Bath, England

by Lisa Matte

Getting ready to take the plunge? Head for Bath! No, not bathtub - Bath, England.

Located in Britain's southeast corner about an hour-and-a-half from London by rail, Bath is an idyllic dream come true. It is a city as steeped in history as it is drenched in romance. Bath is where your fantasy wedding will become a reality.

Immerse yourselves in the experience of a lifetime when you pledge your love for one another amid the elegance of the Assembly Rooms. The site of extravagant social gatherings since the mid-18th century, the stately venue sparkles under the brilliance ornate crystal chandeliers. Comprised of three unique chambers - the Ballroom, the Octagon, and the Tea Room - the Assembly Rooms were described in 1771 as "the most notable and elegant of any in the kingdom." That description remains accurate to this day.

Licensed to host civil wedding ceremonies, the Assembly Rooms offer the perfect setting for an intimate gathering of family and friends in the Smoking Room. The Octagon will accommodate larger parties of up to 200 guests while the Ballroom is the unabashed venue of choice for gala extravaganzas of up to 400 matrimonial revelers. But the piece de resistance comes after the ceremony when you and your guests surrender to the mystical ambiance of the Roman Baths. Steam rises silently from the central pool of the bathing emporium built by Roman settlers close to 2,000 years ago. Mingle under the gentle glow of torchlights amid ancient columns rising from a bed of stone surrounding Bath's natural hot springs.

Apres cocktail hour, move on to dinner in the Pump Room - an elegant venue whose name belies its rich decor. Dating to 1789, the Pump Room has long been a renowned setting for gala social events. Graced by luminous chandeliers and majestic Corinthian columns, the Pump Room rivals even the most luxurious settings described in romantic fairy tales.

Wedding night accommodations in Bath range from the casual to the sublime. You'll create memories to last a lifetime when you savor this night of nights at the Royal Crescent Hotel. Recognized internationally as an architectural masterpiece, the Royal Crescent consists of 30 connected dwellings reaching out in a 530-foot elliptical curve as if embracing Royal Crescent Park just across the street. Two center dwellings - numbers 15 and 16 - combine to house the Royal Crescent Hotel where fine art and antiques grace classically Georgian guest rooms. Wake to a glorious sunrise before soaring above the city in the hotel's very own hot air balloon. Return to earth and enjoy the sensual pleasure of aromatic massage or steal away to a secluded corner in the hotel's private gardens where you'll fantasize about returning to the Royal Crescent year after year to celebrate your enduring wedded bliss.

Call 01-225-477-782 for information about the Assembly Rooms and Roman Baths. Call 01-225-823-333 for information about the Royal Crescent Hotel. Rail Europe offers convenient travel throughout the United Kingdom. Call 888/42-Brit or log onto http://www.raileurope.com.

Copyright Lisa Matte