We are delighted to be helping Jeremy and Julie with their honeymoon plans for July 2012. As we do with many couples, we went through lots of different options and destinations around the world before settling on a 'cruise and stay' itinerary, which will take in the best of the Mediterranean.
Taking a cruise as a honeymoon trip is often overlooked as an option in preference to just lounging on a beach for a couple of weeks. However, it really is a great idea, and one that we are recommending more and more to the couples who come to us for advice on where to go. With a cruise, you have high quality accommodation and all the stress and strain of travelling between a selection of beautiful destinations is taken off your plate and given over to the excellent crew that will look after you and cater for your every need. Taking of 'plates' and 'catering', what you do get, of course, on every cruise is more food and drink than you can ever imagine being able to eat...Having trimmed down to get into the wedding dress or morning suit, a cruise is undoubtedly a great way of undoing all that hard work - but, hey - what's the problem ? The wedding's over, the photos are taken, so why not enjoy the efforts of a team of chefs, waiters and barmen, who just want to make sure that you are happy. This is certainly our hope for Jeremy and Julie as they cruise in the sunshine.
The itinerary that Jeremy and Julie have chosen starts with a flight to Palma, Mallorca, where they will board their cruise. Their first port of call will be on the French island of Corsica, where the couple will take a shore excursion including wine-tasting, the making of essential oils...and a trip to a factory that makes nougat !
From Corsica, the ship will sail overnight to La Spezia on the Italian coast, which is the starting point for a range of tours taking in the leaning tower of Pisa and Florence.
The next stop will be Villefranche, which is the deep harbour for cruiseships allowing access to the jewels of the French Riviera, including the cities of Nice and Cannes, or the millionaires playground of Monte Carlo ! Visitors to Monaco cannot help being awe-inspired by the sight of every conceivable model of super-car and the super-yachts that are based in the famous harbour all year round, and when you drive around the narrow winding streets, it is impossible not to hear the roar of the F1 engines in your ears.
It's then on to the other end of the Riviera to Toulon, for a visit to St Tropez.
The final port of call on the cruise is the beautiful city of Barcelona. Here, Jeremy and Julie will be able to enjoy a city tour taking in the vibrant Ramblas, the amazing architecture of the Sagrada Familia church - Gaudi's - still unfinished - masterpiece. In fact, the whole city is an art-lovers dream. As well as the Sagrada, Gaudi's influence can be seen in the design of so many 'regular' buildings around the city. The artist Miro took great inspiration from Barcelona for his great art works, and the father of all modern art, Picasso, is celebrated in a wonderful museum. Time on the tour may allow for a trip to the striking Gothic Cathedral. In a similar folklore tale to the ravens at the Tower of London, it's believed that if the Cathedral's flock of geese disappear, then the whole building will collapse ! Hopefully they wont have flown before Jeremy and Julie have their chance to see this beautiful building in all its current glory.
After Barcelona, the cruise-ship returns to Palma, where the journey will end. Jeremy and Julie will then stay in a lovely hotel on Mallorca for a further few days, before flying back to the UK - possibly, a few kilos heavier, but certainly many happy memories of a wonderful trip.
Bon Voyage !
If you would like to make a contribution to the costs of their travel arrangements in place of a wedding present, then please download the contribution form below and sent it to us at the address at the very bottom of this page, together with your cheque or credit/debit card authorisation.
Unlike many other wedding list systems, Jeremy and Julie will benefit from the full value of whatever you would like to donate towards the cost of their trip.
