| Today's Travel News |
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| · Thursday, December 11, 2003 · |
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Taking the Wedding Plunge
Destination weddings are really hot right now. And why not. In addition to having your wedding at a wonderful place, you and your friends get a great vacation as well. Lots of brides and grooms choose to get married on the beach, always a romantic setting. But for those who truly want to take the plunge, Occidental Hotels & Resorts' Grand Cozumel offers the Grand Underwater Wedding package where brides and grooms literally dive into marriage, professing their vows, with the help of cue cards, under the Caribbean Sea.
For $2800 a couple, you get a two-tank boat dive for up to four people (you and your two witnesses), an underwater ceremony, private wedding dinner for four, champagne toast, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake, massage for both, manicure and pedicure for the bride, breakfast for the newlyweds and all documents and judge's fees. Plus a wedding coordinator to handle all the necessary paperwork and marital details. Stays at the five-star resort can be booked starting at a super-low all-inclusive rate of just $149 per person, per night. Group rates are available for destination weddings occupying 10 rooms or more. Stays at Grand Cozumel by Occidental are inclusive of all meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, non-motorized water sports and more. For the honeymoon, couples can enjoy the resort's four restaurants, three bars, tennis courts, three swimming pools and of course, more dives at the famous Palancar Reef, renowned for its clear water, towering coral buttresses and 40 or so dive spots, each providing a different adventure. To take the plunge with Grand Cozumel with Occidental's Grand Underwater Wedding package, call 1-800-858-2258 or visit www.occidentalhotels.com for more information. - Judi Janofsky & Rich Steck 
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· destinations In a recent survey conducted by Hideaways International, sophisticated travelers were asked about their end-of-year holiday getaways. Nearly 150 responded and, for 57 percent, it's gotta be a tropical hideaway with waving palms, sand between their toes, and pina coladas; 22 percent are so-called traditionalists preferring home, hearth, and egg nog; 19 percent like a snowy mountain retreat, complete with pine trees, a crackling fire, and hot toddies; and only 2 percent fancy spending the holidays in a city-center hotel in the midst of the action, enjoying shopping, shows, and champagne. For More... · tours/cruises Silversea Cruises unveils a special collection of nine select voyages that will commemorate the ultra-luxury cruise line's 10th Anniversary in 2004. Each Anniversary Voyage will evoke a sense of nostalgia and feature unique celebratory events, plus an exclusive surprise commemorative gift. For More... Crystal Cruises' luxury ships have captured the top ratings for their categories in the newest edition of the Berlitz Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2004. For the eighth consecutive year, cruise ship authority author Douglas Ward has awarded the 940-guest Crystal Symphony and Crystal Harmony the highest ratings in their category. For More... · accommodations To commemorate its 30-year anniversary under the same management, Bolongo Bay Beach Club in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, is kicking off a yearlong festivities with special packages featuring $30 off nightly rates, $30 resort credit, 30 minute his & hers massages and 30 minutes use of a Waverunner. For More... The Fairmont Washington, D.C. is offering some spectacular holiday delights this season, guaranteed to make spirits bright. The Holiday Delight Package allows guests to enjoy a deluxe room, refreshments and gift certificates starting at $279 midweek, and $189 on weekends. For More... Xanterra is the first hospitality company in the United States to be granted the "Chain of Custody" certification from the Marine Stewardship Council for agreeing to use salmon from sustainable fisheries in Alaska at its park and resort restaurants. For More... · transportation Alaska Airlines unveils a new high-tech check-in counter at Los Angeles International Airport, giving customers a glimpse of the future of air travel. The new system does away with the old bottleneck at the ticket counter and allows passengers to flow through check-in in two simple steps. For More... China Southern Airlines is offering all new Internationally-recognized products from its second Duty Free catalog in 2003. For More... |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |
