bestthe REAL NEW CANADIAN WEDDINGS DRESSESFIND YOUR PERFECT ONE INSIDE! A ROMANTIC HONEYMOON BRIDAL IN IRELAND BEAUTY MUSTS COLOURING CRAZE pretty The coolest wedding DIY for you and PARTY your guests page 99 IDEAS COUTURE CAKES ROMANTIC FLOWERS INSPIRED DECOR FALL & WINTER 2016 $8.95 Display until December 2016 destinationsHONEYMOON & WEDDING LOCATION INSPIRATION editor ALISON MCGILL dream TRIPS FROM A PRIVATE YACHT TRIP IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC TO EXPLORING THE SONORAN DESERT, WE HAVE A PERFECT HONEYMOON ITINERARY ESPECIALLY FOR YOU. See Switzerland Switzerland is a bucket-list destination that delivers a one-of-a- kind travel experience. Clean, efficient, amazing cities, gorgeous countryside and incredible food—plus the country is a melting pot of European cultures (French, German and Italian). The best and most picturesque way to travel the country is by rail, journeying effortlessly from end to end (tip: buy a Swiss Travel Pass for complete access to all trains, buses and boats). Though Switzerland is small (population eight million), there is much to see. To get a taste of everything the country has to offer, visit The romantic Hotel Splendide Royal in the three cities of Zürich, Lausanne and Lugano. Lugano. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD. FALL & WINTER 2016 ❤ WEDDINGBELLS.CA 163 DREAMdestinations TRIPS Zürich maintains a feeling of old-world For the most unforgettable honeymoon, romance thanks to the cobbled Old Town check in to the Beau-Rivage Palace. Opened streets and tranquil Limmat River, which in 1861, this lavish 168-room hotel features art flows through the city centre. Surrounded deco and neo-baroque styles, and everything by lakes and trees, it’s in the forested from the rooms to the restaurants, ballrooms, outskirts of the city that you’ll find one of spa and exterior grounds will take your breath the country’s most magnificent hotels—the away. Past guests have included Coco Chanel, Dolder Grand. Perched above the city, Charlie Chaplin and Tina Turner, who all fell this stunning chateau dates back to 1899 in love with the property and location, which and was refurbished in 2008, effortlessly overlooks Lac Léman’s Ouchy Harbour and combining the historic main building the French Alps. Book a superior room that with a new, modern wing. There are 173 boasts these dreamy views—you will never rooms and suites—rooms in the new wing want to leave! feature balconies, sleek soaker tubs and For the final leg of your Swiss enough space for an in-room dance party. honeymoon, head to Lugano in southern The Dolder is famed for its incredible art Switzerland. This Italian-speaking city, in the collection (125 pieces by artists including country’s Ticino region bordering Italy, lies clockwise from top: Joan Miró, Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Takashi on the shores of Lake Lugano, surrounded Travelling Switzerland by Murakami and Andy Warhol) and its by the Lugano Prealps. The vibe here is train is the best way to see extraordinary, renowned spa, one of the 100 percent Mediterranean. The people, the country—the views are spectacular; The Dolder most exclusive in Europe. food and energy of this small city are Grand hotel in Zurich; The German cultural influence prevails buzzy and romantic. Must-dos include the Beau-Rivage Palace in Zürich, but travel two hours to beautiful wandering the city centre’s charming overlooks beautiful Lac Lausanne and you’re in the heart of French boutiques and cafés and dining at one of Léman; Swiss cows are just a few of the sights you’ll Switzerland. One of the country’s most the region’s hidden grotto restaurants (we see along your rail journey; gorgeous cities, Lausanne sits on the shore love the Grotto San Rocco across the lake inside the luxe Beau-Rivage of Lac Léman and is easily explored on foot. in Caprino). Sleep at the historic Hotel Palace Hotel in Lausanne. From touring historic churches or enjoying Splendide Royal, Lugano’s sweetest spot. romantic lakefront strolls to browsing luxury With just 93 rooms and suites, the hotel shops and chocolate boutiques, there is much feels incredibly intimate, while the decor to see. Don’t miss the Olympic Museum, and scenery are opulent and luxe. home to 10,000 artifacts from games past. —Alison McGill PHOTOS COURTESY OF SWITZERLAND TOURISM. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE AND DOLDER GRAND PHOTOS COURTESY LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD. 164 FALL & WINTER 2016 ❤ WEDDINGBELLS.CA DREAMdestinations TRIPS Sail French Polynesia Want to explore the South Pacific in the operates as a floating boutique hotel most unique and romantic way possible? with a skipper and first mate catering to Reserve a room aboard a luxurious your every need, whether that’s teaching TradeWinds yacht for the travel experience you the basics of sailing or mixing your of a lifetime. favourite cocktail. Cabins on TradeWinds You will wake up to a different yachts feature a queen-sized island bed, breathtaking view every morning room-controlled air conditioning and an of your exotic sail. One day, you could en-suite bathroom with a shower. be taking in the sunrise over the lush All TradeWinds catamarans are green hilltops of Taha’a, French Polynesia’s equipped with ocean kayaks, stand- clockwise from top: Take in unparalleled views; “Vanilla Island.” On another, you could be up paddleboards and snorkel gear, Sunbathe in privacy on the enjoying coffee while watching spotted so each time the boat drops anchor, bow; Once the boat drops eagle rays glide by in the crystalline waters the sea instantly becomes your anchor, set out on a stand-up surrounding Bora Bora. TradeWinds personal playground. On top of all this, paddleboard; Rest assured offers all-inclusive sailing trips around the TradeWinds prides itself on making that you’ll always have the globe, but the French Polynesian Society luxury yacht charters accessible to best table in the house; Snorkel in spots that other Islands’ itinerary is its most swish. people who may not have celebrity-sized tourists will never see; Enjoy Book one of the five cabins onboard a travel budgets: a Society Islands cruise is all-inclusive food and drinks. TradeWinds 59-foot luxury-class catamaran actually one of the most affordable ways and you’ll be treated to the best bespoke to explore French Polynesia in style. honeymoon service at sea. Each vessel —Jen O’Brien Learn more about honeymooning in French Polynesia: weddingbells.ca/french-polynesia-guide YACHT, COUPLE,YACHT, PADDLEBOARDING, SNORKELING AND FOOD PHOTOS JEN BY O’BRIEN. DINING TABLE PHOTO COURTESY OF TRADEWINDS. 166 FALL & WINTER 2016 ❤ WEDDINGBELLS.CA DREAMdestinations TRIPS Play in Costa Rica If connecting with nature tops your honeymoon wish list there’s no better place than Costa Rica. With 25 percent of its land devoted to national parks, this Central American country is often referred to as the birthplace of ecotourism. Start your trip on an adventurous note with a visit to Buena Vista Lodge & Adventure Center on the edge of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Enjoy zip lining through jungle canopies, horseback riding at the base of the volcano and careening down the country’s only rainforest waterslide before heading for a soak in the mineral-rich waters of Buena Vista’s on-site hot springs. When you’re ready to relax, the best place to seek serenity is Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica. This exclusive, adults-only resort hideaway takes the all-inclusive concept to the next level with unlimited access to gourmet à la carte restaurants, top-shelf spirits, an array of group activities and non-motorized clockwise from top: Book a water sports, as well as 24-hour room service cabana for instant access delivered via an ingenious tray-sized “Secrets to both the beach and the Box,” so you don’t even have to answer the pool; Feel the breeze as you enter the Cove’s open door when your meal arrives. air lobby; Soak in one of In Costa Rica the prevailing pura vida spirit Atlantis’ many pools. means life moves a little more slowly. Daily golden-pink sunsets are given great ceremony and the stars that follow them seem almost impossibly bright. By day you can spend Enjoy Island Life hours on end gazing at howler monkeys in the treetops or lazing by the ocean in a hammock, A stunning stretch of white sand beach and cool pools are just all of which make this honeymoon destination two reasons to plan a honeymoon escape to the Cove Atlantis even more marvellous.—Jen O’Brien on Paradise Island, Bahamas. This palm-filled destination offers something for every type of traveller, including: shopping, a water Want to see what else you can do on a honeymoon in Costa Rica? Visit park complete with thrilling slides and a lazy river, an underground weddingbells.ca/costa-rica-guide aquarium, a casino and a spa. Indulge in gourmet eats at Robert De Niro’s Nobu and at 77º West—the newest dining experience offering South-American cuisine with a Bahamian twist. For a sweet sleep, Wake up to ocean views; splurge on any of the Cove’s suites, which offer top-notch views of Enjoy endless open air the island and ocean, and come complete with French balconies, dining options; Upgrade to a suite at Secrets Papagayo chic furnishings and deep soaker tubs.—Roseanne Dela Rosa for a luxe honeymoon stay; Explore black sand beaches; Visit weddingbells.ca/bahamas-guide for more info on Take in dramatic sunsets. honeymooning and destination weddings in the Bahamas. SECRETS ROOM, PAPAGAYO RESTAURANT AND SUITE SHOT COURTESY OF AMRESORTS. BEACH AND SUNSET SHOTS JEN BY O’BRIEN.