A Bohemian Honeymoon in Valparaiso – the Beautiful City of Confusion, Chaos and Contrasts.
Valparaiso, Valparaiso.
The name trips off the tongue musically.
And rightly so, as this is one of the most remarkably poetic cities in South America.
It is not surprising that this city is where famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda built one of his famous homes, LaSebastiana, the décor and architecture reflecting not only the chaotic nooks and crannies of the city, but also the naval influence of the port of Valpo, the most important Pacific port of South America. The surprises of Valparaiso make it the perfect location for the bohemian honeymoon.
When you first arrive in Valparaiso, you might not be so impressed. It looks like any other port city, with the focal point being the water, which is in fact cut off from the city itself by a railway and highway system. In fact, Valpo is actually made up of two cities: one being the “el plan”, or the flat plains of vaguely ordered streets, businesses and buildings set off from the water. El Plan is blustering with activity however – from the seafood restaurants along the boardwalk to the plazas or main squares, where one can sit on a bench on a lazy Sunday afternoon and watch the children buzz around on tricycles for 150 pesos.
But take one of the Ascensors, hill side elevators dating back to the late 1800’s, up the hills into the second part of the city: the Cerro neighborhoods. Set on the steep slopes of 42 cerros, or hills in Spanish, it is here where you will find the colorful corrugated iron houses sitting together in any way shape or form that they can. In fact, that is what it looks like – as if the buildings have grown organically out of the verdant hills, as if a giant vegetable patch of colorful sweet pepper houses tumbling all over each other.Many people do not get Valparaiso at first. It’s not the typical honeymoon vacation choice as there are no beaches to speak of and no real luxury accommodations (though Vina del Mar, a beach and resort vacation hot spot is right next door, 20 minutes away by taxi). The true adventure in Valpo is in touring the chaotic streets of the steep hillsides, admiring the bohemian cafes, jazz bars, wine bars, Tapas bars, artisan craft shops, vintage clothing shops and more. In other words – the paradoxical art which comes not only from the artisans but also rising from the port of Valparaiso into the colorful landscape of chock-a-block town houses, dressed in corrugated iron scraps which were salvaged from the shipping crates of the early port trades.
The most unique thing about these houses is that they are not beautiful – at first. The color is faded on the original houses, and through years of weathering from the sun and salt of the ocean, the sidings of many of these houses are rusted brown and orange. But there is such beauty in the wear, in thinking about what these houses have seen, who has lived in them and what kinds of poetry was inspired by their random flashes of color. And the view from the terraces of these houses and passageways is just incredible. One can see the water, the ships, and the neighboring cerros for miles, colorful as the next. Here one can spend days, weeks, exploring the labyrinthine passageways between the houses, up and down tiny stairwells, careful not to step on the many stray dogs lazing about in the sun. Street vendors peddle their artistic wares, paintings, jewelery, and one hobbyist sells remarkable miniature models (which light up as lamps) of the stunning and puzzling architecture. In Valparaiso, you have stepped back in time to a preserved port city and one of the earliest colonial communities in Chile.
UNESCO declared Valparaiso a World Heritage Site in 2003 as a colonial city that represents an excellent example of 19th century architecture in Latin America. Neruda’s fondness for this city moved him to make it one of his adoptive homes. He too could not let go of its romantic landscape of dangling houses, churches, cafes and people:
“The port is a tug-of-war between sea and nature, untamed on the cordilleras. But it was man who won the battle little by little. The hills, and the sea’s abundance gave the city a pattern, making it uniform, not like a barracks, but with the variety of spring, its clashing colors, its resonant bustle.” (Pablo Neruda, Memoirs, Penguin 1978)
Article Posted On : 8/25/2008 5:34:59 PM
Tips To Plan Your Honeymoon
Description: Planning a honeymoon can be difficult when you are in the midst of planning the wedding. This article offers tips to help you decide what to do.
Planning a wedding can be very hectic and if you have to plan a honeymoon on top of it you may have difficult concentrating on what you want to do. Many people think the only thing that they have to do is pick a location, but this can be difficult if you are not sure what you want to do.
Including your honeymoon as part of the wedding planning is a very smart idea because you are already in the mood to make things happen.
Here are some tips to help:
Decide on your budget -- as you are planning your wedding, it is a good idea to put an amount into the budget that you will use for your honeymoon. Depending on how you want to travel to your destination, you may need to include the cost of a car rental, hotels and meals.
A single vacation vs. a package deal -- in your budget planning, decide whether you will take a single vacation or a package. You can get great deals with packages especially when you try a cruise. If you choose a vacation to a city for just the two of you, it may be fun, but you may have to spend extra for things to do.
Choose a location -- what do you want to do while you are there? Although you may want to answer, "Be with my new spouse" you may find that after a day or two, both of you will look for more to do. Make a list of the things the two of you enjoy and look for a destination that includes some of these things.
Climate and weather -- although you may not think this is necessary, there are places that you don’t want to go when it is their hot season. You might want to check your locations to see how the climate and weather will when you are there.
Tourist Season vs. off season -- many people like to travel during the off seasons because they get really good deals in some locations. Make sure you check these options.
Read Reviews -- once you decide on a location, check the Internet for specific sites that tell about people’s honeymoon experiences in certain locations. This will tell you whether you really want to go.
Planning a honeymoon can be fun, but you will not want to plan it down to the letter. Leave room for flexibility in case you find something that wasn’t on the list that you want to explore.
Article Posted On : 8/25/2008 5:34:26 PM
Things to Do On Your Honeymoon to Keep the Romance Going
Description: Many couples find that when they go on a honeymoon the first few days go very well but then things start to wind down. These are some ideas that will keep the romance going.
After the hustle and bustle of the wedding, it is now time to embark on your honeymoon. You get started and the first few days are spent with you spending most of your time together, much of it in bed, and then it seems that things begin to slow down.
Of course this is what happens in most traditional honeymoons and it is something that couples can’t help. The honeymoon though is to be a special opportunity for couples to come together and start making plans for the future.
In the spirit of helping you along to make sure you have lots to do while you are on your honeymoon, here are a few suggestions:
Get a couples’ massage -- nothing is more fun than the two of you getting a massage together. Most hotels and resorts offer this as part of the package or you can get it as an extra. Let the spa staff give you the first one, and then try it again with just the two of you. Talk to each other about what you liked (or didn’t like) about both experiences.
Enjoy the sunsets or sunrises -- now is the time to slow down and enjoy each other. One of the most romantic activities is to sit on the beach or on a balcony and watch the sun set or rise. Sitting in each others arms can enhance the experience. This is particularly stunning if you are in the mountains or the beach.
Candlelight dinners -- okay, so this may seem a little corny, but candlelight dinners have been the hallmark of romantic activities since the beginning of time (okay, since the beginning of fire!) Some hotels or spa resorts have a romantic dinner in the package and will come to your room. If not, find a way to improvise.
Dance together -- although you may go out to enjoy nightlife, you can also enjoy dancing together in your room. Put on slow, soft music, a little candlelight or dim the lights and dance closely; from this point let nature take its course.
Look for romantic activities for two -- depending on where you go, you may find carriage rides, gondola rides, balloon rides, helicopter rides or many other activities that are geared just for couples. Try a couple of these if you haven’t before and you will find that a little bit of excitement can help you come closer together.
With a little imagination and creativity the two of you can come up with more activities to make your relationship even stronger.
Article Posted On : 8/25/2008 5:33:52 PM
Take a Luxury Honeymoon Vacation to Keep the Romance Going
Description: There are a variety of vacation spots all over the world that are romantic and fun. Luxury vacations are very popular because they are geared to pamper you to the extreme.
If you are looking for a way to stretch your budget and get the most you can for your honeymoon, you might try one of the many luxury vacations. The difference between these and other types of vacations is that they are a little more expensive, but you live in the lap of luxury for the time you are away.
Why take a luxury vacation honeymoon
Honeymoons are supposed to be special and it is a time when you and your significant other will come together to enjoy each other. You will eventually have to go back to the humdrum of regular life, so going on a luxury honeymoon can be just the ticket for something different.
Often this is the one and only time when you can take that dream vacation because at any other time you may think you are just too busy. When you consider the opportunity to go to France, The Swiss Alps, or to the Caribbean, and you understand that this is a life you could get used to, it makes the sense to book luxury all the way.
Types of luxury vacations for your honeymoon
The word luxury means different things to different people but when you are thinking about a luxury vacation honeymoon you are looking at something over the top. You can go to a spa resort or to an exotic location. You can travel by plane, train or cruise ship. You can take a cruise, a private jet or a private yacht. All of this can be yours if you decide on a luxury vacation.
All Inclusive Packages
Some luxury vacation spots offer all inclusive packages that give you a little of everything. Here are a few areas to consider:
Book a Cruise -- today specialty cruises are the rage for many couples because you can get more for your money than in some other ones. Once you are on the cruise ship, you are basked in luxury from start to finish. The Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Bali and other exotic places are popular for cruises.
Europe -- many people have always dreamed of going somewhere in Europe and they can get to several places in a luxury cruise.A popular spot is Venice and France, but Russia is also fascinating.
Mexico--there are many exotic places in Mexico that speak only of luxury. There are places all along the coast that can be interesting. For instance, many people go to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen to experience extra special treatment.
Article Posted On : 8/25/2008 5:33:19 PM
Romantic Cruises for Your Honeymoon
Description: There are many romantic cruises that will take your breath away. Here are a few to try.
Honeymoons are the most important time of your life whether it is your first one or one that you have taken before and they should be as romantic as you can get. Many people decide to do something a little different so a honeymoon cruise might be just what you want.
If you have never been on a cruise before, you can think about having all of your needs met in one place. A cruise ship becomes a mini-island or resort with beautiful scenery and great things to do daily.
Many people find that taking a cruise is more fun than going to a honeymoon on land because of the ambiance that is created daily.
Reasons to Take a Cruise
There are many reasons to take a cruise but here are some of the most popular:
Romance -- you can take beautiful walks along the deck at anytime and the scenery is breath taking. There are many things to do that are "add ons" that you can get to enhance the romance.
All Inclusive Packages -- on a cruise, your money may go further because you can get packages that include your accommodations, entertainment, dining and more in the same package. You also can customize your cruise so you don’t have to pay for things you don’t do.
Food -- since the food is included in the price of the cruise, you can taste new cuisine you may not have tried before and it is cooked fresh daily. You may sample old favorites as well as a variety of different cuisines (French, Asian etc.) during the same cruise without having to leave the ship.
Things to do - you will have more to do with a cruise than you would on a land trip. You will have activities planned during the day and evening, with shopping, educational tours or gambling for fun.
Accommodations -- Since you are on a ship, there are no "bad" rooms. They will all give you beautiful rooms and you can usually have a private balcony. You can also expect 24 hour room service.
If you really want to pamper yourselves, a cruise is one of the best ways to go. The staff is friendly, you get to know them, and they really want to accommodate your needs.
