Posts Tagged ‘honeymoons’
Monday, July 29th, 2013
 Mauritius is one of those destinations that almost seems too good to be true, and it’s a stunning and peaceful location to visit for a honeymoon. In the Indian Ocean, off the southeast African Coast, this island nation is an ideal place to re-group with your sweetheart after the excitement and hectic nature of planning and hosting your wedding.
Where to Stay
You’ll find that the flights to Mauritius will most likely go to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, which is 50km outside of Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. It’s straightforward to get from the airport to other island locations.
The LUX* Grand Gaube is a luxurious hotel that features the type of romantic huts you’ll only find in an island paradise. You can visit the onsite spa for a couples massage and some much deserved pampering, or practice your golf swing on the 18-hole course. Plus, with 24-hour room service and rooms overlooking the sea, you’ll really be able to unwind.
Another stunning choice is the Sugar Beach Mauritius resort. All rooms feature a private balcony or terrace, and with four restaurants you won’t have to venture far from your room to enjoy a meal at all. This hotel has a huge range of activities on offer but of course the main draw beyond the amazing resort is the white sandy beach and the crystal clear waters.
What to Do
Of course, relaxing in a stunning beachfront location is idyllic, but consider reading Paul et Virginie, a love story set in Mauritius, whilst you unwind. Written in 1787 by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, the novel is about the title characters, friends since childhood, who fall in love. While it does reference social and political issues in eighteenth century France, it still provides a great history of the island and a large dose of romance at the same time. You can’t go wrong!
If you and your partner are adventure lovers, you’re in luck as many of the activities on offer in Mauritius are nature focussed, so don’t forget to bring along some trainers and casual clothing. Get in touch with Yan at yanature.com for a tour of the stunning and unique scenery of this volcanic island. Mauritius features some of the most stunning waters in the world so you must go sailing before you leave. Hiring a pedalo to practice your team work is a fun option, and there’s nothing more romantic than being on a catamaran with your new spouse to witness a beautiful sunset.
If you feel like exploring a bit more, you can head to the cities. Visit the Flacq Market where you’ll find fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, Ile aux Aigrettes is a stunning nature reserve just off the coast of the main island, and features unique endemic species, as well as giant tortoises. If you like history, visit L’Aventure du Sucre, an tour which shares the history of Mauritius’s sugar production.
Things to Keep in Mind
Mauritius is a fairly safe country, and you can except to find people speaking English, French and Creole. You most likely won’t need a visa to enter the country, but if you typically do when travelling, do check with the embassy.
Quick Facts
Average Temperature and Weather: The tropical climate means that in the warm season, the average temperature is around 30°C, but it cools off to around 20°C in the winter months. It’s best to avoid the months of January and March as that’s when there will be heavy tropical rain.
Flight Time: Approximately 12 hours from the UK
Nearest Airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
Local Language: English, French, Creole with some Asian languages spoken.
Distance from Airport: Dependant on your resort, but transport is readily available.
Time difference: Mauritius is 4 hours ahead of the UK.
Currency: Mauritian Rupee (1GBP = 48 MURs)
Tags: honeymoons, wedding destinations
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Saturday, June 29th, 2013
What’s more romantic than an extended honeymoon, when you’re newly married and free of the stresses of everyday life? Make the most of the start to your new life together and take a few weeks out to truly explore a new place. For many of us, when we consider a honeymoon destination we think of somewhere tropical with a beach, but what about Australia?
Australia is a brilliant choice for an extended honeymoon. Not only is it a once in a lifetime destination for many because of the distance, it’s also got so many different options to enjoy. From city visits and the major festivals, cultural attractions and restaurants, to Aboriginal history in the Outback, Australia is a truly amazing and unique place. You won’t have to worry about arguing about what to do; both of you will find something that takes your fancy.
A fun and spontaneous idea is to book a hotel for the first week in one location, and leave the rest of the itinerary wide open for you to decide once you arrive. There are loads of websites, like Cheapflights, that let you find the best-priced domestic flights, so you can easily explore many popular locations like Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, or even enjoy a trip to the Outback. If you’re feeling brave, maybe you and your partner can each choose one secret location and create an itinerary? Australia’s official tourism website has a number of three-day journeys that will give you inspiration!
This country is a place where you’ll really enjoy making memories, relaxing with your new spouse. We’ve picked out some of our favourite, most romantic and fun locations for you to think about when deciding on a honeymoon location.
For food and culture lovers. Australia has some of the best restaurants in the world, and you’ll also discover that there’s no shortage of arts or food and wine festivals for you to enjoy. Enjoy the sunshine and glorious weather of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and take in an event like the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival or the Long Weekend Festival. We can think of few things that are more romantic than enjoying new music or discovering new dishes together. Take advantage of the wealth of shopping and cultural activities this location has to offer and enjoy walking around this unique city.
For rest and relaxation. Spend some time in Western Australia and soak up some sun while swimming in the Indian Ocean. There are a number of smaller islands like Monkey Mia that are perfect for a lazy day away from the main beaches. You’ll find a turtle sanctuary that has to be explored, either by diving or snorkelling. Stay in Coral Bay, a small town that’s noted for regular visits from humpback whales between June to October, if you enjoy discovering new sea life.
For adventure seekers. Exploring this vast country in a few short weeks might seem impossible. If you’re happy to spend time travelling between destinations, consider taking the train as you’ll experience many of the stunning views that this country is known for. The Ghan is a train that operates across the country from North to South. Running between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin, it takes 54 hours to travel the full distance. If you don’t fancy that long on the train, consider a shorter journey from Darwin to Alice Springs which, is famous for its Aboriginal heritage. There are a number of sites in the town that maintain their traditional importance.
Tags: honeymoons, wedding destinations
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Monday, April 15th, 2013
Your honeymoon should be a beautiful and relaxing time helping you start your married life somewhere stress free and romantic. A popular location for a honeymoon is the Maldives, where you can bask in the beauty of the Indian Ocean. All of the resorts are enchanting and you’ll be able to enjoy the days with your new spouse without worrying about anything other than which activities to enjoy.
Where to Stay and What to Do
The Maldives is made up of over 1,000 islands, and around 100 of these islands are used exclusively for tourism. Each resort is the only one on its island, surrounded by a beautiful beach, coral reefs and shallow waters. Flights to the Maldives take roughly 5 hours from London to Malé and it’s worth spending some time to compare flights on a site like CheapFlights to get the best deal.
The Baros Maldives Resort is a 25 minute speedboat journey from the Maldives International Airport with a choice of beautiful villa accommodation from beach front huts to a villa on stilts over the ocean, private swimming pools, wonderful food and drink and stunning views.
Anantara Kihavah Villas offers the same picturesque setting with the addition of an onsite spa so you can be pampered whilst relaxing to the sound of waves in the background. Alternatively, you could choose to take a cooking, yoga or tennis lesson, or choose a book from the library. This resort also has the amazing exclusive Sea.Fire.Salt.Sky dining room, where you can enjoy your meal in an underwater room or drinks on the rooftop bar.
The Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru resort is another luxurious option with restaurants and bars and the opportunity to enjoy an intimate in-villa dining experience. This resort is unique in that it has a Marine Lab where guests can join trained divers to learn more about the amazing ecosystem this area enjoys, as well as providing sailing, wake boarding and canoeing activities.
Where to Eat
The Maldives, being separate island resorts, are slightly different to other locations where guests can easily move around from place to place. All of the resorts offer their own restaurants which typically have a number of cuisines for guests to enjoy, but we suggest asking about the particular types of restaurants at each resort when making a booking to ensure that you will be happy with what is available. There are a number of restaurants in Malé, the country’s capital, if you’re interested in visiting the main island, and the variety of seafood and fresh fish on offer is definitely something not to be missed.
Things to Keep in Mind
The Maldives is a Muslim country, and as such, you’ll need to act accordingly. On the resort islands, your dress code and behaviour can be more relaxed; however, when visiting the main islands, you should cover-up and avoid displays of drunken or very obvious displays of affection. Alcohol isn’t available at the airport or on the main island, but is readily available at the country’s resorts.
Quick Facts
Top temperature: the average temperature is 30°C all year round.
Best months to go: January to March is the dry season and mid-May to November is the rainy season. The sun shines most days, so these seasons will not have much impact on your holiday.
Nearest Airport:MaléInternationalAirport(MLE)
Distance from Airport: Dependant on your resort; speedboats and sea plane transfers are available.
Local Language: Maldivian
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (1 GBP is roughly 23 MVR)
Time Difference: 5 hours ahead of the UK
Flight Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Did you honeymoon in the Maldives? What is your favourite part of the region? Would you consider the country as a potential honeymoon destination? Please add your comments!
Tags: honeymoons, wedding destinations
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Friday, April 5th, 2013
A honeymoon guide to Sharm El Sheikh
The time you spend on your honeymoon should not only ease you and your new spouse into your married life, but also help you relax from the stress of the wedding you’ve just celebrated. One place that isn’t often associated with honeymoon destinations is Egypt. However, flights to Sharm El Sheikh, situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, take a little over five hours. You will arrive in a destination like no other, ready for the honeymoon of your dreams.
Where to Stay
This beautiful region caters for all kinds of tastes and it knows how to treat tourists. Some of the most beautiful and romantic places to stay offers top class amenities, like lounge chairs on the beach, beautifully appointed rooms, fine dining, spas and spectacular views.
Concorde El Salam is one of the leading hotels in the region. As well as having the opportunity lap up some much-needed sun on the beach, newlyweds can make use of five pools, three restaurants and eight bars. Concorde El Salam offers diving and snorkelling, as well as boasting its own spa and fitness centre.
The Savoy Group boasts four beautiful hotels to choose from, so whether you want to treat yourself to the honeymoon suite at the Royal Savoy & Villas Sharm El Sheikh Hotel, or enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the pedestrian areas in the Soho Square Sharm El Sheikh, this hotel group will make your stay perfect.
Hilton Hotels are famous the world over for their luxury, standards and their quality. Fayrouz Resort is no exception. With a number of gorgeous suites and rooms, you’ll find a beautiful room here for you and your partner to both enjoy on your honeymoon.
Relaxing and Romantic Activities
One of the most beautiful ways to relax in Sharm is by taking a camel ride, followed by a Bedouin dinner and star gazing. You’ll appreciate the adventure of the camel ride, but the real magic happens when you’re staring up at the sky above you next to your sweetheart.
You can also spend an evening dining at On Deck, a floating restaurant which specialises in fresh seafood and classic Middle Eastern and Egyptian dishes. You’ll both appreciate the amazing views and the peaceful location where you can just enjoy each other’s company.
If you’re looking for a romantic way to explore the history that Egypt has to offer, take a tour from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo, with your own private guide. You and your new spouse will be alone for your excursion and you’ll be free to decide what you see and you’ll be able to enjoy the day just as you want to.
What to Keep in Mind
Sharm is a beautiful and historic area, but you have to keep a few things in mind while you’re there. As Egypt is a predominately Muslim country, alcohol can be expensive so you might want to pick up your own at the duty free or plan for that in your holiday budget.
You’ll also have to bear religious traditions in mind; it is inappropriate to act drunk in public. Also, you shouldn’t show too much bare skin outside the walls of your hotel.
Quick Facts
Top temperature: 35°C in the summer, but between 20°C - 25°C in the winter
Best months to go: Spring to autumn as these months are the most temperate
Nearest Airport: Sharm el Sheikh (SSH)
Distance from Airport: 20 km
Local Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken
Currency: Egyptian Pounds (EGP), and 1 GBP is approximately 10 EGP
Time Difference: +2 GMT
Flight Duration: 5 hours 30 mins (Approx)
Did you honeymoon in Sharm El Sheikh? Would you consider the city as a potential honeymoon destination? What is your favourite part of the region? Please add your comments!
Tags: honeymoons
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Monday, March 25th, 2013
As the ringing of the wedding bells fade into the distance, Mr. and Mrs. Newlywed have an altogether new challenge: where to go for the honeymoon? The tried and tested island paradise honeymoon is always an option, but why not do something different, something more adventurous and unusual like a honeymoon on ice?
When you think of honeymoons, you think of romantic walks along warm coastlines, lounging by sunny beaches and sipping wine in street side cafes. But a honeymoon on ice promises a lot more fun with as many opportunities for romance and life altering experiences. Imagine whale watching with your partner in the North Atlantic, horseback riding through dense alpine forests and sleeping in Ice hotels in Sweden. A honeymoon on ice would be unlike any holiday you’ve ever had.
The Scandinavian countries Sweden and Iceland are the preferred destinations for couples looking to spend their honeymoon in powdery snow and frosty ice. If you decide to head north for your honeymoon, here are a few things you can do.
1. Stay in an Ice Hotel in Sweden
What better way to turn on the heat post-wedding than a stay at the world famous Ice Hotel in Sweden? Located in the northern reaches of Sweden in Jukkasjarvi, the Ice Hotel remains frozen throughout the year. Some of the finest ice sculptors in the world were involved in creating the hotels rooms. The wedding suite made of ice is an exhilarating experience that will delight any adventurous couple. (http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk)
2. Relax at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Only a 30 minute drive from Reykjavik lies the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations. The lava heated waters of the lagoon remain warm at 37-39 C at all times of the year, regardless of the temperature outside. Honeymooning couples can relax in the therapeutic waters, watch the Aurora Borealis in the distance, and seek beauty treatment at the Blue Lagoon spa. (http://www.bluelagoon.com )
3. Whale Watching in Iceland
No holiday in Iceland would be complete without a whale watching tour around the country’s whale-rich waters. The North Atlantic ocean is home to some of the largest whales in the world, including humpback whales, finback whales, the mighty blue whales and Orcas. The sight of a gigantic whale breaching the ocean’s surface is an experience unlike any other. (http://www.gentlegiants.is)
Skip the traditional island honeymoon and start your married life with an adventurous honeymoon on ice, for an experience you will remember for the rest of your life?
Tags: honeymoons
Posted in Weddings Abroad | 2 Comments »
Monday, February 18th, 2013
With a unique location on the ocean’s edge, The Headland offers the ultimate venue for weddings and celebrations. The striking Victorian architecture gives way to luxurious interiors including a grand Ballroom with breath taking sea-views.
The Headland has been family run for over 30 years, meaning occasions such as weddings are handled with passion and tailored in an individual and bespoke manner. Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, The Headland offers an unrivalled backdrop for your wedding photographs, from playful pictures onFistralBeachto romantic moments captured next to the stunning views from the rooms and public areas.
The hotel offers 96 bedrooms whilst 39 idyllic five-star luxury cottages are also available in 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms.
The grand Victorian Ballroom has stunning sea views through its floor-to-ceiling windows. With capacity for up to 200 guests for a civil wedding ceremony, and a maximum of 250 for an evening reception, this magnificent room can also be modified to a smaller size, seating up to 120 for the service.
The Fistral Suite offers views of the beautifulFistralBeach. This room can host up to 50 guests. Several other smaller rooms can accommodate 30 guests (The Gazzle) and 12 guests in Little Fistral and the Morning Room respectively.
On Sundays 24th March and 20th October 2013 the hotel will showcase all rooms and offers brides and grooms to be the opportunity to meet local suppliers at The Headland Wedding Open Day. Alternatively on one evening every month ‘By invitation only’ offers couples the opportunity to meet with the Events Manager to discuss the details of their special day whilst enjoying fizz and canapés.
The Headland will ensure your wedding day is the most outstanding day. A red carpet arrival will set the scene as guests enter a day to remember.
Tags: honeymoons, venues
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Monday, November 5th, 2012
As an award winning wedding planner who has had plenty of practice (she said she “stopped counting” when she hit a thousand ceremonies) Beverly King, the resident wedding planner at Antigua’s Jolly Beach Resort and Spa, is source to be trusted when it comes to wedding advice. Here she shares her top ten tips.
1. Be the Early-Bird. Make sure you book early as everything is subject to availability, and your preferred date may be taken by someone else.
2. Learn from the scouts; be prepared. Find out what documentation is required for the specified country and the length of time you as a couple need to be there before you can wed. Legal requirements vary worldwide. InAntiguait is extremely easy. There is no residency policy e.g. you can go to the Legal Office at 9am and be married by 4:30pm the same day. On arrival to the resort you have an appointment to meet with the Wedding Co-coordinator where all final plans are made for your special occasion and the legal forms are filled out for the Registrar and Legal Office.
3. Dress to chill – your wedding attire should be cool and light coloured, nobody wants to see the bride and groom sweating down the aisle!
4. Don’t burn – a strapless wedding dress does not look good with a sunburnt back, and a suit doesn’t go particularly well with a lobster red face.
5. Don’t forget – who’s got the rings? Tie them to something immovable, like the best man.
6. Bless ‘em – blessings are available atJollyBeach.
7. Think twice – always request a copy of the marriage certificate before leaving the resort.
8. Believe! – trust your wedding co-ordinator; she is there to do the thinking for you!
9. Family ties –JollyBeachhas family and friend deals available.
10. Smile! –remember you are saving an average of £20,000 on a UK wedding, which leaves plenty of cash for a few extras like flight upgrades and several dozen bottles of champagne!
For more information on the various wedding packages available at the Jolly Beach Resort and Spa, please visit http://www.jollybeachresort.com/weddings/ or get in touch with [email protected]
Tags: honeymoons, wedding destinations
Posted in Weddings Abroad | 1 Comment »
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