Paradise Getaways.net: Honeymoons & Destination Weddings

08/30/2026

Nobody warned us THIS was part of river cruising in Europe… 😳

We’re casually enjoying the view from the top deck when we start approaching a VERY low bridge.

And apparently everyone else on the ship knew something we didn’t…

Because they were safely watching from the deck BELOW us. 😅😂

Meanwhile, there we are thinking:

“Surely they measured this… right?” 😳

Spoiler: We made it.

But watching that bridge get closer while realizing you’re the ONLY people still standing on the top deck?

That’ll get the adrenaline going. 😂

Just another reason European river cruising might be a little more interesting than you pictured. 👀

↓ Be honest - are you staying up there with us or watching safely from below? 😂

Tami Santini

08/11/2026

I’ve been in the travel business since 2008, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

The “best” all-inclusive resort means absolutely nothing if it’s not the best one for YOU.

That’s where I come in. 😏

💍 Destination weddings
🥂 Honeymoons
🌴 All-inclusive vacations

I match my travelers with the resort, destination and experience that actually fits what they want their vacation to FEEL like.

Because there are a whole lotta pretty resorts out there.

Picking the right one? That’s the part I’m really good at. 😉

If all-inclusive vacations are your love language, you’re in the right place.

↓ Tell me: romantic escape, girls’ trip or adults-only getaway?

Tami Santini

08/09/2026

Everyone’s going to be talking about this new wedding venue… and honestly, they should be. 👀🤍

Meet Sanctuary at Hard Rock Riviera Maya.

Private ceremony space.
Ocean views.
Luxury without the “trying too hard” energy.

And this is exactly why seeing destination wedding venues in person matters.

Photos can show you the setup.

But they cannot show you how the space feels…
how private it really is…
or whether you can picture yourself walking down that aisle.

This one?

Even better in real life. ✨

Planning a destination wedding in Mexico and trying to figure out which resort actually fits your vision? I help couples narrow down the options, compare venues, and avoid choosing a resort based on pretty photos alone.

Save this for your destination wedding planning folder, and when you’re ready to find the right venue, I’m here to help.

Tami Santini

08/08/2026

I tried pickleball for the first time…and now I totally get the obsession. 🏓😂

So OF COURSE my travel-advisor brain immediately went to:

🌴 Which Sandals resorts are best for a pickleball vacation?

Here are my top picks:

🥇 Sandals South Coast, Jamaica - 12 dedicated courts and reopening November 18, 2026

🥈 Sandals Regency La Toc, Saint Lucia - 10 dedicated courts PLUS access to all 3 Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia

🥉 Sandals Royal Curaçao - 8 dedicated courts and a fantastic choice for hurricane-season travel since Curaçao sits outside the main hurricane belt

👨‍👩‍👧 Bringing the family? Beaches Turks & Caicos has 8 dedicated courts PLUS Grace Bay Beach, a water park, scuba and tons to do when you're not on the court.

But here's where this gets REALLY interesting… 👀

Have a pickleball crew that would travel together?

With a qualifying group, you may be able to EARN YOUR ROOM FREE. 🏓🌴

Yep. Play pickleball in the Caribbean AND potentially get your room covered for bringing the group together.

Want to know how it works?

👇 Comment PICKLEBALL or message me and I'll give you the details.

Tami Santini

06/26/2026

🚨 **The truth about Googling Princess Cruises phone numbers that nobody wants to talk about...**

This one honestly shocked me.

My clients were getting ready for their milestone 50th birthday Alaska cruise and wanted to make a dining reservation. Like most people would, they did a quick Google search for the Princess Cruises phone number.

The person who answered sounded completely legitimate.

They were told their cruise had been canceled and that they needed to pay a **$270 embarkation fee** to keep their reservation.

Thankfully, something didn't feel right... so they called me before giving out any payment information.

Within minutes, we confirmed it was a scam.

This is why working with a travel advisor is about so much more than booking a vacation. When something doesn't seem right, you have someone in your corner who can help you verify information and avoid costly mistakes.

If you're planning a cruise, always use the official contact information provided by the cruise line or reach out to your travel advisor before giving anyone your payment information.

👇 Have you ever received a scam call or message while traveling or planning a trip? Tell me about it in the comments.

And if you're planning your next cruise, I'd love to help make sure your vacation starts with excitement - not unnecessary stress.

Princess Cruise Lines Dine Line: 1-833-805-DINE

Tami Santini

06/18/2026

Maybe it's just me, but I find it fascinating how often people ask complete strangers where they should honeymoon or host their destination wedding.

A few minutes in a Facebook group or Reddit thread and you'll find dozens of recommendations:

"Go to Sandals!"
"You have to do Italy!"
"We loved Jamaica!"
"Definitely Mexico!"

The thing is...every recommendation is based on someone else's experience, priorities, budget, and travel style.

What was perfect for one couple might be completely wrong for another.

That's why I don't believe there's one "best" honeymoon resort or one "best" destination wedding resort.

There is only the one that's the best fit for you.

In my latest article, I share why I believe travel planning is less about finding the most popular option and more about finding the right match.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the advice online, this one's for you.

https://open.substack.com/pub/tamisantini/p/the-difference-between-travel-advice?r=20zgvh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

And now I'm curious...

What's the best travel advice you've ever received?

Why the "best" honeymoon or destination wedding resort depends entirely on who you are, what you value, and the experience you're hoping to create.

06/11/2026

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping couples see things they may not have considered.

Last week, I spoke with a couple who were set on having a Sandals destination wedding.

A few questions later, we were having a completely different conversation.

Not because Sandals wasn't a great option...but because the best destination wedding resort is the one that's the best fit for your guests, your budget, and your vision.

I shared the full story in my latest article. If you're planning a destination wedding (or just love travel), I think you'll find it interesting.

https://open.substack.com/pub/tamisantini/p/a-couple-wanted-a-sandals-wedding?r=20zgvh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

06/10/2026

↓ Be honest - buffet or à la carte breakfast? ☕️🥞

Tami Santini

06/04/2026

✨ AVA Resort Wedding Insider Series | Part 8 (Finale) ✨

One of the biggest concerns couples have about planning a destination wedding is figuring out who they're actually working with and where to even begin.

That's one of the reasons I believe working with an experienced destination wedding specialist makes such a difference.

If a couple were to choose AVA Resort for their wedding, I would be their first point of contact throughout the planning process. From there, I work directly with the resort's wedding team to help coordinate the details and keep everything moving in the right direction.

During our conversation, Maria shared more about how the process works on the resort side and how her onsite team helps bring the wedding vision to life once plans are in motion.

One thing I really appreciate is that couples have support from a U.S.-based wedding team before transitioning to the onsite resort team. When you're planning an international wedding, having multiple layers of support and clear communication can make the entire experience feel much less overwhelming.

Thank you for following along with my AVA Resort Wedding Insider Series! I hope it's given you a better understanding of what goes into choosing the right destination wedding resort and planning an incredible wedding experience.

What's your biggest destination wedding planning question? 👇

Tami Santini

06/01/2026

✨ AVA Resort Wedding Insider Series | Part 7 ✨

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Maria what she feels truly sets AVA Resort apart from other all-inclusive resorts.

One thing that stood out to me is how much emphasis AVA places on creating a modern, elevated experience… not just through the design and amenities, but also through innovation and sustainability efforts like solar panels, Tesla batteries, and saltwater pools.

And while the resort offers beautiful ocean views, I’ll continue to say honestly that if having a bright turquoise Caribbean beach is your top priority, this probably wouldn’t be my first recommendation.

But if you’re looking for modern luxury, incredible amenities, amazing dining, nightlife, and a resort experience that feels elevated and energetic, I can absolutely see why so many couples are interested in AVA.

What’s your non-negotiable when choosing a resort? 👀

Tami Santini