In Dominica, weddings are beautiful and price is right

Photo by Jungle Bay Resort & Spa

Because June is the month of brides, let us think about weddings and honeymoons. Have you considered Dominica? With its Caribbean locale, natural beauty, waterfalls and rainforests, Dominica (pronounced dom-in-EEK-a) has earned its nickname of The Nature Island. What's more, many hotels are offering packages for newlyweds. Among the deals:

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa – The Escape Weddings and Honeymoons coupon special gets you $500 off your reservation and includes a professional wedding planner. The special is valid on reservations booked by Aug. 31, with rates beginning at $1,500. If booking, refer to coupon code wedding09. For more information, click here or call 767--446-1789.

Calibishie Cove – This waterfront boutique guesthouse has a Caribbean Honeymoon package, which includes seven nights’ accommodations in the Paradise Penthouse, a bottle of champagne, extra flowers, one candlelight dinner, one waterfall tour and a one-day kayak rental. Rates begin at $1,595 per couple. Visit http://www.calibishiecove.com/ or call 813-417-8448.

The Anchorage Hotel – The hotel's Honeymoon Package includes seven nights’ accommodations, a welcome drink and fresh fruit platter, a bottle of champagne, daily breakfast, one five-course private candlelight dinner, airport transfers, one whale and dolphin safari tour and one trip to Screw’s Sulphur Spa. Rates begin at $1,699 per couple. Visit http://www.anchoragehotel.dm/ or call 767-448-2638.

Calibishie Lodges – The Honeymoon Special includes four nights’ accommodations, airport transfers, a private driver and car, a welcome honeymoon drink, a bottle of champagne, flowers, daily breakfast, and excursions including a hike to Chaudiere Pool, water tubing in Concord and a visit to the Indian River and National Park. Visit http://www.calibishie-lodges.com/ or call 767-317-1843.

Rainforest Paradise – The Couples Package offers accommodations in a river cabin, daily breakfast, and a tour and lunch at the Rainforest Mushroom Farm. Rates begin at $840 per couple. Visit http://www.rainforestparadise.com/ or call 767-449-3074.

Crescent Moon Cabins – Located in a moonlit valley and surrounded by forest, farm and tropical flowers, Crescent Moon Cabins is offering newlyweds a five-night stay in rainforest cabins overlooking the Caribbean. The special includes daily organic dinners for two and private tours upon request to Boiling Lake, Morne Trois Pitons and any of the waterfalls. For more information visit http://www.crescentmooncabins.com/ or call 767-449-3449.

Dominica is located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. For island information, visit http://www.discoverdominica.com/ or call 866-522-4057.

A travel joke, of sorts

While visiting a Mayan temple, a tourist asked the guide how old the structure was. "This temple is 1503 years old," the guide said.

"How," asked the tourist, "can you give such an exact figure?"
"Easy,"replied the guide. "The archaeologists said the temple was 1500 years old, and that was three years ago."

Celebrating July 4 in Kennebunkport, Maine

The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, has good reason to call its Fourth of July Package Red, White and Blue. The two-night (July 3-4) package includes a sunset cruise on the resort's  red Rugosa lobster boat, private surfing lessons on the white caps of the Atlantic and kayaking on the blue waters of the Kennebunk River. Also included are  July 4 fireworks and a lobsterbake under the stars, featuring a 100-piece concert band, a breakfast buffet for two each morning, and a red, white and blue bag of goodies. Additionally, the package includes red, white and blue themed libations and  culinary creations from red raspberry snow cones to white chocolate lobsters and  blueberry pancakes and more.  Pricing starts at $469 per person plus tax.

Click here call 800-552-5651.

Fascinating fact

The Great Lakes contain about 6 quadrillion gallons of fresh water.

The squeeze is on, more than ever

From the Wall Street Journal: "New Boeing 737-800s now being delivered to American Airlines have the same-size cabins as the existing 737-800s in American's fleet. But the new planes have 12 more coach seats, pushing the total number of seats to 160. Delta Air Lines Inc. has also added 10 seats to its 737-800s, raising the total to 160. So has Continental Airlines Inc."

And speaking of airplane seats ...

I submit that airline seats should be able to recline only about half the distance they do now. A passenger in full recline either puts the person behind him in a most uncomfortable position or forces that person to recline, too. Then the passenger in the next row faces the same unenviable choice. Dominoes, anyone?