And the Choice is? White Sand Travel February 27, 2009

Weddings and Honeymoons are joyous occasions that require careful planning. You are excited but find the entire process a little bit daunting. So, you toggle with calling in an expert or doing it yourself. Why do it yourself? White Sand Travel has a team of Wedding and Honeymoon Experts who listen to your needs and work with you to create the wedding/honeymoon experience of your dreams.

You need someone who you can trust to take care of these intricate details so you can “Imagine and Go”. To ensure that you get the highest quality attention that your special occasion deserves, make sure that you choose someone whose focus is on honeymoons or destination weddings. If you had a heart attack, would you go to a part-time cardiologist or one who does that exclusively? If you are like me, then you want the expert not a part-time surgeon. After you’ve done so much planning, don’t assume that all reservations are the same.

A travel consultant can make sure that your reservation is just as you would like, right up to when you arrive. They can also get some of the best deals or discounts on packages because they work closely with many of the top resorts and are destination specialists. They can prearrange special services, excursions or requests that many not be possible otherwise.

Amazing Benefits from Choosing White Sand Travel

 

Certified and Licensed Specialists who are industry approved

Member of the Better Business Bureau
Affiliation with DestinationWeddings.com
Certified GI Vacation Consultant
We arrange even the most complex itinerary which saves you time and money
You receive Complimentary Destination Wedding or Honeymoon Consultation
Customized Destination Wedding or Honeymoon Planning
Service and Price Guarantee
We offer you Webinars, Romance Brunches and our Learning Center
Participation in our Couples Honor Program
Earn rewards when you enroll in our Friendship Rewards Program
Assistance with Honeymoon Registry, Save-the Date Cards and Passport Application
Your receive a Complimentary wedding website (participating resorts)
Payment plans available on select packages
White Sand Travel Blissful Beginnings (at participating resorts)
We will book add-on services: (spa treatment, dinner reservations, flowers in room etc.)
Flexible office hours
Unlimited email or phone calls regarding your travel package
Delivery of travel documents
Anything to make your experience the one of a lifetime

Preferred partners

 

Your service and price is guaranteed. There is no need to go anywhere else

Honeymoon Bliss February 27, 2009

You have looked at all the travel magazines and the numerous travel specials and you get so excited about the absolutely stunning photographs that stimulate your senses of relaxation, luxury and pampering that you envision for a honeymoon. Suddenly you think – are those pictures real? How long ago were those photographs taken and is the resort just as lovely as they make it seem on the pages? You have no doubt heard the saying, “pictures don’t lie”. Well, what if they did?

On January 12, 2009, I received a phone call from one of my clients who had just returned from his 6 night honeymoon at the Maroma Resort & Spa. His voice was very mellow as he said, “Judith, I just wanted to thank you for arranging the most amazing honeymoon we could have experienced”. He told me all about their trip and then when I asked him what he would have changed about his trip and he said “Nothing”. Can you imagine having an experience like that? That’s perfection!! I was beaming!

You see when Jason first contacted me, he told me that he had some challenges. He didn’t want the feel or offerings of a mega resort; he wanted a boutique property, gorgeous beach, meals and some specific destinations. He had a price range of $3,500.00 not including airfare. Fair enough, I thought. I went to work.

After several attempts I sent him a proposal for the Maroma Resort &Spa and he and his bride fell in love with the property. I booked the trip and suggested a honeymoon registry to help their guests be a part of their honeymoon story and memories. Jason remarked that the registry also added to their amazing experience. Could the Maroma Resort and Spa be an answer to your honeymoon dreams?

So what is so special about Maroma Resort and Spa? You don’t have to imagine it. You can experience the magic and the beauty of an eternal paradise located in a breathtaking corner of the Yucatan jungle on the Riviera Maya. The natural harmony and the spiritual relationship between land and sea come together at Maroma Resort & Spa. Here every delight has its secret language, a name and a sound breathed ritually from the heart.

The 2008 Travel and Leisure Worlds Best Awards have rated Maroma Resort and Spa as the best Hotel Spa in Latin America. Ranking them overall the fifth best Hotel Spa in the world. This list is a compendium of the best hotels as chosen by Travel + Leisure readers in their annual World’s Best Awards survey. Maroma Resort & Spa was noted for their “An unwavering commitment to preserving Mayan culture,” and their Kinan Spa with traditional Mayan treatments.

Maroma Resort & Spa offers a wide variety of leisure choices on and off-site. Enjoy the use of the three swimming pools, Cultural Palapa, or for something a little more active why not try diving, sport fishing, kayaking, parasailing, sailing, swimming with dolphins, or golf. The fabulous reefs surrounding Maroma invite you to see the huge variety of corals, colorful fish and extraordinary creatures that live just under the surface in our backyard.

The rooms and suites glow with mahogany and bamboo-filtered light, featuring unique hand-painted tiles, soft wool rugs, original art and furniture from our own workshops. King-size beds and luxury baths, some with sunken tubs, provide delicious comfort just steps away from the sparkling turquoise Caribbean sea and the award-winning beaches of the Mayan Riviera.

When you leave your room, the dining experience is one to remember with various types of menu choices to whet your discriminating tastes buds.  Maroma Beach & Spa caters to romance. I understand why Jason and Amanda fell in love with the resort. It could be your amazing experience too.

Greetings from Mexico November 14, 2008

Hello, from Mexico! Dear Readers, I am currently in Mexico visiting resorts – honeymoon and wedding hotspots on the Riviera Maya and in other areas. My time here is spent conducting personal site inspections of each and every resort I recommend to my clients. I will make sure each resort lives up to its reputation and meets the high standards I expect for the brides and grooms who trust me to make their honeymoons carefree and joyfully memorable.

My checklist includes the basics like cleanliness and attentiveness. But I also dig in deep to ensure that every aspect of your big day will be perfect. I try out the restaurants and catering menu; inspect ceremony sites; and work hard to know which resorts will be the ideal destinations for each bride with whom I work. I also meet with staff and management at each resort to determine their level of care and to give a face to my company. When I talk with them again, it will be easier to negotiate on your behalf if they have humanized me and I’m not just another travel agent.

When I return, I’ll give you the all the latest on these fabulous Mexican honeymoon and beach wedding destinations.

Sharing Love Under the Stars November 10, 2008

Congratulations! You decided to take the plunge and tie the knot!

 

Now, it’s time to plan the wedding. If you are getting married at home, Karisma Resorts provide awesome Honeymoon options. If you are thinking of getting married in a romantic tropical destination, at a truly exotic, luxury resort, read on. Can you imagine yourself getting married at an oceanfront gazebo adorned with flowers, or barefoot in the sand, or under the swaying palm trees? Then Karisma Resorts is your answer. It truly is a unique environment for a unique and special occasion.

 

A WEDDING IN THE RIVIERA MAYA MEXICO?

Mexico is one of the most exotic and romantic destinations in the world and getting married here will make your happiest day even more memorable. The Riviera Maya is a perfect place for a dream wedding. Your wedding will be followed by an unforgettable honeymoon, whether you would like to be active exploring the exciting Yucatan peninsula, or relaxing in the sun and each other’s arms. Beautiful and exotic weddings performed in Mexico are legally recognized in the United States and the cost of a totally romantic wedding and honeymoon at one of the resorts still costs only a fraction of a wedding reception back home.

ENJOY OUR PHOTO GALLERY ~ SKY WEDDING AZUL SENSATORI

WHY KARISMA RESORTS?

*Because there are several different resorts along the Riviera Maya that provide distinct locations and settings for your special occasion.
*Because Karisma resorts specialize in weddings and honeymoons. They are upscale beachfront properties, that have been created for newlyweds, honeymooners and romantic couples
*Because there are a local wedding coordinators on property who will take care of every single detail of your wedding: the location, decoration, documents and witnesses, flower arrangements, wedding cake, reception, photography and much more, all according to your needs and desires
*Because there are attractive wedding packages as well as individual wedding service options for your selection
*Because Karisma resorts even have a Chapel on property at the EL DORADO Royale which will allow you to have a religious ceremony if you so desire
*Because getting married at one of the resorts includes honeymooning at one of the resorts
*Because when you get married there, you leave all your daily worries behind and can concentrate on what’s truly important, you and your future spouse

 

Picture yourself saying “I do” to the soothing sounds of the ocean breeze and a sunset backdrop. Picture yourself and your loved one starting a new chapter together, here on the shore of the Mexican Caribbean. So take a look at the different resorts, wedding packages, and choose your perfect wedding location because the moments that define a person’s life are few and this is one which you can create and define.

Judith White Interview with Bridezilla November 9, 2008

I was recently interviewed for the wedding planning site Bridezilla. I highly recommend this site which is chock-full of fabulous tips, bargains, and unique ideas for coordinating your dream wedding. Read my interview with Bridezilla’s editor for some great ideas on planning your dream honeymoon!

TALKING ABOUT WEDDINGS and HONEYMOONS November 8, 2008

Weddings are fun, great fun but they require a lot of time and expertise – a lot of attention to detail. I remember when my son got married and we had a year to prepare – we thought we had a lot of time but before you know it we were consumed with one detail after another (and I was the mother of the groom), not the bride!

At the time my son got married, I was not a Honeymoon Consultant and we didn’t hire one. That was a mistake because they ended up going over budget on the wedding and had very little resources left to take a honeymoon. They came back from that honeymoon with less joy than they expected because it was not the honeymoon they wanted but it was all they could afford because so much time, effort and money was spent on the wedding itself.  

My Clients Rhonda and Billy

 While your wedding is extremely important, so is your honeymoon. It is the chance that you get to focus on each other after the wedding is over. Below I answer some of the most frequently asked questions from couples planning a honeymoon:

Q: How far in advance should I plan my honeymoon?
A: Start planning for your honeymoon as far in advance as possible. The more time you have to plan, the more options you will have in terms of destinations, accommodations and flights. Not to mention you can start paying on your package so you can have the type of honeymoon you really want.

Q: How much do honeymoons cost?
A: It certainly depends on your travel taste and what kind of experience you want and how long you stay. Typically, couples spend about three times more on their honeymoon than any other trip – it is the trip of a lifetime. Decide if you want luxury, a longer honeymoon or a good mix of the two.

Q:Do we need a Travel Agent?
A: With the explosion of the internet, you can plan most trips online. However, a certified Honeymoon Specialist can provide you with personalized service, knowledge, travel coordination for your out-of-town guests, all your wedding related travel needs, a Honeymoon registry, payment plans, competitive pricing, price matching, assistance with passport application, 24 hour Emergency travel service support, assistance with tours and excursions and maybe even more specialized attention. 

 

Expert May Get You Perks Like This

 

Q: Do I have to pay for the services of a Travel Agent?
A: Some travel agents do take a deposit for the time they invest in doing the necessary research to customize a package for you but they typically do not charge a fee.

Q: I do not know where to go. Can you suggest a destination?
A: Your honeymoon should be based more on YOUR lifestyle and personality and less on geography. A resort may be gorgeous with a nice beach but if you do not like the beach then why would you go there. Consider things such as do you want some adventure, do you like the beach, are you more interested in relaxation, do you like the spa, golf, water-sports. Are you a wine enthusiast? How about shopping? Let your taste and personality drive where you go and not the other way around.

 

 

 

 Q:Do we need travel insurance?

A: Travel insurance is a great idea for honeymooners, especially if you are purchasing an expensive package. Definitely discuss this with your honeymoon consultant or if you are purchasing online be sure to have a good understanding of the policy coverage.

Q: When we plan our honeymoon, is the season important?

A: The season is very important. Bad weather can interrupt a great occasion. Make sure your honeymoon time is compatible with the destination you have chosen. A summer honeymoon might place you smack in the middle of a hurricane season if you have chosen some destinations in the Caribbean or in Mexico. On the other hand, a winter honeymoon means you could have cold temperatures in much of Western Europe.

TRAVEL SPECIALIST DISCUSSES SPRING WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS November 1, 2008

 

Tropical Paradise

 

ATLANTA – Don’t let dropping temperatures and falling leaves fool you. Autumn may just have arrived, but spring weddings and their subsequent honeymoons beckon from just around the corner. Now is the time for couples with a spring wedding on the calendar to start their honeymoon planning while those dreaming of an island wedding still have time to plan a destination wedding and honeymoon that will rival their fantasies.

 

Your Honeymoon Expert

Atlanta-based travel expert Judith White owner and principal of White Sand Travel have worked in the travel industry for nearly two decades. A native Jamaican, Judith holds a degree in Hospitality Management meaning she understands hotels and resorts from both sides of the front desk. Her insider knowledge and the long-standing relationships she has built with luxury resorts and destinations around the globe make her highly qualified as a travel professional. The ideal expert consultant when writing about or planning a televised segment on honeymoons or destination weddings, Judith is CLIA, OSSN, True Certified. She holds certifications as a Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialist among many other certifications as destination and/or resort expert. Additionally, she is a GI Vacation Consultant which means she has been certified and trained as one of the few agents who can educate couples and promote the highlights and benefits of El Dorado Hotels and Azul Resorts by Karisma Hotels, one of the leading resort families in Mexico. 

 

 

Judith became interested in this specialized segment of the travel industry after watching her son and his fiancé struggle while planning their wedding and honeymoon several years ago. She says, “I saw how they could have experienced a much more satisfying honeymoon if they had relied on someone with expertise in that area to plan their trip.”

 

When asked why a couple should use a professional honeymoon or travel wedding planner rather than make their own plans or use a regular travel agent, Judith asks the obvious, “Would you try and bake your wedding cake yourself or would you hire a professional?  If you had a heart attack would you go to a cardiologist who worked part-time or did heart transplants as a hobby or would you go to a cardiologist who was dedicated and experienced in his craft? At White Sand Travel we are not travel agents or order takers. Because of our incomparable experience and valuable resources, we can provide personalized attention that will be in your interests and at the same time save you time and money. We establish a relationship with you and customize your package so you can really just ‘Imagine and Go’.” Judith and her team of honeymoon specialist brings unrivaled levels of personal service to destination wedding and honeymoon planning to exotic locations such as Mexico, the Caribbean including Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, Dominican Republic to name a few. 

Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Experts

 

 

To schedule an interview with Judith White, consult with her for a travel-related article, or book her on your program, please contact Dawn Sloan Downes at dsd creative. To learn more about White Sand Travel, visit www.whitesandtravel.com.

IS THE WEDDING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE HONEYMOON? October 31, 2008

Crystal White on her wedding day!

AND THE ANSWER IS!

Five years ago my son and his lovely bride got married.  During the engagement period, they discussed a Destination Wedding to the beautiful and exotic island of Jamaica but decided against it because they didn’t think some family members would be able to attend.  So, we spent a year planning the perfect wedding.   

 

They had dreamt of an exotic Caribbean or Mexican Honeymoon to a luxurious resort where they could enjoy the all-inclusive benefits of the resort.  However, about four weeks before the wedding,  there was no ideal honeymoon plan to some exotic tropical paradise they had once imagined.  Instead, they went on a cruise that was given to them as a gift.  When they returned, we were very surprised to learn that they did not enjoy their honeymoon.  Their regrets about their wedding: they spent way too much on the wedding and a Destination Wedding would have been better suited for them and secondly they did not plan for their honeymoon and settled for what was offered.  We all focused on the wedding and not the honeymoon and ran out of money with no plans for a honeymoon.

 

According to statistics, 99% of couples who have a traditional wedding take a honeymoon. Therefore, honeymoon planning is very important to every couple getting married.  Planning the ideal honeymoon can often be the last thing on your mind, but you want it to be just as unforgettable as the wedding. Honeymoons come in all different shapes and sizes – a getaway to an exotic all-inclusive resort, gorgeous beaches, a safari, a ski trip — and are based more on the couple’s joint-personality than on tradition. After months of wedding planning, you may want to focus on finding a luxurious and exotic resort that will cater to your every need, or search for a unique escape from the everyday world.  Imagine walking out from your beachfront cottage barefoot on to the powdery white or pink sand that caresses your toes as you look out into the crystal clear blue waters of the ocean!

 

Resorts are the most popular honeymoon destinations because they take you into another world for a miraculous escape from the daily hustle and bustle. Often set in the most picturesque places in the world, they include pools, private beaches and golf courses, as well as culinary delights and relaxing spas.

  

After Months of Wedding Planning

Started in Jamaica and but spread throughout the Caribbean and Mexico and into some other regions as well, the all-inclusive vacation is becoming ever more popular with honeymooners – and their families. They streamline the enjoyment process by including everything — your room, airport transfers, recreational facilities, meals and drinks — all in one price. Without the worries of wondering how much everything little thing will cost, you are free to live the high life and experience everything you want as often as you want it. If an all-inclusive resort sounds tempting but too stationary, consider taking a cruise. Cruises are floating resorts that whisk you away to one exotic port after another. You may consider a cultural cruise to the Mexican Riviera or a wildlife adventure up the Alaskan coast. Basically, you can enjoy whatever fantasy honeymoon experience you imagine with careful planning.

 

 CONSIDERATION FOR HONEYMOON PLANNING:

 

    o Do not wait too long to start planning for your honeymoon. Wedding experts say, start planning about 9 months to 1 year prior to the wedding
o Daydream – start imagining what you want in a honeymoon
o Decide what time of year you want to honeymoon – is it directly after your wedding or at a more convenient time
o Choose your honeymoon destination. Consider things like the weather
o Decide on a honeymoon budget. Be realistic
o Spend some time researching the destination you are considering
o Find a travel agent who specialized in honeymoon travel 

 

OFFERS AND PROMOTIONS

Save up to $2,715 when you upgrade from a Casita Suite to an Infinity Pool Swim Up Casita Suite!  Get Unlimited Upgrades for $80.00 each.  $80 gets you a category upgrade PLUS your choice of:

Laid Back Luxury

 

•   Beachfront Candlelight Dinner
• Beachfront Couples Massage
• $200 Wine Credit

EL DORADO SPA RESORTS and HOTELS and AZUL HOTELS by KARISMA