Over the past few years, The Seychelles have become a major romantic travel destination trend for couples. With breathtaking scenic views and a dreamy to-do list, what couple wouldn’t want to honeymoon there?
1. COUPLE’S SPA TREATMENT
Anyone heading out on a romantic getaway would love to be relaxed and enjoy the beauty of their destination. In The Seychelles, a spa treatment should definitely be on your to-do list. Banyan Tree Luxury Spa offers their guests the very best. This is the perfect place for couples to enjoy a spiritual, mental and physical renewal. This spa offers a range of traditional Eastern healing therapies, as well as an exotic combination of ancient health and beauty practices.
2. SIP CHAMPAGNE ON THE BEACH AND WATCH THE SUNSET
What couple wouldn’t enjoy some downtime with a glass of bubbly? A full pamper session is offered to couples while relaxing on the beach, enjoying one another’s company and watching the sunset. MAIA Luxury Resort and Spa offers this luxurious royalty treatment giving couples the option of hiring their own personal butler 24/7. Every villa in this resort has its own sundeck, swimming pool and outdoor gazebo, for partners wanting to spend some quality time together outdoors.
3. VISIT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
Feeling adventurous? The botanical garden is the perfect place to explore with your loved one, while being charmed by the collection of plants and trees, the tortoise park and the rainforest walk. The garden was established in 1901 by Queen Victoria and is more than 100 years old, but still holds all its scenic beauty.
4. A DAY TOUR TO PRASLIN AND LA DIGUE
La Digue is one of many islands in The Seychelles. On this particular island you and your partner can enjoy the day on a romantic bicycle ride all along the island. Take a refreshing swim in the Anse Source D’Argent and later enjoy a delicious meal at La Do-maine. A guided tour to the neighbouring island of Praslin should also be on the to-do list to sightsee the beautiful Valleee de Mai where Coco-de-Mer grows. The site is known to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been compared to the legendary Garden of Eden.
5. A CANDLELIT DINNER ON THE BEACH
One of the best most affordable beaches of this kind is in Mahe, the Beau Vallon Beach. A reservation for two can be made at Hotel Coral Strand Smart Choice where a stunning candlelit dinner can be enjoyed, while looking at a perfect sea view. So book early and have the most romantic candlelit dinner by the sound of the roaring waves of the ocean.
6. STROLL DOWN THE VICTORIA STREETS
If you need to let your hair down and need a peaceful break from your usual city life, take a lovely walk with your partner down the Victoria Streets. There’s plenty to buy so pick up a small memento to remember the amazing time you’ve spent with your partner in The Seychelles.
7. SNORKELLING IN PARADISE
Whether you and your partner love swimming or not, snorkeling is one of many things that you definitely shouldn’t miss. The tides are calm and the water is clear blue, offering you the perfect view of the colourful fish and unique coral reefs. If you and your partner are not up for swimming, canoeing is an option too.
8. FISHING
Fishing may not be your cup of tea, but it’s definitely something fun you could do in The Seychelles. The island is used by international sporting and recreational fishermen who come back each year to break records. The island has an array of fish in its fresh blue waters. It’s always fun trying something new and this is definitely something you and your partner could enjoy.
9. WETLAND TOURS
Every Tuesday and Thursday in The Seychelles wetland tours take place with the Wildlife Conservation Center for guests to discover the local flora and fauna. It is said to be the largest managed freshwater wetland on Mahe. Learn about different species and get the opportunity to see these nature at its best with your own eyes.
10. ZIPLINE THROUGH THE FORESTS
If you and your partner are adrenaline junkies, get strapped to a harness and glide over the beautiful forest at Epheila Resort. Tour guides will tell you everything you need to know about various birds, plants and insects that you may see around you. If you need to cool down after the adrenaline rush, your tour guide can direct you to Port Launay Marine National Park, where you can enjoy its lovely blue waters.
With golden leaves and a slight chill in the air, autumn is here and so are the fall bridal make-up trends of 2019! This year there’s a fun…
Is there anything quite as dreamy as a winter wedding? Crisp white and bold, rich shades come together to create a stunning celebration, usually with a backdrop romantically draped in mist. Because of South Africa’s diverse climate, winter is different everywhere, with famous sunny days hitting Johannesburg, intense rains in Cape Town, and humid temperatures in Durban.
You’ll find something different everywhere you go, but one thing is for sure – you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the rich variety of destinations. Take your pick from our 5 favourite locations below.
1. Magaliesburg, Gauteng
This small village lies just below the Witswatersrand mountain range and is filled with natural bushveld and such a variety to experience. The exclusivity of this stunning escape has made it a popular destination for many and, being just a short distance away from Johannesburg and Pretoria, now a winter wedding destination. A host of lodges, hotels, farms and more await you and your big day.
2. Franschhoek, Western Cape
The rich and expansive mountainscape of Cape Town’s Franschhoek makes this area a magical and misty forest during winter. And with such a wide range of wine farms in the area, you definitely won’t be short for venues and dreamy destinations to escape to for your big day and honeymoon.
3. The Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal
There’s nothing quite like the Midlands Meander in South Africa. With stunning cascading landscapes, dams and an abundance of greenery, this setting makes a perfect backdrop to a mystical winter wedding. The small towns that make up the area offer farmlands, lodges, hotels and more just waiting for you to say your ‘I dos’!
4. Clarens, Free State
Celebrate your love up in the clouds in the town of Clarens, with its famous landmarks and rich culture. Known for their colourful blooms in autumn, it’s the perfect opportunity to host your wedding among the flowers in a winter wonderland that will have your guests in awe.
5. Dullstroom, Mpumalanga
Prepare for the ultimate country wedding in Dullstroom. Its lush and green farms create a romantic setting in cooler months, sprinkled with mist and rain. Take advantage of the luxury stays nearby for your venue, while you discover the local heritage and find the perfect spot for wedding pictures. You can’t beat the view of an icy lake while warming up by a fireplace!
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If you’re looking for a classic and timeless gift that’s as unique as it is elegant, Shimansky will do nothing short of wow you. The captivating Dancing Diamond…
For you, it may be a classic choc cake with vanilla icing. Your friends over in Norway or Korea, however, may prefer something different. Be inspired by global cake traditions.
1. LITHUANIA
A sakotis, the traditional cake for weddings and special occasions, is cooked by rotating batter on a spit. As it cooks, the drips harden, creating a spiky tree shape.
2. ENGLAND
A fancy fruitcake made with brandy-soaked dates, prunes, currants and orange peel is traditional. The icing can range from marzipan to brandy butter. Instead of saving a piece of the cake for their first anniversary, couples will keep the entire top tier (called the christening cake) until the birth of their first child.
3. INDONESIA
The wedding cake is usually a big multilayered creation called kek lapis. The layers can be simple chocolate and vanilla, or all sorts of flavours and bright colours.
4. KOREA
American-style wedding cakes are too sweet for Koreans. They might opt for mini rice cakes made from steamed rice flour, covered in red bean powder, ground sesame seeds or other toppings.
5. NORWAY
At Norwegian weddings, guests are served kransekake. Almond-meal biscuits are stacked up to form a tower and held together with icing.
6. FRANCE
The French enjoy croquembouche, a tower of cream-filled pastries that are soaked in caramel. They’re then formed into a tall pyramid – quite a showstopper!
7. ITALY
A popular dessert choice at many weddings is zuppa inglese. A bit like a trifle, it is made up of tiers of sponge cake layered with custard, rum, cream and fruit.
8. BERMUDA
On this island in the Caribbean, the groom’s cake is topped with gold and the bride’s cake is coated in silver icing. For an extra touch, tiny saplings sit on top of the cakes as symbols of growing love.
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Take a trip into the wild with Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge for a glamorous honeymoon stay. With endless activities and luxurious amenities, this spot is the perfect destination…
If you’re someone who’s creative and loves to put their thoughts together in a collage, creating a DIY wedding journal for your big day is the way to go for organising, planning and brainstorming. Depending on your personal style, you can create your wedding journal in a number of ways:
1. MESSY COLLAGE
If you love doodling, pasting down pictures, using real-life references, like petals and fabrics, using a blank journal is the perfect start for you to create your wedding planner. You can create your own headings, lists, style references, and more to suit your creativity and make a wedding journal that is worth saving as a fond memory.
2. PLANNING DIARY
For someone who prefers neater, more organised and structured methods of planning, creating a wedding journal with matching fonts, colours and headings is definitely the best option. Nowadays, you can purchase digital wedding journals to download and put together yourself – still giving you the freedom to choose your base and play around with styles you prefer.
3. BUDGET-SAVVY
If all you’ve got are some pens and a notebook, but loads of creative talent, you can design a beautiful and personal wedding journal filled with doodles, lists, contact details, ideas and everything you want to put down to plan your big day.
Images: Pinterest