Romancing The Globe

A big thank you to Michelle at Thala Beach Lodge for providing this excellent article!

Thala Beach Lodge is a five star eco resort just south of Port Douglas in North Queensland Australia.  It sits in spectacular style atop a headland with breathtaking views of untouched coastline and the Coral Sea, providing the perfect location to explore the romantic and inspiring Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

At a time when there are great concerns about fragile environments, Thala proudly boasts that it has achieved the highest accreditation of eco certification through its sustainable practice and environmental sensitivity.  At Thala, guests enjoy a rich experience but not at the expense of wildlife, native forests and natural beachscapes.

Guests experience the epitome of a romantic, secluded location. Thala Beach Lodge is a private sanctuary & employs wildlife specialists to enhance its guests’ awareness of this astonishing environment.  Guests stay in luxury sensitively designed to coexist with forests and abundant wildlife.

Deluxe timber bungalows are built high on stilts and nestle in the forest canopy providing a magical and unobtrusive relationship with the natural world.  All private bungalows have views either to the ocean or the forested mountains. Time spent relaxing on the timber decked verandahs with a special partner is always well rewarded by sightings of birds, butterflies and at night – possums and sugar gliders.

The panoramic views from the restaurant encompass the far north Queensland coast from Double Island to Cape Tribulation, the sparkling blue & green of the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding rainforests.  Guests enjoy world-class fine food with friendly five star service, privately dining amid a natural ambience, courtesy of the birds and breeze in surrounding treetops.

Meandering paths through rainforests and woodlands connect with private sandy beaches just waiting to be explored.  Romantic moments & delightful hours among the habitats of extraordinary birds, plants & animals can be spent discovering secluded coves & rock pools.  All over the 145 acres of Thala Beach Lodge, guests find themselves in an unsurpassed enchanting, relaxing environment.

Thala Beach Lodge provides unique and memorable experiences that capture the essence of the diverse North Queensland region.  From the thrill of exploring the secrets of the Great Barrier Reef, ancient tropical rainforest, wild expansive outback and ancestral rock art of Aboriginal tribes, to viewing the grandeur of it all by air. Why not visit this paradise to step away from the crowd, take some time out for romance & relaxation and marvel at the natural world.

“My cooking style is the synthesis of regional Italian tradition and a creative Mediterranean approach” – Chef Fabio Matteo Danzo

In Tuscany’s Mugello Valley,  the abundance of Italy is found. Six centuries ago a native from this land wrote:

“On the plains of the Mugello are to be seen the best and most fruitful of orchards of the County, where the harvest is made twice or thrice a year, and always in abundance. And I learned that on the rich lands of these hillsides there is wheat, fodder, fruit, wine and oil in abundance, and also great quantities of wood and chestnuts and livestock enough to supply a third of Florence. I learned that great quantities of cheese and lambs wool and chickens come from the Mugello and that there are other fowl and game in great abundance.”

And even to this day the Mugello has the highest production of agricultural products of the all Tuscany.

Villa Le Maschere sits atop a hill of this valley.  In its panorama, white wild boar and sheep feed on chestnuts and porcini, grape leaves soak up the Tuscan sun, white truffles hide under the shade of oak trees, and the region’s famous cattle graze freely on grasses that dance in the wind.  Overlooking this glorious scenery, wine and cheese is paired with good conversation and a ripe sense of well-being.

In this perfect setting, Chef Fabio Matteo Danzo leads his cooking classes, through hands-on experience, on a culinary tour of the senses.  Chef Danzo has served as Chef at 5-Star luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Italy, the US, the UK, France and Japan.  He has taught cooking in Italy and the US and has published cookbooks in Italian and English.  He passes his experience and passion on to you through his cooking class at Villa Le Maschere.

Your class will begin by selecting from the region’s freshest ingredients that the day has to offer.  You will then prepare your meal just as the Chef does every day for guests at the Hotel’s Il Pioppo Nero  restaurant.  His attention to detail is passed on to you, as a result of his passion for sharing his creativity and culinary gifts with others.  In the end, it’s tutti a tavola to enjoy the wonderful, fresh meal that you have just prepared, overlooking the Tuscan countryside from which is emanated.

Cooking class for honeymooners!

Villa le Maschere offers a  Two-Night Stay Package for Food and Wine Lovers (and in LOVE!), in which they can delight themselves in a luxury experience and the pleasures and knowledge of both grape and grain.  The package includes:

• Complimentary transfers from and to the Florence airport or Florence train station
• A two night stayin one of Villa Le Maschere’s Elegant Superior room
• Free access to the Wellness center (treatments not included)
• Free upgrade at the time of arrival upon arrival to a Superior or Junior suite.
• Full buffet breakfast
• Cooking class in the morning (then you can enjoy the meal you’ve just prepared)
• Wine tasting at the hotel
• Romantic 4 course dinner for 2 (wine excluded) at the Restaurant “Il Piopponero” and a farewell present

The price for this package starts from Euro 349,00 per person in double occupancy. To book this experience, speak to your Distinctive Honeymoons travel professional at 800.803.1360 or fill out an online request form.

The Bachelorette Romance Package 7 all-inclusive nights at Namale

Savor fine dining amid lush forests and blue lagoons. Indulge in the ultimate spa treatments and marvel at the unforgettable sunsets. This is merely a taste of what you can enjoy at Namale – the secluded Fiji island resort selected by the Bachelorette as a romantic island getaway. You’re invited to indulge in seven nights of romantic luxury during a limited time offer that combines all the best of Namale. Move to a slower pace at the one resort where time stands still, and love is real. Get to know Namale inside and out by watching our latest video.

To further celebrate Ashley finding love in Fiji, Namale created a Bachelorette Inspired Romantic 7-Night Getaway Package, which includes seven nights at any bure or villa at the Namale Resort and the following amenities:

Inter-island transportation for 2*

Chilled champagne and a basket of South Pacific fruits in your villa upon arrival

Couples Ultimate Fusion Spa Treatment

Horseback riding to and from Namale’s privately owned waterfall with 3 course lunch served at the base of the falls

Private candlelight dinner over the Koro Sea and under a bed of stars Lunch where the Bachelorette dined at the Walu Deck (or choose from: Hanging Bed at beach, Veidomoni Deck, Blowhole Deck, Lasalasa, Main Bure Private Deck)

Dolphin Day Tour to Natewa Bay Romantic themed turn down service on the eve of guest departure

All inclusive-features of the resort:

• All meals (breakfasts, 3 course lunches and 5 course dinners)
• All beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) with no limitations on beers, spirits, house wines and house champagnes
• Daily replenishable mini bar
• Daily laundry services
• Nightly turndown services
• Internet room access and wi-fi connections
• Complimentary access to fitness centre and indoor entertainment centre
• Activities such as snorkeling, horseback riding, Fijian village visits and so much more

For more information on booking your own Bachelorette experience at Namale please contact us: info@distinctivehoneymoons.com (800) 803-1360

Grotta Giusti is situated in Monsummano Terme, just a few kilometres from Florence, Pisa and Lucca. Thermal bathing as a way of life, in a context of total well-being which ranges from treatments for physical health to those for relaxation and beauty. This is the philosophy that underpins the activities of Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort.

Surrounded by age-old parkland, Grotta Giusti houses its guests in a wonderful nineteenth-century villa which, with its frescoed halls enhanced by period furniture and paintings, preserves its historical flavour and the charm of nature. The four-star hotel has 58 double rooms and 6 Junior Suites, furnished in a fresh and refined style, and enriched by their beautiful white marble bathrooms, where spa waters run from the elegant taps. The Grotta Giusti Resort is equipped with an internet point and business centre with conference halls and smaller areas designed for board meetings. Among the hotel’s halls, the Sala Giusti, with its delightful frescoed ceiling, provides the perfect scenario for relaxation and conversation, accompanied by gentle piano music in the background.

The hotel enjoys direct access to the spa building, which also boasts an ultra-modern health farm featuring an oriental area, a well-equipped gym, numerous recreation areas and an centre for aesthetic medicine.

For more information please contact us: info@distinctivehoneymoons.com (800) 803-1360

Wonderful news from Rhode Island.

From the Wall Street Journal:  By Nathan Koppel

New York, of course, made the biggest splash last week with its new marriage law.

Yesterday, Rhode Island got in on the act, with the state senate voting 21 to 16 to pass a bill legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples. The Rhode Island House passed an earlier version of the bill, and Governor Lincoln Chafee has said that he’ll sign the measure into law.

The legislation awards marriage-like rights to couples, including hospital-visitation rights, medical decision-making powers, and equal state tax treatment, the Providence Journal reports.

Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. Having your special day in such lush and amazing environments makes a memory that will last a lifetime. Planning a Cancun or La Riviera destination wedding is a big job and having a specialist to assist you in all the details creates a seamless experience.

The way that every couple should plan a Destination Wedding is in trusting in the experts who live here, have been doing this for many years and know Cancun and La Riviera inside and out! Tropical Wedding Experts is the optimal choice in wedding planning and much more. Our bride and groom will be presented with all of the options for a quick pick of what they want and what they envision for their most special day.
We make Weddings the dream they are meant to be!

Here at Tropical Wedding Experts we would be assisting from A to Z with all the details such as recommending the right hotel, conducting site inspections, room reservations, transfers, tours, gifts, activities and of course not to forget …….every little detail of the wedding from rehearsal dinners, ceremony services, music, flowers, décor, spa and more.

For more information please contact us: info@distinctivehoneymoons.com (800) 803-1360

Another amazing trip from Roberta Long-Kelleher. Thank you for sharing Roberta!

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I just returned from paradise, truly paradise – Anguilla!

As soon as I stepped off the boat at Blowing Point, I knew Anguilla was a special place. The people are warm and welcoming and genuinely happy, and this warmth was always present at each restaurant, hotel, and beach bar. Driving on the left side of the road, it still holds some British influence as a British Overseas Territory, but Anguilla is its own, unique country filled with the natural beauty of the sea and sky, many species of birds, scattered salt ponds throughout the island, a wealth of fabulous restaurants, and the most spectacular beaches and blue waters ever.

Staying at Cap Juluca was extremely captivating as it caters to honeymooners and couples, and there was even a Destination Wedding held there during my stay. I had the privilege of talking first-hand to the bride, and she was thrilled with her entire wedding experience with the ceremony held in the Wedding Garden and the party held at Blue Restaurant just steps off the powdery white sand – amazing! I also became friends with a honeymoon couple, who were experiencing their own slice of heaven at Cap Juluca. Matt and Mary had been there for three days when I first met them, and they had a peaceful aura about them that can only be attained in Anguilla. They said Cap Juluca was the perfect place for their honeymoon as they were enjoying the Afternoon Tea (and delicious cookies) which is held every afternoon overlooking the sea. My very private villa was dreamy – light and airy bedroom with the most comfortable bed, a luxurious bathroom, and a walk-out terrace where I enjoyed my room service breakfast every day joined by my parrot friends. I even had a rooftop private deck with views of the beach and blue waters – just spectacular. The beach at Cap Juluca is world-renowned for its beauty and natural curve – perfect for runs in the morning, sunning and swimming during the day, and romantic evening strolls. There is an attention to detail at Cap Juluca in the rooms, in their fantastic service, and in all of the restaurants. I enjoyed breakfast in the Blue Restaurant and an amazing dinner at Pimms which is right on the water; and afterwards we listened to local music and danced under the stars! A dream destination for sure!

I also had the sheer joy of visiting the Viceroy Anguilla which is totally amazing set along a beautiful beach with stunning views of the sea. The Viceroy has everything anyone could ever want in a 5-star island resort. It has the feeling of serenity and intimacy. And the dinner in the villa with the private chef was unbelievable – I felt like a movie star! I believe that is how the Viceroy prefers all of its guests to feel – like royalty and exquisitely special. This is a one-of-a-kind resort, and so perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway!

Anguilla has been one of my dream destinations, and I fulfilled that dream, but I now am dreaming of returning. Anguilla is about a “feeling” one gets when they go there – hard to explain unless you have experienced it first-hand, but simply – joy, calm, serene, simplicity, peaceful, happy, warm, and wonderful! The feelings of Anguilla are still with me and I hope they stay with me until my next visit.

BY WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN | MAY 23, 2011

Very few resorts have captured my attention and admiration like the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa, which I was privileged to visit 15 months ago. Back then I said it was hospitality made in heaven and sent down to Earth for us to enjoy. During this recent visit to the Seychelles, I dared to knock on heaven’s door again, and lo and behold, I was admitted through the front gate.

What immediately struck me was the way the gardens had matured even more since my last visit, undoubtedly aided by good rains and the extra special care of the Maia’s gardening team. I met the team last year and they showed me around the tropical paradise they had helped to create and shape by including much of the exotic vegetation they found on site before even commencing construction of the 25 villas spread across the 25 hectares of land.

Sadly, my visit to the Maia was even briefer than the last one, but I nevertheless did manage to explore it more and even got sand between my toes and my feet wet.

As every villa has a private and shielded infinity pool outside the main bedroom, a dive into the refreshingly cool water came as a welcome change to the slightly humid afternoon, and restored this correspondent’s mettles in no time. A chilled fruit juice, just prepared, helped still the thirst, and the lounger on the terrace then provided a perfect opportunity to put the tired feet up, take in the scenery across the Indian Ocean with all the catamarans and the Kir Royal moored below in the bay, adding a scenic and adventurous backdrop.

The evening was dedicated to the sailors, champagne cocktails, and all but ended all too soon as the competitors were heading back to their boats to sleep, while those lucky to be accommodated at the Maia counted their blessings and enjoyed a good night’s rest in a luxurious cocoon aimed to take care of all creature comforts.

Even chronic insomniacs like this correspondent tend to sleep once in a while, and a bed like this, when turned down by the villa’s own butler, on call 24/7, provides the incentive to actually do exactly that.

Breakfast at the Maia, either in the villa served at the appointed time or at the main restaurant by the beach and poolside, is thankfully ordered a la carte and not picked from a buffet, a hint that in small and exclusive places, silver service is also available for the first meal of the day and not just for dinner when it is expected as a matter of course. The menu for breakfast shows it can, and in fact should, be a proper full-scale meal, and the Eggs Benedictine were again heavenly as were the crepes with wild tropical fruit compote.

As ever, when one really wants to stay put, other pre-arranged meetings and visits took their toll, and in this case it was to board the Kir Royal for a last time, and as the last, having stretched the time at the Maia to the last second. When casting a last look back across the widening gap between the rapidly accelerating “sea legs” and the resort, I swore to myself that it will be “Kwaheri ya Kuonana” (goodbye until we meet again) rather than bye bye for ever.