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The Origins And History Of The Niargara Falls Honeymoon Tradition

Niagara Falls has been associated with honeymoons for hundreds of years, and Ginger Strand the very capable Niagara honeymoon historian has fully explored the legends and the meaning in the evolving tradition. An extended essay can be found at: http://www.believermag.com/issues/200801/?read=article_strand , and I will present a mere summary of her findings.

The tradition of a post marriage honeymoon is only a few centuries old, as couples, in many historical and modern traditions retire to the groom’s home immediately after the ceremony. Ginger found that the Niagara tradition grew out of an old European tradition of the post-nuptial grand European tour, which was a popular way for a couple to get to know one another after the public ceremony. In part, according to Ms. Strand, the tradition allowed the wife to visit places the husband had frequented alone, before the marriage. And according to her, the timid Victorian women were often embarrassed to acknowledge publicly that they were newly weds

The grand tour tradition came to include Niagara Falls. Some of the earliest famous honeymooners to the spot included Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother and the daughter of American political leader Aaron Burr.

By the early 19th century, transport to the picturesque Niagara Falls was more convenient, and couples, who would have taken the “Grand European Tour, opted for a honeymoon trip to America’s largest waterfall. The American “Northern Tour” became so popular that by 1845 a well known song described a couple on their honeymoon in Niagara Falls.

” To see the Falls they took a ride
On the steamship ?Maid o? the Mist;?
She forgot the Falls she was so busy
Being hugged and kissed. “

By the 1920’s women were becoming less ashamed of the newly wed image. “Frapper” dress was in vogue, and a 1927 article depicted a couple who eloped and were found sleeping in Goat Island, the picturesque island which separates the American and Canadian Falls.

By the early 1920s the fame of the Niagara honeymoon was fixed and codified in the public’s eye. The City of Niagara Falls ran a contest to find the oldest living couple who had honeymooned at the falls. The winners, an octogenarian couple from Philadelphia won an all expense paid second honeymoon package to the falls.

Hollywood fell in love with the romantic Niagara Falls honeymoon tradition, and portrayed it in three famous movies, in the 1940s and 1950s. Two movies depicted couples who visited the falls, and then married, swept away by the magic of the place. And, a 1952 movie, starring Marilyn Monroe depicted a couple revisiting the site of their honeymoon at the falls, after the husband returned home from World War II. The Monroe movie is credited with having spurned a renewed Niagara honeymoon fever. But ironically, in the movie Marilyn , the wife was out to kill her husband. Nevertheless, the movie spawned a renewed Niagara honeymoon fever. Niagara was, by now, known as the “Honeymoon Capital,” of the country.

The last 40 years have seen a commercialization of the Niagara Falls wedding and honeymoon package. The falls has had to come up against more and more stiff competition, including destination wedding packages, which can fly couples to exotic South Pacific Islands, or Hawaii.

Nevertheless, Niagara remains as an American iconoclastic symbol of the honeymoon and past-marriage period when couples “take the plunge,” into the sometimes initially turbulent water of married life.

Thanks to Toronto Town Car Plus for sponsoring this article. Toronto Town Car Plus offers Niagara Limo and Niagara airport taxi service, and Niagara tours and transportation from all parts of Ontario. Niagara Limo

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Tags: Destinations
Posted in Destinations · January 16th, 2010 · Comments (0)

Fast Ways to Find Carlsbad California Hotels

If you have not had the pleasure of taking a trip to Carlsbad, California, you are in for a significant treat. Taking the time to see what this beautiful area has to offer as far as enjoyment, scenes and relaxation is well worth it. Not only is the town a great place to visit, the hotels in Carlsbad make the stay away from your home ever more convenient and pleasingly enjoyable.

You will enjoy a big selection of Carlsbad Hotels. They are located near anywhere you want to be – in town or near the beach. In most destinations you can walk to many restaurants and other fun spots.

Whether you have a little to spend on Carlsbad accommodations or a lot, you will find something suiting for anyone that travels here. Choose from five star hotels to affordable budget hotels that can fit your needs. All hotels deliver comfort and have great hospitality standards to impress guests.

It is a good idea to look online to see how many Carlsbad hotels there are and which would best meet your needs. Even the five star hotels offer special discounts that will make the stay affordable. This is good if you are bringing the family.

Most hotels in Carlsbad offer amenities to make you feel at home. It is not unusual to find kitchens with all of the appliances. They even have big screen televisions. There are gaming consoles, internet access, and a lot more at your fingertips.

For greater excitement and lavish views you will enjoy the Carlsbad Hotels and Beach Resorts. They have large rooms giving you the opportunity to view the ocean and all of its surroundings from your private balcony. Many are equipped with saunas, a spa, and fireplaces.

If you are traveling in style and have been saving for this trip for a while you may enjoy a five-star Carlsbad Hotels stay. These hotels offer not only finer accommodations, but fine dining, fine shopping, and everything in between.

At the exclusive hotels and resorts in Carlsbad you will feel like all of your fantasies came true. These hotels offer large, executive suites. You can enjoy an array of fresh cut flowers, sleep on fine Egyptian cotton linens, enjoy free robes and other luxurious condiments. These hotels are a step above the rest and even have suites that allow pets to stay. Plan ahead for your trip to Carlsbad and book your ideal Carlsbad hotel at the right time.

Go on-line and consult: Carlsbad Bed and Breakfasts and Del Mar Hotels.

There is lots to see and do in Carlsbad California. Don’t miss the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. Following you will find two excellent sources of information: Carlsbad Hotels and Carlsbad Bed and Breakfasts. Have fun in the land of sunshine!

Tags: California vacations, Carlsbad, Carlsbad accommodations, Carlsbad California, Carlsbad lodging, Carlsbad travel, Carlsbad vacation, Destinations, resorts, san diego, Travel and Leisure
Posted in Destinations · November 18th, 2009 · Comments (0)