Honeymoon Hotspots Around The World
When deciding on a honeymoon location, don't just think about the popular spots like Hawaii and Paris. While locations such as these have plenty to offer newlyweds, the best honeymoons are those that take into account the personalities and interests of each partner. Search for locations that will offer the exact elements you're looking for, weather it's a special cuisine or specific activities and attractions.
For all the brides- and grooms-to-be, The Knot has created a list of honeymoon hotspots with the best weather this summer.
In June, these locations are prime:
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- Britain
- Canada
- Central & South Africa
- Czech Republic
- Fiji
- France
- French Polynesia
- Greece
- Hawaii
- Ireland
- Italy
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Spain
- Thailand
- USA - Alaska, Northeast
In July and August, consider:
- Bermuda
- Brazil
- Britain
- Canada
- Central & South Africa
- Czech Republic
- Fiji
- France
- French Polynesia
- Ireland
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- USA - Alaska, Northeast
To complete the honeymoon experience, book your transportation in advance. Peak Limo, a premier car service in Charlotte NC, can take care of your honeymoon travel in most places around the world. We have invested years in establishing a trusted affiliate network on your behalf. We understand travelling to different countries can present challenges so we moved a few mountains in order to dissolve your worries.
When you book international transportation through Peak, you get:
- All rates are quoted in US dollars and exchange rates apply at the time of service
- No language barrier
- 24 hour access to our reservationist
Image source: © Paha_l | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
Top Charlotte Wedding Florists
Choosing a florist for your wedding might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of planning your wedding, but it's the details that make all the difference. Of course you need to devote your energy to choosing a planner, finding a location, hiring a Charlotte limo, and picking a dress. But the right floral arrangement can enhance the overall aesthetic of your special day; a bad one can throw off the entire theme.
Here are 5 of the best florists in Charlotte, each with a 5-star rating on Wedding Wire.
Established in 1987 and located in the heart of downtown Charlotte, Flowers Plus offers experienced designers who keep up with new wedding floral trends while retaining the ability to design traditional arrangements as well. Their range of skills allow them to create arrangements that are simple or lavishly elegant. Flowers Plus offers free consultations and will provide free sample arrangements. Honored on the WeddingWrite Rated 2012 list, an annual ratings program that recognizes wedding professionals in the U.S. for their commitment to service.
Address: 301 S. Tryon St, Suite 50, Charlotte
More info: (704) 342-4529
Located in the major Charlotte suburb of Mint Hill, Abbey Rose is owned by a former board member of the North Carolina branch of Telefora -- the largest privately held floral wire service in the world -- and a member of the Society of American Florists. This full-service, family-owned flower shop offers free consultations. Its robust website allows for flower ordering 24/7.
Address: 7408 Matthews-Mint Rd., Charlotte
More info: (704) 545-4900
This floral shop boasts more than 75 years of family history in the floral industry and prides itself on creating a "visual interpretation of your dreams" for your wedding day. They offer free consultations and won Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Award in 2011 and 2012, as well as a Best of the Best Award 2012 from The Knot.
Also on the WeddingWire Rated 2012 list and featured on The Knot, the Blossom Shop has been serving Charlotte since 1929 with award-winning designers. Their range can handle traditional, high style, elegant and simple designs. A wide range of flowers are available, including Peonies, hydrangea, lilac, ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, roses and tulips. The Blossom Shop is open 7 days a week. Consultations are free.
Addresses: 2242 Park Road, Charlotte & 617 Providence Road, Charlotte
More info: (704) 376-3526
Owner/operator Carolyn Wiles has been creating floral designs for 40 years. Fashion Flowers is family-owned and has been in business since 1955. Awarded Master Florist: 2011 by Florists' Transworld Delivery, Fashion Flowers prides itself on its passion for flowers and treating customers like family. Their website also features mini-profiles of Wiles and the rest of the staff, including their experience, favorite flowers and other interests.
Address: 1430 Winnifred St, Charlotte
More info: (704) 375-8429
For a beautiful, well-designed wedding, make sure your theme is synchronized down to every detail, from the flowers to the limousine service. When you book a limo in Charlotte, choose a company that can work in tandem with your florist and planner to create an unforgettable experience.
Mastering The Elevator Pitch With Five Magic Sentences
Mastering your elevator pitch is important even if you never run into a dream prospect in an elevator. It helps you understand your business and its mission better. It makes you a better communicator. And it keeps your value proposition cocked and ready to fire at a moment's notice, just in case that dream prospect does happen to step into your elevator. Your pitch must be prepared and practiced. We found a five-sentence strategy from Cayenne Consulting that will help you sharpen your pitch and make it more successful and effective.
Here are the sentences you need for a masterful, effective elevator pitch:
1. Hook
When you're vying for someone's attention in a busy sea of highly qualified business professionals, you need to stand out. This doesn't mean getting all gimmicky, but rather appealing to your prospect by presenting your idea in a way that appeals to them. Brainstorm until you find the core concept of your product or service, and learn to deliver that in a single sentence that hooks your prospect.
2. Need
To retain someone's attention, you must speak to their needs. Figure out what problem your prospect has and empathize with them. By stepping into their shoes, you'll develop a sense of the context in which they're conducting business. Describe their pain in their own terms and you'll establish an emotional connection that keeps them listening.
3. Benefit
Instead of thinking about the features of your product or service, focus on the benefit. How does it meet the prospect's needs? Communicate the benefits in language they understand. Think about it from the prospect's perspective: If you're buying a new smartphone, you might tune out when the sales associate explains the multi-core processor with advanced microchip design, but if they explain how you can run all the apps you need for your business without any hiccups, you get the picture.
4. Competition
How does your solution compare to the other options available to the prospect? If a prospect already has a product or service similar to yours, you need to offer a significant, compelling reason to switch.
5. Ask
Don't forget to ask for the business and be clear about what you want. Be succinct but detailed. Don't say your looking for your first round of investments; say how much you want and what the terms are.
Fine-tune these five sentences by practicing your pitch often, whether to a colleague or before a business meeting during your ride from a car service in Charlotte NC. Practice makes perfect!
Image source: Xconomy.com
Food Lion Speed Street Festival Tips
Cars, stars and guitars will converge on Uptown Charlotte for the 2013 Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25. It’s a free 3-day event where all ages can experience live music, interactive exhibits with NASCAR superstars and a multitude of food vendors. Looking for something to do on Memorial Day Weekend? Here’s what you’ll find at the 2013 Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival.
Appearance Schedule
May 23
1 - 3 p.m., Creative loafing display: Ron Hornaday, Jr., Brennan Newberry, Timothy Peters, German Quiroga, John Wes Townley
2 - 3 p.m., Creative loafing display: Jeb Burton
5 - 7 p.m., Creative loafing display: Ernie Irvan, Jared Irvan
7 - 9 p.m., Creative loafing display: Jeremy Clements, Johanna Long, Hall Martin, Taylor Stricklin
May 24
1 - 3 p.m., Creative loafing display: Alex Bowman, Joey Coulter, Erik Jones, Darrell Wallace, Jr.
5 - 5:45 p.m., Creative loafing display (wristbands only): Chad Knaus
7 - 7:45 p.m., Coca-Cola Stage (Q&A): Joey Logano
7 - 9 p.m., Creative loafing display (Tire Change Challenge): Mark “Hollywood Armstrong, Michael Lingerfelt, Dennis Terry
May 25
7 - 7:45 p.m., Coca-Cola Stage (Q&A): Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick
8 - 9 p.m., Creative loafing display: Charlotte Roller Girls
Music Schedule
May 23
6:00 p.m. Pradigy GT
7:30 p.m. Sol Fusion
8:45 p.m. Coca-Cola Presents: Jon B
9:45 p.m. Coca-Cola Presents: SWV
May 24
6:00 p.m. "Race to Stardom" Country Winner
7:45 p.m. Chevrolet Presents: Randy Houser
9:30 p.m. Chevrolet Presents: Jamey Johnson
May 25
4:00 p.m. Hair Nation
5:30 p.m. "Race to Stardom" Rock Winner: Stay tuned!
6:30 p.m. Coca-Cola Presents: Chelsea Bain
8:15 p.m. Coca-Cola Presents: Sister Hazel
9:45 p.m. Coca-Cola Presents: Survivor
Event Layout
Parking
Residential parking is limited and towing will be strictly enforced. Parking garages are available near the festival, but the best way to enjoy a fun-filled weekend is by hiring a Charlotte car service to take you, your family and friends to the festivities. Why stress about finding parking when you can be conveniently dropped off and picked up in a safe, comfortable sedan, van or SUV?
Prohibited items
These items are not allowed allowed to be brought to the festival
- Coolers
- Food and beverages
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bicycles (Bicycle Parking available at Arequipa Park at N. Tryon & E. 6th Streets)
- Rollerblades
- Skateboards
- Scooters (except for handicapped vehicles)
- Weapons of any kind
- Pets /animals (except assistance animals)
- Video cameras (except for Driver Appearances)
- Audio recorders
For more information, visit www.600festival.com
Having Fun While Staying Safe
Are you ready for a night on the town with your best friends? After a long week, month or quarter of hard work, you owe your body, mind and career some downtime to refresh. Here are some essentials to planning the right girls’ night out in Charlotte.
Don’t forget the designated driver. Unwinding with some of your favorite drinks can help take the edge off and eliminate stress. But if you’re going to drink, don’t drive! Hiring a Charlotte limo to take you and your girlfriends out around town ensures not only your comfort and stylish arrival at the bar or restaurant, it’ll also make sure your group can have a great time while staying safe.
Visit The Wine Shop at Foxcroft for food and drinks. Bet you didn’t know The Wine Shop was also a great spot to stop for food. After 5 p.m., it turns into a wine bar with a full kitchen serving a delicious menu that pairs well with its excellent selection of wine.
Encourage your men to have a safe guys’ night out. Your man deserves his relaxation time too, so tell him to take a page out of your book and celebrate a night out with his friends or catch a local sporting event. A Charlotte limo service can make sure everyone has a safe, fun night.
Instead of stressing about traffic or lack of parking, kick the night off by enjoying a smooth ride and pre-party party in the backseat of a luxury limo.
Hiring a limousine isn’t just about elegance, style and convenience. It’s first and foremost about safety. Our professional chauffeurs are trained to operate your luxury limousine in the safety, smoothest way. We keep our vehicles well-maintained and up-to-date so that passengers are ensured the utmost safety from a vehicle and driver perspective.
The first step to planning a great girls’ night out is hiring the right vehicle for your group. Limousines, luxury sedans and SUVs come in different passenger capacities with different amenities, so make sure to go over all the details with your limousine service prior to booking. Learn about
Also, if you need suggestions on where to dine, relax or party, your limo company can suggest local hotspots for a good night.
Remember, a fun night isn’t fun if it’s not safe. Don’t put yourself, your friends or others at risk by drinking and driving.
Book a Charlotte limo by clicking here.
Image source: SheKnows.com
Success Tips From The World’s Wealthiest
According to the Bloomberg Billionaire’s Index, 73 of the 100 richest people in the world are self-made. An excellent infographic created by Funders and Founders illustrates the traits and characteristics they have in common. Highlights include:
- 4 tried different businesses before “the one”
- 4 bought ruined companies
- 5 invested during hard times
- 7 were early adopters
- 36 are children of poor parents
See this infographic below to see more self-made billionaire characteristics in detail:
One thing all of these billionaires share in common is that they took enormous risks. As the saying goes, the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. One risk you don’t want to take is missing your flight for an important business trip. Trust your transportation with a reliable, punctual and professional Charlotte limo service.
How To Recover From Air Travel
It's no surprise that travel can tax both body and mind. The fast-paced nature of business travel, in particular, tends to be accompanied by high stress levels due to the intense focus required. Your physical energy gets drained from the act of traveling to and from airports, navigating new cities and passing through different time zones, while your mental energy is spent on preparing for meetings and negotiating deals. While most things get easier with time, business trips tend to leave even the most seasoned road warriors weary and in need of recuperation.
When your body's internal clock or circadian rhythm is disrupted, which can occur by traveling east or west across time zones, you experience jet lag. Common jet lag symptoms include:
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Disorientation
- Dehydration
- Exhaustion
- Indigestion
So how do business travelers recover from the draining demands of air travel? Begin reducing your stress by arriving at the airport on time. The more relaxed you are, the better you can rest during the flight and recover after the trip. When you hire a professional car service in Charlotte, NC to take you to the airport, you'll travel smoothly and arrive on time.
Here are six more post-flight recovery tips from USA Today:
1. Account for time zone differences when you schedule meetings.
If 10 a.m. is your peak time and you are from the West Coast traveling to New York, schedule a meeting at 1 p.m. ET, which is 10 a.m. to your internal clock.
2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during a flight.
Dehydration makes it harder to recover and airplane cabins are quite dry. Because you can't bring liquids larger than 3.4 oz. through security, purchase water after getting through the checkpoint in case it's not available on the plane. Avoid alcohol and caffeine during flight because they are diuretics and contribute to dehydration. It's a good idea to keep drinking water when you arrive at your destination.
3. Determine whether to sleep or stay awake during the flight based your arrival time.
If you land in the morning or early part of the day, sleeping on the plane will help you feel refreshed when you arrive. If you have a late-day arrival, stay awake on the plane because you will be tired and want to sleep when you land.
4. Exercise on the plane by getting up, stretching and walking up and down the aisles.
This keeps your blood flowing and prevents aches, which will aid your recovery after the flight. If you can't leave your seat, do small stretches that target your legs and feet. If you have a stopover, try to get off the plane to walk or do basic exercises in the terminal (but don't miss your flight!).
5. If you arrive in the morning, consume caffeine and try to avoid napping in the day.
Caffeinated soda, coffee and tea will keep you awake until evening so that your body can keep its normal sleep cycle. On the other hand, avoid caffeine if you land in the late afternoon or evening because it can disrupt your normal sleep patterns.
6. Exercise the morning after you land.
Activity helps your body reset its internal clock. Light also helps your body reset its clock, so it would be ideal to exercise outdoors in the sun or somewhere with bright lights. Your recovery speeds up when your body's internal clock adjusts naturally. If you have trouble getting up, set an alarm on a clock or your phone and set it out of arm's reach so you have to get up to turn it off.
Remember: keep your blood flowing, stay hydrated and plan when you will rest.
To ensure a solid in-flight nap, invest in sleep masks and travel pillows. Follow these steps and you'll be refreshed and ready to conquer the world in no time.
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Make Corporate Travel Manageable, If Not Fun
Ah, the smartphone. Is there anything the smartphone hasn’t made easier? When you need directions, there they are. If you need to look something up online, it’s as easy as a Google search. In fact, you can even use your smartphone to make online Charlotte sedan service reservations or keep in touch with your Chauffeur by text. That’s why it’s so important to learn these amazing travel apps for your next business trip. Your smartphone will become an even more important tool.
If you book your own flights, Hipmunk is irreplaceable. With this program, you can see all the available flights, times, and prices on one screen. If you prefer a certain airline, it’s easy to compare that one to other available fares. You can also set filters according to your preferences so you’ll never have to deal with flights that have excessive layovers and stops. The app is so satisfying, you’ll use it for all your travel, including family vacations.
Nothing is more annoying than commuting to your closest airport only to find your flight has been delayed. With the Flight Tracker app, you can keep a close eye on your flight, with maps and real-time information about gate changes, cancelations, and delays. You can also use this information to communicate with whomever is on the receiving end of your flight, such as clients or colleagues who may be expecting you at a certain time.
Keeping up with itineraries isn’t easy, especially if you’re constantly on the go. Have you ever ended up in Chicago with the travel plans for your New York trip instead? With TripIt, you can keep all your trips together in one place without messy folders and papers and the chance of mixing them up. With TripIt, keep up with hotel, flight, and car reservations, as well as dinner reservations and appointments. You’ll never get caught without the information you need, and that peace of mind is priceless.
Have you ever called four or five different restaurants to make reservations, only to find there are no open tables for your party? OpenTable solves this problem with restaurant listings in nearly every major city. You can find every restaurant associated with OpenTable, ratings for the food and service, and see the available reservation times. Nothing makes it easier to coordinate client dinners.
Keeping track of your expenses while on the road is probably one of the hardest and most frustrating aspects of business travel. For that reason, many executives have a tendency to let the receipts pile up until they’re a big mess. Your accounting department probably doesn’t like that at all. That’s why you need Expensify, which is one of the most useful expense reporting apps available. Not only can you organize your receipts just by scanning them with the smartphone camera, but you can also submit them to your accounting department with just one click. There’s no reason to dread expense reports ever again.
Working on the road is now a lot easier with the Wi-Fi Finder app. If you’ve got some time between meetings and don’t want to head back to the hotel, this app will help you locate the nearest establishment with Internet service. You can while away the hours in a coffee shop using your laptop instead of risking huge roaming bills from trying to do business on your phone. Of course, if you wanted to use your free time to surf a little, no one would blame you.
With these apps, your corporate travel could be relatively painless. In fact, you may discover many others that make your trips fun. Consider Instagram to log interesting sights, Spotify to find great new music during downtime, and even the Kindle app to catch up on the books you’ve been meaning to read. Of course, if you don’t have a smartphone, getting one should be your first step.
Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net/KROMKRATHOG
Group Ground Transportation That Won’t Cramp Your Style
Traveling with a group can be inconvenient, especially if you need transportation that is both spacious and luxurious. In many cases, a van will do the trick, but corporate travelers often need something with which to impress clients. Fortunately, Peak Limousine provides various transportation options for small and large groups. Any of the rides you choose will feature comfortable seating and amenities that make any trip better. Instead of booking separate sedans for everyone in your party, save money, time, and energy with one of these group transportation options.
Chevy Suburban
When you need to carry up to 7 passengers, Peak Limousine offers a Chevy Suburban with all the options. You’ll enjoy plush leather seats, premium sound systems, plenty of storage space, and power outlets for all your electronics. The Suburban is the perfect choice for executives who need more space without the elegance of the limousine. You don’t have to give up luxury and comfort for a bit of extra space, so consider the Chevy Suburban over renting a minivan.
Lincoln Stretch Limousine
If elegance is what you seek for group transportation, the Lincoln stretch limousine is an excellent choice. You can reserve these cars for dinners or evening entertainment with clients. Each carries up to 8 passengers, and of course, you’ll find all the usual amenities. Refreshments, a supreme sound system, lighting, conversational-style seating, and a privacy screen between your group and the driver are all included in your ride.
Chrysler 300 Stretch Limousine
Sometimes you need something that commands attention, and that’s where the Chrysler 300 stretch limousine comes into play. As a bonus, this vehicle will carry up to 12 passengers, too. This is the perfect car for galas, charity events, awards banquets, and any other occasion where making a splash is required. Your clients and colleagues will love the chilled beverages, party lighting, and plush seats, too.
H2 Hummer Stretch SUV
A stretch SUV always turns heads. If you need room for up to 18 passengers for an event where class and luxury are the name of the game, the H2 Hummer stretch SUV is exactly what you want. The vehicle is roomy enough that everyone inside can ride in comfort, and the seats are and cozy. Your atmosphere can be anything from a party on wheels to an elegant, demure ride to corporate events.
Minibus
Believe it or not, the minibus can be a very luxurious choice. While some are configured with forward-facing seats, you can also choose limo-style seating, too. Corporate shuttles are great for events where 32 passengers must be ferried from place to place, while the limo-style minibuses can be reserved for evening entertainment. These can also be transformed into a moving party, with refreshments, lighting, sound systems, and even televisions. Impressing your clients is very easy with this sort of vehicle.
As you can see, there are several choices available from Peak Limousine for your group transportation needs. Before you make a reservation, be sure you have verified the head count, as the capacity of each vehicle is not negotiable. Should you find you need more room the evening of the event, there may not be a car available to help.
Our Chauffeurs are thrilled to assist you in putting together the perfect evening. If you have special requirements for refreshments or other needs, simply ask. Our concierge service will cover what you need, and we do so with a smile. With proper planning and the perfect vehicle choice, your corporate events can go off without a single hitch, and nothing is more impressive than that.
Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Being Replaceable
Does the R-word make you uncomfortable? There’s no need to let it intimidate you. Being replaceable doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be shut out of your own business and never see it again. Instead, it can mean that the entire operation won’t shut down if you’re away from it for more than a few hours. When you look at it from that light, it’s not so scary. And in fact, being replaceable can be a good thing in a number of ways. We’ve listed 5 of them below.
1.) You Can See the Big Picture
Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. This can especially be the case for business owners. If the daily muck of your business is occupying your time, you won’t be able to step back and evaluate your company: how it’s doing, where it’s going, where you want it to go, etc. If you train your staff to handle the problems that may keep you confined to the details, you may soon find that you’ll be better able to direct the company itself, rather than micromanage the people who work for it.
2.) You Can Take More Time Off
If you’re not urgently needed every second during business hours, you’ll have more time to do things outside the office. This could include both leisure and business-related activities. Each would be beneficial to you, since leisure activities can help you feel more refreshed and inspire great ideas, and work activities, such as attending network events or educational seminars, can help you grow and improve as an executive. No matter how you look at it, being out of the office can be a great thing for you.
3.) There’s More Room for Innovation
Everybody has his or her own strengths. As a business owner, you’re probably a great source of excellent ideas. And sometimes the brilliant-idea people can’t exercise their creativity because they have to focus on other tasks, such as paperwork or other small-detail items. In order for you to do what you do best, you have to hand over the reins to your team. If you do this, you’ll be free to resume coming up with creative and interesting solutions to the problems of everyday people.
4.) You Can Sell Your Business More Easily
The day may come when you want to sell off your business to a larger company. In order for this to be possible, you first need to make sure that you’re not the glue holding everything together. The buyer wants a business that it can easily learn about and integrate with its own business fairly seamlessly. So, it’s in your best interest to make sure that things can run smoothly without your direction.
5.) Your Business Can Survive On Its Own
Another important thing to consider when you make yourself replaceable? The company’s ability to stand on its own feet without you. If you get sick or some other problem takes you away from the office for a long period of time, you don’t want to be so crucial to your business that a weeklong absence equals a death toll for your company.
As you can see, there’s definitely one key component of making yourself replaceable: delegating tasks to your team. Train your employees on the things that just take a little time and patience to learn. Once they’ve got the hang of all that, you can leave things to them and get back to being the brilliant strategist you are. Your employees will feel proud that they’re trusted with more knowledge about the company, and you may start to see that “replaceable” isn’t such a shameful word after all.
Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net/imagerymajestic