As the desire for destination weddings have increased we've seen trends come and go, and the latest offers our brides and grooms a wedding of their dreams in a dream destination. Destination weddings used to be thought of a quick way to tie the knot with little planning and little stress. Still this statement holds some value. Little stress, yes. Many destinations feature wedding planning services for destination weddings as well as most resorts offer wedding consultants. With the majority of our resorts and wedding packages we offer our personal planning services, which means you tell us and we do it. No words are lost in translation, no long distance phone calls, no waiting until you arrive at the property. Everything is done prior to you leaving, everything is arranged with you every step of the way.
Little planning may not be as true as it once was. Each country does require particular details before you arrive if you plan on having a legal ceremony, so some preparation of documents is required. However with our services this would all be taken care of. Other types of planning depend on the couple themselves. Which takes me to the latest trend.
Along with more modern times destination weddings are beginning to feature many of the at home wedding themes. Couples are wanting their weddings to be personalized to themselves. They're wanting to choose their colours, their flowers, their foods, etc. Many brides and grooms are wanting the wedding to be unique to them, whether it be at home or on some exotic island. This trend I love. I believe brides and grooms should have the option of having a basic wedding or having a wedding personalized to themselves. A wedding is a symbol of the love they share for each other, and it should appear to be that way. 
Along with the personalized trend more planning does come into play. The resorts we've chosen to partner with allows us the opportunity for our brides and grooms to make the choice to have a wedding "their way". It allows for flexibility when choosing music, colours, locations, foods, etc.  
So the amount of planning for your destination wedding depends on the type of wedding you are dreaming of. 
Another factor in the destination wedding is the guest list. Many brides and grooms do want to have their friends and family celebrate with them. Something we've been offering for a long time to our destination wedding packages is including some group activities during the duration of the vacation. Rather than just incorporating 1 day for friends and family to celebrate together we've come up with some fun ways to get the gang together and enjoy each others company (rather than just chilling out in the pool). Ideas like chartering a catamaran tour for your friends and family, a private lunch picnic, a private dance party, a girls spa day, a guys golfing trip. The options are endless and each destination offers something a little different!

For more details on Destination Weddings visit www.weddingbutlers.com 

Credit: Wedding Butlers

Deborah was recently featured in the Kamloops Daily Newspaper edition of Women In Business 2012.

Serves 4; Makes 1 ¼ Cups

1 tablespoon stemmed & finely chopped Habanero pepper (about 1 pepper)
2 tablespoons stemmed fresh thyme

1 tablespoon freshly ground allspice (not too fine)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
¾ cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 ½ cups finely chopped scallions (using the white and the green parts)
¾ cup soy sauce
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Place all ingredients in food processor except soy sauce and oil.
2. After finely minced or pureed, place in mixing bowl and add soy sauce.
3. Store in glass jar or clay pot.

For Meats (chicken, beef, pork)

1. Place the meat in the marinade and let sit overnight.
2. Remove meat from the marinade and grill at a high temperature until cooked through.

For Seafood (fish, lobster, shrimp)

1. Place the fish or seafood in the marinade for one hour only.  Do not overmarinate or it will break down the fibers in the fish and seafood, resulting in a mushy consistency when cooked.
   
2. Remove from the marinade and grill at a high temperature until cooked through.

Credit: Sandals Lifestyle

From the Nyam Jamaican Cookbook here is a recipe for Simple Mango Salad.
3 mangoes - peeled and sliced
4 cups of torn Romaine lettuce leaves or Arugula or mixed greens
Feta cheese

Arrange the washed lettuce or greens in a bowl. Distribute the mango slices over the top. Drizzle with a light vinaigrette. Add crumbled feta cheese and fresh pepper. Serves 6.

How to eat a mango the Caribbean way:

Choose a flat piece of concrete and dust it off. Po'ng (beat) the mango on the concrete turning it slowly to get an even pulpiness. Bite the tip of the mango skin off. Suck all the juice out of the mango. Wipe mouth on shoulder of T-shirt and continue sucking til "it dry".
 

Credit: Sandals Style Magazine Winter 2011

Brrr! The weather outside is dipping into some cold temperatures but here are a few of our best suggestions to keep warm in these winter months. And since we vacation, what better is there to warm up than by giving you our favorite warm weathered cocktails! No one said it needs to be summer to enjoy an icy margarita! So crank up the fire place, and put on your favorite bikini while you warm up with these concoctions!

Tamarind Margarita - Fairmont Mayakoba, Mexico
1 ½ ounce of Patron Silver or Reposado tequila
½    ounce Cointreau or triple sec
½    ounce of simple syrup
½    ounce fresh lime juice
1     ounce tamarind syrup

Rim glass with lime and coat with salt or Tajin fruit seasoning (optional).
Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice and blend until frothy.
Pour this mixture into rimmed glass.
Enjoy!

Dirty Banana - famous in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
1½ oz Appleton Estate V/X rum
1 oz Jamaican coffee liqueur
1 oz crème de banane
½ peeled chopped banana
1 oz single cream
1 oz milk
Blend all ingredients with crushed ice, garnish with banana slice and go bananas!

Demerara Swizzle - created in Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
50 ml El Dorado 5 year
25 ml fresh lime juice
30 ml pineapple juice
10 ml sugar syrup
bitters
Fill up glass with crushed ice, ingredients and swizzle.
Add more ice and pineapple juice if necessary and garnish with a lime wedge.
Mmmm enjoy!

Watermelon Delight - Jalousie Plantation, St. Lucia
2 oz. Chairman's Reserve rum
2 oz. Perrier or club soda
1 tsp. brown sugar
Cubed watermelon
1/2 lime juice
Mint leaves

Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice in a glass, add brown sugar, then ice. Next, add watermelon cubes, then pour rum and soda and serve with a garnish of mint or lime. Light and refreshing!

By now you should be toasty warm and hearing tropical music in your ears! Hope you all stay bundled up in this winter weather and should you feel chilly again, we suggest: remix and repeat!

Here's a new article published on Jan. 18, 2012 from HelloWestTravel.com an online travel industry magazine.

_Sandals Resorts International announced a new incentive program on Jan. 17 for its top-selling agents.  The Chairman’s Royal Club rewards agents who have produced consistent results and have demonstrated loyalty to the brand.  Club members can reap rewards for successfully selling Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.
 
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said that he recognizes the power of travel agents, and that there is no partnership Sandals considers more important.  Stewart said Sandals is delighted to recognize exemplary travel agents through membership in the Chairman’s Royal Club.
 
New western members are Ryan Bullock from Kamloops Travel World (BC), and Susan Vincent from Jetaways Travel, TPI, Saskatoon, (SK)

Published by HelloTravelWest.com

The annoying feeling of Jet Lag can interfere with your vacation big time! When time is important here are some simple tips to help minimize that sleepy, fuzzy, hungover-like feeling so you can start enjoying your trip sooner!

Check out these 7 tips!
_

_  Tip #1 – Hydrate!

Flying dehydrates you – the average indoor humidity level is about 45% but inside a plane cabin it is about 15%. Lower humidity along with increased breathing, because of high altitude sucks all the moisture right out of the air. The dry environment can increase the possibility of dehydration. Some signs of dehydration include feeling lightheaded, nausea, muscle cramps and sleepiness. These side effects combined with an internal clock thrown off can make for a rougher trip. Here’s some extra thoughts – avoid alcoholic beverages during flight, alcohol heightens the symptoms. Drink at least 8 ounces of water per hour of flight is recommended and lastly, avoid sugary drinks, and sugar in general as it spikes your blood sugar level causing you to feel even groggier.

_Tip #2 – Don’t Hibernate!

Your body responds to natural sunlight so the more time you spend outdoors enjoying the natural light the better your body will adjust to the new time zone. Allowing your body to adjust to the new time zone is a huge factor in kicking Jet Lag. Try to eat your meals at the local meal times once you have begun your vacation. The quicker you get your body (and mind) onto the new local time zone the better!

_Tip #3 – Stay Up!

Sometime it is easier said than done to stay awake once you’ve arrive your destination (especially after long haul flights!) but it’s really wise to get your body and internal clock onto that new time zone! Take a walk through the resort and check out the amenities, or walk along the beach.  Don’t worry about any strenuous activities but do what you can (preferably outdoors in the natural light) to keep your body awake. Tuck yourself into bed at your usual bedtime in the new time zone!

_  Tip #4 – Kick Caffeine!

You may be tempted to turn to caffeine to help make it through your sleepy times but a jolt of coffee will actually make it harder to sleep later on. Your body needs a good quality sleep to kick that Jet Lag’s butt, so you don’t want those coffee jitters keeping you from keeping your eyes shut. Caffeine also dehydrates your body only making your Jet Lag worse! Try to keep your caffeine to a minimum during the days leading up to your flights.

_Tip #5 – Avoid Sleeping pills!

If you aren’t already using sleeping pills on a regular basis, don’t turn to them for your flights. Even if you are used to them they still may not be your best bet. After waking up from a pill induced sleep you tend to feel groggy, which is not a great way to start off your trip into a new time zone. If you are worried about getting proper rest on an airplane or in a new bed at destination bring an eye mask and ear plugs.

_Tip #6 – Natural Remedies!

Melatonin is a common Jet Lag cure but sure only be used in very small doses (0.5 mg)and for a short period of time (2 or 3 nights). Melatonin is a chemical produced by your brain at night to make you sleepy. Your brain’s production of melatonin gets out of whack when traveling. Taking small doses at bedtime once you arrive at your destination can help your body adjust. Taking larger doses or for a longer period of time can cause side effects of vivid dreams and nightmares. You can find melatonin in most heath stores.

No-Jet-Lag is a homeopathic remedy that has been known to be very helpful in preventing Jet Lag. It has no reported side effects due to its low doses of natural ingredients: Leopard’s Bane, Daisy, Wild Chamomile, Ipecac and Clubmoss. It’s recommended that you chew one tablet each time your plane takes off and each time it lands. Also take one every 2-hours while flying. It’s best to be taken separately from meals.

_Tip #7 – Preparation is Key!

A final tip for those “professional travelers” is to start fighting Jet Lag several days before you leave for your vacation by slowly adjusting your sleeping and eating times to match your destination.  This may not be feasible due to your work or family schedule, but if you can do it, even just to a minor extent, it will give your body’s internal clock a kickstart!

 



Follow these helpful tips and you will be ready to start exploring and enjoying your vacation!
Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before taking any medications.

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