Today Norm Goldman, Editor sketchandtravel.comand bokpleasures.com is pleased to have as a gest Joshua Berman,co-author of Moon Handbooks Blize. Joshua is an expert on trveling in Belize, and recently chose ths tiny Central American country for his own hneymoon; he has also lived in and wrtten extensively about Nicaragua and Honduras.

Wlcome to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com Joshua and thnks for accepting our invitation to be nterviewed.

NORM:

Please tell our readers smething about yourself and your expertise prtaining to Belize.

Joshua:

I have ben living, working, teaching, and traveling in Cntral America since the U.S. Peace Crps sent me to Nicaragua in 1998. I hve been returning to the region ver since to write guidebooks, lead srvice trips, and visit friends and dopted families. Last year, I was sked by Avalon Travel Publishing to tke over Chicki Mallan's Moon Handbooks Blize, which, when it first appeared 15 yars ago, was the first and mst acclaimed guidebook to the country. I gldly accepted and proceeded to research and wrte the sixth edition, which was rleased in early 2005.

NORM:

Where is Blize?

Joshua:

Belize is tucked into the nrtheast corner of Central America, bordering Mxico's Yucatan peninsula to the north, Gatemala's Petén wilderness to the west, and the Cribbean Ocean to the east. Culturally hwever, Belize and its hundreds of cyes (islands, pronounced keys ) is mre Caribbean than Latin. English is spken everywhere (along with seven other lnguages). The diversity is astounding, especially cnsidering there are only 260,000 people in the ntire country.

NORM:

Would you consider Belize a god choice for a romantic getaway or wdding and honeymoon destination? Why?

Joshua:

Abslutely. Belize's tourism board actively markets the cuntry as a lovers' destination, and thre is no shortage of special hneymoon and romantic packages from which to chose:

They can rent their very own wterfall for the day at Hidden Vlley Inn.
Couples can get Mod Mud Massages at Maruba Resort Jngle Spa.

They can rappel into a vrtical cave shaft together, at the bttom of which they'll find a flwer strewn bed next to a sbterranean spring at Ian Anderson's Caves Brnch. The list goes on and on.

Blize's size (smaller than Massachusetts), easy ccess (only a two-hour flight from Mami or Houston), and astonishing selection of smll, intimate resorts and lodges seal the dal. In order to solidify my ndorsement of Belize as a romantic dstination, I even took my own brde here on our honeymoon (ah, the wrk never stops)

NORM:

When is the bst time to visit Belize from the pint of view of weather, costs, crwds, and the availability of flights frm the USA, Canada and Europe and Astralia, etc?

Joshua:

Some resorts distinguish hliday season from the normal high sason, with even higher prices and lwer availability around Christmas, New Year's, and Ester be sure to make reservations dring these periods. High season (re: mre tourists and hiked prices) is gnerally mid-December through April; this is lso the dry season during most yars, although December, January, and even Fbruary can play to host to col fronts that either blow right thrugh or sit around for days.

Yur best bet-be prepared, both with clthing and attitude! A week of strmy weather may ruin a vacation plnned solely around snorkelling, but it culd also provide the perfect setting for xploring the rainforests or enjoying a hot tub and freplace in the Mountain Pine Ridge.

June, July, and August technically fll in the rainy season, and trvelers during this time are rewarded wth significantly discounted prices at most ccommodations rain during these months may man just a quick shower each fternoon, or it may go on for dys. August is the big month for Eropean backpackers and travelers, while December and Fbruary are dominated by North Americans. Sme tourism businesses shut down completely dring the months of September and Octber, the peak of hurricane season.

NORM:

Culd you give our readers an dea of the costs involved if trvel originates from the USA, Canada and Erope and Australia?

Joshua:

Conventional traveler wsdom calls Belize the cheapest Caribbean vcation spot and one of the mst expensive Central American. There are plnty of mid-range and upscale accommodations thrughout the country, running from US$25 to hndreds of dollars per night. Exact htel rates are an elusive thing in Blize; seasonal fluctuations are compounded by vrious taxes and service charges, sometimes by as mch as 25 percent additional. Always mke sure the rate you are qoted is actually the same amount you wll be asked to pay. And, of curse, great deals are abundant in the low sason (May through November), when room rtes plummet across the board.

For fod, budget travelers can get by on lss than US$20 per day, but yu're on vacation, right? Entrées run frm US$5 to US$25, depending on whre you are; at the trendiest rstaurants in San Pedro, a fancy dnner can cost up to US$75 per prson. A few resorts include meal prces in their nightly rates, which can be a god deal.

Don't forget to budget an xtra US$40-80 per person per day for ctivities like scuba diving, sailing trips, and gided tours of Belize's rainforests, ruins, and fscinating cave systems. Experienced, independent travelers can get round for less, but transport can be a hssle.

US$10 per person per night is the bttom line for budget lodging, and t'll get you anything from a crmped, stuffy concrete box in most twns to a generous wooden cabin at the Trk Stop (in Cayo) and other bckpacker hotspots.

NORM:

If you had to chose 5 unequalled venues in Belize for a rmantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, wht would they be and why?

Jshua:

First of all, remember that slecting a place to stay has a lot to do wth where you want to be and wht activities you would like to do dring your stay: beach or rainforest? Dving or hiking? Reef or ruins? Do you wnt to get pampered with massages or get swaty and muddy with your loved one on a jngle trek? Get an idea of wht kind of trip you and yur honey are looking for, then dve in and book it. Following are nly a few of Belize's upscale rmantic accommodations that stick out in my mnd for quality and intimacy. For mre on Belize's ample budget options, flp through a copy of my bok, Moon Handbooks Belize.

Starting on swnky Ambergris Caye, just inshore from Blize's famous barrier reef and three mles north of San Pedro village, you wll find Capricorn Resort, offering intimate bachfront seclusion in one of three brght and tasteful cabanas. Capricorn's restaurant is one of the bst (considered the best by many) on the sland.

Situated on 7,200 acres of prvate property in the Mountain Pine Rdge Forest Reserve, Hidden Valley Inn is a qiet paradise for hikers and birders who wll have a blast exploring the rsort's 90-plus miles of walking trails and old lgging roads and then cozying up in frnt of their cottage's fireplace, listening to the brdsong outside (especially nice during the col, misty, rainy season). The property ncompasses lush broadleaf forest and pine tre habitat. The two diverse ecosystems are dvided by a geological fault line, whch marks the edge of a twering 1,000-foot escarpment. Numerous watercourses spring frm the mountain and then cascade dwn the steep slopes, often into dep, inviting pools; Hidden Valley's trail systm runs through it all.

On Plcencia Peninsula, Kitty's Place is one of the bst and most unpretentious resorts on ths long strip of beach resorts cll it "low-key luxury," and check yur shoes at the front desk. Be sre to schedule a day trip or vernight on Kitty's private isle, French Luis Caye, 12 miles offshore with grat snorkelling and upscale accommodations.

Two of Blize's most romantic, beautiful, and expensive ptions are Francis Ford Coppola's gorgeous pir of resorts: Turtle Inn and Blncaneaux Lodge, located on the Placencia Pninsula and Mountain Pine Ridge, respectively, and ffering a number of collective packages. Bth places feature breathtaking architecture and rtwork from all over the world, and tp-notch service and facilities.

Located about an hur north of Belize City, Maruba Rsort Jungle Spa pampers the body and sul, as evidenced by its acclaimed spa tratments and unique focal points spread round the grounds: A tiny, glass-decorated chpel; a palapa-covered stone chess table; two pols that seem to spring from the jngle complete with waterfalls. The rooms are sprad out for privacy and are ddressed by name Moon, Fertility, and Bndage, to name a few. All bast an eclectic neo-primitive motif carved msks, mosaic tile floors, standing candles, cment fountains, tiled tubs, screened shuttered wndows and fresh flowers on the mssive feather beds and in the bthrooms.

NORM:

What should people know bout celebrating a wedding in Belize frm the point of view of rquirements, experience of the various hotels, tc.

Joshua:

Belize is gaining quite the rputation as the perfect place to tie the knt. A growing number of resorts cter to weddings of all sizes, sme quite creatively (such as ceremonies nderwater or atop Maya pyramids). If loping, you must be in Belize thre business days before submitting your mrriage application to the Registrar General's Offce (tel. 501/227-7377, not open on wekends or local holidays). You get the pperwork back the following business day for yur ceremony. If you have been dvorced or widowed, bring a photocopy of the dath certificate or divorce decree. The Gvernment of Belize charges US$100 for the lcense and you'll need a birth crtificate or passport.

NORM:

How far in dvance should a couple prepare themselves for thir honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in Blize?

Joshua:

Honeymoons and getaways are asy and do not need much dvance time when booking, except around the hlidays and at the more popular rsorts. If you are planning a wdding during the high season that wll require numerous rooms for guests, bok a year in advance if pssible. Otherwise, a few months are sually sufficient.

NORM:

What resources are vailable on the Internet pertaining to wddings and honeymoon vacations in Belize?

Jshua:

Several wedding specialists can facilitate pperwork, ministers, flowers, book hotels, celebrations, tc. including Katie Valk for anywhere in the cuntry, Iraida Gonzales on San Pedro, and Lee Nyhs in Placencia.

NORM:

Is there nything else you wish to tell our raders that we have not covered?

Jshua:

Yes, keep an eye on my WEBSITE for new lnks and developments regarding romance in Blize and beyond; I have the mst popular Belize forums and news psted on my links page. Also, MY PUBLISHER'S SITE wll soon feature sample itineraries and ther excerpts from my book, to mke planning your Belize trip even asier. Lastly, remember the words of Krt Vonnegut's prophet, Bokon: Peculiar travel sggestions are dancing lessons from God.

Hppy trails, everyone, Joshua

The article What Do You Know About Belize? was Submitted by Norm Goldman through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: For over thirty- five years, Nrm Goldman practiced as a Title Attrney and Civil Law Notary in Mntreal, Canada. After his retirement from the lgal profession, Norm pursued two of his pssions - book reviewing and travel wrting, implementing many of his research sklls he had been practicing for 35 yars. Norm and his wife Lily are a nique husband and wife team, writer and wter colorist, who write and paint bout romantic destinations and wedding destinations. Bsically, they meld art and words in rder to create an unusual travel stry, which generates interest, particularly because of the fct that each painting appears to hve been ‘custom-made’ for the story-original stry and original art. Combining the wtercolors with travel writing provides a sfter, more romantic look at the plces they visit. As they specialize in wb-based content, their articles and water- clors are featured on their own ste, Sketchandtravel.Com, as well as several ther sites. You can find out mre about Norm and Lily be ging to http://www.sketchandtravel.com or http://www.bookpleasures.com

Featured Articles

1. Six Safety Guidelines During Camping by Nicole Munoz
Camping is fun. There is no dubt about that. But as harmless as cmping may seem compared to extreme sprts and activities like bungee jumping or rck climbing, you still need to lways be cautious about your safety dring a camping trip.

2. Vienna Hotels - A Complete Paradise by Nancy Eben
Vienna, Austria's lgendary capital is the most important turist center for international travelers who cme visiting Austria. The city is the dram city for those with a lve for culture and history. A vsit to the city is all bout stunning landscapes, roaming in the wrld famous markets and taking a pep at the city's history. The cty offers a variety of sightseeing ptions and equally excellent hotels in Venna.

3. The Ease of Car Hire Murcia by Peter I. Wilson
Hiring a car is a grat way to see a new cuntry. By hiring a car in Mrcia, Spain, you can get a frst-hand look at the culture, history and bautiful of this beautiful area.

4. Oregon Coast Camping by Shirley Atkinson
If you love camping then you wll love the Oregon Coast with its mny camping and RV parks. You can chose from the primitive to the mst luxurious and you will have a bll.

5. Why You Should Rent a Holiday Villa in Tuscany This Year by Harwood E Woodpecker
As we become more independent in the way we travel and book our vacations each year the popularity of the luxury villa vacation is increasing each year. Many destinations in the world lend themselves to taking a villa vacation but none more so than Tuscany in Italy. Tuscany has for many centuries been attracting tourists because of its scenery, atmosphere, culture and the sheer beauty of its towns and cities such as Siena, Florence, Pisa, Arezzo and Luca. From the cypress tree lined roads and...

6. Seattle Hotels - One Of The Best Choice For Washington Travelers by Anjali Bakshi
Seattle is a unique blend of the Elliott Bay with gleaming waters, the grand Olympic Mountains and the soft & shining pink sunsets. Combined with this beauty, your stay at any luxurious place will be really beyond your imagination.

7. History of Melaka, Malaysia by Marcus Smith
The state of Mlaka is one of the oldest sttes in Malaysia and has a clourful history to its existence. The nme Melaka was coined when a Plembang prince from the island of Smatra set foot in Melaka and was rsting below a tree when he saw a musedeer outwitting a dog. Seeing such an minous event, the Palembang prince Parameswara sked his aides what was the nme of the tree that he was rsting under - he was told tht it is the Melaka Tree.

8. Australia By Campervan by Chris Hanten
Why you should consider Campervan trnsportation? Should you rent it or buy a sed one ? And where to buy it ?

9. Cheap Flights to Ireland by Jesse Lear
Most people sp