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travel

Canada’s Swankiest Hotel Rooms

Posted November 21st, 2011 | 12:10 pm | By Jen O'Brien | No Comments

The Fairmont Pacific Rim Owner's Suite

Thinking about staying closer to home for your honeymoon? If so, you might want to consider investing the money you save on airfare into an ultra luxe hotel room at one of the country’s most posh properties. Our friends at Where have compiled a list of the most swish places to shack up across Canada (think butler service, transportation via Bentley and 350-thread-count sheets). Sure, the nightly room rates may cost more than a monthly mortgage payment, but you only honeymoon once.

Check out all of Where‘s glamorous staycation options here.

travel » destination "i dos"

Considered Grand Cayman for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding? It’s a DO!

Posted November 21st, 2011 | 10:06 am | By Alison McGill | 4 Comments

All Photos: Cayman Island Tourism Department.

Incredibly clean, safe and populated by some of the friendliest people on the planet, Grand Cayman is certainly one of the most beautiful and memorable islands in the Caribbean. I just spent five days on island at Engage! 11, a luxury wedding summit, which featured some talks and VIP sessions with some of the wedding industries elite including celebrity planners Mindy Weiss, Marcy Blum, Ceci Johnson and Randy Fenoli from TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress (he’ll actually be in Vancouver January 23 at Isabelle’s Bridal).

Engage! 11 was a phenomenal event where I learned what’s haute in the bridal biz, and in my downtime was able to explore the glorious Grand Cayman area. Miles of beach, endless sunshine, plush hotels, natural beauty and some of the world’s best diving and coral reefs—Grand Cayman has it all. Just a 1.5-hour flight from Miami (and 3.5 hour direct flight from Toronto), Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands that comprise the Cayman Islands (Little Cayman and Cayman Brac complete the trinity). The island is perfect for a gorgeous destination wedding and honeymoon…here’s four things I particularly loved about it.

1. It’s Luxe. Grand Cayman has some great properties including The Caribbean Club, a boutique residence hotel located on a prime stretch of Seven Mile Beach; and The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman where I stayed. Also built on the shores of Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz is everything you want your romantic escape hotel to be—luxurious, and brimming with gorgeous little extras that only a property of this stature can deliver.

2. It’s a Natural Wonder. Stingrays, sea turtles, schools of tropical fish and rare blue iguanas are just a few of the wildlife wonders in Grand Cayman. The island is known as the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean. Today there are more than 40 dive operators and 200 dive sites. Warm, calm waters and great visibility make this one of the best places to dive. Snorkeling also offers a spectacular snapshot of marine life. The best place to explore is Stingray City, where you can touch and feed stingrays—there are as many as two dozen human-friendly ones here.

3. It’s a Perfect Place to Pamper Yourself. How does every girl love to indulge herself? Shop and spa, of course! The absolute best thing about shopping in Grand Cayman? It’s loaded with bling (hello Harry Winston, Cartier and Tiffany) and all shopping here is tax-free. Check out the new Caymana Bay shops and restos, which is now the premiere shopping area on island. Post-shopping, keep up the “me” day by taking it back to The Ritz and floating into the heavenly Silver Rain La Prairie Spa. Modern and sensual, Silver Rain features all white and silver decor complete with lush chenille shag carpets, the plush Silver Haven lounge, and 17 treatment rooms, all of which are calm, serene and sensual. Our treatment pick: the 90-minute La Prairie Signature Facial. BLISS!

5. It’s a Dream Place to Plan A Destination Wedding. With so much sand and surf, the locations to have a wedding in Grand Cayman are vast. What you probably don’t know is that Grand Cayman is actually home to on one of the world’s premiere wedding planning companies, Celebrations. In business for 18 years, owner Joanne Brown and her staff of 50+ can do anything and everything for you (they have an in-house floral business and Celebrations warehouse of props is unparalleled). Earlier this year Celebrations teamed up with Toronto-based Platinum Events for Cayman destination weddings, which means planning a Grand Cayman event from Canada has never been easier!

travel

Love the Great Outdoors? Honeymoon at the Luxurious Lake Placid Lodge! Here’s 5 Reasons Why.

Posted November 7th, 2011 | 3:36 pm | By Alison McGill | 1 Comment

Nestled in Upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is most famous as the site for the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. What you probably don’t know is the town and surrounding area is also one of the most picturesque corners of the world, an ideal honeymoon spot if you love the outdoors, mountain vistas and miles of evergreens. I have been to the area many times over the years and loved, but recently returned and stayed at one of the most magical hotels I’ve ever been to—Lake Placid Lodge. It’s one of those rare gems of a hotel that will leave you breathless. It is at once grand and intimate; luxurious and rustic. If I had to put it down to five reasons why this is an amazing honeymoon spot, these would be them.

1. The surroundings. Lake Placid Lodge is a Relais and Chateau property is built on the shores of Lake Placid (it’s the only hotel ON the lake), and is designed in the arts and crafts tradition of historical great American lodges. The views from lodge of the glassy, calm lake are so perfect they look almost unreal. Waking up every morning with that view outside your window is peaceful and so, so beautiful. The vast area around the lodge is full of hiking and biking trails so you can get your Zen back post-wedding.

2. The décor. At Lake Placid Lodge, there are just five guest rooms; there are also 17 lakeside cabins, six lakeside suites and two cottages. The décor in each room is rich and romantic—think colourful fabrics, rustic wood and stone fireplaces. The room I stayed in featured a king-size canopy bed crafted out of birch wood—I felt like I was waking up in the mist of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Exploring the lodge and all it’s nooks and crannies full of amazing arts and crafts is half the fun of your stay.

3. The food. There are two restos at the lodge—Artisans Restaurant and Maggie’s Pub—both equally stellar. At Maggie’s (which is named after the Lodge’s gorgeous golden retriever) the atmosphere is relaxed and cozy; the mood at Artisans is slightly more formal, but still very casual in feel. In the warmer months, dining outside on the lodge’s sweeping outdoor balcony that overlooks Lake Placid is a must. All tables come with cozy wool blankets in case of an early morning or nighttime chill.

4. The extras. When I say you want for nothing at Lake Placid Lodge, I mean it. You’re room is stocked with tea, coffee, cold drinks, sweets and treats. The staff and service is incredible and they are there to make you stay as amazing as possible. One thing you must do in the warmer months it take a cruise around the lake in the lodge’s own hacker boat. It’s a great way to see the magnificent area, and boat driver Ernie gives an amazing history and tour!

5. It’s great for a honeymoon and a special destination wedding. During my stay I met with the incredible Ann Graham, wedding specialist at Lake Placid Lodge. This warm and wonderful woman is an all-star party planner who has brought more than a few incredible celebrations to life. One particularly amazing one—supermodel Maggie Rizer’s 2010 wedding which was featured in the June 2011 issue of Vogue!

Lake Placid Lodge is definitely a place you will fall in love with…I certainly did and can’t wait to go back!

travel

Want a stress-busting honeymoon? Check into The Regent Palms, Turks & Caicos.

Posted September 12th, 2011 | 10:04 am | By Alison McGill | No Comments

Don’t get us wrong, weddings are wonderful, but as you well know now that you’re planning one, they’re epic events and stressful to organize. This is not to say party planning isn’t fun, but it is busy and once your knot has been tied into a neat little bow, you probably just want to C-H-I-L-L. What better place to do it than on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches at plush resort which is also home to one of the best spas in the Caribbean. We’re talking about the beautiful Regent Palms in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, a sweet-spot we visited last month when the Weddingbells crew was on island doing a photo shoot. Here’s three reasons it’s the perfect honeymoon hideaway.

1. It’s intimate and exclusive. With just 72 rooms, The Regent Palms is not a large resort, so you never feel like you can’t steal a quiet moment alone. In fact, when we walked the lush grounds, we saw relatively few people even though the resort was almost a capacity. The Regent Palms pristine stretch of beach on Grace Bay was bustling, but guests like to keep to themselves and their cabanas. Celebrities love the resort for this fact too—when we were visiting US Olympian Johnny Weir was grabbing some R&R before the heading back into the whirlwind of skating season.

2. Ahhh the spa! Built on an acre and measuring 25,000 square feet, The Regent Spa is one of the biggest and best in the world. It was just voted #2 Spa in the Atlantic and Caribbean in the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Poll and once you visit, you’ll know why. House in a separate building adjacent to The Regent Palms, the spa invokes a feeling of pure Zen the moment you enter the grounds. Once you’ve checked in, you are lead to the change room, then to the serene spa waiting area where your therapist will pick you up and take you to your own exclusive spa room, all of which line a dramatic pool area. Must-try treatments include the signature Mother of Pearl Body Exfoliation, The Regent Palms Signature Red Carpet Facial and our favourite the Rocks of the Caribbean, a 90-minute thermal stone massage that uses both warm basalt lava stones and cool marble ones. Pure heaven.

3. The food. There are two restos on property both of which are fantastic. The causal Plunge is the outdoor patio spot that’s bordered by the Palms infinity pool. The menu here is vast and varied, offering everything from paninis to pizza and seafood, all of which is delish. For fine dining pour deux, Parallel23 is the spot. The menu here is focused on tropical fusion cuisine and you can watch the chef’s create in Parallel’s open kitchen. Our choice spot at Parallel is to dine al fresco on the terrace—so romantic.

travel

How To Save A Bundle On Your Honeymoon

Posted September 10th, 2011 | 9:00 am | By Jen O'Brien | 1 Comment

After forking over tens of thousands of dollars for a wedding who wants to pay through the nose for a honeymoon? To help you get the best possible deal on your romantic vacation we appealed to the travel experts at Vayama. Read on for their top seven money-saving tips.

#1 – Travel Midweek
International travel deals are entirely based on availability and since most people travel over the weekend (Friday & Saturday); you will find the cheapest international airfare deals if you travel midweek, usually departing and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

#2 – Spend Saturday Night
Business travelers fly home on the weekend, so most discounted international airfare deals require a Saturday night stay. Be prepared to spend Saturday at your destination.

#3 – Don’t Book Too Early or Too Late
Most people realize that an international ticket booked with less than three days notice will be very expensive, but it will also be pricey if you book too far in advance. Most airlines start competing for passengers around three to four months before departure. Search for your international airfare about three to five months out and you will be in the best position to score a deal.

#4 – Fly Trough the Side Door
If your desired destination is sold out (too expensive), try flying out of a secondary international airport. The same works with your destination airports; If London isn’t an option, try Brussels, Amsterdam or even Stuttgart. You can use the savings to book a low cost inter-Europe flight to London or you can jump on the Eurostar train from Paris or Brussels.

#5 – Fly Seasonally
Most budget travelers never fly during high season. They take advantage of the lower airfares and decent weather during the ‘shoulder season’. Europe’s fall shoulder season starts around September 15th and extends until the middle of November. It’s spring shoulder season starts in mid February and extends until the end of April. For the cheapest deals to New Zealand and Australia, fly in mid August, their fall and winters are quite mild and still allow you to enjoy the many outdoor adventures available Down Under. For Asia, fly from late September through November to get the lowest airfare deals. South America’s low season is anytime except Christmas, New Year’s, Carnival or a school holiday.

#6 – Use the Multiple Flights Function
Vayama has a ‘multiple flights’ function on it’s ‘find a flight’ box. It’s a good idea to use it because it may be cheaper to fly into one city and return from another (for example; New York to London, returning from Amsterdam). Play around with different combinations and save.

#7 – Add a Stopover and Save
Flights with at least one stopover are typically cheaper than nonstop flights, particularly when you fly long haul. For example the fares for a New York to Johannesburg flight will be cheaper on airlines that add a stopover (usually in Europe, Africa or the Middle East) versus the nonstop option from New York. The same applies to long haul flights to Asia. One stop in Seoul or Taipei could shave hundreds of dollars off an India trip when compared to nonstop flights.

travel

Want Gorgeous Green Honeymoon Getaway? Try Fairmont Mayakoba.

Posted September 5th, 2011 | 11:02 am | By Alison McGill | No Comments

If you’re eco-conscious, you’re probably incorporating as many green ideas into your wedding as possible. From sourcing locally grown flowers and food to finding beautiful recycled paper for your wedding stationary and choosing a vintage wedding dress, there are tons of green options available, and let’s not forget to include you honeymoon destination on that list too. Eco-tourism is big and there are many destinations worldwide to choose from, but a great one on our radar is the stunning Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya Resort. Read the rest of this entry »

fashion

9 Ways to Rock these Fashionable Bridal Pieces

Posted August 30th, 2011 | 10:48 am | By Roseanne Dela Rosa | 1 Comment

If you’ve ever wondered what Dan Levy’s or Khloe Kardashian’s closet looks like all you have to do is head on over to The Coveteur. Unfamiliar with this site? Let me introduce you to Canada’s most fashionable “it” team. Run by three successful 20 something-year-old’s: Erin Kleinberg, Stephanie Mark (both stylists extraordinaire) and Jake Rosenberg (the talent behind the lens), this trio of a dream team has certainly made their mark in fashion history with their brilliant concept. “We were eating brunch the day after we saw the Social Network and were uber-inspired to start a website, we are both obsessed with street style and thought why not take the voyeurs of the world one step further, allowing them to deconstruct the looks they see in the street by viewing their entire closet/wardrobe,” Erin and Stephanie exclaim. “We went live January 1st, 2011–we had 20,000 hits on our first day–it’s been so wonderful the response has been great.” Luckily for us, we caught up with darling duos and got them to dish a list of their top 9 most coveted bridal items, explaining why they love it and how to rock it for your wedding day. Enjoy!

travel

4 Reasons to Plan Your Honeymoon at Gansevoort Turks + Caicos

Posted August 17th, 2011 | 11:02 am | By Alison McGill | 1 Comment

We are just back from five days in paradise aka Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, where we were on location at the impossibly chic Gansevoort hotel doing a few fashion shoots for upcoming issues. Trust me when I say our photos are breathtaking, but working in such a dreamy tropical locale how could they not be? While at Gansevoort we spotted loads of honeymooners (and babymooners)—romance was definitely in the air and what a perfect place for it. Here’s four reasons why. Read the rest of this entry »

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travel

Canada’s Swankiest Hotel Rooms

travel » destination "i dos"

Considered Grand Cayman for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding? It’s a DO!

travel

Love the Great Outdoors? Honeymoon at the Luxurious Lake Placid Lodge! Here’s 5 Reasons Why.

travel

Want a stress-busting honeymoon? Check into The Regent Palms, Turks & Caicos.

travel

How To Save A Bundle On Your Honeymoon

travel

Want Gorgeous Green Honeymoon Getaway? Try Fairmont Mayakoba.

fashion

9 Ways to Rock these Fashionable Bridal Pieces

travel

4 Reasons to Plan Your Honeymoon at Gansevoort Turks + Caicos

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