She’s played a starring role in the romantic reveries of cinema-loving soul mates ever since she first appeared on the silver screen alongside Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, and now The African Queen has now set sail for a future as a love boat for movie buffs.

Harboring a history as intriguing as any movie script, the river steamboat was dubbed the Livingston when she was constructed a century ago to ferry cargo and mercenaries for the British East Africa Rail Company. Although she charted a new course when the big screen beckoned,  after filming on the 1951 classic she became a ghost of her former self as she was shuttled over the years from San Francisco to Oregon and Ocala, Florida.   However, a $75,000 refurbishment courtesy of Captain Lance Holmquist and his wife Suzanne has made the 30-foot boat motion picture perfect once again.

Couples can now let their cares drift as they imagine themselves Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer on canal cruises and dinner cruises which depart from the Marina Del Mar in Key Largo. A 90-minute canal excursion costs $49, while a two-hour dinner cruise complete with a three-course meal at The Pilot House Marina and Restaurant costs $89.

For more information:

• visit www.calypsosailing.com

Photo Credit: Amazon

Welcome to Summer Splash hosted by Life With Two Boys, With Our Best, and Bella So Savvy! This event begins on May 14, 2012 at 12:01am EST and will end on May 27, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.

Over 100 blogs have come together to bring you some amazing prizes to help you kick off your summer… with a SPLASH! Each blog is giving away at least $25 worth of prizes, plus we have an awesome grand prize for one very lucky winner. Be sure to hop along to each of the participating blogs because the more giveaways you enter, the more chances you have at winning the Grand Prize!

So what’s this Grand Prize we’re talking about? Thanks to Kid’s Creations one very lucky winner is going to win a Two Ring Adventure Playset valued at $3,598! Made from the highest quality Redwood and loaded with fun activities, this swing set is sure to make this summer one to remember! (Please note that the grand prize is only open to residents of the Continental United States and does not include assembly/installation.) Enter the Grand Prize!

Our Giveaway

Summer means a vacation!! Sharing your vacation photos is now easier than ever thanks to the Eye-Fi Mobile X2 memory card, a new offering in the Eye-Fi product line. This SD card lets you instantly and automatically upload quality photos (or videos) from your digital camera to your smartphone or other handheld device.

Sharing your photos is easier, too as the card can deliver them instantly to Facebook®, Picasa™, YouTube™, and a host of other share sites.

The Eye-Fi Mobile X2 8GB card looks like a traditional memory card but along with automatic, direct uploads, it incorporates some other conveniences as well:

• Class 6 SDHC memory holds thousands of shots
• photos can be cleared from the card as soon as they are uploaded so you can free up memory on the go.

Visit the company’s website for more product details, information on camera compatibility (it works with most popular brands of cameras), set-up tutorials, and descriptions of the rest of the Eye-Fi product family. The Eye-Fi Mobile X2 sells for $79.99 .

One lucky Lovetripper reader will win the Eye-Fi Mobile X2!

How to Enter

We’ve got lots of ways to enter in the Rafflecopter below; enter with as many or as few entries as you like! This giveaway is open to readers everywhere and ends at 12:01 am Eastern on May 28, 2012. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More Giveaways!

Disclaimer: We received an Eye-Fi Mobile X2 Photo Card for review on our DogTipper.com site; we were not paid for our review or to conduct this giveaway and all statements are our own. Please note that the Summer Splash hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prize. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill their prize in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make every effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.

Marrying the elegance of past eras with the aesthetic desires of the modern bride, the Blue Willow collection features ultra-feminine frocks fashioned from imported non-silk fabrics and embellished with beading and lace.

Displaying gowns that run the gamut from boho chic to sleek creations that caress a bride’s physique, the debut of the “I do” designs took place at New York Bridal Market in New York City in mid-April 2012.

The Blue Willow collection offers bridal attire ranging in price from $1,990 – $2,550.

For more information:

• visit www.annebarge.com

Photos courtesy CLD Stylehouse

Visit some of the most beautiful locations and cities for an unforgettable romantic holiday with Co-op travel cruises — there’s so much on offer!

A Mediterranean dream — 13 nights

If you love the Mediterranean, how about taking a cruise from Southampton, taking in some of the best and most romantic locations on the European coast? From Southampton, you will sail to Gibraltar, the first stop on the tour, to spend a day in this diverse British colony.

After a brief stop in Cartagena in Spain, spend a day in Rome, one of the most beautiful cities in the world famed for its architecture and rich history. Then it’s on to Florence and Pisa to take in these fabulous cities. The next stop is Monte Carlo; spend a day exploring this beautiful and opulent city. The final destination on this Mediterranean tour is the wonderful city of Barcelona with its rich culture, rambling buildings and streets, a great way to finish your tour before heading back to Southampton.

The Norwegian Fjords — 7 nights

From Southampton, the first stop is Stavanger, a quaint and friendly city dating back to the Viking age with lots of traditional architecture. This is a bustling city with lots to see and do. From there, it’s on to Flaam, via beautiful narrow fjords and snow-capped mountains. With further stops in Olden and Bergen, this tour is perhaps a slightly unusual romantic break, but with stunning scenery, exploring the fjords offers a truly unforgettable adventure.

The Atlantic Coast — 9 nights

See the best of Spain, Portugal and Morocco on this fabulous trip. Your first stop is the lovely coastal city of Vigo in Spain, popular with the Romans and famous for its very mild climate. Then you’ll go on to spend a say in the beautifully diverse city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal. From there, you’ll take in Seville, with its rich history, fabulous Moorish architecture and a wonderful selection of cuisine. Then it’s on to Casablanca, Morocco, a truly romantic destination. Again, with so much to see and do, you’ll need to prioritize — architecture, rich culture, scenery, food, Casablanca has it all.

The Atlantic Islands — 11 nights

A perfect trip for sun and beach lovers. First stop is the port town of La Coruña, Spain then it’s on to Madeira, Portugal to begin your island exploration! Then you’ll proceed to La Palma and then on to Tenerife, both in the Canary Islands, and famed for their mild climates. From there you head back to land with a day visit to vibrant Lisbon in Portugal before making your way back to Southampton.

The North Cape — 14 nights

A truly unusual tour, with views to take your breath away, you’ll explore the best of Norway. Through the stunning fjords, you’ll visit Flaam and Ålesund (the most Northern settlement in the world) then it’s on to Trondheim to explore the old city where a rich history awaits. From there you’ll travel around the North Cape and on to Tromsø and its rich polar environment with ancient history – this is a fascinating and unforgettable journey. From there you’ll go on to Bodø, Molde and Bergen with a final stop in the popular city of Stavanger, before making your way back to England.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Photo credit: Clipart.com

If watching the just-released music video “Follow the Leader” has you dreaming of following in the footsteps of Jennifer Lopez and Wisin y Yandel, the promise of an Acapulco paradise is just a phone call away.

Music-loving romantics can listen to the rhythm of the waves on Puerto Marques Bay just like JLo by booking accommodation at Hotel Encanto, the boutique retreat which not only stars alongside the American Idol judge in the video, but also provided a serene sanctuary for the superstar during her stay in Mexico’s original resort town.

Through December 20, 2012 traveling twosomes can book the hotel’s “Encanto Package,” which includes a 3-day/2-night stay, daily breakfast, late check-out, upgrade to a Corner Suite (based on availability,) ground transportation to and from the airport and a welcome amenity for $825 per room (based on single or double occupancy.) Tax and service fees are included.

For more information:

• visit www.hotelencanto.com.mx

For more information regarding vacations in Acapulco:

• visit www.rememberacapulco.com

Photo Credit: Amazon

An onstage proposal on April 7th led to a sunrise ceremony in Vero Beach, Florida exactly one month later, with the bride receiving a wedding band to accompany her 2.5-carat, oval-cut diamond engagement ring from Atlanta’s Lizzy Raye Jewelers.

According to People.com, the barefoot bride donned an Amsale gown for the intimate I do’s, while the groom sported a white linen Armani suit paired with Tommy Bahama pants for the special occasion.

Sharing the happy news with fans, the singer Tweeted:

“A best friend for life. I now have a wifey my face hurts from smiling. What a wonderful way to start the rest of my life.”

twitter.com/jakeowen/statu…

— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) May 7, 2012

Photo Credit: Amazon; Twitter/Jake Owen

The $80,000, 3-carat Kwiat cushion-cut diamond and platinum engagement ring which had sparkled on the star’s finger when she became betrothed on June 26, 2011 during a Mexican-inspired soiree in their backyard of the couple’s L.A. abode glittered once again during the bride and groom’s Cinco de Mayo, Mexican-themed wedding celebration. According to People.com, the pair pledged their devotion at the historic John Sowden house in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles.

Photo Credit: Amazon

First unveiled in March 2012, on May 4th Rami Kashou showed his debut “I do” collection for bebe on Access Hollywood, where he also offered his thoughts on possible looks for luminary brides-to-be.

Consisting of nine nuptial numbers and four bridesmaids frocks, the common thread of refined romance runs through each of Kashou’s diverse designs.

Bridesmaids dresses include the fluttering, flirtatious appeal of a pleated strapless layer skirt dress, the sophistication of a cascading ruffle satin pencil dress, the playful pop of color provided by an asymmetrical wrapped drape dress and a boatneck asymmetrical jersey drape dress which could easily step into the role of bridal attire.

Brides can find an array of wedding dress styles to suit their nuptial needs, including:

• The Swirl Ruffle Asymmetric silk taffeta and organza mini-dress for brides who dare to bare.
• A gown with Grecian goddess influences, the One Shoulder Silk Wrap.
• The Pleated Sweetheart Silk Wedding Dress, which features a shape-slimming bustier that flows into a frothy tulle and silk charmeuse princess skirt.
• The Embellished Halter Charm Wedding Dress, complete with a bejeweled V-neckline, waist and back for a hint of Old Hollywood glamor.
• A Drape Top Lace Mermaid Wedding Dress of lace, satin duchesse, silk chiffon and tulle for a design that caresses a woman’s curves and flows to a pool at her feet.
• The Bead Organza Bow Princess Wedding Dress, which marries history with mystery with bugle bead accents that wink in the light, adding an iridescent aura to an asymmetrical apron of silk organza.
• A regal gown garnished in a re-embroidred lace overlay, the Lace 3/4 Princess Sleeve Wedding dress is a fairytale frock made to measure for the woman marrying her Prince Charming.
• A Project Runway-style presentation, the Layered Silk Taffeta Wedding Dress offers Rami Kashou’s signature basket weave pattern in a mermaid-influenced masterpiece.
• The Off Shoulder Tulip Trumpet Wedding Dress features a crisscross of fabric that creates an effect that draws all eyes toward the beaming face of the bride.

For more information:

• visit www.bebe.com

The rock icon, who said “I do” to music executive Geoff Bywater on April 28, 2012 in Mill Valley, California, confided the happy news to fans through social media sites Twitter and Facebook. Sharing a pre-ceremony snapshot which offered a glimpse at her lace-embellished nuptial number, the songsmith stated: “Love was in the air…at the El Paseo gourmet restaurant owned by longtime friend Sammy Hagar. Love rules!”

The romantic rocker, who had announced her engagement in March 2012, was previously wed to director Cameron Crowe.

Just before the vows. Love was in the air last Saturday at the El Paseo gourmet restaurant owned by long time… fb.me/1VVD9WV85

— Heart (@officialheart) May 1, 2012

Photo Credit: Amazon

As home is where the heart is, the bassist and his bride-to-be became betrothed at Followill’s Nashville residence on April 11, 2012, with Patterson receiving a 4-carat, cushion-cut sparkler complete with a diamond-bedecked band, Just Jared reports.

While no date has been announced for the impending I do’s, when the pair decide to pledge their devotion Followill will be following in the maritally-minded footsteps of band mate brothers Nathan Followill, who exchanged vows with Jessie Baylin in November 2009, and Caleb Followill, who walked down the aisle with Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge in May 2011.

ClevverTV offers their view on the pair’s upcoming vow in the following clip:

Photo Credit: Amazon