By DELILAH KHOMO TRAVEL bridal waves From the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast to the wide Indian Ocean, these are the seductive havens to visit on honeymoon this year The seaside pool at the Hotel St Caterina, Amalfi, in September 1984 PHOTOGRAPH: SLIM AARONS/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES ARCHIVE/GETTY AARONS/HULTON SLIM PHOTOGRAPH: tatler.com Tatler Wedding Guide 2019 95 WHERE TO GO Bellini Travel can arrange anything you desire for a honeymoon in Amalfi – from the best beachside trattorias, hotels and boats to unique experiences like a stay on Li Galli (below). They can organise a photographer to document your honeymoon, and supply you with all you need to know about navigating the coast by boat and avoiding traffic in the summer. bellinitravel.com Rooms with a view don’t come more romantic than at La Torre Sponda in Positano. This ancient Saracen tower is surrounded by citrus fruits, olive trees, sun-drenched gardens and terraces, and boasts a private swimming pool and direct access to La Porta beach. Sweeping panoramic views of Positano, Capri and the How many love stories have the dawn classical music concert. Amalfi Coast make this a special played out against the backdrop of Villa Cimbrone’s former illustrious retreat. torresponda-positano.it this colourful corner of Italy? guests include Greta Garbo, who Rudolf Nureyev fell so in thrall would most definitely not want to The grand Villa Margherita within with the elemental beauty that he be alone in the heavenly gardens the glorious Belmond Caruso in bought his own island, Li Galli – a (hotelvillacimbrone.com). Ravello is ideal for high-wattage wonderful retreat for those seeking Whereas the height of glamour honeymoon celebrations (such as seclusion (bellinitravel.com). Or used to be about an extended so- those enjoyed here by Justin and Franco Zeffirelli, the director journ in Capri, it’s now all about Hailey Bieber). The concierge team whose romantic hideaway Villa the newly anointed hotspot of can organise hard-to-get tickets for Treville (villatreville.com) is still Ischia. The volcanic island is draw- the Ravello Festival, which runs lyrical one of the best spots to practise la ing a stylish crowd thanks to the throughout the summer with a dolce far niente, the sweet art of do- opening of Marie-Louise Scio’s re- musical pedigree rivalled only by its ing nothing, with days spent invention of Il Mezzatorre (mezza- heavenly location. belmond.com lounging by the pool clinking torre.com), another glorious hotel love martinis. The magic still lingers un- from the creative director of Il The Palazzo Avino is a wonderful der new owner Govind Freidland: Pellicano. A stay here epitomises hideaway hotel with a sumptuous the rhythm of a more elegant era old-school glamour with a private honeymoon suite within romantic is conjured by liveried waiters who house-party vibe and sharp aes- gardens, with private hot tub and stories waltz across its terraces lighting thetic: the Tower Suite (where that pool. This is a hotel made for a good hundreds of candles as guests sidle other doyen of cinema, Luchino time, with access to Ravello’s only This colourful Italian into spaces adorned with Yastik’s Visconti, used to stay) offers the beach club. At the Martini and shore remains the signature ikat cushions for the most romantic and spacious refuge Lobster Bar they spritz the house ultimate in glamorous most perfect aperitivo and view of imaginable for just the two of you. cocktail with the peel of local this glamorous coastline. holiday romance lemons for a citrus hit you won’t get Then there is Le Sirenuse (sire- anywhere else. palazzoavino.com nuse.it). Raise a glass at sunset at malfi is home to some The Champagne & Oyster Bar of the world’s most and you can’t help but fall under mythical villas with epic the spell of this beguiling place views looking onto vast that has topped honeymoon hit expansesA of deep-blue Tyrrhenian lists since 1951. Head further Sea, criss-crossed with yachts and along the coast to the artistic hub motorboats, framed by cypress trees of Ravello, a hillside destination and soaring goldfinches overhead. with a roll call of the world’s finest Part of the magic is that you return hotels. Belmond’s Caruso (bel- to find it very much as you left it: a mond.com) offers the most im- PHOTOGRAPHS: SINGITA; COMO HOTELS AND RESORTS AND HOTELS COMO SINGITA; PHOTOGRAPHS: dreamy time capsule of a place. mersive of cultural fixes, such as PHOTOGRAPHS: SLIM AARONS/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY FUSCO/GETTY IMAGES; VITO IMAGES 96 Tatler Wedding Guide 2019 tatler.com TRAVEL HONEYMOON Clockwise from bottom left, Cheval Blanc Randheli; Singita Serengeti House; the Venice-Simplon- Orient-Express; COMO Shambhala Estate dream escapes Maximise glamour with beachside bliss, safari adventure, rural COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud, Bali seclusion or an epic train journey Buried deep in lush jungle, COMO Shambhala Estate feels far from the Singita Serengeti House, Grumeti LVMH’s stylish property in Noonu is said to have wooed his lovers, and well-trodden path – and for honey- Game Reserve, Tanzania Atoll can’t be beaten. The service is its insanely elegant bedrooms, all mooners seeking seclusion after the The absolute tops in super-luxury impeccable, naturally, as is Jean- Murano chandeliers and sumptuous stress of the big day, nothing beats it. safaridom, Singita, the pioneering Michel Gathy’s minimal architec- Fortuny furnishings, you can’t help The private villas are unsurpassed, conservation travel company, offers a tural style; a symphony of marble but fall in love – with the hotel, Ven- with their thatched roofs and mus- unique bush experience. Surround- and polished wood. You can forget ice, and your partner, of course. Ex- lin-swathed four-poster beds, not to ed by 350,000 acres of grass plains, anything as clichéd as petal-dusted citement levels will continue to soar mention those teak verandas with newlyweds will marvel at the perfec- beds; instead, Cheval Blanc’s slick as you speed off in the Cipriani’s canopy views. But so too is the set- tion of the natural world and the concierge team of ‘alchemists’ whip original 1950s wooden Riva to con- ting: over 20 acres of silent, spiritual level of glamour in the bush house, up plates of salted caramels and tinue the adventure on board the grounds, which you can soak up on with butlers on hand, a tented spa leave daily gifts, such as a chic leath- Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, a sunrise hike, passing ancient shrines and access to one of Africa’s largest er-bound backgammon set for you where the mood is old-world without and endless watery rice paddies. wine cellars. The food is fabulous, as to play in your vast, loft-style Water is Bernard, one of the guides, who Villa. Bridezilla stress levels fall imparts fascinating knowledge while away when you sail by dhoni to the YOUR HONEYMOON WILL tracking leopards or pouring sun- Guerlain spa island, with its ham- downers surrounded by grazing mam, overwater Pilates pavilions PASS IN A BELLINI-INDUCED zebras. There is a helipad and air and signature Orchidée Imperiale HAZE OF HAPPINESS strip nearby, in case you fancy flitting treatments. For the most magical to the Mara River to watch the great spectacle, experience a phantasma- wildebeest migration. Or you can goric night dive and discover the being old-fashioned, especially in the Then, back at the estate, learn to admire the abundant wildlife as you biofluorescence of sea organisms in new Grand Suites with their gargan- cook traditional Indonesian dishes swim in the spectacular 25-metre the house reef. chevalblanc.com tuan double beds and marble bath- with the head chef (for sheer ro- infinity pool, like Justin Timberlake rooms. Two stewards oversee each mance, ask to dine in the Tea House and Jessica Biel, who had the pleas- Belmond Cipriani & Venice carriage; they will fulfill every whim restaurant). And don’t overlook the ure of honeymooning at Serengeti Simplon-Orient-Express – from packing up Lalique glassware spa to treat and cleanse the mind House. singita.com The Cipriani, Venice’s most celebrat- to take home to bringing you scram- and soul – though it is just as spirit- ed grand dame, was George and bled eggs and caviar at midnight. As ually fortifying to wallow in your Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives Amal Clooney’s choice of venue for you chug through the Alps, your private pool or hot tub, with tealights If your greatest desire is to laze on their wedding reception. With its honeymoon will pass in a Bellini-in- flickering and rain pitter-pattering PHOTOGRAPHS: SINGITA; COMO HOTELS AND RESORTS AND HOTELS COMO SINGITA; PHOTOGRAPHS: PHOTOGRAPHS: SLIM AARONS/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY FUSCO/GETTY IMAGES; VITO IMAGES the most perfect stretch of beach, Casanova Gardens, where the author duced haze of happiness. belmond.com overhead. comohotels.com � tatler.com Tatler Wedding Guide 2019 97.