Outside my window it’s cold and stormy and miserable (um, hello Durban, where is the sunshine?) so it’s the perfect time to look indoors for some swoony honeymoon inspiration. Because let’s be honest, you’re going to spend a fair amount of your honeymoon IN the bedroom, right? These ten suites from South African hotels are the bees knees and the cat’s miaow – they’re luxe, they’re atmospheric (often taking in absolutely breathtaking scenery), and most of all they’re super, super romantic. Start dreaming. (And PS, grooms take note – they’d also make for a hell of a proposal/anniversary surprise!) And PS, did you know that if you book your trip via Expedia and become an Expedia+ Rewards member, you’ll save 10% or more just by logging in? WIN. This post includes affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales.
Before we close out the week, I wanted to share a little hideaway I discovered recently: The Cavern hotel in the Drakensberg. Originally I was planning to meet friends from Joburg there (it’s half way-ish between Joburg and Durban, making it a convenient weekend break from either) but in the end my mum came out with me for a couple of days of R&R, and you guys, it was awesome. A few days of mountain air (and limited time on social media) was just what I needed to clear my head and relax. It’s a great resort for families, but it’s also the perfect place for a honeymoon, a bit of a romantic mini-break or even a pre-wedding girl’s chill-out weekend, so of course I had to share it with you too!Read More
Everyone has a different part of the luxury hotel experience that appeals to them – the restaurant, the thread count, the activities, the spa. For me? It’s the bath. Seriously, I have booked hotel rooms for love of a bath alone. Say the words “claw” and “foot” and you’ll send me into a bit of a luxe lust spiral. Maybe it was all those years of living in London with crappy showers, but soaking in a gorgeous tub filled with bubbles and the scent of exclusive products wafting in the steamy air (with a glass of wine and a good book, obvs) is a great pleasure for me, and a part of what I look forward to in a spoil-ey hotel. Luckily for me (or not, because I haven’t stayed at any of these places yet), the hotel world has cottoned on to the bathtub fetish, and now many honeymoon-worthy properties offer either sumptuous bathrooms or even better, tubs with a view. Here are ten of my worldwide FAVES.
Woo, the end of another work week! I’ve had such fun bringing you all kinds of wedding inspiration this week, and we’re rounding things off today with the second half of our 2014 honeymoon destination special. The first half has proved to be super popular, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already! In creating this list, I’ve combed through all the top travel trends and predictions from the various news outlets that pop up this time of year, and picked those that make for an amazing honeymoon. Because we all know that a honeymoon is unlike any other holiday you’re going to take. You’re looking for more luxury, more seclusion, more down time, and the most memorable, romantic backdrop imaginable. Here are five more places to find that in 2014.
Before we sign off for the week, I thought it was time to indulge ourselves in a little armchair travel. One of the great things about a honeymoon is that it’s often an excuse to spoil yourselves a little – to splurge on a destination or a hotel that you might otherwise consider too extravagant, or to head for a far-flung location that’s been on your bucket list unvisited for several years. There are so many amazing places to enjoy your first trip as a married couple, from chic cities to deserted beaches and everything in between. Today, I’ve scoured the internet for travel trends and predictions, and I’m bringing you my Top 10 honeymoon destination picks for 2014, starting with the first part today. Which is your favourite?
Hello friends. Well, it’s a sad day for us South Africans today, and it always seems weird to be talking weddings in the middle of loss. However, at the same time, celebrating love and life is so important – and we’ll be back to doing that next week. For today, we’re just going to take things easy, take ourselves off for a little holiday, courtesy of awesome photographer Megan van Zyl, who is opening her honeymoon album to us this afternoon. So let’s take a few minutes to think of happy times and smooth sailing, and head off to the blue seas of the Seychelles.Read More
It may be that a list of your typical honeymoon dream destinations runs more like a Beach Boys song (Aruba, Jamaica…) than a list of the English counties, but with period drama like Downton Abbey as popular as it is, it’s a safe bet that there’s at least a part of you that dreams of cuddling up by the fire in a country pile, pulling on your Hunters for a brisk walk around the estate with the spaniel or taking a spot of afternoon tea before retiring to the four-poster with your new hubby. I mean, who doesn’t want to be Kate Middleton, just a little bit? If that sounds familiar, then today’s honeymoon inspiration is for you! I recently spent some time in the Cotswolds myself, soaking in the honey coloured buildings, the grand scenery, and the idyllic rural vibe, and today I wanted to share my top finds.Read More
There are plans afoot to add more regular honeymoon inspiration to SBB, much of which will centre around destinations close to or in South Africa. But for today, I thought I would profile a destination close to my heart. Because I’m there. Right now. Yes, I know, I am totally that person who posts pictures of their holiday on Facebook just to try to make you jealous. Well, be jealous, because Tuscany is every bit as gorgeous and magical as you’ve always imagined it to be. I fell in love with it in a very serious way when I saw the film Room With a View aged about 12, which I then went on to watch maybe a zillion more times (by the way, if you love Maggie Smith in Downton, catch her in RWAV as well – she’s awesome). I finally got to Florence in my twenties, and it was exactly as I’d pictured it. So was the rest of the countryside. Now, don’t get me wrong, Italy is a lot more than the Tuscan stereotype and you should definitely check out its other regions too, all I’m saying is that the stereotype is there for a reason. Cypress-lined drives, hilltop villages, a sun-kissed landscape dotted with olive groves and vineyards, fields of sunflowers. Not to mention cities full of art and history and beautiful architecture. All of which makes it one of the most picture perfect European destinations for a honeymoon. Personally, I’d spend all my time chilling in a villa, drinking wine and driving around the beautiful countryside (um, not in that order, obvs), but if you want a bit of beach time you have that option too, as the Tuscan coastline is lovely, and you could even exile yourself Napoleon-style to the island of Elba. Here’s a quick run-down on what you need to know to start dreaming up your Tuscan honeymoon.Read More
Time for some honeymoon inspiration! I don’t know about you guys, but I love looking at far off places and luxury destinations and imagining myself chilling out there in my next life as Mrs George Clooney. It’s been a while since I travelled, and I am definitely getting itchy feet! Of course, a honeymoon isn’t so much about exploring and adventure as it is about togetherness, and I can’t think of anything more romantic than a private table for two with one of the world’s best views, just taking in the scenery, enjoying delicious food and wine, and revelling in the company of your favourite person on earth. In amongst the wedding planning, it’s good to take a moment to be inspired by those moments of togetherness, not to mention the gorgeousness that the world has to offer, so I’ve rounded up ten of the ultimate romantic dinner spots, just for you! Feel free to print ’em out, circle your favourite and put it on the fridge to inspire your sweetie in his honeymoon planning… PS: Did you know that if you book your trip via Expedia and become an Expedia+ Rewards member, you’ll save 10% or more just by logging in? WIN. This post includes affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales.
It’s less than three weeks until the day we are married and the craziness of wedding planning has officially hit. With all the loose ends to tie up some things are of course going awry, others better than expected – fun, excitement, stress – but what is standing out more than ever in all this planning madness is how incredibly remarkable my ‘almost-husband’ is. He’s been like anti-stress on this planning adventure. Wonderful in every way and with the wedding drawing nearer even more wonderful as the stressors increase. More than five years have passed and I still miss him when he leaves a room and get excited to see him upon his return. And I get to marry him. SOON! To say that I am excited to meet him at the church may be the greatest understatement that ever leaves my lips. :)
But what on earth will we do once the wedding is over? When everything has been taken down and the boxes of goods used on our special day are packed away and returned? Shall it be London, Paris, New York? All these amazing options were under serious consideration until our search was interrupted by a perfect find and we both knew we had found our answer. A Mauritian paradise it was destined to be. :)
