Tags: honeymoon safaris, African honeymoons, Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Guest Ranch, Bernat Vineyards, NYC weekend getaways, New England getaways, weekend trips
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Happy Honeymoon Safari!
By Susan Farewell
Going to Africa for your honeymoon sure sounds romantic, but is it feasible given all the costs of the wedding itself? It can be…especially if you invite family members, friends and colleagues to chip in.
African Portfolio, a travel company that specializes in Africa, has a honeymoon registry that makes it all possible. But this is not some automated checklist on the computer. With this company, you actually call (1-800-700-3677), speak to a human being and get to ask as many questions as you need to.
Couples can register for anything from spa treatments and helicopter tours to their entire wedding trip. Here’s my short list of “registry items” you might want to consider.
A night under the African sky
Many African treehouse lodges are nestled in Baobab, Leadwood, Mahogany or Marula trees, and come complete with sunken baths, four poster beds and wildlife at your fingertips. Pictured here is a star bed at Loisaba in Lakipia, Kenya.
Gift price: Starts at $800 per couple, one night
Dinner in the Bush for Two
Can there possibly be anything more romantic and more luxurious than being served dinner in the quiet African wilderness? This is at Sabora Plains, on the Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania.
Gift price: Starts at $150 per couple
Lunch, high tea or sundowners at Victoria Falls
You can't get much closer to these mighty falls than Livingstone Island, right on the lip.
Gift price: Starts at $120 per couple
Well...actually you can get closer by taking a dip in Devil's Pool (seasonal offering, water levels must be low).
Hot Air Balloon flight over the Mara River or Serengeti Plains
Gift Price: From $800 per couple
Sideways Country
By Ann Shepphird of GardenstoTables.com
One of the main attractions of the movie Sideways, besides  the drama involving all the characters, is the beauty of where it takes place: amidst the vineyards of California’s Santa Ynez Valley. It’s a quiet and natural setting, perfect for a romantic getaway, and you don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy your stay here.
Long before the grape vines went in, the Santa Ynez Valley was known for its rich ranch land and horse farms. Couples who enjoy riding should visit the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, just outside the Danish-themed town of Solvang. The ranch has been welcoming guests to its 10,000 acres since 1946. It celebrates its heritage with offerings that include a breakfast horseback ride out to an historic Old Adobe camp. If you or your companion prefer less adventurous activities, the Alisal also offers two golf courses, six tennis courts, a pool complex, a spa and a 1,000-acre lake. The summer months can be teaming with activity, but during the rest of the year, the Alisal couldn’t be more serene.
If it’s total serenity you’re looking for, the valley’s newest offering might be just the ticket. Located near the charming town of Los Olivos, the Vineyard Retreat at Bernat Vineyards and Winery offers a chance to experience wine-country living as a local. The one-bedroom guest house sits amid 10 acres of vineyards, an organic farm and pasture land for three horses. Guests are greeted with a bottle of Bernat wine and a $10 gift certificate to the Los Olivos Café, which has the same owners and was featured in “Sideways.” Fans of the film may remember the café’s impressive wall of wine. You’ll enjoy appreciating one of those bottles for real.
Not too Early to Think About Fall Weekends
Have you ever tried calling a New England inn in September to see if you could get a room for a romantic leaf-looking weekend in October? Planning a fall foliage trip is not something you want to put off doing. Everything gets booked early in these parts.
To help plan your route, take a look at my book, Quick Escapes from New York City, the eighth edition of which just came out in May. In it, I've customized 20 short trips, all within easy reach of New York City, that range from one to three-night stays. Each trip is designed to take the guesswork out of your experience and allow you to go with confidence, knowing things will go smoothly. It's available at most bookstores and through Amazon.com.
--Susan Farewell
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