Honeymoon Blog

Where will Prince William and Kate Middleton Honeymoon?

   Last week the world celebrated the much anticipated royal engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  The media is buzzing with all kinds of questions about their upcoming nuptials.  What dress will Kate wear?  Where will the event take place? Will it be as lavish as Charles and Diana’s wedding?  

The top question on Ms. M’s mind is definitely, where will they honeymoon?  With little information on the subject available, it’s difficult to say, but here are some exclusive and luxurious options that the world’s most famous engaged couple might consider…

Sport and adventure in New Zealand – Rumors abound that the couple plan to spend at least part of their honeymoon in New Zealand to see the Rugby World Cup (the prince is a big fan).  The South Pacific destination is known for its Maori culture, jaw-dropping scenery and luxurious lodges. With glaciers, fjords, rugged coastline and snowcapped peaks, it’s a great place to be active, which is evidently right up Kate and William’s alley!  The Owners Cottage at Huka Lodge on the North Island is one of the most secluded and exclusive hideaways in the world.  The cottage is almost completely hidden from view and has 4 bedrooms, a living room and an infinity pool with views downstream to the powerful Huka Falls.

 

Safari in Botswana – Kate and William were engaged several weeks ago while vacationing in Kenya.  If they are romantics at heart, Botswana could be a great honeymoon spot to recreate all the magic of their engagement safari, while experiencing a different African location and landscape. The off-the-beaten-path Selinda Reserve is an area of vast savannas and floodplains known for its numerous elephants, water birds, hippos and unique “surfing lions” who hunt hippos.  Zarafa Camp is a romantic retreat with just four stunning guest accommodations where Kate and William can relax by their fire place or private pool and gaze out at the plains teeming with wildlife.

 

Sand and Sun in the Seychelles – After one of the couple’s “splits” during their nine-year courtship, they chose the islands of the Seychelles to rekindle their romance.  During that trip, they stayed a lovely private island resort called Desroches Island Resort.  For their honeymoon, they may wish to return the idyllic islands of the Seychelles, but kick the luxury and seclusion up a notch and stay at Villa North Island.  North Island is a resort on a completely private island with just 11 villas.   Villa 11 (aka Villa North Island) is a slice of heaven – tucked away in the forest with its own private stretch of white-sand beach, it has stunning views of the turquoise hues of the Indian ocean from nearly every vantage point. If Kate and William can’t unwind here, they probably can’t unwind anywhere!

 

Seclusion on a Private Yacht – With circus that will inevitably surround their wedding, the newly married couple may choose to honeymoon in the complete seclusion and privacy of a luxury yacht.  This way they have the flexibility to visit the locations they are interested in without the prying eyes of other guests. A spring wedding would be prefect for yachting in the Caribbean and a summer wedding would allow for great cruising in the Mediterranean.

 

We’ll have to wait and see what they choose.  Wherever they go, it will undoubtedly be an exclusive, romantic and luxurious vacation that they’ll remember and treasure for the rest of their lives. 

Honeymoon where Katy Perry and Russell Brand were married

Okay, let's face it, most of us who are not of Indian descent may not choose to be married in India.  Katy Perry and Russell Brand are certainly an exception!  But they do have excellent taste and India is a fascinating country, so while perhaps not a perfect wedding locale, it could be an ideal honeymoon destination for some.

It's possible to do India in style.  For example, Aman-i-Khas (click here), where Katy and Russell were married, is a member of the prestigious Aman Hotel Group.  A stunning property and away from the hustle and bustle of major metropolitan centers, this is a luxury tented camp that is adjacent to Ranthambore National Park.  When not enjoying a the peace of the resort or the bliss of the spa, guests go on twice-daily tiger safaris in the park, to obtain (hopefully) a glimpse of these magnificent cats.  If you see one in the wild, count yourselves lucky!  They are so rare that now is the time to go before they disappear.

  
 
The tents at Aman-i-Khas are all white, lending an air of romance when you enter.  They have a huge sunken bathtub (which the resort will fill with flower petals to celebrate your occasion), a patio for lounging, a dressing area and a giant divan for a lovely afternoon nap.  This is safari in style!

  
Aman-i-Khas and Ranthambore are close to Delhi and Agra (for the Taj Mahal) so you can easily combine a tiger safari wth some of the country's key sights.  And many people will also tie in the gorgeous Maldives Islands (where Katy and Russell are on honeymoon - currently in a top secret location), which are great for a little R&R before or after the magic of India. 

 

 

Real Honeymoons: A Mediterranean Masterpiece

When Aaron and Talia, from Los Angeles, initially contacted MoonRings to assist in planning their honeymoon, they were not entirely sure where they wanted to go. But one thing was certain – it had to be exotic and luxurious.  After exploring a number of fabulous locales including Bali and Bora Bora, it was old world charm of France and Italy that had the right mix of luxury, sophistication and culinary delights.

Their journey began on the France’s stunning Cote d’Azur for a week of relaxation and pampering.  Their first few days at the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat in St. Jean Cap Ferrat primarily consisted of lounging by the spectacular pool and taking strolls through the hotel’s romantic gardens.  Aaron and Talia did venture out to explore nearby towns such as Monaco, Eze and St. Paul de Vence (a favorite of Aaron’s).  One afternoon, they took hike around the Cap encountering a secluded cove with incredibly turquoise water where local residents were cliff diving. On their last night, the hotel upgraded them to massive suite with a private roof top Jacuzzi featuring panoramic views of the sea and dramatic scenery.

  

 
   
  
 
After the coast, it was time to head inland to the Four Seasons Provence for countryside vistas and more pampering.  The Four Seasons took excellent care of the couple and even gave them their first glimpse of a photo from their wedding, which was thoughtfully placed in their room (they received it from the Four Seasons in California where Aaron and Talia were married).  When they did opt to leave the Four Seasons, they visited the charming local towns of Fayence and Tourettes sampling tasty Provencal dishes and wine along the way. 

  

  
 

While their French adventure was coming to a close, there was plenty more pampering and luxury in store for them in Italy at the lovely Hotel Le Sirenuse in Positano.  Guess what they did?  You’re right, more relaxing and pampering!  The pool at Le Sirenuse is quite inviting, and with the view that they had from their suite, it’s easy to how they struggled to find a reason to leave such a perfect place.  Nonetheless, Aaron and Talia did muster the motivation to leave the hotel and enjoy Positano, visiting the local shops and people watching in cafes. One day, they made their way to the town of Ravello set high in the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast. Here they took a cooking class with a local chef, Vincenzino.  Chef Vincenzino shared many secrets of creating Italian seafood dishes, but in the end, the meal they created was not Aaron’s favorite and they opted for restaurant dining (i.e. professional chefs) for the rest of the trip. 

 

   

To close the trip, they took a quick train up to Rome for couple of nights of sightseeing and urban excitement.  

As Aaron and Talia began their long journey back to Los Angeles, they took a moment to browse through their fabulous digital photos and remember their enchanting adventure to some of Europe’s most scenic locations and luxurious retreats.   We wish them warm congratulations on their marriage and a long, happy and healthy life together!  Thanks for sharing your fantastic stories and photos!

 

 

 

 

Chelsea Clinton honeymoons in... Namibia!

 

With such high profile parents, it's no wonder that Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky chose Namibia, in southern Africa, as their honeymoon destination.  Far away from most international media, and sparsely populated, this is also where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt went for the birth of their daughter, Shiloh, in 2006. 

   

But aside from the distance away from prying eyes, why would someone want to honeymoon in Namibia?  In a word, the scenery - it is absolutly stunning.  A dry country, Namibia is a desert paradise, full of sand dunes, wild coastline, mountains and rocky terrain.  One can surf on the dunes, flightsee over the ochre-red rock formations, visit indigenous tribes and 4x4 across the terrain on a desert safari to see how the wild game has adapted to the harsh conditions. 

 

A great way to see this unusual ecosystem is by "flight safari".  A company called Skeleton Coast Safaris takes lucky visitors on a 4-day / 3-night sojourn around the country by small plane, stopping in remote locations to experience the flora, fauna, scenery and sand, seeing it in a way you could never imagine from the ground.  You can combine this with a safari stay on the ground, or with a safari in a neighboring country such as Botswana or South Africa.  So so unique.  MoonRings helps clients with travel all over southern Africa - give us a call and we are happy to share more about awesome Namibia with you!

Photos courtesy of Skeleton Coast Safaris

 

 

 

Snorkeling from French Polynesia's Overwater Bungalows: A Misconception?

When people think of French Polynesia they usually think of turquoise lagoons with charming bungalows perched directly above the water.  People from all over the world (honeymooners in particular) travel here to experience the unique feeling of sleeping directly above the water.  Since French Polynesia's lagoons are also well known for their excellent marine life some visitors expect to check in to their accommodations, strap on a snorkel mask and fins and dive directly from their overwater bungalow to greet schools of colorful fish.

  
  

In some of French Polynesia's resorts, these expectations will be met, but it’s important to note that not all resorts and overwater bungalows sit above great reefs for snorkeling. 

First, many overwater bungalows reside in shallow water, simply too shallow for snorkeling!  Snorkeling from the beach is often a better alternative, considering many resorts have a reef or “Lagoonarium” within their grounds.  Granted, it’s often located in a more enclosed area in order to guarantee great snorkeling as opposed to in the open water near the bungalows.  

Some overwater bungalows do reside right at a reef.  In theory, great, but coral is quite sharp, and you may have to wear reef shoes whenever swimming or wading.  If this is less than appealing to you, do look for a resort with a Lagoonarium to ensure good and comfortable snorkeling.  Alternatively, you can choose bungalows within the resort that are classified as “deep overwater” or “end of pontoon”.  These categories, although pricier, are deep enough such that most guests' feet won't touch bottom.

If your dream is to be able to snorkel directly from your overwater bungalow for at least part of your honeymoon in French Polynesia, you may want to consider a few nights at The Sofitel Ia Ora Resort on  Moorea, which has an excellent reef situated right below the overwater bungalows.  During a recent stay here, I had the opportunity to snorkel right from my overwater bungalow and it was truly fabulous. 

A glimpse of some of the fish I saw:

No matter what, a honeymoon in the idyllic French Polynesian Islands will offer beautiful scenery, fantasic resorts with overwater bungalows and excellent snorkeling either directly from an overwater bungalow or within a nearby Lagoonarium.

Luxe Hacienda Hotels in Mexico's Yucatan

Interested in spicing up your Mexican honeymoon with a bit of culture after you have gotten your fill of rest and relaxation on the beach? Within only a few hours drive of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera is an area of the Yucatan that’s filled with unique cultural opportunities and the chance to delve into the interesting history of the Mexican people.  Some may be familiar with this location because it is home to famous Chichen Itza, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Latin America.

 

Though this region is somewhat off the beaten track, you won’t have to sacrifice luxury and comfort.  On our most recent visit, we had the opportunity to stay at several former historic haciendas which have been converted into luxurious boutique hotels.  Through carefully orchestrated renovations, the properties have retained much of their original character.  Former ranch buildings have been transformed into plush and spacious guest rooms with 25 foot ceilings, king sized beds, huge bathrooms, private terraces, and outdoor bathtubs.  Hacienda San Jose offers private “casitas,” free-standing bungalows that mimic the original Mayan dwellings of the area, complete with a platform bed hanging from ropes (the Mayans slept in hammocks, you know!).

 

Honeymooners, in particular, will appreciate the privacy and romance that the haciendas exemplify.  These charming abodes provide a perfect place to return to after a day of exploring ancient ruins, visiting colonial towns and hiking through the jungle.

 

 

 
  

 

Real Honeymoons: Gorgeous Mauritius and Incredible South Africa

Bill and Liz, clients of MoonRings from New York City, recently returned from a truly amazing honeymoon to Mauritius (in the Indian Ocean) and South Africa.  We thought their photos were nothing short of spectacular, and wanted to share some of them here with you. 

 

   
  
After the long flight to Mauritius (via Dubai), they were more than ready for a few days of beautiful beaches, bright blue water and lush scenery.  Their resort, The Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita was the perfect place to get away, made that much more special by the fact that New York was in the midst of a blizzard!  Excellent timing. 

 

 
   
 
Tanned, happy and relaxed, their next stop was Cape Town, South Africa (with a transit night in Johannesburg), where they found their three days in this world-class city to be all too short.  They made visits to the nearby Winelands, Table Mountain, and the Cape Peninsula, and dined out at some great restaurants.  Their hotel, The Portswood, was located in the heart of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and was a great base for exploration. 

 

  
   

The highlight of the honeymoon was without a doubt their safari experience in the Madikwe Game Reserve, in the northern part of the country near the Botswana border.  They stayed at Madikwe Hills, an exclusive safari lodge with only 10 luxurious suites, each with a private plunge pool and an outdoor bath and shower.  Their game viewing was spectacular, including a pride of 19 lions drinking from the same water hole at the same time (we’ve never seen that before!)  They saw the Big 5 within 3 game drives, and rare wild dog in abundance, among other creatures. 

 

 
 
 

Thanks to Bill and Liz for sharing their photos and experiences!  We loved working with you!

Heaven on safari: The Singita Grumeti Lodges in Tanzania

For those who wish to elevate their honeymoon experience by adding a touch of luxury at the end of a beautiful day on safari, do consider the Singita Lodges in the Grumeti Reserve in the western Serengeti.  There are three different properties, each bringing a unique style, ambiance and perspective. Which is/are right for you will depend!  In no way can photos (especially ours) do justice, but having just visited, we'll try to capture the essence of each in a few words:

Sasakwa Lodge:  Gracious hospitality, old-world elegance, and VIEWS.  Sasakwa takes advantage of its privileged position high above the plains to paint a picture that you will never forget.  Every aspect of the property is oriented towards the view, complimented with comfortable villas, plunge pools and amenities galore.

(click to enlarge each photo)

Sabora Plains Tented Camp:  Authentic, romantic, charming, epicentral.  In the heart of the plains, this is where life on the Serengeti happens.  Animals can wander at whim through camp, creating surprise game viewing opportunities!  The luxury tents hearken back to bygone days with period antiques and every comfort possible.  There is a pervasive spirit of adventure at Sabora; this is a quintessential safari experience.

  
  

Faru Faru Lodge:  Comfortable, natural, warm, inviting.  Faru Faru's location next to the Grumeti River showcases Mother Nature and just how relaxed one can be in the middle of the African bush.  While nominally contemporary in style, the ambiance of this lodge and each suite invite you to pull on your fleece, put on your flip-flops, and enjoy the camaraderie of the boma (camp fire) after a great day of game viewing.

 
 

Beyond the sheer beauty, guests feel heartfelt hospitality of the Singita staff, no matter the lodge.  The service ethic and attention go far beyond expectations, and surprise and delight at every turn.  Stunning and memorable days and nights! 

For further photos and comments on the Singita Grumeti lodges, check out this post on the MoonRings Facebook page. 

The animals of Tanzania's Serengeti

We flew into Tanzania's Capital of Dar es Salaam (via Dubai) and after a quick transit night, we boarded our flight - a small prop aircraft typical to the country - to the Serengeti plains in the northwestern part of the country.  This area is home to what is known as "the migration", where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras follow the path of the seasonal rains in search of fertile ground for grazing.  Their predators - lion, leopard, and others - follow along too, securing their food supplies in the process.  It is a sight to behold, and usually the best migration viewing is in June, July and August.

We visited in December, but contrary to what many people think, this is also an excellent time of year to go.  The absence of thousands of wildebeest means there is room to see other animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, lion, eland, gazelle, impala, leopard, jackal and countless other species.  We were enchanted by the bird life as well - it's amazing what you can see making its way across the plains!

(click on the photos to enlarge)

Coming in for a landing at the Sasakwa airstrip, we buzzed over a small group of zebra, and baboons scattered in order to avoid the aircraft.  A great welcoming committee!  Throughout the next few days we were treated to some spectacular sightings, from the lounging cheetah who was awakened by a snake which fell on it from the tree above, to the awkward "Secretary" bird who walked gingerly through the tall grass as if she were wearing high heels!  We watched the unsuccessful hunt of a lioness who was outwitted by a family of warthogs, and young giraffes shoving each other in an effort to (gently) assert their dominance.  Our Maasai ranger saw leopards with his keen eyes that we struggled to find via binoculars, and spotted black and white long-haired colobus monkeys as they sat in the trees above.  Breeding herds of elephants moved slowly as they devoured trees, and their babies - maybe only a week or two old - provided major entertainment as their yet unpracticed trunks flailed about in all directions.

And then there were the morning coffee breaks mid-plain, where zebra, gazelle, hyena, eland and kudu surrounded us on all sides, oblivious to the human presence in their midst.  As city-dwellers, we were continually in awe of what mother nature and the animal kingdom brought to our attention.  While today was just another day in the Serengeti, we felt that it the context of our lives it was extraordinary.

 

Cool honeymoon activity: Maui's Iao Valley

Maui is a beautiful island, but you’ll often share that beauty with loads of other tourists.  If you are looking for a more off-the-beaten-path place which is at once stunning and relatively undiscovered, we’d suggest heading over to the Iao Valley, just up the road from the town of Wailuku, near the airport. 

 

Visitors usually come here, park the car, and make the 5 minute walk up to the observation point.  This is a very sacred place in Hawaiian culture, and there are many interpretive panels telling of past history, wars and conflicts that took place.  At the observation point one can view the Iao Needle, a tall green rock formation.  Definitely take a picture. 

 

But this isn’t the cool part.  Head back down the walkway, and instead of turning left to go back over the bridge to the parking lot, go right on the dirt hiking path towards the other branch of the river.  Follow the path (which can get steep and difficult at times) along the river.  If you continue on the path, you’ll reach an unknown waterfall.  What we did, however, was to drop down off the path to the river itself, and boulder our way through the stream. 

 

No one was there!  We enjoyed jumping from rock to rock, and resting in the sun when we got tired.  There were many gorgeous pools of water formed by the clear stream and the rock formations which were perfect for swimming or lounging.  While our intent was to make it to the waterfall, higher water levels meant at a certain point we weren’t able to do that via the stream (you do need to be mindful of flash floods in the area and take appropriate care). Instead, we were content to enjoy our adventure and the beauty of the valley walls around us.  Fun, romantic and different!