travel's blog

It may not be your tropic island paradise, but Iceland’s picturesque terrain has so much to offer for a honeymoon getaway. Not only is the mid-Atlantic isle not as chilly as its name suggests, but Iceland also offers honeymooners the ultimate combination of adventure and relaxation.

You can experience the beauty of this geographically-fascinating island with a glacier exploration excursion. Or, take to the country’s various lakes and bodies of water with a water rafting, kayaking and wave-jetting (battery-powered surfboard) adventure. And don’t miss a visit to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous geothermal sensation. Splash, swim or simply float in the bubbling lagoon that teems with mineral-rich, therapeutic waters, thanks to its location in the middle of a lava field.

More Iceland plusses: The island is the closest European country (it’s only a five-hour flight from New York), and the island is English-Speaking.

Hello, my loves. You are all just going to die (in a Zoe way) over these brand new destination wedding packages by Sandals. For years, the luxury-included brand has partnered with big-name planners to bring you cool Big Day options. However, the packages themselves weren’t always as customizable as you savvy brides would have liked.

Enter stage left: The Your Wedding. Your Style. program that launched with loads of fanfare at NYC’s gorgeous Grand Central last week.

In addition to hobnobbing with Randy Fenoli (yes, girls, that Randy of Say Yes fame), I got a sneak peek at the totally customizable program. It’s so simple, so pretty, and so perfect for every bride, I’m afraid none of you will get your work done at the office. See, the program is streamlined online, so you can literally plan and re-plan your wedding all day long by choosing which Sandals property, what colors, flowers, décor option and even a DJ!

Personally, I prefer the Emerald Bay outpost, which has one of the Caribbean’s most challenging and gorgeous golf courses. I also like the idea of having bright pink flowers, or maybe peach or white and letting my guests boogie all night poolside. Or maybe they’d prefer being on one of the manicured lawns… See what I mean? Go to sandals.com and start customizing your wedding today.

If you’ve ever had a convo with me in the real world, you’d notice that the gift of gab is one that has visited me many fold. But in the air, I’m a different kind of person. I’m not one for small talk on a plane. And I’m usually obsessed with whatever book I brought onboard to chat it up. So this new pick-your-seat-based-on-your-mood service at Air Baltic might be right up my alley.

According to recent press clips on the program, the carrier will seat you based on your likes, dislikes and hobbies that they’ll cull from a secure passenger questionnaire. The first flights using the seating system will take off later this year. And the placement service comes at no extra cost.

—Jenna Mahoney

Photo Credit: Getty Images

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That’s where I come in.

Photo courtesy of gorecess.com

My über stylish frond about town (and intermittent workout buddy) Sarah turned me on to this handy little site that’s perfect for exercising when I’m on the go. GoRecess is a workout-booking engine that helps you find a host of classes (the icons for cardio are so cute—too bad all that heart-thumping makes me feel icky) across the country. Simply type in your zip code, the date and select what kind of workout session you’d like. Then you’ll get a menu of selections just for you.

All classes, from bootcamp and spinning to hot yoga and dance, are a-la-carte and there are no member fees. Of course, I think the site is honeymoon-perfect, but it’s also great for all your brides sans gym memberships who want to try out the best new barre class or Pilates trend of the moment.

Happy Sweating! Go to GoRecess.com for more info. 

—Jenna Mahoney

If you're obsessed with your pup or can't get enough of your cat, chances are you'll want to include them in your special day. Here are three hotels that not only host weddings but also have awesome pet programs.

The Muse Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel
Located at the center of the world—Time Square in Manhattan—this hotel offers both a sleek, city-style wedding and a pet-friendly atmosphere. The Muse Hotel encourages VSPs (Very Special Pets) to join the wedding party and invites them to stay free of charge. There’s no limit on the amount of pets in one room, and the hotel welcomes all sizes and breeds (talk about hosPETality!). Your pooch will be welcomed with a special basket filled with treats, a cozy bed and a list of local attractions, like the local dog park, "Canine Court" (themusehotel.com). 

Photo Credit: The Muse Hotel

Sawatdee Kaa, Hola and Hey, my fabulous honeymooners! To say I’ve been on the road loads in the past eight weeks is like saying Brad Pitt is attractive—it is inherently true. I’ve crisscrossed a few countries since February and even found a weekend to snuggle with my own special groom at the fabulous Amanyara in Turks and Caicos.

One of my favorite recent trips was a festive tour of Thailand. I’ve been to the warm (in both temperature and hospitality) Southeast Asian country before, but this trip was all about experiencing its diverse natural beauty. In the north, we stayed at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, a jungle retreat known for its celebrated cooking school. Not only did I score a master chef certificate, I also got wet, Songkran style. Songkran is the New Year celebration in Thailand that’s both religious and secular. Pouring water on images of Buddha is said to bring good luck. In the olden times, splashing elders with a bit of water on their shoulders was considered respectful. And these days, Buddhist monks sprinkle water onto worshipers to bring prosperity. On the streets, there are parades, buckets and super soakers. Staying dry is almost like an acrobatic event.

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Chiang Mai

Whether you’re a Florida bride or seeking a convenient destination wedding location with beautiful venues and vendors within easy reach, the possibilities are endless in Kissimmee, the Heart of Florida. If you are thinking about planning a Central Florida wedding, it’s in Kissimmee where you’ll find inviting and unique locations from quaint chapels to impressive resorts, from impeccably manicured golf courses to lakefront parks. You can even tie the knot under a canopy of 100-year-old oak trees or while sailing through the sky on a hot-air balloon.

At the world-class Gaylord Palms Resort, the perfect setting for your big day awaits. Imagine saying your vows amid nearly 4 acres of  lush gardens and winding waterways – all indoors under a unique glass atrium! You can choose from different sections of the atrium, each designed with a Florida-inspired theme: Everglades, Emerald Bay and Key West. The Omni Resort at ChampionsGate will also undoubtedly impress guests with its 36-hole championship golf course, stunning banquet rooms and outdoor reception areas.

In the decade that I’ve been traveling the world as an editor, I’ve seen a ton of hotels. I skipped around a bunch before I had the official title and in those days I also tested out hotels, motels and Holiday Inns—a lot. Every hotel has a positive (there was a place I saw in Cancún a few weeks ago that had eh rooms but an awesome beach and beautiful common spaces) and every hotel has, what my mom calls, a “yeah, but.” You know, that waiter who ruined the whole vibe of a fancy spot in Marrakech or the resort fees that are tacked on to every stay at a Hawaiian resort.

But Amanyara, an exclusive enclave of intimate pavilions and a collection of private villas on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos had all of the awesome and none of the yeah buts. (Ok there was one—the threat of having to sit next to Christy Turlington on the beach! Thankfully, we only saw her husband all covered up.) 

My sister doesn’t get to travel as much as I do. (I mean, who does really? It is, after all, my job.) So whenever she’s going on a biggie trek—to Dubai, Oz or, in this case, an awesome forbidden island—she often hits me up for some of my gear. Hey, isn’t that what sisters are for?

Generally, I don’t mind loaning out my wheelie bag, airplane pillow or money belt, but this time around, while she’s touring Colonial sites, I’ll be hobnobbing with some importante people in Mexico. Which means I’ll be needing my trusty travel tools.

Lucky for my sister, I just heard about the awesome plane-friendly products on offer at the Container Store. There are fuzzy blankie sets that have cool pockets to keep your electronics, slim converter sets and even mini-fans. My sister lives around the corner from a Container Store, so she’ll be able to peruse the selection before take-off on Saturday.

If you’ve got more time, all the goods are available online at the containerstore.com.

—Jenna Mahoney

Just goes to show you that you if you’re looking for an upgrade, you should dress like you belong in the upper class cabin. Pete and Penny the penguins rode from San Antonio to Atlanta the other day in first class. 


Now, I realize I’m making a bit of a joke here, but seriously, some airlines refuse to upgrade unkempt passengers. My traveling companion was denied access to business class on a flight from Bombay to Brussels because he was wearing shorts. And on a trip to Paris last year, I saw a few men in suits get the nod from the flight attendant.

So what's the real secret to scoring a flight upgrade? Wear a jacket—or even a suit. At the gate, mention you're on your honeymoon and ask if the flight is full; then say, very very sweetly, would it be possible to be put on the upgrade list? 

Also remember—you’re never fully dressed without a smile.

—Jenna Mahoney