Recommend June 2011 - (Page 68)

finding honeymoon gems in EUROPE Considering that they’re staying in one of the most romantic cities of the world, it only gets better when the couple’s day begins with a breakfast served in the seclusion of their own room. Later they’re offered a tour of Prague by private horse carriage, sharing all the romance of the Golden City and at the end of the day, enjoy dinner in the Allegro Restaurant with breathtaking view of the river and Prague Castle. Other possible activities include: a romantic tour in a limousine to Cesky Krumlov, a charming medieval UNESCO-designated city just outside Prague; a picnic on a boat and a day trip to Marianske Lazne or Karlovy Vary (a spa town) for relaxing massages and beauty treatments. Contact: (800) 819-5053; fourseasons.com/prague italy The honeymoon flavor of the month in Italy is in Sorrento, at the Grand Hotel Cocumella, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and a former 16th century Jesuit monastery. According to Stephen Pike, the hotel’s general manager, there’s a variety of “….special offers that give clients the seventh night free or in case of a 14-night stay, the 13th and 14th night free. Guests receive fruit and mineral water on arrival, upgrades upon availability, and early check-in and check-out on availability. Agents also receive a 10 percent commission paid by the WPS network within 30 days of client’s departure.” He adds that buffet breakfast, tax and service are included in all rates, as well as free use of the gym, tennis court, pool, beach and beach solarium. All rooms are air-conditioned and have complimentary WiFi. “We also have a private tall-ship for day cruises to Capri,” he says, pointing out that honeymooners receive a bottle of prosecco, fruit, flowers and mineral water on arrival, “…otherwise, no special honeymoon packages, but rather tailor-made arrangements on request.” Contact: (800) 525-4800; slh.com portugal Portugal’s newest hotel, L’AND Vineyards, is the first of its kind offering the opportunity to grow and make your own wine, and for honeymooners and romantics alike, to open the roof of their private villa to enjoy the thousands of stars each night in Montemor-o-Novo in the Portuguese province of Alentejo, known for its clear night skies and bright stars. The Sky View Suites include a king-size bed beneath a retractable roof that guests can open during Alentejo’s many warm nights and enjoy the view. In addition to the Sky View Suites and the Wine Club— which allows guests to make their own wine with the assistance of the club winemaster—resort guests can also enjoy the serenity, luxury and sophistication of the L’AND Spa with its hamman, and indoor heated pool, as well as grape-based and natural product treatments, massages and holistic experiences. Additionally, honeymooners can visit local vineyards and adegas (cellars), take part in the resort’s course on vines and wine production at their Wine Club, take part in vintage wine tastings of regional and local wines, or find out about the principles of biodynamic oenology from the in-cellar experts. If they prefer, they can try their hand at hot air ballooning across the Alentejo, go on a picnic amongst the vines, sample an organic cookery course, visit the most interesting cultural spots in Evora and the Alentejo on a historian-led tour or take a boat trip on the biggest lake in Europe, the Alqueva. Contact: l-and.com Honeymooners will love the five-star Hotel Tivoli Palacio de Seteais in Sintra, Portugal, which is basically a luxurious, romantic palace. Indeed, this grand, 18th century palace with its breathtaking views over elegant renaissance gardens and mountains, will literally transport guests back to a bygone era and the magnificent rooms are no less an unforgettable experience. The elegant drawing rooms and guest bedrooms feature antique frescoes, large-scale tapestries and heavy drapes, as well as intricate cupboards, romantic little armchairs, charming lamps and chandeliers, and majestic beds—all of which have been carefully selected and beautifully presented. At the same time, the room’s state-of-the-art technology includes Internet and LCD TVs with satellite. What makes this a perfect honeymoon hotel is that in addition to the promise of quiet relaxation in a stylish, authentic setting, the large outdoor pool, and the historic-styled restaurant with its original dishes that can be enjoyed while looking out over the grand palace square. It’s also close to Sintra nightlife and shopping. Contact: tivolihotels.com sicily Think Sicily, a villa rental company, claims many of its villas in Sicily seem to have been made with honeymoons and romantic breaks in mind because they offer a combination of wonderful views, private pools, shady al fresco dining and an exquisite sense of intimacy while still being within reach of excellent restaurants and picturesque towns. For example, for those honeymooning couples seeking seclusion and total privacy, there’s a property called Ballata, a beautifully furnished and fitted house with an inviting pool complete with jacuzzi, located on the west coast near Trapani, making it a perfect location for those wishing to explore western Sicily. The property has three sitting rooms with stylish sofas and chairs—two with fireplaces—stereo with extensive CD collection and satellite TV. The fully equipped kitchen with large dining table and the double bedroom both lead directly onto the terrace and the pool. For those seeking a beachfront honeymoon environment in a seaside historic town, look no farther than Brezza di Mare, located right above the water on Cefalu’s charming sea-front, right at the center of one of Sicily’s most beautiful and historic towns. Even better, it was recently refurbished making it one of the nicest apartments in town. The apartment itself is located on the top floor of a sea-front house and has a large kitchen/dining area, boasting views out to sea and large French windows leading out onto a sea-front terrace. At the end of the hallway is a second entrance to the kitchen and the comfortably furnished living area, which also has access to the sea-front terrace. Another door takes one from the living area into the master bedroom with its sea views and en-suite bathroom with sea-view shower. On the street outside the apartment, there are small food shops, a wine shop and, within one minute’s walk, Cefalu’s long sandy beach. Restaurants, bars and cafes are all around and the apartment is ideally placed for making the most of the town’s many attractions. Contact: (800) 490-1107; thinksicily.com n Because of the widely fluctuating Euro, check for current rates. Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Savoring the Romance of Europe (June 2010) C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 68 june 2011 recommend.com http://www.fourseasons.com/prague http://www.slh.com http://www.l-andvineyards.com/en/ http://www.thinksicily.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.tivolihotels.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend June 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Club Med Weddings by Imagine
A Perfect Honeymoon
Super-Sexy Voyages by Sea
Home-Based Happily Ever Afters
Kiss & Tell
Saying "I Do" on an Island
The Best Beach Honeymoons
Brazil Travel Planner
Say "I Do" to Central America
Steamy Love in South America
Finding Honeymoon Gems in Europe
Mesmerizing Retreats
Exotic Africa—The Perfect Honeymoon Haven
Five Fiery Honeymoons in Mexico
Mexico Says "I Do" to Destination Weddings

Recommend June 2011