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My Romantic Travel   →  Articles by: CatalinaC Forbes
Categories Anniversaries Beach Honeymoon Destinations Honeymoon Indoor Wedding Venues Island Honeymoon Occasion Outdoor Wedding Venues Travel Weddings

Your Guide to Destination Weddings in Maldives

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on
Maldives

When it comes to a country that exudes romance and offers the perfect setting for a destination wedding, you can hardly find a better choice than the Maldives and here’s more that couples should know.

Beach_Weddings
Beach_Weddings | Image by CrownTours Maldives via flickr

The Legalities

You may be surprised to know that while in the Maldives, destination weddings are very popular, those featuring two foreign nationals are not legally binding. However, don’t let that stop you from planning a wedding or renewal of vows ceremony here! Many couples tend to have a legally-binding wedding or register the marriage in their home country and have an enchanting and symbolic ceremony in this tropical paradise.

Resorts & Locations

For such a ceremony, the ideal choice would be an island resort with options like OBLU SELECT Lobigili being even more suitable since it’s exclusively for adults only adding to the privacy. The great thing is, such properties provide a choice of location for your special day; a secluded beach that’s been decorated and set amidst infinite ocean views is a perennial favourite, though some resorts even give couples a chance to renew their vows on a heart-shaped sandbank for two!

Types of Ceremonies

Those planning to tie the knot can look to have a conventional Western-style ceremony where the bride and groom wear typical wedding attire that makes for mesmerising pictures as well. That said, some resorts will offer the choice to incorporate more traditional local aspects for a truly distinctive Maldives wedding. It can include a “Bodu Beru” drum procession, Maldivian attire, a wedding officiant or dedicated ceremony master and delectable local snacks.

Special Additions

Resorts here will make your destination wedding even more unforgettable with certain inclusions on, during and after your special day. These can include transporting the couple to the ceremony location in a decorated buggy, a three-tier wedding cake-cutting ceremony, a curated wedding gift hamper, a bottle of champagne and a four-course, candlelit beach dinner. You could also stay at a luxurious beach or overwater villa with a private pool and sunset views for a magical honeymoon too!

Categories Adventures Beach Honeymoon Destinations Honeymoon Island Honeymoon Travel

A Quintessential Maldives Honeymoon Guide

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on
Maldives

Secluded shores, azure waters, magical sunsets, luxurious indulgences, and moments to cherish; these are some of the highlights that make the Maldives such a perfect honeymoon destination and here’s a guide to help plan such a getaway!

Honeymoon
Honeymoon | Image by Big Bay Group via flickr

Private Island Resorts

Choosing to stay at a resort on a private island is a must, though, for the ultimate privacy, properties like OBLU SELECT Sangeli take it a step further by offering a separate adults-only island. Such resorts will have a special overwater honeymoon suite with a private pool, sundeck with sunbeds and direct lagoon access, while a welcome bottle of champagne and a dedicated butler service add to the experience.

Wellness Journeys

Be it after your wedding or vow renewal in Maldives, you can look to enjoy sublime holistic healing at a resort spa. Choose such a sanctuary where you and your partner can get pampered at a treatment room for couples. Apart from modern wellness rituals, choose a spa that also incorporates Maldivian therapies including a full-body coconut shell massage and coconut body scrubs.

Intimate Dining

Mealtimes on your honeymoon in Maldives can be just as magical with the island setting providing enchanting backdrops. Not to be missed is an intimate candlelit, four-course dinner with wine on a sheltered part of the beach, amidst the soothing sights and serenades of the ocean. Some resorts even offer a champagne breakfast or a “floating breakfast” in your villa’s private pool!

Memorable Experiences

When it comes to romantic things to do here on a honeymoon, couples can embark on a moonlight cruise under a sky blanketed with a myriad of stars. For something different, you can also go dolphin watching or visit a local island to experience local culture. Newlyweds in search of added adventures won’t be disappointed either with snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing and more on offer.

Categories Adventure Honeymoon Beach Honeymoon Destinations Honeymoon Island Honeymoon Travel

Honeymoon in Maldives Guide

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on
maldives

The Maldives has everything you need for the perfect honeymoon; romance, mouth-watering food, and exhilarating activities to enjoy with your significant other.

Honeymoon
Honeymoon | Image by Big Bay Group via flickr

Make sure to explore

The Maldives comprises more than 1200 islands, but less than 200 islands are inhabited. Most islands are occupied by resorts, hotels, and Maldives residences. When you choose the accommodation option of your choice, make sure to explore the surrounding area and discover the unforgettable beauty of the island nation.

Have romantic getaways

This beautiful country is known to be one of the world’s most romantic destinations, and when you visit the Maldives, you can understand why. If you wish to enjoy a romantic dinner with your better half, there are many options to select from, including underwater dining.

Enjoy activities together

When you are on your honeymoon, you can opt for many activities for couples, such as rejuvenating spa treatments, diving, boat rides, romantic dining sessions under the stars, and water sports.

Explore the country

When you choose a world-class resort like OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, you can savour a peaceful getaway on a private beach. You can also visit popular tourist attractions like the Glowing Beach on Vaadhoo Island, Malé, the vibrant capital of the Maldives, and more.

 

Categories Honeymoon

The Perfect Honeymoon in Seychelles

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

Picture your honeymoon on white-sand beaches nestled beside azure ocean waters; now do an image search for “honeymoon in Seychelles” and see that such a place does exist! Here’s more on what’s in store.

Magical Setting

This paradise-like coastal setting is heightened by tropical forests that combine to provide an enchanting escape. Properties such as Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas are in a private peninsula promising secluded shores and idyllic ocean views as well as luxury villas with pools, outdoor sunken bathtubs and indulgent comforts.

Romantic Dining

Amidst such a setting, you can enjoy romantic meals too. At all-inclusive resorts, Seychelles private dining experiences are on offer be it at a windswept beach at sunset or an intimate hillside under the stars. Most properties will set up a specially decorated area and have a personal chef cook up your favourite dishes.

Image via Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas

Shared Wellness

On your honeymoon, you can also embark on a shared wellness journey. Some properties offer special spa packages for couples as well; this can include soothing massages for two, a gourmet meal and the preparation of a rose petal bath which you can enjoy with wine and by candlelight amidst an ocean backdrop.

Fun Adventures

For couples who crave adventure, there’s plenty of things to do in Seychelles including water sports like snorkelling, diving and stand-up paddleboarding. You can also explore the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve and Sir Selwyn-Selwyn Clarke Market or take a helicopter trip to the Aride Bird Reserve and have a picnic on deserted sands.

Categories Adventure Honeymoon

Honeymoon in Sri Lanka

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

In Sri Lanka, the honeymoon you are going to spend will not just be ordinary. Instead, let it be extraordinary and ultra-romantic.

Into the waves

You just have to pick a Sri Lanka luxury villa by the beach offered by popular properties such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. Let the sun, sand, and the waves welcome you to a romantic getaway!

Into the wild

Yala National Park and Habarana are two of the ideal destinations if you wish to explore the wildlife of Sri Lanka during your honeymoon. Spot the elephants, leopards, whales, and the unique birdlife together.

Image via Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Into nature

If you are a nature lover, you can either head to the Sinharaja Rain Forest with your loved one, or else head to the hill country of Sri Lanka. Destinations such as Nuwara Eliya and Ella are filled with so much scenic beauty and you’ll be delighted to see them.

Being adventurous together

Head to Arugam Bay or Mirissa if you feel like surfing through the stylish waves. Visit Belihuloya for white water rafting. Snorkelling, kayaking, scuba diving is all possible during your romantic getaway in Sri Lanka.

Categories Travel

Plan your Romantic Getaway in Namibia

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

Have you ever imagined experiencing a romantic getaway in the wilds of Africa? Well, if you have, few destinations on the continent can match what Namibia has to offer. Here’s a closer look at how you can plan an amorous adventure in this fascinating country.

When to Visit

Before you pack up everything and head off to Africa with your partner, it’s a good idea to look up what the best timings are for visiting Namibia. Here the land is primarily covered in desert, meaning it’s hot and dry for the most part. When the rains do come down though – usually around October – they come down hard, so you might want to stick to the dry months.

Getting to Namibia

So, just how are you planning to visit Namibia? Of course, you can always fly into the country – flights from Europe for example will cost around 650 to over 1000 pounds. That being said, if you initially travel to South Africa or Botswana, you can simply rent out a car and drive to the desert.

Where to Stay

Namibia offers plenty of options when it comes to accommodations, particularly for travelling couples. Hotels in Namibia range from simple boutique options to luxurious options like the Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino. There’s always the option to camp out in the desert too.

Planning Your Itinerary

There are a great many options when it comes to a couple’s itinerary in Namibia. Spending a night or two in the desert wilderness can be a once in a lifetime experience – so don’t pass it up. Just as well, a cruise along the Zambezi River or a safari at the Kalahari are great choices.

Categories Adventure Honeymoon

A Guide to Romantic Adventures in Myanmar

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

There’s already something romantic about taking your loved one to an exotic destination but a place like Myanmar offers things to do on top of that that make it the irresistible choice. A true getaway and one you that you will never forget. Keep reading for a guide on romantic adventures in Myanmar.

1). The Ancient City of Bagan

There’s something mysterious about visiting an ancient city and especially Bagan, the place once home to over 10,000 temples, sadly of which many have been destroyed but over 2000 still stand strong today!

File:Bagan, Burma.jpg
Corto Maltese 1999, Bagan, Burma, CC BY 2.0

2). Hot Air Balloon Ride

This will be a memorable experience that will mesmerise you and your partner! Float over the thousands of temples in Bagan or take in the views over Lake Inle for unbeaten views of the mountain range. If you’re looking for a 5-star hotel in Yangon to stay in while you embark on your adventure, there are several choices to opt for like the Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon for example.

File:Hot Air Balloons over Bagan, Myanmar.jpg
Anne Dirkse, Hot Air Balloons over Bagan, Myanmar, CC BY-SA 3.0

3). Local Cooking Classes

What an experience to bond over! Cooking together can be fun but taking them together in a land far far away is perfect! Start your day by shopping together in an organic market for ingredients and then cook away!

4). Pindaya Caves

Situated on a limestone ridge, this is the site of pilgrimage for many Buddhists. This can be the perfect place for you and your partner to get in touch with your spirituality together!

Pindaya caves 14.jpg
Go-Myanmar, Pindaya caves 14, CC BY-SA 3.0

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Categories Beach Honeymoon Honeymoon

Plan that Dream Honeymoon You Always Wanted

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

At the stage of your wedding planning where you are looking for a honeymoon destination? Look no further than the Maldives! These are just some of the many things that newlyweds can enjoy here.

Stay at a Water Villa

Imagine being serenaded by the sounds of the waves and surrounded by breathtaking vistas at your very own Maldives water villa. Holidays or honeymoons are perfect at such abodes, perched above the ocean, offering you access to the sea below anytime you want to have a dip.

Escape to a Desert Island

A desert island experience offered by resorts such as Adaaran Prestige Water Villas offers the ultimate privacy at a place that’s completely uninhabited. Be transported on a traditional dhoni (boat) to an island where you and that special someone can enjoy champagne, a gourmet lunch and each other’s company amidst romantic seclusion.

Indulge in Spa Pampering

If you’ve had a stressful wedding, nothing beats a rejuvenating spa session for the both of you! Maldives spa resorts offer a variety of therapies for couples to enjoy including traditional Ayurvedic or Balinese treatments.

Experience Oceanside Dining

The Maldives offers some enchanting backdrops by the ocean for an intimate meal with that special someone. Be it on a deck outside or on the beach, such private dining with some fine wine certainly sets the mood for more romance on your honeymoon!

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Categories Weddings

Blissful Weddings in Lanna Kingdom, Thailand

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on

The perfect wedding starts with the perfect venue, and Thailand’s Lanna Kingdom with its period architecture and traditional culture offers an amazing backdrop for any occasion.

Image result for Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort wedding
Image Credit: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

A bit of history

Located in Northern Thailand, Lanna was once a flourishing kingdom with its own unique culture and architecture. However, after centuries of war with neighbouring Burma, the kingdom fell into disarray and by the 1800s was annexed by the Siam king. Today, visitors can still see evidence of its rich culture in the city of Chiang Ma.

Lanna as a wedding destination

A Lanna wedding guarantees an unforgettable event. The combination of Burmese temples, ornate teak structures, and Thai traditions sets the tone for a charming wedding. From luxury city hotels to scenic resorts such as Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, you’ll have plenty of options in terms of stunning locations.

Image result for Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort wedding
Image Credit: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

Traditional Lanna ceremony

In a traditional ceremony, the venue is adorned with beautiful flowers, and the groom starts the ceremony by carrying trays filled with more flowers and bridal gifts. A monk will then offer blessings and prayers for a peaceful and prosperous wedded life and tie a binding string around the couple’s wrists. The ceremony ends when the couple plant a love tree.

Compliment your wedding with an amazing meal

A Lanna wedding isn’t complete without a sumptuous meal that includes signature sweet and savoury dishes from across Northern Thailand.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Categories Adventures Destinations Dining Honeymoon Travel Weddings

Destination Wedding in Luang Prabang

by CatalinaC Forbes Posted on
Wedding!

Retaining a rare charm of another era, where traditional wooden houses stand alongside colonial mansions on ancient streets, Luang Prabang is considered to be a great wedding destination.

Wedding!
Wedding

The Atmosphere

Home to dozens of stunning temples clad in gold, Luang Prabang embodies a traditional yet timeless atmosphere; a magical setting perfect to celebrate your very own fairy-tale Laos wedding with your friends and family around you.

The Setting

Luang Prabang is home to a wide range of exquisite colonial villas and hotels such as AVANI+ Luang Prabang, which offers couples great wedding packages that cater to different budgets. Making inquiries and booking well advance is recommended.

The Logistics

If you wish to be cost-effective with your planning, choosing to book your wedding venue and other plans for the off-peak season would help you save up to 20-35% off your given rates. To save more consider booking your flights around 3-6 prior. This applies especially for ASEAN regions, since booking in advance is approximately 53% cheaper than doing so closer to the date.

Plan Minimally

Destination weddings can be quite expensive, but it also can be quite affordable if one goes about planning it correctly and minimally. Thinking long and hard about what will be crucial for the ceremony and keeping the guest list small will save you a couple hundred of dollars. Since destination weddings are all about the views, location and novel experience consider skipping the extravagant party favours and decorations.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

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