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It's Not Your
Mother's Honeymoon: Today's Honeymoon Trends
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley
Endless love.
Heartfelt vows.
Some things never change.
But when the weddings completed, todays honeymoon may little
resemble the getaways of yesteryear. You are ready to celebrate with an
event reflecting your own personal interests--whether that means adventure
or relaxation, exotic destinations or close-to-home comfort.
CASTLE LOVE
While the venues may be old, the trend of
castle honeymoons is definitely hot, helped by recent celebrity castle
weddings: Paul McCartney,
Ashley Judd, Pierce
Brosnan. Its particularly easy to say your vows in Scotland,
thanks to relaxed marriage regulations. Majestic castles ranging from
Skibo (where Madonna
was a bride) to Glamis (legendary setting of Shakespeares Macbeth)
provide the perfect backdrop.
Castles
also make cozy honeymoon destinations. Your Prince Charming can sweep
you off your feet at the 700-year-old Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh
or be your knight in shining armor at Inverlochy Castle in Scotlands
West Highlands.
BLENDING FAMILIES
More newlyweds who are blending their new families are opting to turn
their honeymoon into a family trip, choosing a resort with a supervised
kids program to ensure fun for everyone. Many beach resorts offer
extensive kids clubs; others, like Marriotts Aruba Ocean Club,
also add the comfort of suites with kitchens. Closer to home, resorts
like Orlandos Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort offer themed kids
rooms (with video entertainment) in the same suite as a private parents
room.
WE VANT TO BE ALONE
Fantasizing about your own private island? Exclusive retreats like the
British Virgin Islands Necker
Island have long been a favorite with the jetset--here Oprah, Steven
Spielburg, and Mel Gibson have each sought seclusion.
Today, average honeymooners get the star treatment at private island resorts
like Belizes tiny Cayo Espanto,
catering to a handful of lucky couples who rarely see anyone except each
other. Each of five villas boasts a stretch of beach, and couples reach
staff via two-way radio. Every evening, the chef discusses your gourmet
options; the day ends as the two of you snuggle beneath a canopy of fine
mosquito netting.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Caribbean
has long been a top honeymoon spot and today islands under the US flag--the
US Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico--rank top with lovers. For an exotic trip with the comforts of
home (from money to language to road signage), these islands are made
to order.
Each island has its own unique flair. Hike the rainforest of Puerto Rico;
shop bustling St. Thomas; explore St. Johns beautiful Honeymoon
Beach; or photograph St. Croixs historic Danish buildings.
Lovetripper.com editors John Bigley
and Paris Permenter are a husband-wife team of travel writers. Longtime residents
of central Texas near Austin, the couple has authored 27 guidebooks. Their travel
coverage has included destinations from Malta to Morocco, Cyprus to the Cayman
Islands. Both Paris and John are members of the Society of American Travel Writers.
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