Plan with Fran : honeymoon

Destination Dresses and Hot Honeymoon Ideas on Hitched During March

Fran @ Hitched — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:27:00 GMT

Check out our destination special on the hitched homepage during March 2013

Sandals Announce Purchase of New Resort in Grenada

Fran @ Hitched — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:24:00 GMT

If you've been researching Caribbean honeymoon destinations over the weekend then you should be aware of the Sandals brand.

Sandals, known for luxurious ‘couple only’ weddings and honeymoons, boast glorious resorts throughout the Caribbean including the Sandals La Toc Golf Resort a & Spa in St. Lucia, the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in the Bahamas and Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa.

Last week, Sandals Resorts International announced the purchase of LaSource Resort in Grenada – the brand’s first property in the Eastern Caribbean country.

Located on the exclusive Pink Gin Beach, the property is surrounded by the glistening, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean on three sides and will open following customary enhancements to the Sandals Resorts brand. It all sounds incredible!

Mr. Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts said, "This has been nearly a 12-year search to grow our roots in the Spice Island. It is our distinct pleasure and honour to foster the expansion of tourism to this jewel in the Caribbean".

I'm excited to see how beautiful this new resort is going to be once complete, and if you’re planning to visit Gredada on your honeymoon then be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the launch of this amazing new resort!

In the mean time, feel free to visit the new-look honeymoon section on hitched.co.uk to gain inspiration!

Fran x

Princess and the Sea

Fran @ Hitched — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:19:00 GMT

After the excitement and build up to a wedding the newlywed bride and groom deserve a romantic honeymoon together in order to pro-long their wedding celebration. A time to reflect on recent celebrations, a time to discuss future plans together and a time to be alone, away from your everyday routine.

My new husband and I have just spent 17 nights on a cruise, sailing around the Mediterranean Sea…and wow, what an experience we had!

We chose to go on a cruise so that we could see several different places, all in one hit, and so that we didn’t have to keep packing and un-packing a suitcase. We booked our cruise through Princess Cruises, shortly after securing our wedding date and venue in December, so we had plenty of time to look forward to our holiday of a lifetime.

Our journey commenced and concluded in Southampton, just an hour from where we live - and we chose to arrive in style in the form of an oversized limousine. We checked in and boarded the Grand Princess, a passenger cruise carrying 2600 guests and 1200 crew on board for all 17 nights covering a total distance of 6126 nautical miles.

After settling in to our mini-suite we explored the huge ship – getting to know every inch of what would be our new home for the next few weeks. Our room was comfortable, and had a balcony which gave us a little bit more space than an instate room would have provided.

At 4pm on Wednesday May 2^nd our Princess Cruise set sail for Cadiz in Spain. We spent the next 3 nights sailing in to open waters, en-route to our first destination.

Cadiz, Spain

Arrival: May 5^th @ 6:39am after having sailed 1146 nautical miles from Southampton.

After sailing in to Cadiz we ventured off the ship, excited to see a land, and an interesting city. Unfortunately it rained like we had never seen before – all day – but that didn’t stop us from having a good time. We walked around the cobbled streets of Cadiz (looking for shelter), and experienced Spanish style cuisine before heading back on to our ship drenched head to toe. It would have been lovely to have not had the rain, but we made the most of our day on land.

The next two days were spent laying on deck in the sun as we set sail for Valetta, Malta. Being half Maltese I am very familiar with how beautiful Malta is, but it was wonderful for my husband to see where half of my family is from, and to visit my parents who actually live on the island.

Valetta, Malta

Arrival: May 8^th @ 6.44am after having sailed 1074 nautical miles from Cadiz.

Malta is a small island, and is just 17 miles wide by 9 long. The sun was shining as our boat docked at Valetta’s port and just a few moments later we were met by my parents. We drove to the walled and very ancient city of Mdina where we had a welcome breakfast and a lovely walk around so that we could experience a view unlike any other on the island. We then headed over to a tiny town called Ghargur where we drank Cisk, a local beer at a local band tavern, followed by a family gathering so that my new husband could meet all of my extended family. Our day in Malta was not only one of the most memorable days of our trip, but also a memory that we shall both keep forever.

After an emotional farewell, we set sail once again on the Grand Princess to our next destination, and one I had always dreamed about – Venice.

Venice, Italy

Arrival: May 10^th @ 8.47am after having sailed 742 nautical miles from Valetta.

I’ve heard loads about Venice in the past, but you seriously can’t visualize this quirky city unless you’ve seen it for yourself. The busy narrow streets and ever flowing canals were truly incredible but it was a ride on a gondola that reminded us of why we got married in the first place. It was so romantic, and what a fantastic experience! Our gondola driver, Allessandro took us out on to the Grand Canal and we would highly recommend that anyone going to Venice, even if it isn’t your honeymoon, should experience this exciting tour.

The following day we docked in Split, Croatia, followed by a full day in Dubrovnik.

Split, Croatia

Arrival: May 11^th @ 9.26am after having sailed 215 nautical miles from Venice.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Arrival: May 12^th @ 5.56am after having sailed 116 nautical miles from Split.

I didn’t know much about Dubrovnik until I did some research about it regarding the hitched.co.uk destinations for weddings abroad. From the pictures that I had seen during my research Dubrovnik looked beautiful, but in real life it is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been too! The town of Dubrovnik is situatied inside what looks like the walls of an ancient castle. The orange roofs and marble style floors make Dubrovnik one of the most wonderful places on earth. It's clean, has character and has some of the most stunning views from all over. A truly magical day!

Corfu, Greece

Arrival: May 13^th @ 6.45am after having sailed 207 nautical miles from Dubrovnik.

Our next stop sailed us in to Corfu, Greece. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Corfu but something about the weather told me that it was going to be a fun experience. The sun was beaming down on the Grand Princess as we sailed in to the port, and after a bit of a lengthy walk we reached the town of Corfu. After some local shopping and a coffee in a busy central square we sat at a restaurant overlooking the ocean in front of us and enjoyed a lovely Greek Salad. After a slow walk back to our ship we set sail for our final stop, Gibraltar.

Gibraltar

Arrival: May 16^th @ 8.38am after having sailed 1314 nautical miles from Corfu.

After having been at sea for 2 days we were happy to reach Gibraltar, or ‘the rock’ as it was referred to on the peninsular. Gibraltar is tiny, but is full of exciting experiences if you have the time. The famous ‘monkeys of Gibraltar’ live mainly on the rock but can sometimes be seen in the busy town which is jam-packed full of duty/tax-free shops. Gibraltar has a typically British feel about it and its local currency is the Pound, so it made knowing how much money we were spending easy. After walking around all day we headed back to the Grand Princess for the last time.

We were never bored of things to do once back on the Grand Princess Cruise. Everyday we received an itinerary in the form of a ‘Princess Patter’ which gave us a full outline of the activities and challenges available on board, should you wish to participate. From ballroom dancing to Bingo there is an activity for everyone, no matter what age you are. There was also a Grand Casino on the ship that was open at various times throughout the day and night if you’re feeling lucky!

And when it comes to food on a Princess Cruise you are always spoilt for choice! There are several restaurants on board which are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a buffet which is open throughout the day should you feel the need to eat more! There was also an ice cream bar, pizza bar, burger bar, Panini lounge, sit-down pizza restaurant and 2 exquisite restaurants offering prime Steak and traditional Italian food. Afternoon tea was also served from 3:30pm every day and several bars were open 24 hours a day so that we could enjoy the odd glass of champagne or early evening (or morning) cocktail.

There is also an opportunity to get married aboard the Grand Princess. The Wedding Chapel, which was located on deck 15 is a wonderful place to tie the knot at sea, and for friends and family at home there is a fully fitted web-cam so that everyone can celebrate with you, if they aren’t able to come on the cruise with you! Getting married on board and celebrating your honeymoon at the same time is a great idea, and apparently every day whilst we were at sea there was either a wedding, or a renewal of vows, so we definitely weren’t the only honeymooners onboard.

Our journey concluded on day 17 with a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the captain on the bridge of the ship. We were invited to see the ship from the drivers point of view and got to learn all of the secrets which help keep these huge ships afloat.

After having sailed a further 1179 nautical miles during 2 straight days at sea we finally reached Southampton.

Spending our honeymoon on a cruise was an exciting experience and unlike anything else I could have imagined. Our moving hotel gave us the opportunity to visit 7 destinations that we would never have been able to do in a 2 and a half week period had we chosen to fly and we didn’t have the stress or hassle of packing/un-packing or travelling to and from airports.

For us a cruise was a fantastic option and a holiday that we will never forget.

Our top 5 cruise honeymoon tips:

~ If you have time before, or after your wedding and before you set sail on your honeymoon cruise, try and research the destinations in which you are going to visit in terms of tours and local currency. With just a day in each port you don’t want to be running around trying to exchange money or booking tours at the last minute. Excursions for each destination are available through the Princess Cruise operator before you travel, or through the dedicated desk on board.

~ Pack appropriately. Our cruise consisted of 3 formal nights which were black tie, along with 14 smart/casual nights. However you also need to consider clothing and footwear for during the day – both on sea days and port days.

~ When it comes to activities onboard during days at sea, be sure to do what you really want to do early, rather than leave everything until the last minute because you won’t fit everything in. Even though we were on the Grand Princess for 17 nights we still didn’t fit everything in that we wanted to experience!

~ Pamper yourself! The Lotus Spa onboard the Grand Princess offers anything from a hair cut to a hot stone massage…….and everything in-between. It’s your honeymoon!! So be sure to take advantage of the opportunities provided.

~ If you aren’t a good passenger when it comes to travel sickness then make sure you speak to your doctor before you travel. We didn’t experience any particularly bad weather during our travels, but motion sickness bands or medication would be advisable, just in case. There is a dedicated doctor onboard the ship at all times, just in case of any other medical emergency.

Where will you be spending your magical honeymoon?

Fran x

Relax, Unwind and Get Married at the DDG Retreat on the Costa del Sol

Fran @ Hitched — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:37:00 GMT

Throughout March on hitched.co.uk we’ve been talking about some pretty amazing wedding abroad and honeymoon destinations across the globe. We’ve hopefully covered everything from a honeymoon checklist to saying ‘I do’ in style by wearing one of our top destination wedding gowns.

I’m all for travelling long distances to seek out new and exciting locations, however if you want to get married or spend your honeymoon in a location not too far away from home, then why not consider the DDG Retreat in Spain, located close to Casares on the Costa del Sol.

I have recently had the pleasure of interviewing the owner of DDG, Alex Dubinin, who shared with me what makes this Spanish retreat so intimate and special.

1. Where does the name DDG come from?

“DDG stands for our family name Dubinin Development Group. This has been a very personal project for us and one that involves all members of our family so we felt it was right that our retreat’s name should reflect that.”

2.What makes the DDG Retreat stand out from the rest?

“We truly believe that what we offer at DDG is unique. The design and concept is the result of our travels and a fusion of influences from all over the world. We have created an exotic tropical paradise here that you’d usually only find in a long haul destination - yet it’s only a short flight away and close enough to escape to even just for a short break. The fact that DDG is fairly close to home means that the bride and groom can have family and friends with them who may not otherwise be able to travel to a wedding further afield. Or they may come to us simply because they love the idea of an authentic Spanish wedding in a very romantic setting.

We have 5 private casas each with their own private terrace and some even have their own plunge pools. They’ve all been individually designed so the bride and groom can offer their guests a very special and individual place to stay. We have a stunning infinity pool, hammam and gym and hammocks dotted around so that couples and their guests can enjoy some relaxation time. As we are perched high above the Med near the pretty pueblo blanco of Casares there are spectacular views of Gibraltar and Africa. We’re secluded and yet we’re close enough to a wide variety of attractions to ensure that there’s something here to suit everyone’s taste.”

3. What special service do you provide for couples getting married?

“Our wedding organisation is totally bespoke. We provide the whole service from the first enquiry e-mail through to organising everything during the party’s stay. Because we run DDG ourselves we don't delegate the most important day of a couples life to anyone else - and there’s no extra charge! We feel privileged to be part of this very special event and go the extra mile to ensure it’s a day to remember. We can arrange for hairdressers, make up artists, photographers. We can create the menu of your choice with wine, champagne and cocktails to suit your taste. We can organise music and dancing and if required we can bring in Spanish guitarists and flamenco dancers to provide a true Andalucían flavour to the event.”

4. How would a couple get to DDG from the airport?

“We can arrange airport transfer to suit the couple’s wishes. The transfer from Malaga to DDG is less than an hour’s drive. We can arrange for a driver to collect you or we arrange car hire with our local car rental associate who will personally meet and greet you at the Arrivals gate. Just an hour’s drive along the coats and you’ve arrived. We can also sort out travel arrangements on behalf of your guests.”

5. Do you offer a unique honeymoon package?

“For those who’d love to stay on for their honeymoon, we welcome with open arms. We have Honeymoon packages for our guests but being a small family-run retreat we can be as flexible as necessary and are happy to fit in with a couple’s plans. We understand that some may choose to leave for a honeymoon elsewhere after their wedding whilst others might choose to stay for part or all of their honeymoon.”

6. How many guest can you accommodate?

“We feel that we offer a very special venue for small, intimate weddings. We have 5 Casas that are not only eco-friendly, but can sleep up to a total of 15 people. We have another villa near DDG Retreat that sleeps a further 8 people should it be required.”

The DDG Retreat sounds like the ultimate venue for an intimate wedding, a private honeymoon or a relaxing getaway pre or post wedding.

The team at the DDG Retreat have also given us a list of the top 10 romantic things to experience during your stay and I have to admit, they all sound exactly what I'd like to do on my honeymoon!

1. Arrive to find your rose petal strewn bed

2. Choose to sleep under the stars

3. Soak in a sumptuous outdoor bubble bath

4. Have a love lock-in in your own private casa with champagne on tap in the wine cooler

5. Cool down in your own private plunge pool

6. Enjoy a Romantic candle-lit dinner for 2 created by DDG’s very own Olga

7. Take a midnight swim in a stunning infinity pool

8. Get back to nature with an indulgent spa treatment surrounded by woodland trees

9. Bag yourselves a handful of DDG’s beautiful books and relax in His ‘n’Hers hammocks

10. Book your 1st Anniversary repeat visit and enjoy a special gift

If you are interested in booking your destination wedding, or honeymoon at the DDG Retreat near the Costa del Sol then get in touch with the team to find out more. Click here for further details.

Fran x

5 Essentials for your Honeymoon Suitcase

Fran @ Hitched — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:09:00 GMT

I always over-pack my suitcase, even if I go away for just the weekend. I find that making a list of things to take works better than throwing every single top that I own in to my case, ‘just in case’.

If you are heading off on a hot honeymoon this summer then I have found 5 fabulous essentials for your suitcase.

To order your honeymoon bikini, flip-flops, personalised towel or t-shirt, head over to the hitched.co.uk online wedding store and place your order today.

Be sure to send us a snap from your honeymoon when you come back to reality!

Fran x