The Middle East has always intrigued me with its powerful history, rich culture and air of mystery. I finally had the opportunity to visit this fascinating part of the world when we recently took an amazing trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is well known as one of the world’s most vibrant and extravagant cities with spectacular skyscrapers, decadent hotels, vast shopping malls and breathtaking coastal and desert landscapes. Dubai, although not an obvious honeymoon destination, in fact has a lot to offer honeymooning couples who want the best of both worlds mixing city glamour with desert relaxation and adventure. We set off to explore two very different sides of the emirate taking in the grandeur, bright lights and excitement of The Atlantis Palm Resort and the peaceful seclusion of the beautiful Al Maha Desert Reserve.

The Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai offers a wonderful, relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Situated in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the UAE’s first national park, Al-Maha is the only resort in this 225 square kilometre area of incredible dune and desert landscape.  The drive from Dubai takes just under an hour and transports you from a world of towering, shimmering skyscrapers to one of rolling sand dunes, blissful silence and close-up wildlife encounters. It’s a perfect, secluded hideaway for honeymooners.

The resort itself is modelled after a Bedouin encampment and is made up of a cluster of luxury, neutral coloured tents overlooking a lush oasis in the stunning red sands of the desert. As we drove in we were completely in awe of the incredible landscape, we had never seen anything like it and couldn’t wait to start exploring the reserve.
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When I think of Jamaica, I think of white sandy beaches, spectacular sunsets and dancing to reggae on the beach whist sipping rum and that’s exactly what I got on my very first visit to this amazing island.

We split our time in Jamacia between the stunning Montego Bay and the Southern town of Negril. These are two very different areas both of which have plenty to offer honeymooners and couples wanting to tie the knot on this stunning Caribbean Island.

Upon arrival in Montego Bay we made our way to the beautiful Half Moon resort which is nestled on a two-mile crescent-shaped beach on Jamaica’s northern coast. This gorgeous resort was the perfect place to start our week of relaxation. Spread over 400-acres and surrounded by lush landscaped gardens, two miles of private white sand beach and the sparkling Caribbean sea, this is a truly heavenly spot to begin your newly married life.

The accommodation at Half Moon comprises of a large number of quaint whitewashed cottages as well as 33 private villas. Each villa features an en-suite bathroom, private swimming pool and your very own butler, cook and housekeeper to attend to your every need. All the accommodation comes with the most spectacular views. Our patio was the perfect place to spend the evening after a hard days relaxing, lying back watching the sun setting over the sea as we sipped on champagne. Later, we had one of the trained masseuses come and give us a blissful massage before sinking in to the large tub for a relaxing hot bubble bath and finally retreating to the enormous bed looking out over the star filled sky.
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For many people Safari is a once in a lifetime experience that couples can only ever enjoy on a really special occasion such as a honeymoon. South Africa is a fantastic place to go for Big 5 safari with many of the game parks offering Malaria free safaris just a few hours drive from the cities. We spent 4 nights at two different safari game reserves, both of which offered us unforgettable experiences.

We chose to fly in to Port Elizabeth, a costal city situated on Nelson Mandela bay which is within easy reach of some of the best game reserves in the country and acts as the transport hub for the Eastern Cape of South Africa. For this reason, it is an excellent place to start or end a safari trip if you are also planning to spend time along South Africa’s famous Garden Route and in Cape Town.

Arriving in Port Elizabeth, tired and sore from the long flight, what better way to start off your honeymoon than with a little bit of luxury. Probably the largest and most impressive looking hotel along the sea front in Port Elizabeth is the Raddison Blu. A cool, modern, glass fronted building with 18 stories of unobstructed sea view rooms, it was an easy decision to make this our first port of call.  The rooms very much reflect the exterior of the building as they are modern, stylish and luxurious. A huge comfortable bed with a killer ocean view awaits in the bedroom and rooms also have a separate lounge area partitioned off from the bedroom and both bedroom and lounge have large flat screen TVs.  A large free-standing bath, double sinks and a shower/wet room are all featured in the spacious open plan bathroom.
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Cape Town is one of the most spectacular cities in the world, from breath taking beaches and scenery to phenomenal vineyards, night life and some of the best food & wine in Southern Africa, there is something for everyone to enjoy and I would highly recommend it for a honeymoon.

We arrived in Cape Town with high expectations and were not disappointed for a single second. We stayed in some of the best hotels in and around the city and had the most amazing time.

Our first point of call was The Table Bay hotel, situated right on the V&A waterfront. When we first entered the hotel lobby, it felt like stepping into a palace! It is the most breathtakingly grand lobby with gleaming marble floors, soaring ceilings and towering windows through which the Cape Town sun streams in, lighting up the many impressive artworks that are dotted around the room. From the moment you arrive you know that you are going to have your every need taken care of as a bevy of helpful staff relieve you of your luggage and set about making you as comfortable as possible. Everything here has a real feel of refined old world class.
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There are few countries in the world that offer beaches to rival the Caribbean along with affordable luxury accommodation but Thailand is one of these countries. It has everything you could wish for whether it is a dream wedding by the sea or a romantic honeymoon at a world class spa resort. Ever since my first visit to Thailand 10 years ago I have been in love with the country. Just an 11 hour flight from the UK and you will arrive in a paradise full of culture, warm Asian hospitality and white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see.

I recently came back from a trip where I found some of the very best destinations for honeymooners and couples looking to tie the knot.

Phuket

When arriving in Bangkok, the island of Phuket is just a quick one hour domestic flight away. If you don’t plan to buy a ticket to Phuket and want to spend a few days in Bangkok first then you can often find extremely cheap domestic flights using one of the local airlines.

Once we arrived in Phuket we took a 30 minute drive across the island and arrived at our beautiful accommodation, The Shore at Kathatani. The Shore is a luxury beach front resort of pool villas on Kata Noi Beach set in a secluded cove overlooking a white sandy beach and sparkling emerald sea.

The resort is small and intimate and never feels crowded so is the perfect place for a small wedding or simply a romantic getaway with your new husband.
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As our plane flew over St Lucia and I took in the first of many stunning views, I knew I was arriving somewhere very special. Of all the islands I have visited, St Lucia holds a natural charm and welcoming warmth that sets it apart from everywhere else.

Whether you’re after romance, rejuvenation or adventure you’ll find it amongst Saint Lucia’s unique landscape – a mix of idyllic beaches, miles of unspoiled Rainforest and the majestic Piton Mountains. St Lucia offers a variety of accommodations from award-winning hotels and spa resorts to stunning family run B&B’s, making it a destination for all tastes and budgets.

The people of St Lucia are very special, I have come across many well-mannered hospitable cultures but there is something about the St Lucians that makes you feel so at ease and so welcome on their beautiful island. They genuinely care about their visitors and want them to enjoy every moment, everywhere you go people are smiling and laughing and asking how your day is going and the truth is they really want to know.

On the drive from the airport to the North of the island there was so much to take in; children running around playing and waving at us, the lush landscapes of the Island and animals such as goats and horses roaming freely. It was difficult to know which direction to look in, but despite there being so much to take in I immediately felt that this was an island with a calm slow pace of life and I was excited to let the stress of my busy London life slip away…
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Located in the western Andaman sea, between the main coastline of Thailand and the island of Phuket lie the small but perfectly formed Phi Phi Islands. Widely hailed for their beauty, the islands found fame as the idyllic setting of the film ‘The Beach’ and travellers flock from all over the world to gaze upon their sheer cliff faces that descend into lush jungles that give way to white sandy beaches and azure seas. Of the two main islands, Ko Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Ley, only Koh Phi Phi Don is inhabited but despite this there are still no roads on the islands, which makes for a wonderfully rustic experience.

Due to the popularity of the islands, the main settlement on Koh Phi Phi Don can get fairly busy at peak times but fortunately we have the answer if you want to enjoy the beauty of the islands in more private surroundings. Just a short boat ride up to the top of the island (the only real way to get there from the main town), lies the luxury villa resort of Zeavola.

Zeavola is the only luxury villa resort on Koh Phi Phi and from its prime position nestled at the top of the islands you can gaze out on the blue waters of the Andaman sea untroubled by the hustle and bustle of the main town.
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Do you dream of having your wedding on a remote beach in the sun or in New York’s leafy Central Park or in a fairytale castle? Meet The Bridal Consultant who can make your dream wedding a reality.

In a tough economic climate where the average UK wedding costs over £15,000, couples are now switching from having a large traditional wedding in the UK and are downsizing to have a destination wedding combined with a luxurious honeymoon abroad, for a third of the cost.

The Bridal Consultant has just launched a new specialist ‘Jet Set Weddings’ tailor made package, which includes a destination wedding, honeymoon and wedding travel in one. This allows couples to make all their wedding, honeymoon and travel arrangements in one place and the Bridal Consultant can arrange both wedding and travel insurance. Each package is fully protected by ATOL to ensure peace of mind. Couples can choose from a selection of destinations from all over the world from the Caribbean, Maldives, Australia, New York to popular European destinations such as Cyprus and the Greek Islands. Read on…

Though Switzerland may be famous for its winter skiing, it doesn’t mean everyone else can’t enjoy the breathtaking towns such as the 19th century St Moritz . Towns such as these are more popular as spa towns, so even if you’re not a winter sports fan or your new husband isn’t a skier – there is still plenty to inspire you to these stunning mountains.

At the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina for example, only about 50% of their winter guests actually ski, the rest come for pure R&R. Attracted to the “best Alpine spa”*, newlyweds can take advantage of packages such as the “Break Away”, which includes three nights’ accommodation, a sumptuous breakfast buffet and gourmet dinner daily, unlimited access to the Kronenhof Spa, a 20-minute relaxing alpine wild herb bath, a 25-minute regenerating body wrap, a 50-minute Kronenhof anti-stress massage, a 60-minute Carita Express facial for ladies or a 60-minute personal training session for men and a daily Fit & Fun sports programme. Prices start from CHF 1225 (approx £790) per person.
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Cheaper than the Caribbean whilst still offering beautiful beaches, azure seas and warm tropical weather… it is little surprise that Phuket, Thailand has been dubbed the “Jewel of the Andaman” and “Pearl of the South”.

Whilst many areas of the island have suffered from overdevelopment and tourism driven commercialisation, the past few years have seen a renaissance of sorts, thanks mostly to the opening of a number of luxurious and exclusive resorts such as the fabulous Evason resort and Six Senses Spa.

The Evason Phuket is located on Rawai beach which lies on the islands South Eastern shore, around an hour’s drive from Phuket airport, we went to find out if it was a fantastic as it sounded…

The sleek, shining new 5-series, complete with cold towels and chilled water, that arrived to deliver us from the airport to the Evason resort very much set the tone for what was to be an experience of utmost luxury. On its way to the reception, the car passes through the 64 acres of landscaped tropical gardens that surround the resort. Here we found giant palm trees swaying gently in the sea breeze and a series of picturesque ponds sprinkled with lily pads and a healthy population of colourful little frogs. The reception itself has an incredible view over the Andaman and is made up of four open-air salas (pavilions) which surround a mirror like lotus pond. At night, two burning braziers in the pond cast the whole area in a wonderful dancing orange light.

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I am really excited to let you know about a project I have been working on over the summer. Luxury travel company Rex Resorts and myself have been putting together a fabulous guide to Beach Weddings, covering everything from stunning destinations and overseas wedding legalities to all the best beach wedding fashion and accessories. As well as all that I even managed to interview world renowned make-up artist Bobbi Brown to get all her top tips on doing your beach wedding make-up, as well as interviewing some of the countries top wedding planners and getting them to spill the beans and share all their trade secrets!

Enjoy x

ps: To celebrate the launch of the Beach Bride Guide we’re offering one lucky couple the chance to win a seven night honeymoon to the beautiful Island of St Lucia. Check out our competition page to enter.

Click here to read the Beach Bride Guide

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and is best known for its numerous magnificent temples, lush tropical countryside and fiery northern Thai cuisine. It represents a slower paced and more rustic alternative to the bright lights of Bangkok and is a wonderful honeymoon destination for anyone looking for a taste of Eastern culture.

In the heart of the Chaing Mai’s old town, an area over flowing with spectacular Buddhist temples, you will find Tamarind Village which is an ideally located romantic haven from which to explore this amazing and exciting city.

The Tamarind Village was one of the first boutique hotels in Chiang Mai to be designed with Chiang Mai’s rich traditional northern Thai architecture in mind. The hotel, really a complex of smaller, individually styled cloisters arranged around a series of small courtyards and gardens, features elegant exposed dark timber beams, whitewashed walls and clay tiled roofs and is really quite beautiful. The tropical grounds are meticulously maintained and the paths that wind between them are lit-up at night by scores of candles. The centerpiece of the complex is a majestic 200 year old tamarind tree which towers over the central courtyard and was the inspiration for the hotel’s name. Read on…

Camp Jabulani Relais & Châteaux guarantees a unique honeymoon experience for unforgettable shared memories of a magical start to married life.  Nowhere else in the world is it possible to take an elephant-back safari at night, watch the 15-strong herd (including three young born in the Camp) playing in the river at noon, or interact with these engaging animals, which were saved from death in Zimbabwe.

On arrival at Camp Jabulani, guests are partnered with an elephant for the duration of their stay.  Each elephant has its own character, and pairings are decided by the elephant-master based on temperamental compatibility.  Guests mount via a ramp designed for the elephant’s comfort, sit in an exclusively designed saddle and soon settle confidently in to the gentle sway of their mount’s steady gait. Jabulani, the first elephant to be rescued, leads the safaris, which offer Big Five wildlife sightings and a unique insight into the natural environment of the bush.

Situated in South Africa’s northernmost Limpopo province, Camp Jabulani is in the heart of the majestic Mpumalanga region and enjoys spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountains.   The Camp has six secluded and quite private suites. And, set slightly apart, the Zindoga Villa launched in October 2009 offers accommodation for up to six guests.
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Now I know I have a lot of women reading my blog who are already married but ca’t quite drag themselves away, well now I have a treat for the already-married couples. Holiday Inn has just introduced a second honeymoon rate at hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for this summer only. So romance strapped couples can feed some love back into their relationships.

Traditionally a once in a lifetime event, the honeymoon is one of the most romantic experiences in a marriage. With one in three marriages ending in divorce and marriage on the decline, re-creating those magic moments has never been so important.

With the new Holiday Inn second honeymoon rate, offering a 25 per cent discount for stays between 6 July and 31 August 2010, there’s no need to fork out a fortune to make a bold romantic gesture.

The Holiday Inn second honeymoon rate is available at 163 hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in locations including London, Paris, Barcelona, Moscow, Turin, Valencia, Madrid, Vienna, Cape Town, the Algarve and Greece for stays between 6 July and 31 August 2010 (booked between 6 and 18 July 2010). Couples will need to present a second honeymoon rate voucher and a photograph taken on your first honeymoon, when you check in.  The voucher can be downloaded from www.holidayinn.com/secondhoneymoonrate

What if I told you that you could avoid the hassle and expense of a traditional wedding at home and say ‘I Do’ in a sun drenched paradise for FREE!!  Well it’s true, Breezes Resorts are offering couple a free wedding, with the choice of an intimate exchange of vows at Breezes Grand Negril and Breezes Rio Bueno in Jamaica or a traditional family friendly occasion at other Breezes resorts.

With a dedicated wedding planner at each of its 13 all-inclusive resorts around the Caribbean and Latin America, couples can sit back and relax, as their tailor-made ceremony is created specifically for them, safe in the knowledge that the location will be stunning and all the essentials will be included.  Breezes Resorts are located in Jamaica, Bahamas, Cuba, Curacao, Panama and Brazil.
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I was very excited to hear that between the 1st of May and 31 of October 2010 couples getting married in Bermuda, who stay on the island a minimum of four nights can then receive a refund on their return flights from London to Bermuda. By registering your interest between the 15th of April – 15th of June, British couples can take advantage of this fantastic offer, worth over £1,000.

To qualify, weddings have to take place on the island between the 1st of May – 31st of October 2010.  The bride and groom to be must email ‘I can’t wait to get married in Bermuda’ to ukweddings@bermudatourism.com to be eligible. The cost of two return economy flights with British Airways will be refunded upon their return to the UK.

With its world class facilities, sumptuous scenery and elegant colonial charm, Bermuda is the ideal backdrop for your special day! For more information visit www.gotobermuda.co.uk. Terms and conditions apply.

If you are looking for something different for your honeymoon and want to stay a little closer to home then you must check out this fabulous new company Canopy & Stars, that launched last week.

Canopy & Stars is a new collection of quirky and beautiful places of a camping kind! But we’re not talking about any old camping experience and we’re not just talking about tents. Over the coming months they will have everything from stunning treehouses, luxury yurts, shepherd’s huts, safari tents, log cabins and Gypsy caravans – even an Iron Age roundhouse. Always comfortable and cosy, sometimes unashamedly eccentric, these will be Special Spaces to Stay for those in search of escape, mild adventure or the chance to Go Slow.

www.canopyandstars.co.uk is set to become the website for anyone wanting a honeymoon with a dash of eco-panache.

Jamaica Tourist Board has joined forces with Virgin Holidays to entice couples to book a spontaneous break from only £799* per person

A romantic break doesn’t have to be about visiting art galleries or spending a fortune on candlelit dinners. Why not bin the clichés and book a holiday that you will remember forever?

Jamaica’s laid-back attitude combined with its diverse landscape, colourful history and irresistible reggae rhythm provides the perfect recipe for the most romantic getaway of your lives.

Why not start your holiday relaxing on the blissful white sand beaches of Negril? You can enjoy a romantic dinner of freshly-caught fish as you watch the sun melt into the sea. Afterwards, lose yourself to the beat of live music as you dance barefoot deep into the night.
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Lotus Journeys offer unique holidays swimming with wild dolphins in beautiful unspoilt locations worldwide, where you can fulfill your dream of swimming with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Their ethos is one of respect and sensitivity with the dolphins and they introduce you to this experience with expert care and guidance. They take people to beautiful places worldwide that are key locations for dolphins. In the summer they go to the Azores, in the winter they go to La Gomera in the Canary Islands. You will be welcomed into the company of people who have dedicated their lives to deepening human relationships with the dolphins and whales.

Their team love what they do with a passion. They offer a wealth of experience, expertise and sensitivity in how they introduce people to these playful and highly intelligent creatures in the wild. This provides you with the best opportunities to interact with them safely and appropriately.

Group trips or private tailor made trips are available from May-October. 7 nights starts from £780

To find out more visit www.lotusjourneys.com

Well I have two great last minute offers for the gorgeous Brown’s Hotel in London that could be just what you are looking for.

Festive Stay at Brown’s Hotel – Brown’s gift to you is your third night free
Stay for any two consecutive nights and Brown’s will give you the third room night free.
Rooms start from £660+VAT for three nights in a Classic Room, subject to availability.

Festive Celebration at Brown’s Hotel – Enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne
Stay one night and enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne.
Rooms start from £255+VAT per night in a Classic Room.

The above packages are available between the 18th December 2009 and 10th January 2010.  To make a reservation please call 020 7493 6020, visit www.roccofortecollection.com or email reservations.browns@roccofortecollection.com.   All prices quoted are excluding VAT and are subject to availability.

A contemporary beach addition to Northern Mozambique’s wild and rugged coastline

Opening December 2009, Coral Lodge 15.41 is a unique barefoot beach retreat situated on a peninsula within the wild and rugged untouched Varanda nature reserve in Northern Mozambique.

La Varanda, the area surrounding the lodge, is a privately owned nature reserve full of untouched beaches, dunes and mangroves. It lies only a short distance from the historical UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island), the former capital of the country. Since the end of the civil war in 1992, tourism has fast become one of the country’s key resources but the area around Coral Lodge 15.41 is still largely untouched and the rugged unspoiled terrain and friendliness of the locals are a true testament to this.

This unique boutique beach retreat, comprising of only ten villas, has been designed by the renowned Dutch designer Edward Van Vliet who has tastefully combined the latest in luxury and comfort with the authentic feel of Mozambican style and pureness. He has skillfully incorporated the colours of the surroundings by using a mix of wood and textures to ensure the lodge sympathetically blends in with its surroundings.

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A new website has been launched by the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, dedicated exclusively to helping brides and grooms plan their dream Aruban wedding.

From elegant, intimate beachfront ceremonies to grand ballroom extravaganzas, the www.weddings.arubamarriott.com website is a time-saving, one-stop shop where planners and do-it-yourself brides can find information about: the various wedding locales on property (beachfront, gardens, ballrooms); packages (from traditional ceremonies to à la carte services); group rates and reservations; key staff profiles; an image gallery; and Aruban marriage requirements.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts 411 guestrooms (the most spacious on the island), each with large, private balconies overlooking lush landscape and the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea; a 6,500 square foot spa; a free-form swimming pool with cascading waterfalls; seven restaurants and cafés; and the largest casino in Aruba.

It’s the little details that count and Boutique Souk have that notion down to a tee. They provide the ultimate in luxury travel and concierge in Morocco; their bespoke service coupled with their knowledge of the area is the perfect recipe for creating exceptional experiences and magical memories. From sourcing locations to selecting menus, organising accommodation to arranging photography, everything you require for your wedding is thought of while you embrace the magic of the moment.

Morocco is a sensory overload at its most intoxicating, from the scents and sounds that permeate the medinas of Marrakesh to the astonishing sights of the landscape. The abundance of mountains, the mud-brick kasbahs that turn blood red with the setting sun, the vibrant labyrinth souks and the tranquil, wistful riads, create an overwhelming sense that one has stumbled into a fairytale. Boutique Souk makes that Fairy tale wedding a reality, incorporating the setting with an unparalleled service.
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Legend has it that Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, rose from the foaming waves off the rocky southwest coast of Cyprus. Could there be a more romantic spot for lovers to marry than Paphos, the island capital in Roman times? Statues and mosaics remind you of the divine patron of marriage, and on a balmy jasmine-scented evening, when the fiery sun drops like a huge tangerine coin into the blue Mediterranean, you can almost feel her presence.

Cyprus is an island with spectacular scenery and a wonderful climate. Here cool, pine-clad mountains, golden beaches, lush vineyards and tranquil villages, go hand in hand with cosmopolitan towns. Greek temples, ancient Roman mosaics, and Byzantine monasteries tell the varied history of this magical island and are just waiting to be explored.

The third largest island in the Mediterranean stands at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe. Throughout the ages its strategic geographical location has made it very attractive to invaders. Each conquering culture has left its imprint on the island.

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The Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi, a national monument as much as a lived-in family home, has now opens its doors as a wedding venue. The historic buildings and beautiful gardens in the up and coming Le Marche region of Italy are one of the most romantic settings any couple could dream of for their wedding. The venue is known for its typically Italian hospitality and its refined and elegant flair.

Getting married at the Borgo Storico is just like a fairy tale come true. Couples can very much choose where they want to celebrate their wedding – there are various locations indoors and outdoors that are simply perfect for wedding celebrations and civil ceremonies can be arranged. From the seventeenth century chapel, the eighteenth century villa with its elegant salons to the historic nineteenth century romantic garden with lots of perfect spots for a marquee to celebrate under the stars. There are also eleven luxurious suites and professional kitchens on site and specialised staff are there to satisfy every request with the utmost care and attention. The rental for exclusive use of the property (until 4am in the morning/music stops at 2am) is €3,500.00.

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If you are looking for inspiration for your honeymoon then be sure to visit  The Luxury Travel Fair at Olympia, London between the 5-8 of November!

Now in it’s 4th year, the Fair has established itself as a must-attend event for those looking for the unique, the unforgettable and the unusual alongside more familiar favourites when it comes to choosing their honeymoon. Glean inspiration and enjoy entertainment from personalities such as the award winning Intercontinental Park Lane’s top chef Theo Randall appearing in Meet the Experts. Six Senses Resorts & Spas will be offering a range of complimentary holistic wellness and rejuvenation treatments. The Alpine Bar with Champagne Pol Roger provides a wide range of refreshments and creates an intimate atmosphere, where visitors can relax and discuss their travel plans whilst listening to the bespoke soundtrack created specially for the Fair by Music Concierge…

Ticket prices are from £12 (subject to availability).

To book your tickets visit www.luxurytravelfair.com

Hi Wedding Girl,

Me and my fiance have finally decided that we would like to get married in South Africa. I know you did a post on South Africa a few months back and I was wondering ifyou could give me some more information as to what we can expect and what the different styles and wedding options would be so that we can start planning. We plan to get married sometime between February and April.
Hayley – Oxford

Hi Hayley, I get quite a lot of emails about marrying abroad and recently with the rand being so strong I have had lots of questions about marrying in South Africa. As my knowledge of the country is reasonably limited I have asked the lovely girls at Here’s My Card to answer this question and give us a bit more information about what different options are available.

Rich in natural beauty and culture, South Africa boasts some of the most picturesque and exotic landscapes in the world. South Africa offers a totally unique and memorable wedding destination.

Read on…

Picture an island paradise with cloud-shrouded green hills and palm lined white beaches and chances are you’ve just pictured Tobago. The island, once known as ‘The Secret Caribbean’, is a self contained paradise and was the setting for Daniel Defoe’s tale of adventure ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Some local guides will even show you the exact cave that was included in the book.

Totally unspoilt, this paradise isle has no high rise horrors or beach enclaves hiding behind perimeter fences and it is outside the hurricane belt. It’s real charm lies in the fact that it is the only island where you can experience the spirit and lifestyle of the Caribbean as it must have been 50 or 60 years ago when only the rich and famous visited such exotic destinations.

Wooden shacks, fishermen selling their catches, roadside stores and women carrying their loads above their heads are as much a part of Tobago as the luxury hotels. This is a friendly island where the hummingbird population outnumbers the human one and the pace of life is slow to static. Read on…

We are getting married in July next year and we really want our guests to contribute to our honeymoon instead of buying us gifts, we know that some people are not very comfortable with this and feel it is a bit impersonal, is there a good way to ask or should we just put something in the invitation? Also is there a good company we should use for organizing this?
K – Middlesex

Hi K
Asking for money towards honeymoons instead of gifts is becoming more and more popular with couples, especially for those who already live together and have set up home. How you ask the guest is always a bit of a tricky one and yes some guests can find giving money a little impersonal. I would recommend using a company who specifically deal with these sort of gift lists as they can help you present it to your guests in a way that will make them excited and really let them see what their money is going towards!!

I really like this new company called Honeymiles, they are really young and modern and get what couples want from their honeymoon and their gift list!!
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Small but perfectly formed, the romantic island of Jersey is an idyllic honeymoon destination ready to be explored and enjoyed…

They say the best things come in small packages and the island of Jersey is no exception. It has beautiful beaches, quiet country lanes, excellent hotels, restaurants and more sun than anywhere else in the British Isles. It’s within easy reach of the U.K and mainland Europe, yet has a hideaway atmosphere that makes it a perfect and affordable honeymoon destination for those wanting to stay closer to home.

Set in the sparkling waters of the Bay of St Malo, Jersey is only 14 miles from the French coast and 100 miles from the south coast of England.  It’s easy to get there by air or sea, just hop on one of the numerous daily flights from 33 regional airports or board the fast ferry from Poole or Weymouth.

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