Marvelous Marcy: I met her at the Damned show on Valentine’s Day 2010 at Slim’s. I don’t know how I could have missed such a cool and talented gal who lived in the SF Mission District for so long (a tiny hamlet of hipsters). I knew she was a photographer of some renown: she shot legendary bands such as the Damned and even First Lady, Michelle Obama (oh, and did I mention, weddings?). Then we got busy with life and work and lost touch but always wanted to reconnect. She saw a Tweet about my work on the Sea Shepherd App and reached out. Little did I know that she was a lover of animals and was also trying to help save endangered cheetahs. It’s like a match made in heaven: two punk rock aficionados affiliated with the bridal industry finally bond over their work in animal conservation. A little random? Maybe. Very San Francisco? You betcha! I think I’ll send Evan Willams a thank you note, because Twitter, as much as it can drive me mental, has a tangible purpose beyond endless self promotion and marketing – it can bring people together…read on to check out one of the most ‘feel good all over honeymoons’ Cheetah Watch Safari Botswana….Stay tuned for more of Marcy Mendelson’s snaps in future posts!

Many couples want to do more than sit on a beach, they want adventure, they want to give back… and they want five star treatment.

I’ve been photographing the weddings and parties of free spirits and artists for many a year.  As a recent development, I’ve entered the world of conservation, for the cheetah specifically.

Due to the generosity of planners & eco-lodges in South Africa and Botswana, I’ve been able to arrange a luxury safari focused on the cheetah at a priced at a nearly $4k discount.  Not only that, a tax-deductable portion goes to Cheetah Conservation Botswana. We will be a small, focused group in beautiful, remote locations known for their wild cheetah!

Take the road less traveled: Cheetah Conservation Botswana

All my photography work goes toward the production of the cheetah conservation documentary.  Special for the Anti-Brides out there: 15% off photo packages.  Mention “Antibride Cheetah” in your request. http://marcymendelson.com

Join me, conservation photographer and National Geographic contributor, and famed safari guide and author, Peter Allison on a unique journey as we explore the best regions in Southern Africa and Botswana to see cheetah in the wild.   Luxury accommodations in spectacular settings include all game drives in open vehicles with experienced game rangers on private land that allow off road access and the ability to follow animals at night.  This is truly the trip of a lifetime.

About:

Marcy is a wedding, event, press & conservation photographer based in San Francisco, California. She has exhibited her work in London, San Francisco and Philadelphia, and recently at Scream Gallery as the recipient of the London Calling prize.  As a photojournalist she has shot for The Times of London, documented the classic punk rockers, The Damned, and freelances with SIPA Press as an ongoing contributor with assignments as varied as NYC Fashion Week and the First Lady Michelle Obama.

Her fondness for the cheetah began as a young child reading her parents’ National Geographic magazines and fascinated by PBS nature specials. She was compelled to act when she recently learned about the continued decline in cheetah populations outpacing conservation programs.  Special for Antibrides, she is offering 15% off photo packages with mention of “Antibride Cheetah”, and promoting her Cheetah Safari for Conservation.

And if you ask nicely, she’ll teach you how to samba..

Cheetah-Watch.com

MendelsonImages.com

Words and Images: Marcy Mendelson

 

Jump for joy at Jumby Bay

Luxury accommodations, spectacular views, romantic opportunities and a Couples Retreat package will get your first few days together off to a blissful start!

Antigua, West Indies (July 12, 2011) – Let other addresses promise a honeymoon to remember, Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort off the coast of Antigua delivers one you’ll never forget. Renowned among Antigua luxury resorts as a hot spot for Caribbean destination weddings, the inclusive private island resort is the perfect location to celebrate the first few days of your lives together, with luxury guest quarters, spectacular views of turquoise waters and lush tropical foliage, and romantic opportunities at every turn.  The resort’s newly designed one-bedroom Estate Suite is a breathlessly romantic hideaway for honeymooners, with design inspired by beachy hues and island textures. Or, settle into one of Jumby Bay’s eight Private Estate Homes including Frangipani Point, a NEW four-bedroom oceanfront villa with lush tropical gardens, a beautiful freshwater pool and private butler service.

Jumby Bay’s “Privileges of Privacy” menu offers honeymoon couples private events to share. Take your pick of engaging diversions such as a Private Chef’s Table or Private Beach Dinner with four courses and paired wine; Private Stargazing accompanied by wine, cheese and a tour of the heavens with Resident Astronomer David Stubbs; a Private Spa Evening pour deux with couples treatments, dinner and dessert at the new Sense®, A Rosewood Spa; a Private Visit to a Local Potter for an exclusive work of art the two of you will cherish; or Private Tennis Lessons for two with a resort tennis pro.  Of course, Jumby Bay also offers dedicated Wedding Packages, an exclusive Island Buyout Package, and an experienced Wedding Coordinator to assure that the happiest day of your lives goes off without a hitch.  Enjoy a honeymoon you’ll never forget with a Couples Retreat Package at Jumby Bay, including:

• Accommodations for seven nights in a Pool Suite, Estate Suite or Beachside Courtyard Suite
• Private chauffeured round-trip airport transfers
• Bottle of chilled Champagne and culinary amenity upon arrival
• Full breakfast, lunch, diner, beverages, cocktails and house wine by the glass daily
• One romantic dinner on the beach
• Stargazing and Moonlight Massage in a private spa couples suite
• Nightly amenities and special departure gift
• From $10,000 for a Pool Suite, $13,300 for an Estate Suite and $8,795 for a Beachside Courtyard Suite based on double occupancy, plus 10.5% government tax and 10% service. Available through November 20, 2011, based on availability; blackout dates may apply.

Moonlight dinner defines romance

In addition to the details above, rates are inclusive of daily water sports, use of two resort pools, three tennis courts, fitness center, croquet lawn and putting green. For more information or to reserve a Couples Retreat at Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort please contact 888-ROSEWOOD, or 268-462-6000, or visit www.jumbybayresort.com.

About Jumby Bay

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort is an inclusive luxury retreat set on its own enchanting 300-acre private island two miles off the coast of Antigua in the West Indies. Accessible only by boat, the resort offers upscale travelers a relaxed and authentic Caribbean escape with superb white-sand beaches and lush tropical environs.  In December 2009, Jumby Bay revealed a $28 million resort-wide transformation. Closed since June 2008, the ultra-luxe, resort hideaway re-emerged with an array of absolutely brand new enticements; including its first-ever Sense, A Rosewood Spa®, 28 new spacious suites and fully enhanced accommodations, new open-air Verandah, new Pool Grille bistro-style restaurant, and a pair of $18-million Estate Homes with private pools, tennis courts, and full access to the many amenities of Jumby Bay. For active travelers, Jumby Bay offers watersports, tennis, hiking and biking trails, a fitness center and a new oceanfront infinity pool. In 2007, Jumby Bay was named the “World’s Best Caribbean Resort” in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Readers’ Survey. It also ranked among the “Top 25 Caribbean Resorts” on Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2009, and was included on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2009. For more information and reservations, call 888.ROSEWOOD.

About Rosewood Hotels & Resort

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® manages one-of-a-kind luxury properties in the world’s most desired destinations. Rosewood properties embrace the company’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, reflecting the history, architecture, scale and sensibilities of the destination. With 18 properties in eight countries, the Rosewood collection includes some of the most legendary hotels and resorts in the world, including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek® in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, as well as contemporary classics such as Rosewood Sand Hill® in California, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende® in Mexico, and, now, Rosewood Tucker’s Point in Bermuda. Rosewood also offers Sense® spa – featuring treatments reflective of the location’s culture and natural environment – available exclusively at select properties.

 

Best press trip ever...

It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time again. Yet another beautiful issue of Destination I Do Magazine hits stands today. I know it’s still snowy and glacial across most of the country, but picking up the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of Destination I Do is sure to bring some sunshine to your day! We strive to bring equal parts inspiration and information to every issue and we think we hit the nail on the head with our latest edition.

For our Fashion Forward department there are two gorgeous photo shoots each with its own style and pizzazz. If a tropical wedding is your aim or if it’s down-home vintage all the way, look to this issue’s Fashion Forward for ideas on dresses, décor and details. Our Spring Cover is a shot from our Mt. Hood, Oregon Fashion Forward Shoot. Behind the lens was the marvelously talented Phyllis Lane who captured this shot on Lost Lake in Hood River.

So, what else does this issue have to offer? As always, the writers at Destination I Do traveled far and wide to some of the romantic destination wedding and honeymoon locales across the globe. The uber-fab Anti-Bride gives readers the inside scoop on the original “City of Love” – Paris and the emerald isle of Ireland. One writer traveled to Indonesia for his honeymoon and discovered a surfer’s paradise.

Destination I Do Magazine’s Editor in Chief, Jennifer Stein, took a whirlwind trip through Sweden and discovered Scandinavian love nests that are too good to pass up. I, Courtney Cox, took a trip to Hawaii that was an absolute delight and fit for any honeymooner or destination wedding couple. There are many other destinations to discover amongst the colorful, glossy pages.

Often our readers’ favorite department is the Real-Life Weddings and frankly we can’t blame them. The weddings in this issue continue to take it to the next level with personalization and unique style. There are some love stories here that will melt your heart and images that will take your breath away. From a chateau in France to the rolling hills of Columbia – there’s a wedding here that will inspire you in planning your own destination wedding.

This is all just a tiny taste of what you can find in our Spring/Summer 2011 issue. Want to pick one up? You can find Destination I Do at Barnes & Noble, select Borders and other fine book retailers worldwide. Don’t have one of these nearby – no problem! It’s easy to subscribe on our web site and the issue will be delivered to your door in about a week. If you love this issue as much as we do, then share the love and spread the word! As always, thanks for your continued support and love of all things Destination I Do.

Words by Courtney Cox
Cover photo courtesy of Phyllis Lane

 

Being fabulous in flight is all about the amenities...

It’s holiday time and many of you are no doubt traveling quite some distance to see friends and family. Whether you like flying or not (and I happen to love it), there are a few simple, easy, but effective measures I encourage to assist you on your way, making it just that bit more comfortable, and also ensuring you don’t arrive looking wrinkled, dirty and exhausted.

I have flown back and forth to the UK in the last few years more times than I have fingers and toes, and the few details I work in to my plan always ensure I have a relaxing and enjoyable flight.

 

Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story:  Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide.  1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals,  “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe.  If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy.  The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687.  Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally.  Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings.  At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau.  More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

 

Pop the question with lovely libation at SF's famed Top of the Mark

Top Of The Mark At the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Begins Search for Most Romantic Marriage Proposal On April 15

The Destination to “Pop The Question” Seeks Submissions for Best Proposal Stories at The Top of The Mark for a Chance to Win a Romantic Weekend for Two

San Francisco, CA (April 14, 2010) – Beginning on Thursday, April 15, the Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins kicks off the search for the most romantic marriage proposal made at the legendary sky lounge. Since opening in 1939, hundreds of couples have proclaimed their love at this famed destination. Whether you were engaged as the sun set behind the city or popped the question over late night cocktails with the twinkling lights of San Francisco as the backdrop, the Top of the Mark wants to hear your story and see your photo.

Through June 15, 2010, couples from around the country are asked to share their fairytale proposal with the Top of the Mark. Selected stories will be playfully featured on the cocktail napkins at the lounge, inspiring romantic proposals for generations to come.  The couple with the most remarkable story will receive a romantic weekend getaway for two at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins.

Perched on the 19th floor of the hotel, the world-renowned sky lounge affords a near 360-degree vista of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. These views combined with evening entertainment, a menu of 100 martinis and light bites have made the Top of the Mark one of the most romantic destinations in the Bay Area and one of the top for popping the question to that special someone.

Submissions can be emailed to gail.gerber@ihg.com or mailed to the attention of Gail Gerber at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, One Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94108. All stories and photos become property of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins and materials will not be returned. Submissions must be received by June 15, 2010 for consideration and must contain proper contact information.

For more information, please visit www.topofthemark.com.

About InterContinental Mark Hopkins

Located on the top of prestigious Nob Hill at the intersection of California and Mason Streets, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, an historic landmark, is a regular stop on the California Street cable car line.  Just minutes away from the financial and theatre districts as well as Union Square and Chinatown, this four-star, four-diamond hotel is also home to the Top of the Mark, the world-renowned 19th floor skylounge that offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area.  For more information and to make reservations, contact the Mark Hopkins, Number One Nob Hill, San Francisco, Calif. 94108, at 415.392.3434 or 800.NOB HILL (662-4455), or by visiting http://www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com.

 

Living like Jane Bond aboard the luxe Virgin Australia International Business Class - probably the only time I did not want to get off a plane in recent memory.

One afternoon, while running to studio at my university, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a poster: blazing orange sun, rugged, caramel-colored hills, and a headline demanding action: Australia Needs Designers!

In that moment, I became bitten and smitten by the idea of Australia. Fast forward, the Eurail Pass years: I consistently found myself falling in with Australians – witty and irreverent travel compatriots with an easy, breezy approach to life. A lifelong aficionado of its independent music and film scene, (Nick Cave, Radio Birdman, Mad Max), I was unprepared for the sheer size, scale, isolation, and vast untrammeled frontier that is Australia.

A few years, books, and magazine articles later, the press opportunity came: a romance travel experience from Perth to the Margaret River. Feeling like a modern-day Dorothy, I fairly skipped to SFO to embark on a 26-hour journey to a modern-day Eden: West Oz.

Journalists: Carolyn Gerin, Eric Rosen, Jamie Stringfellow and Ty Bentsen channel our inner hesher.

“Ms. Gerin, your boarding pass.”

Looking down, I realized there must be some mistake. It was issued to Britney Spears for her upcoming tour to Oz.

“No worries, Ms. Gerin! Here’s your pass for the VIP Lounge pre-flight, and your ticket for International Business Class, LA to Perth. Enjoy your stay in Oz, G’day!”

And enjoy it I did, road testing one of the best romantic adventures ever. This is the honeymoon you have been waiting for, mate, so get ready to have a good ‘un, because we’re going “down under.”

Must Wine Bar Private Lounge, champagne and witty repartee.

Airborne ambiance, 10,000 feet: Welcome to Virgin Australia International Business Class. Have a few glasses of Moet in the lounge, some foie gras, a lamb chop, a good film, a brandy, pima-cotton pajamas and don a pair of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, snooze on your fully horizontal bed, and awake, fully rested, 1 hour from Brisbane. It’s like space travel for hipster astronauts with great food and wine. I didn’t want to get off the plane.

G’day Australia! Whatever you’ve heard about the brutality of travel to Oz, you can now banish. It’s a hike, but it’s your honeymoon, so spend intentionally and reap the rewards of no jet lag and an in-flight vacation.

Fly Virgin Blue Brisbane to Perth, crossing the vast, haunting, Outback, and head to the Richardson Hotel and Spa, a unique boutique: Asian influence, expansive views of the skyline, luxe rooms and an opulent coffee buffet. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the zen-garden pool. Head to Opus for some of the best farm to fork offerings, by Chef Todd Cheavin – the grilled lamb, with local wine pairings a stand out.

Later, it’s Freemantle, a bustling port city with goldrush-era architecture, ghosts of rock stars, and the industrial, edgy Little Creatures Brewery. A converted boat shed and working brewery, it’s hophead heaven, with kangaroo and fresh seafood served alongside of freshly pulled pints right from the conditioning tank. Thursday afternoon, may as well be a Saturday night, the place is as hopping as the brew tanks.

Feeling rebellious and randy we embark on the ACDC Highway to Hell tour, Freemantle Trams winds us through the haunts, history, and final resting place of everyone’s favorite head banger, Bon Scott. Channel your inner 16-year-old while belting out “TNT,” and “Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap” at the top of your lungs.

The rules are the tools: when it’s pints for lunch, it’s either a power nap or a coffee at Freo’s Cappuccino Strip. A little jolt will do you, before your romantic night at the hippest “regency meets retro” spot in Perth: Must Winebar and Champagne Lounge. Champagne bubble walls, flocked wallpaper, vintage mirrors, dark and gothy interiors make date night downright decadent. Sip a divine elixir and gaze into each other’s eyes before a bite….at the Must Bistro downstairs where Chef Blaikie serves up contemporary French cuisine – the short ribs and gnocchi being a stand out.

The next morning, hop on the Rottnest Express to Rottnest Island, 18 kms west of Perth, tool around on mountain bikes by Wadejemup lighthouse, coral reefs, tide pools and interact with the locals: Quokas, marsupials resembling miniature kangaroos. Stop into Aristo’s for a freshly caught seafood lunch and a glass of chilled Sauvignon while you gaze over the water and each other.

Rockingham Wild Encounters, Causeway Bay offers a life altering experience -interact with wild dolphins in their natural habitat. Snorkel, and observe in close proximity, these wild, majestic  creatures in their idyllic underwater community. This relationship between RWE and the dolphins has been lovingly fostered for 17-years and the awestruck sense of wonderment will pervade your senses.

Lose the wetsuits and head for the Margaret River, pro surfer haunt, West Oz wine mecca, and a coastline perched on cliffs dotted with so many type of flowers, rocks and vegetation, it looks like a Van Gogh painting. The Injiup Spa Retreat, Yallingup, a glorious 10-villa seaside resort surrounded by a national park, is where modern meets magnificent minimalism. Whale watch from your private deck and enjoy local wine in your private dipping pool as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean across a deserted beach. Enjoy peaceful pampering with a couples spa treatment and handmade aromatherapy products. Slip into something more comfortable (a glass of bubbly at Bouzy The Champagne Bar?). Enjoy modern Australian cuisine at Bathers Restaurant – the oysters and seafood are standouts.

Live large with the devilishly stylin’ Nola Gaebler and her vintage Bentley, as you wind through sun dappled roads and forests on her Wine Lovers of Margaret River Tour guiding you through tastings at award winning Cape Grace Wines, bio-dynamic Cullen Wines, and culminating in the Margaret River’s first commercial vineyard Vasse Felix Winery for a Bacchus-worthy gourmet lunch overlooking pastoral vineyards.

Absolve your culinary sins with a vigorous private surf session at Josh Palmateers Surf Academy. A former pro, he’s an intuitive instructor who can get you riding down the face of a wave you might not believe you can handle. He’s funny, he’s good, and he’s rad. Kelly Slater and you have now surfed River Mouth, Margaret River…..

Get ready for the stunningly stylish Cape Lodge, a small, luxury, vineyard hotel located in the heart of Margaret River wine country on 40 acres of lush forest. Voted best boutique hotel in Oz, 2009, and Worlds Best 100 Hotels, 2010, it’s a visual and victual experience – a new generation in gourmet establishments. Attend cooking school with surfing chef Tony Howell, and later consume your handiwork with wine pairings. Luxuriate in your bucolic balcony overlooking a lazy creek. We almost expect Helena Bonham Carter to come bounding out of the woods in crinolines and corset on a stallion – it’s otherworld.

Head inland, to the Wine and Truffle Company in Manjimup between the Jarrah and Karri forest. The largest trufferie in the southern hemisphere, they also produce fabulous wine. Enjoy a tremendous truffle-inspired lunch with flight of wines overlooking the vineyards, and sigh…..

Reluctantly, your journey comes to a close. Relax in your spacious Executive Suite Club Rooms at the Sheraton, Perth and enjoy modern Australian cuisine at Origins.

More than a honeymoon, this is a lifetime adventure. Yes, it’s a hike to get here, but the rewards are magnificent: a little slice of paradise that hasn’t been overrun or over developed. Everything looks shiny, bright and fresh: blue skies, carpets of flowers, glorious landscapes, and unusually private coastline of staggering beauty, and sublime dining and wining experiences. The highlight? Western Australians– who seem to have perfected the fine art of living and are only too happy to share a libation, a joke, and a hug after meeting you once. Take a little page from their book back home – your new marriage is also an adventure, and living it Oz style will ensure it’s one that lasts for a lifetime (like the memory of your perfect honeymoon….).

Perth To Do: Links

Richardson Hotel and Spa

www.therichardson.com.au

Kings Park Indigenous Heritage Tour

www.indigenouswa.com

Cottesloe Beach

Must Wine Bar

www.must.com.au

Rottnest Express

www.rottnestexpress.com.au

Aristo’s Restaurant

www.rockinghamwildencounters.com.au/

Sheraton Perth Hotel: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=240

Freemantle To Do:

www.littlecreatures.com.au

www.fremantletrams.com/

Margaret River To Do:

Injidup Spa Retreat

www.injidupsparetreat.com.au/

Quay West Bunker Bay

Bushtuckertours.com

Ngilgi Caves

www.geographebay.com

Josh Palmateers Surf Academy

www.mrsurf.com.au

Bathers Restaurant

Bouzy The Champagne Bar

www.smithsbeachresort.com.au

Lifestyle Margaret River

www.lifestylemargaretriver.com.au

www.cullenwines.com.au

www.capegracewines.com.au

www.vassefelix.com.au

Cape Lodge

www.capelodge.com.au

Manjimup: To Do

www.wineandtruffle.com.au

 

Work sucks. So when it comes time for your wedding, you’ve probably been saving up vacation days like a squirrel saves up acorns. Your natural inclination will probably be to dart out of work as soon as you can and make a beeline for the airport for an evening flight out of town. I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Stick with morning flights and you’ll be happier.

I realize that waking up at 0-dark-thirty and dragging yourself to the airport before the sun comes up is not your idea of fun, but you’ll thank me in the end. Morning flights tend to go on time more often than afternoon or evening flights. It’s worth waking up early if it means things go smoothly.

Think about how airplanes spend their days. The goal for an airline is to keep planes in the air as often as possible. When they’re in the air, they make money. When they’re on the ground, they don’t. Airlines would fly their planes 24 hours a day except for two problems.

1. Nobody is willing to pay for a 3am flight to Jackson, Mississippi.
2. They have to maintain those planes sometime, so the airlines do most of their maintenance at night when demand is lowest.

Simply put, most planes start the day fresh each morning. Then they fly like crazy until late at night when they go back to sleep for a few hours.

But what happens when there’s bad weather? Or there are 25 sets of new parents with strollers to be checked on that flight from Omaha? Planes get bogged down during the day as traffic increases and things conspire to really mess up schedules. By the end of the day, you’re paying for all the problems that happened earlier. But each night, the planes get to where they’re supposed to be going, sometimes very late, and the airline is able to reset for the next day.

Sometimes flights get canceled, planes break, etc and things don’t work out as planned. So when you’re running to the airport after work on a bad day, that plane is falling behind and your flight may end up being canceled. That’s not a big deal if there’s another flight five minutes later with an empty seat on it, but in an era of very high load factors, that’s a rarity. Sometimes, you can be out of luck for several days and your trip may be ruined.

So spend that last night in eager anticipation of what lies ahead and then wake up early and enjoy that on time departure. Oh, and on the way home? Who cares. You don’t want to go back to work anyway.

 

Cute, flirty, sexy and fiscally savvy: Affinitas...

Affinitas Intimates Sexy or sweet?  Take your pick with fun, flirty and affordable lingerie, sleep & lounge wear perfect for brides this Spring/Summer.

Producing high quality lingerie at refreshingly accessible prices, the Affinitas Intimates label is comprised of bras, panties, camisoles, babydolls, chemises, and bustiers, each item designed by the Affinitas team to be stylish, comfortable, well-made and most importantly well-fitting.  Currently retailing at specialty, boutique and online stores in the U.S. and Canada, bras retail for $23-$35, panties from $8 – $18, camisoles $25-$58, and babydolls, chemises and bustiers for $25-$45.  The collection utilizes high-quality, soft materials sourced from all over the world to provide maximum comfort, such as cotton, microfiber, satin, French embroidered laces and even technologically advanced seamless materials that are stitch free, seam free and label free. Affinitas offers consumers a wide range of basic, everyday styles as well as special occasion pieces, targeting young, fashionable women aged 20 – 35 years old with an annual income level of $25,000 and up who want stylish, comfortable, high-quality lingerie at prices that won’t break the bank. Affinitas Intimates’ bras and bustiers span a size range of 30-38 A-DD, with all other items sized XS-XL.

Pieces retail from $8 – $58 in numerous boutiques throughout the United States as well as online at HerRoom.com and LaurenSilva.com.  Please visit www.affinitasintimates.com for the full store locator.

 

Have a cocktail and take The Plunge this V-day.

Intimate, romantic Deluxe Suite.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and having just returned from a luxe press trip in NYC courtesy of the Thompson Hotel Group, the Hotel Gansevoort and Destination I Do for my magazine, , I am thrilled to report back on what to do in the Big Apple for V-day. Sifting through the best and the hippest travel options out there to save you time and energy with the most amenities (see below) in the best part of town is the goal. In my humble opinion, this V-day package is power loaded with goodies. Throw a  romantic neighborhood meal into the mix (Spice Market and Pastis) and you are good to go. Having stayed in a Deluxe Suite, perusing a view of the city over a glass of delicious wine in my adjoining living room, or a complimentary cocktail at Plunge Bar and roof garden, the only thing missing was my sweetie (okay, it was a press trip). Breakfast at Tanuki Tavern is delish (try the small plates for an intimate tete a tete around happy hour time too)….Next time around, I’ll be sure to bring him (maybe next Valentines Day?). I heart the Hotel Gansevoort and hope you can take advantage of this hip and happening V-day special. Happy Travel Tuesday!

Hotel Gansevoort V-Day Package

Hotel Gansevoort, a chic, full-service urban resort in New York City’s Meatpacking district, is offering a Valentine’s Day Indulgence Escape Package with all the items necessary for creating some naughty distractions this winter.

With prices starting at $615.00* for a Deluxe room and $855.00* for a Suite, this package is offered from January 15, 2010 – February 21, 2010 and includes:

•    Early check-in (1pm)
•    Deluxe Room or Suite accommodations
•    A dozen red roses
•    Chocolate-covered strawberries
•    Pool access and two complimentary poolside beverages
•    Bottle of chilled Moet champagne
•    Mile High Kit
•    Twister
•    Book of Erotic Games
•    Complimentary Continental breakfast in Tanuki Tavern
•    Late check-out (2pm)

About Hotel Gansevoort

Sleek and stylish, Hotel Gansevoort is the first luxury, full-service hotel in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District.  Located on Ninth Avenue at 13th Street, Hotel Gansevoort’s signature rooftop offers stunning 360-degree river and city views and features a 45-foot heated outdoor pool with underwater music; Plunge Bar and roof garden; and an event loft with soaring 20-foot ceilings. Generously appointed guestrooms blend chic design with hi-tech and include sumptuous feather beds, flat screen TVs, CD players, and complimentary Wireless Internet. The 187-room hotel includes 20 corner suites, one duplex Penthouse, exhale Spa; and Tanuki Tavern Japanese restaurant.