The first stop on my trip was Florence. This was my third time visiting Florence- I love this city! It is large enough to have a lot to explore, but not so big that it feels overwhelming.
We were in Florence because my travel partner Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings was asked to style the wedding for Dale and Meredith Benfield. Here are some pictures of the gorgeous reception taken by Becker. See more of his amazing images here.
And the glowing newlyweds! Thank you Dale and Meredith for allowing me to be a part of your special day!
And back to Florence. We stayed at The Four Seasons which was just unbelievable. It is a converted 16th century convent with expansive beautiful gardens. It was a real treat to get to stay at such a fabulous hotel! I would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Florence.
Our room and our bathroom. Everything felt so grand!
The Four Seasons is slightly outside of the main area of Florence, but still just a short walk to everything. The street the hotel is on has many small restaurants and shops. This area had a much different feeling than the areas directly surrounding the tourist attractions which I really enjoyed.
The view of the gardens from our room
Next I will be posting some of our favorite food finds in Florence!
Ubud is known as the center of arts and culture in Bali and the nature setting is unbelievably breath-taking. Tucked away in rice terraces of Bali Indonesia,
Ubud Hanging Gardens is a boutique styled hotel with only 38 private villas and suites.
Each villa has their own private terrace and plunge pool, which guarantees guests a gorgeous view of the natural surroundings. Which is pretty perfect for honeymoon couples!
The hotel also offers amazing spa services at their Ayung Spa. Situated close to the riverbanks, guests listen to the relaxing sound of the water while getting pampered the Balinese way.
Lastly,
Ubud Hanging Gardens now offers a package inspired and based on the novel, “Eat, Pray, Love”.
Explore the island’s most magical temples, enjoy dance performances inspired by Hindu scriptures and meet artisans who bring ancient lore to life in art.
Sounds perfect, right? If you are interested in a honeymoon to Bali and staying at this beautiful hotel, contact
Ever After Honeymoons!
Last month, Ever After Honeymoons was featured on Glamour’s Save The Date. I was asked to list 5 honeymoon hotspots for 2011, and here is what I came up with:
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Perfect for couples who are looking to get away, but don’t want the hassle of a 10+ hour flight! It’s a quick trip from most U.S. cities and offers beautiful beaches and luxury resorts—most of which come with private pools and service fit for royalty. Nearby downtown Playa del Carmen is perfect for a night out.
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Bali, Indonesia
It’s like two or three honeymoons in one: You’ll find beaches, jungles, and exotic culture, plus super-friendly people. Famous for its villas and private pools, it’s a great destination for newlyweds who are desperate for some solitude and relaxation.
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Croatia
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets! Europeans have been vacationing in Croatia for years, and recently it’s been gaining popularity with Americans. The coastlines, small islands and unbelievable national parks are great for adventurous couples!
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South Africa
Go on a safari to Kruger National Park, enjoy the lively city of Cape Town, admire Table Mountain and take a day trip to enjoy the spectacular Victoria Falls. South Africa has a little bit of everything.
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California Coast
One of the most popular destinations in the world, driving down California Coast makes for the perfect road trip honeymoon. Rent a fancy convertible and stop in small towns, go wine tasting, and enjoy the beautiful views and gorgeous beaches.
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Each one of these destinations guarantees a spectacular and breathtaking view, however, each has their own individual unique qualities that caters to everyone. Which one is your favorite?
Interested in escaping to one of these destinations for your honeymoon? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
I have a special Honeymoon to share with you today. I planned Kathryn from Snippet and Ink‘s honeymoon to Kauai, and they had an incredible time. Kathryn and Ryan got hitched in December and they knew that they wanted to go somewhere warm. They decided to go to Kauai and stay at the gorgeous St. Regis Princeville!
Kathryn said, “The pool was my favorite part of our trip, second only to the helicopter ride. I could happily have stayed there, sipping chilled citrus water (or a mai tai) and reading my book, for the entire 5 days we were on the island. Right on the beach, with amazing views of Hanalei Bay, plus awesome poolside service, lounging with my new hubby. Really, does it get any better than that?”
“The overall feel of our room was a sort of refined contemporary Hawaiian – sophisticated, comfortable, elegant but not fussy. And yes, the view is pretty much unbeatable.”
Although it did rain one of the days while Kathryn and Ryan were there, they decided to spend it at the resort’s Halele’s Spa. After they got their massages, they enjoyed tea and cookies in the spa’s lounge, followed by the sauna and steam room. Kathryn points out that “the steam room is intense. I kind of loved it. Stepping out of it to an ice cold face towel felt amazing. (You can also book certain spa treatments in oceanside cabanas. )”
Below is the view from their Ocean View room.
“Stunning is the only word for it, even with the shoddy photography. We were pretty lucky with the weather on our trip, and only had one day of rain the whole time. The next morning, we counted at least 15 waterfalls that had appeared on the cliffs outside our window.”
Kathryn and Ryan also opted to upgrade to a convertible. “Kauai’s not a big island, but I promise, if you plan on leaving your hotel at all, a convertible is totally worth it – it made all of our sightseeing infinitely more fun.”
Kathryn’s favorite part of her honeymoon was was a helicopter tour of the island.
“There are several companies to choose from, and we opted for Jack Harter‘s doors-off tour, recommended to us by the St. Regis concierge who was super helpful with setting everything up. Doors-off literally means there are no doors on the helicopter, which makes an already indescribable experience even more breathtaking. We saw parts of the island you can’t see any other way, dipping into canyons, getting up close to waterfalls, flying along sea cliffs of the Na’Pali Coast. Kauai might not offer the nightlife or shopping scene of other Hawaiian islands, but its beauty is unparalleled and a helicopter tour is totally worth it.”
Kathryn and Ryan spent their time watching the stunning sunsets at the St. Regis Bar. The view was undoubtedly spectacular for them and gave them the chance to relax and soak in all their surroundings.
Thank you, Kathryn and Ryan for sharing your honeymoon with us! You can read more on Kathryn’s blog in her honeymoon post. She’s also included many useful tips to help with your honeymoon.
In need of a honeymoon destination?
Or rather, just ready to bask in the sun?
Check out Fiji’s
A stunning beachfront resort with the ocean right at your toes.
Turtle Island is an extremely exclusive & luxurious resort that will guarantee you a very relaxing getaway. You can do as much or as little as you would like- in additional to gorgeous beaches the resort also offers many fun activities.
Turtle Island is incredibly private and has even hosted a number of celebrity couples!
Ever After Honeymoons is offering a really special deal for 7 nights at this all inclusive luxury resort.
There is 30% discount on the current rates
and the travel can be done starting now through August 12th, 2012!
You don’t want to miss this opportunity!
The package includes:
Meet and greet upon arrival at the international airport in Nadi
All gourmet meals, snacks and appetizers
Breakfast in bed
Your favorite beverages stocked in your refrigerator
Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cocktails (unlimited)
Horseback riding
Scuba diving (1 tank dive per day if certified)
Sport fishing (daily)
Windsurfing
Sailing
Snorkeling and snorkeling trips
Mountain Bikes
Kayaks
Island Tour
Private beach picnics on 7 different beaches
½ hour Lomi Lomi massage each
Private dine outs
Sunset Cruise
Meke (Fijian dancers)
Kava ceremonies
Entertainment
Daily laundry and housekeeping services
Personal concierge to schedule your activities and private dine outs (Bure Mama)
and taxes.
Flights are not included.
Only serious inquiries please.
