Email  Print  del.icio.us  Digg  Feed

Steps

Mythic Indulgence

In the Bahamas, floating between the sky and the water, The Cove Atlantis is an island of luxury much easier to find than its legendary namesake.

Teak wood cabanas with state-of-art entertainment technology, panoramic ocean views and dining at Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay’s first restaurant outside the United States, take you on a journey filled with opulence and impeccable service surrounded by the natural beauty of this tropical paradise.

The newly launched $100,000 Honeymoon Package is the ultimate in indulgence and pampering. The seven-day experience includes a private jet from anywhere in North America, accommodations in the Penthouse Suite with 24-hour butler service and a private full-day luxury yacht tour of The Bahamas with a specially prepared lunch on a deserted island. thecoveatlantis.com

Total Eclipse of the Heart

On August 1, 2008, a rare total solar eclipse will darken the skies over the eastern hemisphere. TravelQuest International is offering a 12-day grand tour along China’s Silk Road aboard the China Orient Express, a journey by train through mountain passes and terraced fields to view the celestial phenomenon outside the city of Hami in the high desert of western China. While the Xi’an to Urumqi tour is already sold out, the company has created a reverse itinerary, running July 27 to August 7. Scheduled sights include the famous Terracotta Warriors and the Flaming Mountains. tq-international.com

…And More Ancient Paths

For an adventure over the plains of Asia, Silk Road Overland Safari is offering driving tours between Beijing and Istanbul, following in the footsteps of Marco Polo. A true “once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” the tour uses the ancient route traveled for millennia by traders who carried not only silk but tea and spices to markets all over Asia and Europe, often taking years to reach their destination. Today’s modern caravan covers six countries in 60 days for the full trip, but the company has broken the journey down into three segments for those unable to commit two months at a time. Accommodations range from deluxe hotels to camping in remote locations and participants are also the drivers. It’s not everyone’s notion of a honeymoon, but for those who want to escape the cookie-cutter life, it is definitely a spectacular alternative. The itinerary dates for 2008: Istanbul to Beijing, April 12 to June 10; Beijing to Istanbul, August 14 to October 11. asiaadventures.ca

Have Product, Will Travel

When Lisa Hoffman’s husband, actor Dustin Hoffman, would go on location to shoot a film, Lisa often went with him. While she became an expert packer of sorts, there was always one thing she hated to pack—her skincare products. How much should she take? Exactly what would she need? Out of such bewilderment was born Lisa Hoffman Night & Day 24 Hour Skincare. Housed in disposable, single-dose ampules, the entire collection consists of 10 cleansing, toning and moisturizing formulas. Every product contains natural extracts and oils such as white tea, jojoba and olive oil. Specifically designed to be compact and portable, the Lisa Hoffman Collection is perfect for the busy bride who wants her packing to be as carefree as her honeymoon. lisahoffmanskincare.com

Pod Travelers

Want to shed some light on the goth Night Hotel in New York? Or decant a little decadence at Miami’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival? journeyPod, a podcast devoted to the luxury travel scene, keeps up on the hottest hotels and coolest events around the world. Find the best restaurants on the island of St. Martin or at which L.A. nightspot you’re likely to see Nomar Garciaparra. With interviews, insider tips and a song for every spot, journeyPod is the technophile’s alternative guidebook. journeypod.libysyn.com

Infinity, African-Style

Situated on the incomparable Benguerra Island, Azura Mozambique, a luxury eco-boutique retreat, is set to open this fall. Exquisitely designed villas, private infinity pools and unparalleled service create an African sanctuary for the ultimate in relaxation.

One of the highlights of Azura is the dining where local ingredients, including freshly caught prawns and crayfish, are combined with an international flair. Though it is on an island in the Indian Ocean, the wine cellar won’t disappoint as bottles from the owner’s château in France’s Loire Valley are flown in for guests to enjoy. azura-retreats.com

Extreme Makeover in Maui

In June, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea completed a $50 million renovation, designed to anticipate discriminating guests’ needs in this world of technology coupled with comfort.

High-definition 42-inch flat-screen TVs, high-speed WiFi throughout the property and iHome clock/radios with iPod docking are featured in the 380 guestrooms and suites. But it’s not all modern gadgetry that marks the Four Seasons’ updated look. The Spa’s three new oceanfront hales, authentically constructed by a master builder, and the museum-quality Hawaiian art collection keep you grounded in the aloha spirit.

DUO, the resort’s new premium steak and seafood restaurant, nicely complements Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Maui and the romantic Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante. fourseasons.com/maui

Do you like what you read? Purchase Exquisite Weddings Magazine »