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Showing posts from 2012

Saying ‘I do’ to Ceremonies at Sea

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A voyage on an ocean liner can be one of the most romantic experiences, as the number of honeymooners and couples marking anniversaries at sea with Cunard bears witness. But now guests will be able to celebrate an even more special occasion with Cunard: an unforgettable wedding day at sea, conducted by the Captain, aboard one of the most famous ocean liners in the world – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. And while other cruise lines may offer wedding packages, only Cunard can offer the truly unique option of saying ‘I do’ mid-Atlantic on a classic voyage aboard the biggest and grandest ocean liner in the world, Queen Mary 2. Couples wishing to wed can choose from the full spectrum of Cunard’s worldwide voyages lasting seven-nights or more.  Destinations range from the Mediterranean and Scandinavia to Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Far East and Australia.  To maintain exclusivity, only one wedding is arranged per day, at eith

Denise and Jonathan Barnett – African Adventure And Romance In Tanzania

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Denise and Jonathan Barnett live in London and married last autumn, before embarking on a heavenly honeymoon in Tanzania with The Selous Safari Company .  “We wanted to do something on our honeymoon that neither of us had done before and the idea of lying on a beach for the whole holiday didn’t appeal to either of us as we are both active and love running marathons, skiing – you name it!  So we decided to go on safari.  We considered several safari companies but chose to book Siwandu, which is part of The Selous Safari Company as they offered a luxurious base with the options for open vehicle safaris, boat safaris and even walking safaris every morning with a quality lunch back at base, with enough time for a quick swim before the afternoon activity. This variety really appealed to us. Our first impression of Siwandu in the Selous Game Reserve was how really open and part of the bush it was.  There are no gates or fences and you really felt that you were in the middle of this wo

Rise of the Adventure Honeymoon

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Forgoing the cookie-cutter honeymoon, more newlyweds than ever are celebrating their matrimony with an adrenaline-filled adventure tour. With the increased legalization of gay marriage, Access Trips is also experiencing an increase in both LGBT and heterosexual honeymooners. Led by a multi-lingual guide and expert instructors, an intimate, small group tour is the perfect hassle-free honeymoon for active couples looking to discover a new culture and experience world-class thrills. From action packed mountain biking trips through Nepal and Turkey to thrilling surf tours through Costa Rica and Mexico, Access Trips offers vacations to suit any couple’s interests and skill set. Access Trips is the leading adventure travel operator specializing in exotic learning vacations to 13 countries worldwide. This company offers a wide range of small-group outdoor sports and culinary-focused trips that are expertly designed to allow guests to experience a new culture, learn new skills or fine-tune

Happy Christmas with Worldwide Wedding Offers

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Have yourself a very merry Christmas with Tropical Sky’s Worldwide Wedding Offers – Book before 31 December 2012 The Christmas season is a time to show those that you love just how much you care, after all, Christmas provides a romantic backdrop for that moment when you decide to ask for your love’s hand in marriage. Christmas has come early this year with Tropical Sky’s extra special touches included for FREE on all weddings booked in December across the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Far East, and America. Special touches include complimentary room upgrades for you and your guests, resort credits of up to US $500 for the bridal couple and up to US $200 for your wedding guests, champagne beachfront massage, free wedding DVD and cake on arrival. So don’t be a Scrooge this Christmas! Simply book your Wedding this December for travel in 2013 and reap these very special extra benefits, available just for you , exclusively from Tropical Sky Weddings.

Honeymoons or Hen Dos with a difference

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For those looking for a fun honeymoon or hen do with a difference, try New York and the nyma new york manhattan hotel. Forget mainstream museums, tours and galleries, there is so much more going on in New York if you are curious and have a sense of adventure. The alternative resides on every block - whether it’s finding a rare and dusty treasure in an old basement bookshop, admiring graffiti on the street or perusing the city’s edgiest art galleries or quirky vintage fairs. While for those wanting to try something truly out of the ordinary, Sidetour.com offers visitors to the city an endless choice of cool and cultural experiences. nyma, the new york manhattan hotel is a fresh and stylish option for those seeking contemporary accommodation in Midtown Manhattan. What’s more, the hotel offers a host of FREE amenities including continental breakfast, wi-fi and national phone calls, as well as a fitness suite open 24 hours a day and a mezzanine area with informal seating offering free

A New Look for Great Fish River Lodge, South Africa

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Situated in the pristine wilderness of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s malaria free Eastern Cape, Great Fish River Lodge reopened its doors at the beginning of September following an interior redesign. This flagship lodge, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, now features a more classic-contemporary style, though still one of simple elegance that embraces the lodge's splendid setting high up on a steep bank overlooking the Great Fish River. Retaining the essence of the original character of Great Fish River Lodge, the new colour scheme comprises a calm and natural palette of earthy tones from khaki browns to charcoals greys, whilst natural linens and plenty of texture preserve its simple but sophisticated atmosphere. The 9 guest suites also feature the softer colour palette and clean lines creating comfortable, uncluttered rooms.  Fabrics are simple, gorgeous and earthy whilst quality linens with soft embroidery have been used on the down-fille

Justin, Jessica and their three day wedding

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Could you survive a three-day wedding? Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel certainly don't do things by halves. Their Italian wedding turned into a three-day extravaganza at the beautiful Borgo Egnazia resort. "We have noticed a rise certainly in extended wedding celebrations, what we term ‘wedkends’," said Sophie Day, author of The Secret Quintessentially Weddings Guide (out next month). "It is something quite a few of the venues in the guide are increasingly offering so that couples and their guests have the chance to really revel in their wedding and enjoy spending rare time with their loved ones rather than just focusing on one fleeting day when it’s often difficult to get around everybody and catch-up, make guests feel special or appreciated for coming." While no expense was spared at the Timberlake/Biel nuptials - helped with an investment from People Magazine, who bought the exclusive rights to the wedding photos - a wedkend isn't beyond the

How to save money on your wedding abroad

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Every bride on a budget has to make a few sacrifices, whether it be cutting the guest list or choosing favours over flowers. But if you are one of the thousands of Brits planning to get married abroad, there is a way of making your money go further without these cuts. Suzi Dixon explains how you can make forex work in your favour... A study earlier this year found that more than a third of couples have booked a wedding abroad in the next 12 months, that’s as many as 80,000 Brits, to beat spiralling prices and unpredictable weather back home*. But I wonder how many of these brides are currency savvy and know how to make every penny count – before AND after it is converted to those all-important euros or other foreign currency. Beat the bankers No doubt you have suppliers that need to be paid overseas and perhaps one big bill in particular with a hotel or wedding planner. It’s essential that you get the best rate when making this transfer and comparison sites such as MyCurrencyTran

Marry in the Maldives at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi

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Have you ever dreamt of spending the most special day of your life on a sandy beach, gentle waves lapping at your feet and blue skies overhead? Why not make your dreams come true at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, with its exotic beaches, turquoise sea and serene atmosphere the resort offers couples the perfect setting to get married or renew those important marriage vows. Coco Palm Bodu Hithi staff have the expertise to take care of all the little details that come together to turn guests’ dreams into a reality. With the For Ever Yours Wedding Package couples begin their day in the relaxing atmosphere of the Coco Spa, enjoying the pampering treatments by the professional Spa therapists. This specially crafted wedding package suggests various beautifying experiences for the bride and groom with facial treatments, manicures and pedicures available, all with spa views of the Indian Ocean. Brides-to-be will be pampered to perfection with hair and make-up done by experts, ensuring as stress-fre

Eloping Abroad in Europe

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If you're dreaming of eloping to Europe, then think about getting married in beautiful Spain, our friends at Casamundo UK explain why below. Europe, land with great beauty. It is the dream of every individual to experience the greatest love experience that the world offers. Many people today find that a change in location might be a great thing. The basic idea is to enjoy life at its best. Well, today location constraints have not been a restriction to the best experience that life offers. A lot of British couples in search of the best wedding experience elope to Spain. One might wonder why Spain has gained a great influx of eloping British couples. Spain is a land with great marvels of beauty and attractive natural scenery,  as described on spain-info.com, such as the Mediterranean coast Green Spain and the Spanish Mountains. Spain is today viewed as the country of love with its great cities full of Spanish culture. Wedding etiquette has stood the test of time. There are the

Romantic Honeymoon Retreat at the Marbella Beach Hotel, Corfu

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If you're looking for a relaxing location for your honeymoon, take a look at the Marbella Beach Hotel, Corfu which has launched a new package designed to pamper and spoil honeymooning couples. Recently refurbished contemporary rooms surrounded by lush gardens and breath-taking sea views from all corners of the hotel help you relax after your special day. With a fantastic selection of restaurants dotted around the property, there's a fantastic variety of cuisine and dining options available. Take a day to stroll around and explore the narrow and charming streets of nearby Corfu Town or let the hotel organise a private boat trip to the picturesque island of Paxos and the scenic coastal village of Sivota. The New Honeymoon Package includes the following on a complimentary basis: ·         Room upgrade (subject to availability) ·         Traditional Greek sweet platter ·         Sparkling wine & flowers in room ·         Manicure, pedicure, sauna and hammam plus 20% discount

Honeymoon in Chile and witness the 2013 Dakar Rally in luxury

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If you're looking for an adventurous honeymoon then how about Chile? In 2013 the famed off-road race, the Dakar Rally, will finish in Chile for the first time ever and now DialAFlight is offering a unique chance to witness the last, challenging week in pure luxury. Beginning in Chile's Santiago, acclimatise at a five-star hotel before travelling by plane and private 4x4 to follow the last stretch of the race from Copiapo to Santiago. Spend four days and nights in the desert with English speaking guides, staying in luxurious, fully serviced tents with real beds. Feel the adrenalin of the racers as they zoom across dusty plains, salt lakes, the rugged Andes mountains and Atacama desert before reaching the finish line after 15 days of endurance. Then finish the trip with a final night in Santiago before the flight home. Book by 30 September and tour operator DialAFlight (Tel 0844 556 6060) is offering an exclusive six-night trip to see the final stages of the world-famo

A Bath for Two with a Honeymoon View.....

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....at The Recently Re-Launched The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives In a place of powder-white sands, crystalline seas and castaway beauty, what could be more soothing to the soul than watching the sun set in paradise while enjoying a long soak in a bath designed for two? At the recently re-launched The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives revel in romance and gaze out from a private tub across the sweeping Maldivian horizon. Tropic Breeze ( www.tropicbreeze.co.uk / 01752 880880) is offering seven nights on a bed and breakfast basis at the five-star The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives from £2,450 per person (saving up to £1,250 per person). Valid for selected departures until 25 December, the price includes accommodation in a luxury water villa with a private pool, a 45-minute Jetlag massage, complimentary watersports, an introductory dive per stay, complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar beverages, flights from Gatwick with British Airways and VIP seaplane transfers from Malé. Or

Ten compelling reasons to get married in stunning Italy

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Imagine a spectacular backdrop of the glistening Mediterranean Coast, clear blue skies and a romantic villa with only your closest friends and family around you. It’s easy to see why more couples are saying “I do” in Italy these days and choosing a  destination wedding in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast or the Italian Lakes rather than in England; and the weather’s not the only reason! Read on to see what’s attracting around 1 in 5 British couples to get married abroad. 1. Stunning Venues.   Italy has an endless amount of sublime venues; from intimate luxurious  villas to spectacular cliff top Hotels. Most have historical significance which adds to the grandeur and each with it’s own unique breathtaking views which are all part and parcel of getting married in Italy. In the UK you have to pay a premium for a venue in the country with views over the rolling hills but in Italy it’s a given that every venue will be in a magical setting at no extra cost. 2.  Exceptional Cuisine. Italy i

The Perfect Pre-Wedding Pamper Destinations

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Every bride deserves a stress free time before her wedding day. So how about a bit of pampering pre-wedding to relax and enjoy your last few days as a single woman? These beautiful locations in the Canary Islands could be just the tonic, or, if you'd like somewhere closer to home try the Channel Islands, it's a shorter flight! Canary Islands Only a 4 hour flight away, the sultry Spanish island of Gran Canaria, enjoys a microclimate averaging 24 degrees all year round and boasts some of the best spas in Europe, with affordable prices. Brides to be looking for a girly getaway to leave them glowing with good health and looking radiant for their big day will find all they need and more in Gran Canaria’s luxury spa resorts. If you’re looking for a little cosmetic helping hand to look absolutely divine for your wedding, treatments such as chemical peels, teeth whitening, and botox, offered in professional, state-of-the-art clinics are less expensive than in the UK. However

Escape The Rain And Venture To The Atlas Mountains For Some Sun With A Stay At Kasbah Tamadot

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Experience the magic of Kasbah Tamadot this summer where you can almost always guarantee the sun will be shining. Enjoy a free night on us with our Suite Dreams offer so that when you book a 4 night stay in one of Kasbah Tamadot's beautiful suites or luxury Berber Tented Suites your final night is free! You can also combine this offer with our Kids go Free offer for a great value family getaway. The Suite Dreams offer is priced in Moroccan Dirhams and starts from MAD 25,470 (current exchange rate - £1,830) per room for 4 nights based on two adults sharing on a full board basis. To add to this we're also offering guests a free night in all other room types until the 31st August so when you book to stay for 4 nights or more; your final night is on us! Rates start from MAD 4,600 (current exchange rate - £330) per room per night and are based on two adults sharing and include breakfast. Kasbah Tamadot has recently introduced some brand new and exciting features and activities fo

Discovering Wedding Venues in the Dolomites, Part 2

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Day 3 Thursday was high energy day. The Via Ferrata is a popular activity in Cortina and we were all going to undertake one of the routes up a mountain overlooking the town. Via Ferrata is where a cable is attached to the side of a mountain and you climb up attached to the cable by ropes and clips. A bit like climbing with the route already mapped out for you and attached to something that shouldn't break! When we arrived at the mountain I took one look and thought there was no way I would be able to climb up there. I'd never been climbing before and had no idea what to do. Nevertheless, I gave it a go, and with quite a lot of effort I made it up 3 metres before our guide (who had climbed K2 and is  quite famous locally) decided that he didn't fancy hauling me the whole way up the mountain and made me abseil down instead! I can't say that I was too disappointed as my whole body was shaking already, so two more hours of that was looking a bit daunting. Although, if

Discovering Wedding Locations in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy

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Day 1 A 4.30am start was not the easiest, especially after arriving at Birmingham airport the plane to Venice developed technical trouble and was delayed by a few hours. I was travelling to Cortina D'Ampezzo, a town in the Italian Dolomite mountains a couple of hours north of Venice, to discover if this area, popular for winter and summer sports, would make a good wedding destination. Eventually the flight did take off and I arrived in Venice three hours late, but still in time to catch the express bus to town. Arriving in Cortina at 4pm I had missed the briefing on the history of the town, but was still able to meet a local wedding planner, Annette Gottman , who knows the area intimately and has arranged many weddings. Annette is primarily a herbalist and flower expert, but her expertise also works well for events. She showed me some beautiful pictures of ceremonies she had created and talked about the ceremony she was arranging for that Saturday at the beauti

Honeymoon in Luxury in an Ethical Crafted Tent in Africa

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These tents in southern Tanzania make a beautiful location to start married life. Why not treat yourself and honeymoon in style! Situated within an open palm forest on the shores of Lake Nzerakera, the Selous Safari Camp ’s 13 tented suites are dotted around the perimeter in absolute seclusion, each with their own private verandah, offering a unique view over the water. Each one is constructed from natural wood and natural canvas, complimenting their natural setting. Furnished in traditional style, the suites offer ornate furniture, a grand, eight-foot wide bed and beautiful bathroom features, including an oversized brass sink and a star shower complete with locally-produced toiletries - providing an exhilarating ‘wild washing’ experience! While the suites hark back to the classic, ‘old safari’ style, they retain a twist of real Africa from the traditional Tanzanian throws, rugs and fabrics, and the little details – woven baskets and ornamental pieces made of innovative materials

Wedding Trends 2012

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So, you're engaged, you're planning your wedding and you're looking for inspiration. Then look no further...... our friends at White Sage Events have put together a great selection of wedding trends which are taking 2012 by storm. From dresses to cake, flowers to food, you'll find plenty of inspiration for your special day in this series of blogs. Enjoy! Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 1 – The Dress Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 2 – The Cake Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 3 – The Pooch Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 4 – The Look Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 5 – The Flowers & The Alternatives Wedding Trends 2012 Series – Part 6 – The Food Find a wedding planner abroad here

Malaysia Airlines launches two-week jumbo faires sale

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-FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY- Book by 3rd of July for amazing value fares to Asia 
and Australasia from London Heathrow Savings of up to £590pp on Business class and up to £212pp on Economy class fares to Sydney. Malaysia Airlines has launched a jumbo fares sale, offering fantastic value offers fares to destinations across Southeast Asia, and Australasia – including Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand – to celebrate the launch of its non-stop Airbus A380 superjumbo service from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur effective 2 July 2012. UK passengers will benefit from one of the most comfortable and eco-efficient aircraft in the skies on Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A380 superjumbo, which will fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur three times a week, increasing to daily service from the end of August 2012 with the delivery of the second A380 of the six that Malaysia Airlines currently has on order. Economy class sale return fares start from £

January – May Arrival Figures Show Greek Tourism Remains Resilient Despite Political and Financial Turbulence

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11th June 2012. Greek tourism officials revealed today that, according to official arrival figures, tourism has remained resilient with January - May 2012 arrivals only 5% behind 2011 figures. According to main airport international arrivals data, Thessaloniki (+7%), Corfu (+5%) and Chania – Crete (+15%) have been the star destinations in Greece, with increased visitor numbers, while Kos and Santorini have remained stable. Greece has always been a popular choice among international tourists and continues to be one of the top holiday destinations. Despite the problems currently being faced, tourism offers a light at the end of the tunnel and the release of the January – May 2012 international arrival figures provides a positive message for all travelling or thinking of planning a trip to Greece over the forthcoming months. Travelling to Greece this summer will save holiday makers money as they will be able to lock in the best exchange rate since 2008. Hotels and apartments are

For real footie fans - let Euro 2012 decide your wedding location!

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So...you have agreed to marry but the burning question is where? Your groom (or maybe bride) wants to get married at home, but you dream of a sunny wedding abroad. If your other half is more interested in the footy than your wedding plans, why not let the Euro 2012 results guide your way to your dream wedding destination? It might lead you to a surprise location! You could agree to let the winning country be your wedding location, Spain are odds on favourites but you never know, you may end up marrying in Krackow or Prague....or maybe even England will win....now what are the chances of that? Follow us on Twitter for our daily comments as the football progresses to see where you end up! #euro2012