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Susan and Tom's Magical Honeymoon
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In my almost
10 years of working at Kelly Cruises I have planned hundreds of memorable
honeymoons. But this was the ultimate challenge – planning one for myself
and my fiancé Tom. After much deliberation, we decided on
a trip to the Mediterranean. This was going to be the trip of a
lifetime, and I wanted to make it perfect.
After what seemed like a
lifetime of planning, our wedding on September 6, 2003 flew by, and we were
off!
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We began our
trip in style by flying first class into Nice. We spent the first night at
the Hotel Royal Rivera in Cap Ferrat, France. This charming community,
just 12 miles outside of Monte Carlo, proved to be a hidden gem. Both
the town and the hotel were beautiful. Our room overlooked the
gorgeous pool, surrounding gardens, with the deep blue hues of the
Mediterranean Sea in full view. The staff went out of their way to pamper us
and make us feel welcome. With such an unparalleled experience we
didn’t want to leave!
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We departed from Monte Carlo, with ports of call in Rome, Sorrento,
Sicily, Corfu, Dubrovnik before finally ending in Venice. In each
port, I arranged for private cars and drivers. This gave us the flexibility
to decide exactly what our itinerary would be for each day, and helped avoid
the crowds in many cities. For those who enjoy a more personalized and
intimate experience, I highly recommend this option. Our guides were
knowledgeable, proficient in English, and took us to some of the most
enchanting places we could have only imagined. (Oooh that lunch in Ravello….the
intimate little restaurant up in the hills, overlooking the cypress – now THAT was romantic!) |
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Upon our
return each day to the ship, we were treated to every luxury we could
imagine. An unusually large suite and balcony awaits every guest on this
ship, and with only 700 passengers, space and comfort exudes from every
corner. Dining choices abound from casual Mediterranean fare, to a foodies
dream where the Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs performed their magic. Tables
for two were never a problem. It was hard to imagine that a week could
pass so quickly. Luckily, we had one more stop on out itinerary.
After disembarking in Venice , we were assisted in boarding a train to Milan
, where we were then met by a driver who took us to the enchanting Bellagio
on Lake Como.
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We arrived at Villa Serbelloni, and were instantly captivated by this
stunning property. Imagine sleeping in an elegant museum – but with all the
charm and hospitality of an intimate home. It was the kind of hotel
you encounter only a few times during your life – and we planned on enjoying
every moment of it. We explored the beautiful and famous gardens, lounged
by the pool, and enjoyed dancing in the formal music room after our
delicious dinners. We also explored the chic and charming town of Bellagio.
Once the ferry system was understood, we used these efficient boats to
explore several other towns along this marvelous lake.
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While I wish I
could take full credit for this amazing trip, it simply would not have come
together without the help of our top notch Virtuoso partners. I arranged
our tours, transfers, and hotel accommodations through these well connected,
professional contacts. I can now speak from experience as to the superior
quality of these partners. They helped make our honeymoon the perfect
vacation that every bride and groom hopes to have. It was hard to
realize that our dream honeymoon had come to an end, and we had to return to
the real world. However, the memories we created, and the experiences
we shared will be will us forever. It really was the dream honeymoon.
I wonder if I can talk Tom into a repeat for our one year anniversary ?
………..
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