Top Destinations for Popping the Question
It’s wedding season again and as we hear about our friends’ proposals and upcoming nuptials, it has us wondering, where are the most romantic places to get engaged? The folks at Journeyetc compiled a fantastic list of the top 6 proposal destinations and we thought it too good not to share.
If you find yourself tongue-tied and unable to pop the question, do not worry as there are many beautiful places in the world which can help you loosen your tongue, while at the same time making it easier for your loved one to say yes.
Unique places which will surprise your partner would be ideal. A tropical place would be great, and those with plenty of islands like Fiji can assure you of a private moment. But if you are the adventurous kind, perhaps an African safari would be the key.
The trick is to find what’s perfectly suited to you and your partner’s likes. But keep in mind that while it may be amazing to pop the question in a faraway, exotic island, you might want to save your money for the real thing. There are places that are near and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. As long as you are creative, choose the right moment and create an intimate setting, you will surely hear that sweet yes.
Whether you prefer an island or a city, remote or in the middle of a busy place, these romantic places will surely be memorable enough for you and your partner to remember years from now, when you are happily married to each other.
See Journeyetc.com’s list of Top 6 Most Romantic Places in the World to Propose.
Wanderlust: New Zealand
Greetings from the Auckland Airport!
I had the chance to travel with a friend to her native New Zealand for about two weeks and jumped at the opportunity. We’ve spent the past few days at her home in Matamata, about 2 hours away from Auckland. There’s something very interesting about traveling to an English speaking country and not being able to understand people at first. It takes a while to slip into the Kiwi lilt, but now that I’ve been here I find myself using the word “Torch” instead of “Flashlight” and wondering where the “Long Drop” is instead of the port-o-potty.
The trip we’re on is very nature-oriented, and anyone who’s seen Lord Of The Rings knows that the beauty of this place cannot be overstated. We hiked to the top of the Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall on the North Island. It was a stunning and mild hike along the river track; it takes about 90 minutes to the summit (of course my incredibly fit host had me up there in 50 minutes!), manageable for people of all fitness levels, and the views are worth it. Also nearby is the Karapiro lake—a large reservoir within the Waikato river (the longest river in “En Zed”… why is everything so HUGE you might ask? My only theory is that Kiwi’s don’t do half measures). The lake is an almost indescribable color of blues and greens; we kayaked for an afternoon through the reservoir and down a couple of side inlets that were fed by waterfalls.
Aside from our eco-adventures, I’ve also been on quite the culinary adventure. You see, I’m a vegetarian, and down here that is basically the equivalent of an alien life form. The standing joke at weddings is “don’t worry, we’ve got chicken for the vegg-os.” I’m happy to report that I’ve been eating extremely well; yes, there is usually meat at every meal, but the other stuff, the stuff surrounding the meat is fresh, wholesome, and invariably delicious. Kiwis are big into robust salads, fresh veggies, grains and fruit, fruit, fruit. The cows actually graze outside, which was nice to see, and as a result produce creamy and flavorful cheese and yogurt. A word of warning: I had to navigate a few menus and ask some specific questions (like “why is chicken listed as an ingredient in the vegetarian spring rolls?) in order to avoid bacon in my pumpkin and feta salad, or chicken in my beet and broccoli salad. What I really appreciated was that New Zealanders truly have a different relationship with food than most of us in the U.S. in that they know where it comes from, value the land and take pride in farming and agriculture. Work hard, eat hard, play hard. Like I said, no half measures.
So, onward to the South Island for the next week—wish me bon voyage!
What We’re Watching
Here are our Top 10 Programs of the week:
1. Rainforest Adventure – El Yunque National Rainforest, Puerto Rico
2. Di-Vine Intervention – Caudalie at The Plaza, New York City
3. Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica
4. Warrior Dance – Hoebel Fitness, New York City
5. Panama Hats – El Galpon Shop, Puerto Rico
6. Best Tressed – Devachan Salon and Departure Lounge, New York City
7. Savor Old San Juan – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
8. A Ritzy Retreat – The Ritz Carlton Spa, Puerto Rico
9. Rum Shack, Baby – The Pelican Bar, Jamaica
10. Light Delights – The Restaurant at Round Hill, Jamaica
Click on Voyage.tv to see more of our exciting programming.
Our Latest New York Programming
Our original segments straight from the Big Apple just keep on coming.
Experience a truly unique New York attraction in Wow! Factor. This exciting program takes you to the Gazillion Bubble Show at New World Stages in Midtown Manhattan, where entertainer Fan Yang reveals tricks and illusions using “gazillions” of bubbles. You’ll not only get a preview of the show, but you’ll find out about Yang’s childhood passion for these captivating spheres, the numerous Guinness World Records he holds, and what drew him to create this one-of-a-kind magic onstage for audiences of all ages.
Next up head to Chelsea for a visit to the Trapeze Club New York, where adrenaline seekers learn the thrilling techniques of the flying trapeze. In Flight Club you’ll meet Jonathan Conant, the school’s owner and co-founder, and discover his motivation for establishing this exhilarating New York activity. From beginner basics to advanced somersault tricks, adventurous swingers take in incredible panoramic views of the Hudson River, downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
In Di-Vine Intervention get an exclusive look inside The Plaza’s Caudalie Spa in Midtown. Learn about the French-inspired spa’s very own Vinotherapie treatments, derived from the natural elements of the grape and its vines. Hear from spa manager Regine Berthelot about the process used to protect, firm and brighten the skin, and then head to the wine lounge where sommelier Clifford Rames complements these relaxing treatments with a taste of aged wines from Bordeaux.
Be sure to check back with Voyage.tv for our latest signature programs.
What We’re Watching
Here are our Top 10 Programs of the week:
1. Rainforest Adventure – El Yunque National Rainforest, Puerto Rico
2. Wine & Breeze – Wine With Me, Jamaica
3. Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica
4. A Study in Spirits – Brandy Library, New York City
5. Panama Hats – El Galpon, Puerto Rico
6. Oceanside Oasis – Willow Stream Spa, Bermuda
7. Healing Blends – Fern Tree Spa, Jamaica
8. Stir It Up – White Water Rafting & Canopy Tour, Jamaica
9. Rum Shack Baby – The Pelican Bar, Jamaica
10. Savor Old San Juan – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Click on Voyage.tv to see more of our exciting programming.
Insider’s Hamilton: A Guest Post From Our Bermuda Resident Editor
Gentlemen, start your engines. Or whatever the sailing equivalent of preparing for a major race is (Hoist the sails? Batten down the hatches?). According to Cruising World, the Notice of Race for the Newport Bermuda Race 2010 has officially been posted, which essentially means all you sailors hoping to enter the “thrash to the Onion Patch” have until March 30 to enter the historic international ocean race.
The Newport Bermuda Race was founded in 1906 as the first ocean race for amateur sailors, and has since become one of the world’s premier sailing events—a 635-mile open-ocean contest, most of it out of sight of land. Every two years in mid-June a fleet of nearly 200 boats in five classes set sail from Newport, Rhode Island, to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton, Bermuda, and luckily for us islanders, this is the year. The race kicks off on June 18 and normally takes five to six days to complete. Which means right around the weekend of June 25, there should be a big ‘ol party here in Bermuda.
If you’re thinking of snagging a spot for this event, head to Voyage.tv to book your trip to Bermuda today!
What We’re Watching
Here are our Top 10 Programs of the week:
1. Rainforest Adventure – El Yunque, Puerto Rico
2. Panama Hats – El Galpon Shop, Puerto Rico
3. Savor Old San Juan – San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica
5. Light Delights – The Restaurant at Round Hill, Jamaica
6. The Art of the Cigar – Graycliff Cigar Company, Bahamas
7. A Taste of Jamaica – Bellefield Great House, Jamaica
8. Wine & Breeze – Wine With Me, Jamaica
9. Stir It Up – White Water Rafting & Canopy Tour, Jamaica
10. One Stop Beauty Shop – Spa Chakra, New York City
Click on Voyage.tv to see more of our exciting programming.
What We’re Watching
Here are our Top 10 Programs of the week:
1. Rainforest Adventure – El Yunque, Puerto Rico
2. Panama Hats – El Galpon Shop, Puerto Rico
3. Savor Old San Juan – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. The Art of the Cigar – Graycliff Cigar Company, Bahamas
5. Chic Eats – Cafeteria restaurant, Chelsea
6. Style Icon – Nicole Miller, Midtown
7. A Ritzy Retreat – The Ritz Carlton Spa, Puerto Rico
8. Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica
9. Spa and Sea – The Caves Spa, Jamaica
10. A Study in Spirits – Brandy Library, Tribeca
Click on Voyage.tv to see more of our exciting programming.
Wanderlust – St. Maarten
Our VP of Marketing, Libbie Rice, recently took a trip to St. Maarten over the holidays. She shares with us her favorite rainy day activity and some memorable food finds.
A week in St. Maarten between Christmas and New Years was the perfect way to decompress after frantically trying to cram in holiday visits to both sides of the family (who happen to live on opposite coasts) with two preschoolers in tow. I was exhausted by the time we landed in St. Maarten.
The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa was exactly as the pictures displayed, and had all the high-end amenities one expects of the Westin brand. The enormous pool was loved by all, and two huge children’s pools could be easily monitored from a lounge chair.
We did several day trips that were worthwhile. The first was spending a drizzly afternoon at the famous Airport Beach (where the incoming aircraft buzz right overhead before touching down on the runway across the road). The first couple of planes were small ones from neighboring islands, but then suddenly an American Airlines 757 was descending upon us. My son jumped up and waved it in, and after that the fun began. Most of the U.S. and European arrivals are between noon and 3 p.m.—the highlight is the Air France arrival, which, depending on the day, is a gigantic 747. But the even crazier thing is to witness a take off. The plane’s tail faces directly back towards the beach and people stand behind it waiting to be blown over into the water (and pelted by sand) from the engines. Conveniently there are bars on either side of the small beach to pass the time while watching the planes land and take off.
On a better weather day, we took a day trip to Anguilla to visit some friends. It’s a short 20-minute ferry ride from Margot (be sure to arrive with 15 minutes to spare to pay the local departure tax and clear through passport control). It’s also possible to visit St. Bart’s for the day, but we decided to save it for another trip.
We had some wonderful gastronomical adventures in St. Maarten—not surprisingly, they were on the French side of the island. Just down the street from the Westin Hotel is the “border,” and suddenly the food choices change. One of our favorites for a quick bite (especially with hungry children) was Mama’s Pizza on the main road in Oyster Pond.
But the hidden find was the town of Grand Case—about a 20-30 minute drive from the Westin. The town consists of a strip of hip restaurants and bars. We went with a friend’s recommendation and ate at Le Cottage. The food and service made us feel like we’d been whisked away to France for the night. We were the only Americans in sight. Our children decided to put away all their preconceived notions of “yucky” food and tried everything. My son declared that the lobster bisque was heavenly and swore that he would start eating salad if I could make it the French way.
It was sad to leave paradise for snowy New York, but we know we’ll be back again soon. There are nonstop flights from New York (and other East Coast cities), so it’s an easy destination for a long weekend. –Libbie Rice
Introducing Our Jamaica Resident Editor
Before the New Year we introduced you to our Bermuda Resident Editor here at Voyage.tv, David LaHuta. For those of you who missed that post, a RE is an expert located in the field that keeps us informed on what’s new and hot in his or her area and answers any travel related questions you may have, offering a unique perspective you can only get from a local.
Now we’d like to introduce you to another one of our experts, Kaili McDonnough, a journalist based in Kingston, Jamaica. Before she moved to Kingston she spent a decade living in New York City where she worked for the New York Post. Currently, in addition to working with us, Kaili is a contributing writer for several Caribbean publications including The Jamaica Observer, MACO and Skywritings. “I love everything about travel writing,” Kaili says, “and I love being a journalist because I am constantly meeting new people and going on exciting adventures.”
Some of those adventures include traveling around the world with our production crew to host some of our original signature programs, from Island Hopping in Turks and Caicos to discovering Wearable Desserts in her hometown of Kingston.
Since moving to Jamaica she’s started a successful open-air market (Kingston’s answer to Brooklyn Flea or London’s Portobello Road) called Market at The Lawn. Here vendors sell the best of what Jamaica has to offer in terms of arts, crafts, furniture, fashion, food and jewelry.
Check out Kaili’s insider’s perspective on Jamaica at Voyage.tv! –Lisa Bonarrigo
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