Let's get started!

If you are interested in planning a green honeymoon or your own ecotravel experience, send us an email at info@greenconciergetravel.com
Or just give us a call
++1 877.200.2840 toll free or
++1 608.204.2717

You can also use our trip planning forms to help get the process started:

General Travel/First-Time Client Information (92 KB)

Specific Trip Information (150 KB)

Request For Concierge Services (104 KB)
Introduction to Green Honeymoons
(70 KB)

Green Concierge Travel Presents:
Hawaiian Honeymoon – a tropical experience

Green Honeymoons

Romantic trips that also express your values! Just like Green Weddings, Green Honeymoons can be the perfect way for a couple to start or highlight a life together and express your values. At Green Concierge Travel, we can help you customize each component of your honeymoon from transportation to your accommodation. Our concierge service helps you discover your destination through how you get around, finding places for you to visit and restaurants and cultural gems for you to experience.

We will present different ideas highlighting North American destinations that can provide memorable honeymoons. We start with Hawaii – A Tropical Experience. Look for other ideas in the future on the Green Concierge Travel website.

Please see the Introduction to Green Honeymoons (70 KB) for more ideas.

Heart in the Heartland - A Honeymoon Itinerary

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Heart in the Heartland
Sitting on the deck of the boat, you sip a morning cup of coffee as the sun burns away the mist. The riverbank flows endlessly by as you enjoy the foot-tapping sounds of a Dixieland band. This is where history, both painful and stirring, and romance come together – the Mississippi River. You are heading north experiencing the river's diversity on the American Queen, a modern version of the historic ships that have cruised America's heartland.

The Mississippi has served as a conduit for dreams and your dreams can come true on its back. Riverboats ply the waters from Minneapolis to New Orleans and up and down the tributaries such as the Ohio River. In Heart in the Heartland, Green Concierge Travel combines historic settings with travel by rail and boat, an itinerary ideal for a honeymoon or anniversary celebration. Celebrate the romance and unique culture found in the heartland!

Costs:
The estimated cost: $8800 for two/ $4,400 per person. This includes:

• All inclusive Amtrak fare with a bedroom from Chicago to New Orleans;.
• 3 nights at the romantic Soniat House including breakfast and one dinner (romance package);
• 7 night all inclusive cruise on the American Queen from Mew Orleans to Memphis (superior verandah stateroom); and
• All inclusive Amtrak fare with a bedroom from Memphis to Chicago.

Day 1 – Chicago, IL Board Amtrak City of New Orleans Train #59
This trip starts from the Metropolitan Lounge of Chicago's Union Station. Chicago is the heart of the national passenger rail system. The Lounge serves as a staging point for Amtrak's sleeping car passengers headed to destinations across the country. This evening, you and your loved one board the City of New Orleans, a train that has been immortalized by song and route. Your honeymoon starts here and you will enjoy romance, history, music while experiencing the culture of the heartland.

Upon boarding the City of New Orleans southbound, Train # 59, your sleeping car attendant shows you to your room. With an evening departure, your deluxe bedroom has already been made up for sleeping. However, AMTRAK offers a new food service car called the "Cross Country Café" which is open and ready to serve you. The menu reflects the route of the train including Red Beans & Rice, Jambalaya, and Bread Pudding Pie. After dinner hours, lounge service continues with casual food and beverages until the late evening.

You retire with the last word from your attendant – a wake up call in time for breakfast and a cup of coffee brought to your room.

Day 2 – Amtrak to New Orleans
Train travel slows life's hectic pace down and you have the time to view the countryside and to meet your fellow travelers. At breakfast (your sleeping car ticket includes all meals), you enjoy the view of the Mississippi countryside and the company of another couple on their way to New Orleans. You finish your breakfast and return to your room, now made up as a comfortable sitting area. Time to read about your next stop, New Orleans, while the rails slide past.

Arriving in New Orleans in the late afternoon, you gather your belongings to disembark. This is the end of the line for City of New Orleans. Other major train routes that arrive in New Orleans include the Crescent running from Washington DC and the Sunset Limited running east from Los Angeles CA and west from Jacksonville FL.

You will be staying at the acclaimed Soniat House, a romantic small in located in a quiet residential section of the French Quarter. You take a cab to Soniat House, 1133 Chartres St. This romantic no-smoking inn combines three historic houses built for the Soniat family. The beautiful rooms and furnishings, courtyard and balconies serve as both a wonderful jumping off point to explore the city and a romantic retreat to enjoy each other's company. In your room, the welcome is extended with a bottle of champagne to be enjoyed while soaking in the atmosphere of New Orleans from your balcony.

Day 3 & 4 – New Orleans
You have two full days and nights to explore New Orleans. While art, architecture, music and food await, consider dedicating some time to giving back to this historic city. Post Katrina restoration efforts continue and volunteer time is still needed. Your donation of time will build a very personal memory and intimate view of the community and its people. See Voluntourism and Travel Philanthropy below.

But regardless of whether you choose to volunteer, know that by picking New Orleans as part of your honeymoon itinerary and patronizing locally owned and operated businesses and services, you are contributing to this City's restoration and redevelopment.

During your time here, consider trying some of the following activities or visiting some of these sites:

• Ogden Museum of Southern Art, home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world, and a unique and innovative destination to "See the South." The Ogden Museum is dedicated to the rebuilding of the culture, landscape and communities of New Orleans, the Gulf Coast region and those areas effected by the hurricanes of 2005. In addition to its unique collections covering paintings, prints, watercolors, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, crafts and design, the museum hosts live music on Thursday evenings and other special events. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, info@ogdenmuseum.org, 504.539.9600. Open Thursday through Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursdays 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with live music.Admission is $10 for adults.
• The historic Presbytere is home to the permanent exhibit of the Louisiana State Museum - Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana. "The story of this extraordinary tradition is dynamically told in a ground-breaking new exhibition of the State Museum. Mardi Gras, brings together rare, historic artifacts, scores of magnificent costumes, spectacular displays, engaging videos and hands-on activities." (From the Louisiana State Museum web site). The Presbytere, 751 Chartres St., Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116, (504) 568-6968, (800) 568-6968, Fax: (504) 568-4995, Neighborhood: French Quarter. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults.
• Historic New Orleans Walking Tours, Inc. offers four tours daily that explore various elements of the City.
  • French Quarter History Tour – 10:30 AM daily $15 adult (2 hours)
  • Garden District Tour – 11:00 AM & 1:45 PM daily $15 adult (2 hours)
  • Haunted Tour – 7:30 PM daily $15 adult $15 adult (2 hours)
  • Cemetery Voodoo Tour – 10:00 AM & 1 PM mon – sat; 10 AM only sun $15 adult (2 hours)

Historic New Orleans Walking Tours, Inc., P.O. Box 19381, New Orleans, LA 70179-0381, Phone (504) 947-2120, Fax (504) 947-2130, e-mail - TourNO@TourNewOrleans.com

Voluntourism :
Saltince hurricane Katrina landed, volunteer efforts have continued to help rebuild New Orleans. You can help several ways. Just taking your honeymoon to New Orleans and the surrounding area and patronizing the inns, restaurants, and businesses helps this rebuilding effort. In addition, you can give the gift of time and, or money in this effort. There are still a range of organizations looking for volunteers to do a range of activities.

"Since Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the metropolitan New Orleans community has been the beneficiary of an incredible outpouring of support from visitors to New Orleans. From convention visitors to leisure travelers, church groups to high school and college students, people have shown incredible generosity in giving of their time and talent, and a great deal of elbow grease, helping the city of New Orleans in its recovery and restoration." (From the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau) Green Concierge Travel can research volunteer opportunities for you should this be a part of your visit to New Orleans.

Or consider a donation to a local organization, museum or cultural site. See Travel Philanthropy below.

Day 5 – Depart New Orleans on the American Queen
You board the American Queen, the largest steamboat every built carrying 436 passengers, at the New Orleans waterfront. You make your way to your stateroom on the Texas deck. With comfortable furnishings and a verandah with a small table and chairs, you and your loved one are set to enjoy romantic moments over your journey up river.

To start it off, welcoming you to your stateroom, you find a bouquet of flowers and an ice bucket of champagne with two champagne flutes – bon voyage! But maybe later, the staff of the American Queen invite you and the other guests to farewell buffet spread of appetizers and beverages at the Calliope Bar on the Promenade deck.

Your next six days will be spent enjoying the views, music, history and food offered onboard this traditional steamboat and the various ports of call. The American Queen, which commenced operation in 2003, is equipped with a variety of public areas from the Athletic Club to the Mark Twain Gallery to a variety of spaces staged for viewing scenery and socializing including the Grand Saloon for evening entertainment.

The Majestic American Line continues the tradition of the historic steamboat trip into the heartland. "The Mississippi River is a chameleon, continually reinventing itself. Between Memphis and New Orleans, it becomes the legendary Ole Man River of brawling keelboat men, intrepid river pilots and dandified gamblers. Fertile cotton fields wrap their arms around white-columned mansions, sweet wood-smoke hangs in the trees, and lightning bugs wink against the shimmering reflections. Except in the vicinity of bustling cities, the river is wild, remote and primeval—as if you are traveling through a land untouched by time.

The resilient "let the good times roll" atmosphere of the Big Easy and the rich cultural gumbo of Appalachian folk art, Acadian architecture and Delta blues create a fascinating American journey. Step ashore to explore historic Natchez, Civil-War era Vicksburg and Oak Alley, one of the Old South's most photographed plantations. Along the way, sample diverse flavors—from Cajun to Creole, Po Boys to pralines." (From the web site, Majestic America Line, http://www.majesticamericaline.com, 1/08)

On its way north, the American Queen visits the following ports of call:

• NEW ORLEANS : Louisiana
• OAK ALLEY PLANTATION : Louisiana
• ST FRANCISVILLE: Louisiana
• NATCHEZ : Mississippi
• VICKSBURG : Mississippi
• HELENA : Arkansas
• MEMPHIS : Tennessee.

Day 12 – Arrive Memphis, TN
Arriving in Memphis, you have an opportunity to visit the must see National Civil Rights Museum. Incorporating the edifice of the Lorraine Motel and the balcony where Martin Luther King was assassinated, the museum recalls the history of civil rights, the struggles, victories and set backs using multimedia presentations. Allow plenty of time to absorb and be moved by this part of our history.

From the museum, take the trolley car or walk back to the city center. Another option is the fascinating River Walk, a three dimensional presentation of the Mississippi River. See details at the Green Concierge Travel – Concierge Services – Great Ideas.

You can explore Beale St. (condensed bars, music and food), barbecue (the classic Rendezvous Ribs), or try one of the newer restaurants serving locally grown food and regional cuisine in a range of settings off of Main St. Green Concierge Travel has provided you with a list to sample. Return to the train station after dinner and board AMTRAK train #58 on its way north to Chicago. Its time to put your feet up, relax, and recall your wonderful trip and the new memories.

Again, your sleeping car attendant meets you on the platform and ushers you to your bedroom, ready for a good night's sleep.

Day 13 – Arrive Chicago
This morning you arrive in Chicago, end of the line for the City of New Orleans and your honeymoon. From the gentle rocking of the train to the gracious buildings and courtyards of New Orleans to the peaceful decks and passing shorelines of the Mississippi and the delicious food all along the way, you have memories of romance and adventure. You have left a little piece of your heart in the heartland.

Travel Philanthropy
Green Concierge Travel encourages its clients to participate in Travel Philanthropy. Travel Philanthropy is the practice of giving back to the destination. This can be through volunteer work and, or donations to an organization working to protect the local culture and environment.

There are many worthy organizations in New Orleans that have done invaluable work to resurrect the city – from recovering materials for reuse and recycling to rebuilding to restoring and revitalizing the historic homes, monuments and neighborhoods. This is a selection of these organizations:

• The Green Project, 2831 Marais St., New Orleans, Louisiana 70117, (504)945-0240 warehouse, (504)218-7884 fax, info@thegreenproject.org
• Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, General 504.581.7032, Staff Offices 504.581.7031, prc@prcno.org, http://www.prcno.org/
• Habitat for Humanity - New Orleans Area, P.O. Box 15052, New Orleans, LA 70175, Office Address, 7100 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118, Phone: (504) 861-2077, Fax: (504) 866-6004, http://www.habitat-nola.org/.