Belize combines eco-tourism and luxury

I sought a destination that wouldn’t require traveling halfway around the world. Besides, my parents would agree to watch our two teenagers for a maximum of one week. What I discovered after scouring the Internet and seeking out suggestions from friends was a hidden paradise boasting the world’s second largest coral reef system practically in our backyard in Belize.

We chose Belize for our first trip because our book is set in an English-speaking Central American country based on Belize. It also seemed very family friendly, which gave us the courage to take a 2 year old. The actual hotels were beautiful (we stayed at the Turtle Inn on the beach at Placencia) and at Blancaneaux in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. We started with an easy time at Placencia – taking a boat down the Monkey River, tracking howler monkeys in the jungle and manatee spotting in the lagoon

Whether your idea of the perfect destination wedding is blue waters, white sand beaches or eco-friendly surroundings, we've scouted out some of the most alluring locations where the dollar still goes far - and amazing locations are still in reach.

Nearly 40 per cent of the land and approximately 13 per cent of the marine areas of this tiny country, which rubs elbows with Mexico, Guatemala and a 200-mile stretch of the Caribbean, are protected by assorted governmental and private organizations. This means that Belize, roughly the size of Massachusetts, offers crucial habitats for a mind-boggling array of species -- many of them on the top of most wildlife watcher's must-see lists.

Afghanistan was her first stop, in April, with a chicken and chickpea stew with rice. Last night, Commerford reached Belize with an appetizer of fried plantains with mango sauce and guacamole; a main course of papaya-glazed chicken with rice, beans and cole slaw; and banana rum cake for dessert.