Honeymoon Tours Travel

Italy

WHY ITALY: The question is not why you should go to Italy, the birthplace of the phrase la do/ce vita (the sweet life), but where in this country of art, ancient history, ethereal vistas, top-notch cuisine, and abundant wine (Italy leads the world with more than four million acres of vineyards) is the ideal destination for you.

WHEN TO GO: April through June, September, and October are the best times to explore Italy, with mild temperatures and smaller crowds, August is uncomfortably hot, and it's the month when most Italians go on vacation, so many shops, hotels, and restaurants may be closed. Winters in the north are cold and rainy (you may even see snow), while the south stays on the warmer side, with temps averaging around 50 degrees.

Northern Italy

From the small villages lining the Lake Como region to the big cities packed with art, architecture, fine dining, and fashion, northern Italy offers old-world culture mixed with modern cities and historic attractions,

GUEST MUST-DOS: Shop'til you drop in Milan (the epicenter of Italian design), and while there be sure to take a tour of the world's fourth largest cathedral. In Venice, hop on a gondola through the canals. In the lakes region, cruise around Lake Como and try to spot the celebrity-owned villas (George Clooney and Richard Gere both have homes there).

Hot Properties

• Fonte de' Medici : Fonte de' Medici is a cluster of farmhouses tucked away in the Tuscan vineyards between Florence and Sienna. The brightly colored walls and charm of the Chianti region will suit the couple who wants a relaxed atmosphere, great food and wine, and an intimate setting where guests can all get to know one another.
• Hotel Principe di Savoia : A one-stop shop for couples looking to plan a sophisticated Italian weekend with a youthful edge. The staff here can help with everything: finding florists, booking spa treatments for the wedding party, planning the menu. All you have to do is arrive, enjoy, and say "I do:'
• Villa d'Este, Cernobbia : This amazingly regal lakeside property is a former sixteenth-century residence for European aristocrats, and weddings here take on that same old-world, lavish feel. Set on the shores of Lake Como, guest rooms are uniquely decorated with period furnishings, and some have balconies with a view of the lake. Have your ceremony and reception in one of the many banquet rooms, terraces, or gardens.
• Grand Hotel et de Milan
• Hotel Cipriani
• Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
• Villa La Massa, Florence

France

WHY FRANCE: The country is home to one of the most romantic cities in the world—Paris. And just an hour outside the city is the chateau-rich and rolling Loire Valley, cherished for its fairy-tale castles, historic villages, charming people, wines, and food.

WHEN TO GO: April through June, and September through early November. While the weather is mild year-round, the rainy season varies by region and runs from mid-November through February; stay away during July and August unless you want to deal with huge crowds.

GUEST MUST-DOS: The City of Light boasts world-renowned boutiques, cozy streetside cafes, grand avenues, jazz clubs, galleries, and museums—and let's not forget the Eiffel Tower. Since the Loire Valley is so close, you and your guests can also enjoy the country life: take a wine-tasting tour, pay a visit to the Chateau d'Usee, said to be the setting of the French fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty," in the village of Rigny-Usse, and take a taste (or two) of the beloved tarte tatin (upside-down apple tart).

Hot Properties

• Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Luxury is present here in spades (the event-planning staff knows who all the best vendors in the city are, while the concierges are there to help your guests). The hotel's central location (blocks from the Champs-Elys~es, within eyesight of the Eiffel Tower) is perfect for an old-school city chic celebration with a tres Francais flair.
• Le Maurice, Paris Every floor of this five-star hotel—located across the street from the Tuileries Garden—is decorated in a style reminiscent of Louis XVIII. All rooms are soundproof, and the 3,200-square-foot private terrace of the Belle Etoile Suite offers a spectacular 360-degree, panoramic view of Paris. Espace Bien-Etre, the hotel's 3,000-square-foot spa, features specially trained masseuses from Les Sources de Caudalie, the world's first "vinotherapie" spa.
• Chateau de Margay, Loire ValleyThis fifteenth-century fortress, surrounded by its own vineyard, is perched at the top of a slope overlooking the village. The rooms are done in a French provincial style, many under a network of rough wooden ceiling beams. And the restaurant is renowned for its gourmet cuisine, guaranteeing a sumptuous wedding day feast.
• Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Loire ValleyA fine ivy-covered faux chateau built in 1860 by a publishing magnate boasts a swimming pool, tennis courts, and flower gardens
• Le Chateau de Gilly,
• Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferret, France
• La Ferme de La Huppe

United Kingdom

WHY THE UNITED KINGDOM: If the words fairy tale defines your idea of a dream wedding, get thee (and thine) to Great Britain. Amid the isles, heaths, and mist, not only does your chariot await, but so do your castles, gardens, and Royal Guard, too.

WHEN TO GO: May through October. The best weather is usually from May to September, with short showers common throughout the year (don't forget to pack an umbrella or a slicker).

GUEST MUST-DOS: In England, visit the incredible collection at the British Museum and get a history lesson at the Houses of Parliament (and see Big Ben). Hop on the Tube (subway) to Covent Garden and Soho for shopping and dining out, then take a stroll along the Thames before stopping at a pub for a pint. In Northern Ireland: Learn how whiskey is made and sample "the water of life" (as whiskey is known here) at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin; enjoy the greenery in Phoenix Park; pay a visit to the Rock of Cashel (St. Patrick allegedly picked a shamrock here to explain the Trinity) and the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile-long sea wall that soars up to nearly seven hundred feet. In Scotland: take a tour through Edinburgh Castle, the seat of Scottish power before its union with Great Britain; play a round of golf at one of Scotland's many unbelievable courses; try to spot the Loch Ness Monsterl

Hot Properties

• Hartwell House, England, Set on ninety gorgeous acres, this castlelike property is a lush, regal choice for a wedding celebration. Reserve the Old Rectory (including four bedrooms, sleeping up to eight guests) with a private pool, tennis court, and staff, or take over the entire hotel.
• Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, England A great choice for couples looking for a swank London locale, the Mandarin Oriental offers all the pomp and circumstance of old London plus the conveniences of a modern hotel. Choose to have your ceremony in a place of worship or in the hotel itself, as they hold a license to conduct services in any of their banquet rooms.
• Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, Ireland There is no greater golf destination than the Adare Manor in Ireland. Castlelike property, estate grounds, and opulent accommodations ensure that couples and their guests get the royal treatment.
• Dalhousie Castle, Scotland, Dalhousie Castle is a thirteenth-century fortress set in vast, wooded parkland on the banks of the River Esk. And while each of the guest rooms is distinctive, the one to grab (after the bridal suite, where the property's original well is still located) is the Sir William Wallace room, which boasts doors leading out onto the castle battlements. To the delight of Harry Potter fans worldwide, a distinguishing characteristic of a Dalhousie wedding is the owl that delivers your wedding rings to the altar, if you so choose.
• DID YOU KNOW? Though the origin of the word honeymoon is still unknown, some believe it originated in Ireland. It refers to a honey-based drink called mead that newlyweds would share for one full moon (a month) after their wedding to give them powers of virility and fertility.