Reflections: On Romance
We have a lot of clients reaching out to us to plan special occasions, trips that are so anticipated, that have so much riding on them, that are such a splurge – that it is worth the extra investment to seek professional guidance. Certainly, honeymoons top that list of requests, and we've seen them all – from Maldivian escapes in the winter, to Roman escapades in the summer, month-long sojourns in Asia, and Caribbean hideaways that require a few plane hops. Romantics are vying to impress their loves with exotic locales, paradisaical vistas, bucket list venues, and far-flung getaways that often carry a hefty price tag, in terms of money and time.
Post-nuptial travels weren't really popularized until the advent of the "bridal tours" of the 18th Century British elite, who began to journey through the European Continent much like their predecessors taking "Grand Tours" of Italy. (Often, when stagecoaches crossed the Alps heading south, passengers closed their blinds to avoid seeing the sharp mountains, then known as horrifying 'tumors' on Earth's face. – My, how times change.) When my own mother planned her exotic honeymoon to, then, far away Jamaica in the early 70s, she took a traditional bridal trousseau of 4 trunks, one dedicated to evening wear, and another dedicated to undergarments. Honeymoons were serious business, worthy of multiple daily outfit changes, something Cher would laud.
Today, the destination has become ever more important, clothing perhaps less-so, with many folks trying to 'keep up with the Joneses' in doing something wilder, and more exotic than the last. Others visit bucket list properties, whose 4-figure nightly room rates are reserved for the most special of celebrations. A handful strike up dare-devil adventures, heart-pumping feats, quite the opposite choice from tranquility with a soothing horizon.
In this edition, we share some of our favorite places on the bucket list, ones that carry hefty price tags, require extra time to truly appreciate it, or are just simply very special earthen locales. Over-water bungalows, which are only found in a few destinations, are often perfect contenders for newlyweds, and we share our favorites in the Maldives and French Polynesia. For those looking for cinematic opulence, this James Bond-approved Indian palace fits the bill. A Roman Holiday is just about as romantic as it gets in European cities. Of course, just a tad closer to home is our favorite beach in St. Lucia, and if you're on a budget, we have a few tips on visiting Tahiti on the cheap, or using frequent flyer miles wisely to get to your destination (trousseau-in-hand) in style.
Make sure the paper umbrellas are in your cocktail glass and your trousseau is set as we dazzle you with sunsets, azure seas, gilded rooms, and exceptional service on our favorite places for romance.
Return to all the articles in Edition Thirteen
Photo Credit: Syllogi
