Islands is an island nation consisting of 1,192 island islets of which only 250 are inhabited. It is located just south of India’s Lakshadweep and 700km southwest of Sri Lanka. For those looking for a luxurious and intimate place for their honeymoon, Soneva Gili is perfect!

What can you expect from a honeymoon package at Six Senses Soneva Gili?

• Arrival Travel Refreshments & Drinks
• Chilled Bottle of Soneva Cuvée in the Villa on arrival
• 20 min Six Senses Spa Treatment Experience per person (min stay 3 nights)
• Sunset Beach or Sandbank Cocktail Party (Tuesdays only)
• Selection of Teas & Fresh Coffee making amenities in the villa
• Complimentary Soneva Mineral water in the villa
• Any non motorized Water sports activities (Windsurfing, Hobicat sailing and Canoeing)
• Regular Yoga & Tai chi sessions to balance the body and mind
• Sauna & Steam at the Six Senses Spa
  • 50 min honeymoon treatment per person (instead of 20 min Six Senses Spa Treatment)
  • A Candle lit dinner for the couple
  • A commemorative photo album

Eco-Chic Fact:

The core purpose of Six Senses Resorts & Spas is ‘to create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment’. They do everything they can to minimize the impact their development has as the environment. Their building materials and interiors are made of pine, telegraph poles, palm wood, bamboo and plantation teaks - sustainable materials that wouldn’t abuse the surrounding areas precious land. Interior items such as water hyacinth (the reeds that clog rivers), and papier-mâché (old newspapers covered by rice paper) demonstrate a good use of waste products.

Beyond that, Six Senses Soneva Gili invests 0.5 % of their annual revenue in projects that produce socio-economic returns to the communities and create differences in the livelihoods of people.

For more information about Six Senses Soneva Gili, please check out their website:

http://www.sixsenses.com/soneva-gili/

And as always, Happy Planning!

Amalia & Tiffany

Hi everyone! Today we’re looking at the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Spots we found on our previous blog. We’re already looked at the Turtle Island Resort, and Jungle Bay Resort & Spa so today we’re looking at Lapa Rios Ecolodge.

Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Located in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge is a vacation spot surrounded by luscious forests and beautiful beaches. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges and are connected by walking paths and steps. It is built over 350 feet above the sea so you’ll catch the cooling tropical ocean and forests breezes.

The main lodge is located 50 feet up and, like the private 16 bungalows, is built of locally harvested materials and have intricately woven palm thatched roofs. Climb the lodge’s 3 story circular stairway to overlook the forest canopy and breathtaking ocean vistas. Comfortable, locally made bamboo furniture and huge decks aid relaxation amidst pristine nature.

Eco-Chic Fact:

Lapa Rios Ecolodge is more than just a beautiful rainforest hotel or an eco resort near the beach. Lapa Rios is a model ecotourism project demonstrating that “No matter how you cut it a rain forest left standing is worth more.”  The resort has won numerous worldwide awards for social and environmental excellence, and is a featured sustainable tourism pioneer in many international publications and research projects. The ecolodge employs only community members, is committed to environmentally sound practices and has been awarded Costa Rica’s highest sustainable tourism certification (CST).

A Honeymoon by Lapa Rios

Lapa Rios will let you create the romantic honeymoon that you have always dreamed about:

For more information about the Lapa Rios Ecolodge, please check out their website:

http://www.laparios.com/index.html

As always, happy planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

Hi everyone! Tiffany & Amalia here exploring the top 10 eco-honeymoon spots for your viewing pleasure! If you haven’t already checked out our previous post on Eco-Honeymoon Spots please do! Also if you missed out on our first post on Turtle Island in Fiji, go back and give it a read… Now off to Dominica!

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa

The Jungle Bay Resort & Spa can be found on the island of Dominica, located in the Carribean Sea. What can you find in Dominica you wonder? The ultimate in natural beauty with gorgeous waterfalls, natural hot springs, crisp clean rivers and the the world’s second largest Boiling Lake. Not only can you get the relaxing benefits of a resort, but they also offer a fully equipped spa for all your body needs.  And for the athletes in all of us they offer yoga retreats and boot camps for those looking to add a workout to their relaxing vacation.

Romantic Honeymoons

At the Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, you can expect to start you new life together in your very own private luxurious Jungle Cottage… semi outdoor showers, romantic evenings, sleeping in to the sounds of the rolling ocean surf & swaying trees and waking under the rainforest canopy, sunlight filtering through the trees with the chirping of banana birds. At Jungle Bay you can hike to waterfalls, mountain bike, snorkel, kayak by day and pamper yourselves with massages, facials, and and a mani/pedi by night. Enjoy fine romantic poolside dinners overlooking the glistening sea under the stars by night.

Looking for a Romantic Destination Wedding Spot?

How about getting married by a stunning waterfall or under a moonlit Caribbean sky in Dominica’s lush tropical jungle? At Jungle Bay Resort & Spa your dream wedding can come true.

Eco-Chic Fact:

Jungle Bay recognizes that air travel to Dominica puts a stress on the environment. The resort and the community is committed to preservation of 55 acres at Jungle Bay + hundreds of surrounding acres of jungle which border the resort including Morne Trois Pitons National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site. This community effort to continue preservation of the rainforest does not require tree-planing so in lieu of an official carbon offsetting program, Jungle Bay and the community encourage guests to consider supporting the Jungle Bay Community Fund in any way that they can

Some Eco Adventures you can Expect at Jungle Bay Resort & Spa

Jungle Spa Adventure

Jungle Spa Adventure & Dive

• Hike in the Rainforest
• Play in Waterfalls
• Enjoy the Wellness Spa
• Stay flexible with Daily Yoga Classes
• Cultural Experiences unique to Dominica
• And now.. SCUBA DIVING.

For more information about the Jungle Bay Resort & Spa please don’t hesitate to check out their website at:

http://www.junglebaydominica.com/

As always.. Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

In our previous post on Eco-Honeymoon  spots we listed the ten most popular eco spots in the world. Now we’re bringing you a series where we go through them one by one. So sit back and enjoy and dream a little with us!

Turtle Island Resort

Turtle Island Resort is a beautiful eco-chic travel spot located in Fiji. It’s uniqueness lies in the fact that only 14 couples can be on the island at a time, and the client managers will work with you to plan your dream vacation.

Once you set foot on the island you will meet your “Bure Mama” your own personal island liaison. The Bure Mama is responsible for laundry and housekeeping, acting as your guide on island tours, even your photographer as they will work to capture images of you for the Memory Book that they give you at the end of your trip. 

Your Bure Mama will also be given a digital camera to capture images of you (with your consent, of course), so that they can provide a “Memory Book” full of pictures and personal touches.

There are no malls, highrises, tennis courts, televisions or billboards on the island. Through an intensive reforestation program, over 500,000 trees, 100,000 of which are Mahogany, have been planted on the island in the last 28 years. The trees encourage ecological diversity, re-establish indigenous forests, prevent soil erosion, create windbreaks, and add to the natural beauty. Moreso, their four-acre organic garden provides the island with fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, and spices.

If you’re thinking about honeymooning in the beautiful Turtle Island, check out their website for more information:

http://www.turtlefiji.com/