Thailand wins Best International Wedding Destination Award. Langkawi Best Honeymoon Destination
Apr 25, 2013 Destination Weddings, Honeymoon
Travel + Leisure India & South Asia, announced the results of its second edition of India’s Best Awards at an exclusive event at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai on 23rd April. The polling was conducted as a reader’s poll over a period of five months, and culminated in the announcement at the Awards Ceremony. 54 awards were presented across different categories that range from the best country, emerging destination, cruise, business hotel, airport, luxury train, destination spa and honeymoon. Presenting the findings of their poll on the popular Wedding/ Honeymoon Destinations, and the Best Hotels in India.
Best Wedding Destination
World- Thailand
India- Udaipur
Seen here, newly weds Shradha and Kunal at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Thailand
Photo Courtesy- Mili Ghosh Photography
Seen here, newly weds Veera and Jatin at Devi Garh by Lebua, Udaipur
Photo Courtesy- Anand Rathi
Best Honeymoon Destination
World- Langkawi, Malaysia
India- Goa
Langkawi- the archetypical romantic holiday island
Photo Courtesy- Better Photography
Best Hotel Group- India
Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces
Best Heritage Hotel- India
Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Best Luxury Resort- India
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Best New Hotel- India
Grand Hyatt, Goa
Best Destination Spa
World- Banyan Tree Spa Phuket
India- Ananda in the Himalayas/ Jiva Spa
Tags: 2012, Awards, Best Destination, Honeymoon, Travel Leisure, wedding
Win a holiday to Queensland
Apr 22, 2013 Honeymoon
Participate in the ‘Holiday Money Can’t Buy’ contest, and you can win a holiday for two to the luxurious Hamilton and Hayman Islands in Queensland, Australia. Set in the heart of the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, these islands represent the luxury and beauty that Queensland is renowned for. In addition, the winner will get to enjoy an exclusive dinner designed by Australia’s best opening batsman, Queenslander, Matthew Hayden! The prize includes two return air tickets on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir from any one of the 11 Indian cities Singapore Airlines & SilkAir operate from – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam.
Announcing this exciting competition to his Facebook & Twitter fans, Matthew Hayden said “I am delighted to be part of his competition with Tourism and Events Queensland and Singapore Airlines. I would love to showcase fusion Aussie cuisine or anything special the winners would like me to stir up for them in Queensland. Being very passionate about both travel and food, this is a great opportunity to engage with the winners, share some wonderful experiences in Queensland and maybe some Indian recipes!”
The contest closes on April 30, 2013 and the winner will be announced on May 31, 2013. To enter the contest log on to www.holidaymoneycantbuy.com and answer three simple questions. A lucky couple will win a trip to Queensland, where Australia shines and a culinary journey crafted by master batsman and chef, Matthew Hayden!
The Magic of Paris
Feb 29, 2012 Honeymoon
I have an admission to make. I love Woody Allen. He is the greatest tour guide in the world. He made us fall in love with New York and now with ‘Midnight in Paris’ he has given the same wonderment and magic that Ernst Hemingway brought to this most beautiful city in the world in his book ‘A moveable feast. So come along with us and fall in love with Hemingway and Gil Sander’s Paris as we look at some of the most breathtaking locations from ‘Midnight in Paris’!
Paris Je T’aime
The movie opens with a magical montage of picturesque Paris – you see the beautiful landmarks, the views at night and day, in the rain and bright sunshine, in winter and in summer. Sheer poetry.
Monet’s Gardens at Giverny
The movie opens with Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez (Rachel MacAdams) at Monet’s gardens in Giverny where Gil contemplates changing his life while Inez frets about returning to the city in time for dinner with mom and dad. Located just 80 km west of Paris, Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny is a wonderful day trip from Paris. Enjoy a day strolling through the landscape that inspired Monet, and then head back to Paris to see the paintings he created just like Gil and Inez do in Midnight in Paris.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Gil and Inex visit the Musée de l’Orangerie with John and Carol, friends of Inez from America and admire Monet’s mesmerizing Les Nymphéas paintings inspired by the gardens at Giverny. Housed in the former Orangery of the Tuileries Gardens in paris, Les Nymphéas, a series of eight murals took Monet four years to complete.
Musée Rodin
Gil and Inez also visit one of our favorite spots in the 7th arrondissement, the Musée Rodin, set in a beautiful 18th-century mansion where the artist lived and worked. The peaceful gardens, famous for the varieties of roses, form a lovely backdrop to Rodin’s sculptures on display.
Palace and Gardens of Versailles
The two couples make a day trip from Paris to the Chateau de Versailles. Only 20 km southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles once housed Louis XIV and 20,000 of his courtiers. It is one of the grandest royal palaces ever built with grand salons and exquisite gardens.
Hotel Le Bristol
This is the hotel where Gil and Inez stay – the luxurious five star Hôtel Le Bristol in the 8th arrondissement, and if you must know, in the Panoramic Suite. Located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries, you’re also only a few feet away from the sights, shopping and cafes of the tree-lined Champs-Elysées. Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, and Orsay are a short walk or taxi trip away. Steeped in history, this hotel has attracted a host of celebrities like Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Picasso since it opened doors in 1920s.
Le Meurice
Remember when Gil, Inez, Paul and Nina enjoy a wine-tasting on a terrace of this gorgeous hotel with Eiffel Tower in the background? Shot on the terrace of the Belle Etoile Royal Suite at Hotel Le Meurice that costs more than 17,000€ a night, this suite is Parisian luxury at its finest.
Le Grand Vefour
Its hard to match the grandeur and 18th-century Parisian glamour of Le Grand Vefour, the restaurant Woody Allen chose for a lunch scene with Gil, Inez and her parents. Located in the arcades of the lovely Palais Royal in the 1st arrondissement, Le Grand Véfour has been a Parisian institution for over 200 years. Psst, even Julia Child dined there, and even now its a privilege to dine there.
The Latin Quarter
This is where Gil’s adventure into the Paris of the 1920s begin. Sitting on the steps of the church Saint Etienne-du-Mont near the Panthéon, on the softly lit Rue Montagne St. Genevieve, a vintage car pulls up and takes him back in time into the Paris of his dreams.
Le marché aux puces de saint-ouen
It is in this eclectic flea and antiques market that Gil meets Gabrielle and buys a record from her. Its such a whimsical and romantic place, you can spend hours rummaging for treasures together.
Musée des Arts Forains
Back in the 1920s Gil goes to a fairground party where he meets with Adriana (Marion Cotillard) once again. This is shot in the Musée des Arts Forains – the Museum of Fairground Art, which has an extensive collection of antique merry-go-rounds and carousels, German swings, hundred-year-old bicycles, and other antique amusement rides. La Vie Romantique.
Pont Alexandre III
Considered the most beautiful bridge in Paris, it connects the Champs- Élysées and Eiffel Tower quarters. And this is where Gil meets Gabrielle again and offers to walk her home in the rain. This is the magic and romance of Paris.
And if you are ready to book your romantique Parisian trip, call Mercury Travels for more details
Tags: Honeymoon, Midnight in paris, Paris, romantic vacation, Woody Allen
Kovalam – A Honeymooner’s paradise
Oct 12, 2011 Honeymoon, Taj Hotels Resorts Palaces
Vivanta by Taj – Kovalam, Kerala, is a unique combination of a beach resort, backwater escape, a hill retreat and spa. The resort spreads over 10 acres of a lush tropical landscape dotted with fountains, birdbaths, waterfalls, sculptures and fountains; blessed with picturesque views of palms, the backwaters and the ocean.
59 hillside cottages with elephant-grass thatched rooftops, are tastefully decorated with handicrafts that reflect the local culture. They open into a private balcony overlooking the lush landscape, the backwaters, the beach and the sea beyond making it a true honey mooner’s paradise.
The superior Charm Sea view and garden view rooms of 275 sq ft, are hillside cottages with elephant grass thatched roofs and a private balcony. Large French windows offer a panoramic view of the Balinese style landscaped gardens or the sea. All rooms have a private balcony or sit-out area.
The premium temptation Villa with lap pool is one of its kind in the destination. The Suite consists of A living and and a bed room and an infinity form private pool over looking the majestic Arabian sea.
The various special honey moon amenities that can be done in the rooms will be as follows:
• Floral bed decoration.
• Floral bath tub décor.
• Special turn down service.
We can offer array of options for you most intimate and cozy dinning options:
• The Bait – we can set up special set up at the alfresco of this restaurant.
• Jaccuzi special dinner set up with champagne and special set up.
• Spa water fall candle lit dinner.
Special spa packages for couples:
We can organize special spa treatments in our well appointed couple treatment room. We can also organize the private jaccuzi blocked after the treatment along with a bottle of champagne.
For more information, call Taj Hotels.
Toll Free No: 1 800 111 825
Tags: Kovalam, Taj Hotels
A Touch of France in Pondicherry
Mar 29, 2011 Honeymoon
If you are looking to honeymoon at an artsy, design-savvy destination without having to leave the country, Pondicherry is the place. A fascinating blend of Indian and French culture, Pondicherry is a revelation. And if you are keen to explore the French colonial roots of the city, there is no better place to stay than the Hôtel de l’Orient. Converted from an 18th-century Education Department building, the Hôtel de l’Orient has 16 tastefully decorated rooms and sits elegantly on the rue Romain Rolland.
All the rooms are beautifully decorated with french colonial furniture including four poster beds and dark-wood wardrobes, fascinating artefacts, traditional tiles and woodwork. All rooms are elegantly attired in whites, pinks, yellows, or cool emerald They have a wonderful, airy feel and surround a pretty courtyard shaded by citrus and neem trees. Top favorites are Mahe ( a double bedded luxury suite) , Karikal (a Grand Room with terrace and veranda) and Arcot, which has a patio.
A stay here is incomplete without a meal at romantically candle-lit courtyard restaurant, Carte Blanche, where local “Creole” cuisine, a blend of South Indian and French, is served.
Now you can buy or gift a stay at this romantic hotel and experience the French heritage of the city.
Tags: Hôtel de l'Orient, Pondicherry, Wedding Gift
