Wedding Speech Title Is:
ELLE's top 10 Honeymoon travel destinations

 Category: Honeymoon & Travel
 
reprinted from Elle Canada (ellecanada.com)

Money can't buy you love, but it sure can set the mood. ELLE chooses 10 exclusive destinations far from the madding crowd.

By Rita Silvan, Noreen Flanagan and Nicolette Linton

ITALY
Venetian gloss
The birthplace of Casanova, Venice -- with its crumbling palazzos and misty mornings -- has the faded charm of an aging yet much-loved courtesan. For the most breathtaking view of the city's rooftops and the lagoon, take an elevator to the top of the Basilica di San Marco. Scatter the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco and wander the side streets, stopping to visit the city's finest handmade-paper and glass boutiques. Follow in Ernest Hemingway's footsteps and sip a bellini at Harry's Bar before heading to Hotel Cipriani for a romantic dinner for two. Even better, push the boat out and book yourself into "the Cip." Located on a small island five minutes from Piazza San Marco by private launch, this deluxe renovated 15th-century palazzo hotel boasts a private pool, landscaped gardens and suites decorated with sumptuous Fortuny fabrics.

Romantic side trip Take the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to London, stopping off for a delectably rich chocolate Sachertorte in Vienna on the way.
Holiday read Don Juan by womanizing Romantic poet Lord Byron, a frequent visitor to Venice.
Best time to go Carnevale (January 28 to February 8, 2005), April to June, September and October.
Most romantic room Suite 23 in the Palazzo Vendramin building has a direct view of Piazza San Marco.

COSTA RICA
Jungle fever
If you've ever fantasized about a "you Tarzan, me Jane" scenario, Hotel Makanda by the Sea in Quepos is your dream destination. This adults-only hotel has a maximum occupancy of 24 guests and is set among five hectares of Costa Rican jungle, where its luxurious rooms are nestled in the surrounding rainforest. In the morning, stay in your cotton robe and enjoy fresh-picked tropical fruit, coffee and pancakes delivered right to your private terrace while you watch white-faced capuchin monkeys play and feast on the berries of nearby trees. A nature lover's paradise, Costa Rica's south-central coast has gorgeous beaches and the Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest trail for hiking. Spend the day bodysurfing the Pacific waves or kayaking on the Naranjo River, where you can spot crocodiles, tropical birds and snakes.
Romantic side trip Adventuresome couples will sign up for the forest canopy tour, where you can swing through the treetops on zip lines. More sybaritic types will opt for the his-and-her body treatments at the Sea Glass Spa (www.seaglassspa.com), where all products, such as papaya scrubs and cucumber aloe wraps, are handmade using local botanicals. The ultimate spa treat is the Four Hands One Heart Massage: two therapists work in unison to banish any last traces of stress.
Holiday read La Loca de Gandoca by prizewinning Toca novelist Anacristina Rossi.
Best time to go Late December to mid-April is dry season; the rest of the year is rainy.
Most romantic room Villas 7 and 10 are perfect for monkey sightings. Villa 1 has a large Japanese garden and hammock to help you take in the Pacific sunsets.

INDIA
Tantric treat
Pamper yourself like a maharanee at the recently restored Taj Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Built as a summer palace 250 years ago, this white marble hotel appears to float on the surface of Lake Pichola. Decorated with opulent silks, richly coloured murals and elaborately carved wooden furniture, some suites even feature traditional, ornate swings. The Royal Spa has a special suite for couples massages and treatments -- it even offers a traditional Rajasthan Ubtan, an exfoliation ritual practiced by young royal brides in preparation for their wedding day. Indulge in a one-on-one yoga class before enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner on a ceremonial barge on the lake.

Romantic side trip Take a special detour to Agra to see the world-renowned symbol of enduring love, the majestic Taj Mahal.
Holiday read The ultimate sex manual, The Kama Sutra by Vatsyayana.
Best time to go September to March.
Most romantic room In the 1930s, the maharaja held court in what is now known as the ultra-opulent Chandraprakash Suite.

INDONESIA
Bali high
With its lush landscaping, waterfalls and outdoor spa, Begawan Giri estate is the ultimate tropical getaway. Hidden in the green hills near Ubud, Bali's cultural capital, Begawan Giri treats each guest to superlative service. (There are eight employees to every guest, and each suite has its own butler.) Four spa huts cling to the hillside overlooking the Ayung River, offering Javanese Lulur and Balinese Spice body treatments, loofah wraps, yogourt rub-downs and flower baths.

Just 15 minutes down the road, Ubud's boutiques sell batiks, woven textiles, masks and jewellery. Take a hike into the rainforest and around sculpted paddy fields or join a workshop on the monastic rituals of The Five Tibetans with Begawan Giri's yoga master.
Romantic side trip Climb volcanic Mount Batur by moonlight and catch the first rays of the day at the summit.
Holiday read Drums of Tonki by Helen and Frank Schreider -- an exhilarating travelogue of island-hopping, from Java to Timor.
Best time to go April to mid-November.
Most romantic room The master suites have their own plunge pools.


AUSTRALIA
Sail away
Hop aboard a luxury yacht in the Whitsunday Islands and experience the best that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer: lush green islands; deserted, sandy beaches; turquoise lagoons; and mind-blowing scuba diving and snorkelling. Located off the east coast of Australia, the world's most extensive coral-reef system is teeming with tropical fish and marine life -- you will even see migrating humpback whales in September. Spend the day splashing around in the water or lounging in your cruise-wear, then cuddle up to your honey and enjoy the fiery sunset. After a gourmet meal prepared by your executive chef, enjoy a lively round of Which Constellation Is It Anyway?

Romantic side trip Charter a seaplane to pick you up from your yacht and fly you over to Outer Barrier Reef.
Holiday read Oscar & Lucinda by award-winning Australian writer Peter Carey.
Best time to go July to October.
Most romantic room Ask for a double cabin with a private ensuite bathroom.


FRANCE
Secret rendezvous
Set in a valley in the lush heart of Provence, Hostellerie de Crillon le Brave is refined and tranquil without being the least bit stuffy. Many of the hotel staff were born in the region, so their knowledge of day tripping, as well as Provençal food and wine, is exceptional. (Ask for Valérie Mansis; her suggestions are wonderful!) The perfect day: enjoy breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel's Le Bistrot, visit some of France's best vineyards (Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape), browse the antique markets, then you can wind your way back to the hotel for a little nap before a simply scrumptious dinner at Le Restaurant in the über-romantic 16th-century mansion. Co-owned by Canadians Craig Miller and Peter Chittick, the hotel is a member of the luxe Relais & Châteaux hotel group and was recently listed in Patricia Schultz's book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die -- because staying there is heaven.

Romantic side trip In October and November, the hotel's chef, Philippe Monti, gives cooking lessons and leads excursions to markets and cheese makers and to hunt for black truffles.
Holiday read Peter Mayle's amusing autobiographical bestseller A Year in Provence.
Best time to go Mid-May to late June is prime time for enjoying the lavender and poppy fields.
Most romantic room Room 33 (La Tour) has side-by-side soaking tubs separated by a champagne bucket, a private terrace and a stunning view of Mont Ventoux.


CANADA
French kiss
Montreal's gourmet cuisine, lively bar scene and fashionable boutiques are always a draw for city lovers -- and there are any number of minimalist boutique hotels to choose from. (Hotels Le Germain, Nelligan and Saint-Paul spring to mind.) Then there's the new kid on the block, the W Montreal. It boasts three 3-metre-high waterfalls in the lobby, voyeur showers in the suites and an extremely attentive whatever/whenever concierge service for the seriously sedentary. When you step outside for a change of scene, head to Alto Palato on Saint-Laurent Boulevard for bellinis made with prosecco, vodka and Campari. Follow this up with a romantic dinner at the much-lauded Ristorante Brontë. (Their yummy Panettone Pain Perdu is to die for!)
Romantic side trip Drive 90 minutes north of Montréal to the ski hills at Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians or 90 minutes east to the Eastern Townships' Hovey Manor, a romantic lakeside inn with roaring fires, sleigh rides and an extensive wine cellar.
Holiday read Canada Reads 2005 contender No Crystal Stair by Mairuth Sarsfield.
Best time to go Any time.
Most romantic room An Extreme Wow suite at the W or the Cartier Suite at Hovey Manor, which has double whirlpool bath, a large deck and a private dock with canoe and kayak.


JAPAN
Now and Zen
Take a step back in time to Gion, the Geisha district of Kyoto, where kimono-clad geishas still entertain clients with songs and dancing, demure conversation and drinking games. Stay in one of Kyoto's oldest traditional inns, the Tawaraya Ryokan. Its simple yet elegant rooms feature futons, tatami mats and wooden soaking baths alongside the most exquisite ikebana flower arrangements and antique Japanese furniture. For the ultimate Zen experience, drift around Kyoto's many temples, tea houses and gardens. Kyoto is at its loveliest in the springtime, when locals celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom with outdoor hanami parties and picnics.

Romantic side trip Head for the nearest onsen, or natural hot spring, for a mineral-rich soak. (Tip: soak up and rinse off before getting in.) Most of the onsens are sex-segregated, but your honey will appreciate your newly minted baby-soft skin.
Holiday read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
Best time to go Spring and fall.
Most romantic room The ground floor's Fuji and Midori rooms have private landscaped gardens.


SOUTH AFRICA
Fair game
The Londolozi Private Game Reserve prides itself on its exemplary conservation record, but ecotourism doesn't have to mean roughing it. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this award-winning safari destination is lavish in the extreme. Four exclusive "camps" have been set up in dense forest on the banks of the Sand River (in the morning, guests wake to the sound of hippos snorting), and a number of their suites have private cascading plunge pools, outdoor showers and decks. Londolozi offers magical moonlit bush dinners, and skilled guides are available to take guests on viewing drives twice a day to spot the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and wild buffalo).

Romantic side trip Londolozi offers the best leopard viewing in Africa, so hire a guide to get you up close and personal.
Holiday read Nobel Prize-winner Nadine Gordimer's Jump and Other Stories.
Best time to go May to August. Most romantic room Suites in Londolozi Tree Camp are elevated 21 metres above the Sand River.


UNITED STATES
California dreamin'
In the early 1950s, Deetjen's Big Sur Inn was a place that attracted eccentric artists, beatnik writers and A-list Hollywood actors. They came to this secluded spot for inspiration, bohemian adventures and romantic trysts. Today, in-the-know couples make their way to the rustic, rambling resort located about 240 kilometres south of San Francisco on California's Central Coast. Staying at the inn is surprisingly affordable because the Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Preservation Foundation operates it on a non-profit basis. Built by Norwegian émigré Helmuth Deetjens in the 1930s, the cabins and suites are decorated in a charming mix of fine linens, fresh flowers and velvet drapes. Open the windows for a view of the redwoods of Castro Canyon or to hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing below.

Romantic side trip Try hiking in the Santa Lucia Mountains, followed by champagne on the outdoor deck at Nepenthe Restaurant (www.nepenthebigsur.com.).
Holiday read Found in every room, Deetjen's Diaries contains candid accounts of the lives and loves of previous guests.
Best time to go Any time.
Most romantic room The Honeymoon.

 Random Wedding Quote
 No man should

No man should have a secret from his wife. She invariably finds it out - Oscar Wilde

Going to the Chapel of love..

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 Category: Honeymoon & Travel
 
reprinted from Elle Canada (ellecanada.com)

Money can't buy you love, but it sure can set the mood. ELLE chooses 10 exclusive destinations far from the madding crowd.

By Rita Silvan, Noreen Flanagan and Nicolette Linton

ITALY
Venetian gloss
The birthplace of Casanova, Venice -- with its crumbling palazzos and misty mornings -- has the faded charm of an aging yet much-loved courtesan. For the most breathtaking view of the city's rooftops and the lagoon, take an elevator to the top of the Basilica di San Marco. Scatter the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco and wander the side streets, stopping to visit the city's finest handmade-paper and glass boutiques. Follow in Ernest Hemingway's footsteps and sip a bellini at Harry's Bar before heading to Hotel Cipriani for a romantic dinner for two. Even better, push the boat out and book yourself into "the Cip." Located on a small island five minutes from Piazza San Marco by private launch, this deluxe renovated 15th-century palazzo hotel boasts a private pool, landscaped gardens and suites decorated with sumptuous Fortuny fabrics.

Romantic side trip Take the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to London, stopping off for a delectably rich chocolate Sachertorte in Vienna on the way.
Holiday read Don Juan by womanizing Romantic poet Lord Byron, a frequent visitor to Venice.
Best time to go Carnevale (January 28 to February 8, 2005), April to June, September and October.
Most romantic room Suite 23 in the Palazzo Vendramin building has a direct view of Piazza San Marco.

COSTA RICA
Jungle fever
If you've ever fantasized about a "you Tarzan, me Jane" scenario, Hotel Makanda by the Sea in Quepos is your dream destination. This adults-only hotel has a maximum occupancy of 24 guests and is set among five hectares of Costa Rican jungle, where its luxurious rooms are nestled in the surrounding rainforest. In the morning, stay in your cotton robe and enjoy fresh-picked tropical fruit, coffee and pancakes delivered right to your private terrace while you watch white-faced capuchin monkeys play and feast on the berries of nearby trees. A nature lover's paradise, Costa Rica's south-central coast has gorgeous beaches and the Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest trail for hiking. Spend the day bodysurfing the Pacific waves or kayaking on the Naranjo River, where you can spot crocodiles, tropical birds and snakes.
Romantic side trip Adventuresome couples will sign up for the forest canopy tour, where you can swing through the treetops on zip lines. More sybaritic types will opt for the his-and-her body treatments at the Sea Glass Spa (www.seaglassspa.com), where all products, such as papaya scrubs and cucumber aloe wraps, are handmade using local botanicals. The ultimate spa treat is the Four Hands One Heart Massage: two therapists work in unison to banish any last traces of stress.
Holiday read La Loca de Gandoca by prizewinning Toca novelist Anacristina Rossi.
Best time to go Late December to mid-April is dry season; the rest of the year is rainy.
Most romantic room Villas 7 and 10 are perfect for monkey sightings. Villa 1 has a large Japanese garden and hammock to help you take in the Pacific sunsets.

INDIA
Tantric treat
Pamper yourself like a maharanee at the recently restored Taj Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Built as a summer palace 250 years ago, this white marble hotel appears to float on the surface of Lake Pichola. Decorated with opulent silks, richly coloured murals and elaborately carved wooden furniture, some suites even feature traditional, ornate swings. The Royal Spa has a special suite for couples massages and treatments -- it even offers a traditional Rajasthan Ubtan, an exfoliation ritual practiced by young royal brides in preparation for their wedding day. Indulge in a one-on-one yoga class before enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner on a ceremonial barge on the lake.

Romantic side trip Take a special detour to Agra to see the world-renowned symbol of enduring love, the majestic Taj Mahal.
Holiday read The ultimate sex manual, The Kama Sutra by Vatsyayana.
Best time to go September to March.
Most romantic room In the 1930s, the maharaja held court in what is now known as the ultra-opulent Chandraprakash Suite.

INDONESIA
Bali high
With its lush landscaping, waterfalls and outdoor spa, Begawan Giri estate is the ultimate tropical getaway. Hidden in the green hills near Ubud, Bali's cultural capital, Begawan Giri treats each guest to superlative service. (There are eight employees to every guest, and each suite has its own butler.) Four spa huts cling to the hillside overlooking the Ayung River, offering Javanese Lulur and Balinese Spice body treatments, loofah wraps, yogourt rub-downs and flower baths.

Just 15 minutes down the road, Ubud's boutiques sell batiks, woven textiles, masks and jewellery. Take a hike into the rainforest and around sculpted paddy fields or join a workshop on the monastic rituals of The Five Tibetans with Begawan Giri's yoga master.
Romantic side trip Climb volcanic Mount Batur by moonlight and catch the first rays of the day at the summit.
Holiday read Drums of Tonki by Helen and Frank Schreider -- an exhilarating travelogue of island-hopping, from Java to Timor.
Best time to go April to mid-November.
Most romantic room The master suites have their own plunge pools.


AUSTRALIA
Sail away
Hop aboard a luxury yacht in the Whitsunday Islands and experience the best that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer: lush green islands; deserted, sandy beaches; turquoise lagoons; and mind-blowing scuba diving and snorkelling. Located off the east coast of Australia, the world's most extensive coral-reef system is teeming with tropical fish and marine life -- you will even see migrating humpback whales in September. Spend the day splashing around in the water or lounging in your cruise-wear, then cuddle up to your honey and enjoy the fiery sunset. After a gourmet meal prepared by your executive chef, enjoy a lively round of Which Constellation Is It Anyway?

Romantic side trip Charter a seaplane to pick you up from your yacht and fly you over to Outer Barrier Reef.
Holiday read Oscar & Lucinda by award-winning Australian writer Peter Carey.
Best time to go July to October.
Most romantic room Ask for a double cabin with a private ensuite bathroom.


FRANCE
Secret rendezvous
Set in a valley in the lush heart of Provence, Hostellerie de Crillon le Brave is refined and tranquil without being the least bit stuffy. Many of the hotel staff were born in the region, so their knowledge of day tripping, as well as Provençal food and wine, is exceptional. (Ask for Valérie Mansis; her suggestions are wonderful!) The perfect day: enjoy breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel's Le Bistrot, visit some of France's best vineyards (Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape), browse the antique markets, then you can wind your way back to the hotel for a little nap before a simply scrumptious dinner at Le Restaurant in the über-romantic 16th-century mansion. Co-owned by Canadians Craig Miller and Peter Chittick, the hotel is a member of the luxe Relais & Châteaux hotel group and was recently listed in Patricia Schultz's book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die -- because staying there is heaven.

Romantic side trip In October and November, the hotel's chef, Philippe Monti, gives cooking lessons and leads excursions to markets and cheese makers and to hunt for black truffles.
Holiday read Peter Mayle's amusing autobiographical bestseller A Year in Provence.
Best time to go Mid-May to late June is prime time for enjoying the lavender and poppy fields.
Most romantic room Room 33 (La Tour) has side-by-side soaking tubs separated by a champagne bucket, a private terrace and a stunning view of Mont Ventoux.


CANADA
French kiss
Montreal's gourmet cuisine, lively bar scene and fashionable boutiques are always a draw for city lovers -- and there are any number of minimalist boutique hotels to choose from. (Hotels Le Germain, Nelligan and Saint-Paul spring to mind.) Then there's the new kid on the block, the W Montreal. It boasts three 3-metre-high waterfalls in the lobby, voyeur showers in the suites and an extremely attentive whatever/whenever concierge service for the seriously sedentary. When you step outside for a change of scene, head to Alto Palato on Saint-Laurent Boulevard for bellinis made with prosecco, vodka and Campari. Follow this up with a romantic dinner at the much-lauded Ristorante Brontë. (Their yummy Panettone Pain Perdu is to die for!)
Romantic side trip Drive 90 minutes north of Montréal to the ski hills at Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians or 90 minutes east to the Eastern Townships' Hovey Manor, a romantic lakeside inn with roaring fires, sleigh rides and an extensive wine cellar.
Holiday read Canada Reads 2005 contender No Crystal Stair by Mairuth Sarsfield.
Best time to go Any time.
Most romantic room An Extreme Wow suite at the W or the Cartier Suite at Hovey Manor, which has double whirlpool bath, a large deck and a private dock with canoe and kayak.


JAPAN
Now and Zen
Take a step back in time to Gion, the Geisha district of Kyoto, where kimono-clad geishas still entertain clients with songs and dancing, demure conversation and drinking games. Stay in one of Kyoto's oldest traditional inns, the Tawaraya Ryokan. Its simple yet elegant rooms feature futons, tatami mats and wooden soaking baths alongside the most exquisite ikebana flower arrangements and antique Japanese furniture. For the ultimate Zen experience, drift around Kyoto's many temples, tea houses and gardens. Kyoto is at its loveliest in the springtime, when locals celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom with outdoor hanami parties and picnics.

Romantic side trip Head for the nearest onsen, or natural hot spring, for a mineral-rich soak. (Tip: soak up and rinse off before getting in.) Most of the onsens are sex-segregated, but your honey will appreciate your newly minted baby-soft skin.
Holiday read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
Best time to go Spring and fall.
Most romantic room The ground floor's Fuji and Midori rooms have private landscaped gardens.


SOUTH AFRICA
Fair game
The Londolozi Private Game Reserve prides itself on its exemplary conservation record, but ecotourism doesn't have to mean roughing it. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this award-winning safari destination is lavish in the extreme. Four exclusive "camps" have been set up in dense forest on the banks of the Sand River (in the morning, guests wake to the sound of hippos snorting), and a number of their suites have private cascading plunge pools, outdoor showers and decks. Londolozi offers magical moonlit bush dinners, and skilled guides are available to take guests on viewing drives twice a day to spot the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and wild buffalo).

Romantic side trip Londolozi offers the best leopard viewing in Africa, so hire a guide to get you up close and personal.
Holiday read Nobel Prize-winner Nadine Gordimer's Jump and Other Stories.
Best time to go May to August. Most romantic room Suites in Londolozi Tree Camp are elevated 21 metres above the Sand River.


UNITED STATES
California dreamin'
In the early 1950s, Deetjen's Big Sur Inn was a place that attracted eccentric artists, beatnik writers and A-list Hollywood actors. They came to this secluded spot for inspiration, bohemian adventures and romantic trysts. Today, in-the-know couples make their way to the rustic, rambling resort located about 240 kilometres south of San Francisco on California's Central Coast. Staying at the inn is surprisingly affordable because the Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Preservation Foundation operates it on a non-profit basis. Built by Norwegian émigré Helmuth Deetjens in the 1930s, the cabins and suites are decorated in a charming mix of fine linens, fresh flowers and velvet drapes. Open the windows for a view of the redwoods of Castro Canyon or to hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing below.

Romantic side trip Try hiking in the Santa Lucia Mountains, followed by champagne on the outdoor deck at Nepenthe Restaurant (www.nepenthebigsur.com.).
Holiday read Found in every room, Deetjen's Diaries contains candid accounts of the lives and loves of previous guests.
Best time to go Any time.
Most romantic room The Honeymoon.

www.freeweddingspeech.com

 Random Wedding Quote
 No man should

No man should have a secret from his wife. She invariably finds it out - Oscar Wilde

No man should have a secret from his wife. She invariably finds it out - Oscar Wilde

 No man should
No man should have a secret from his wife. She invariably finds it out - Oscar Wilde

 

The Wedding Speech ELLE's top 10 Honeymoon travel destinations rankings
Current rating:
 
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(Added @ 17:32 2008-01-20, 2231 views, 0 votes)
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