Fantastic Friday: My Hot Spots for 2009

Last year I did a blog on my Hot Destinations for 2008, so in keeping with tradition, I am releasing My Hot Spots for 2009. With the economy tanking, and resorts and destinations losing out on much-needed tourist dollars...more places and airlines are lowering their prices. These discounts are meant to attract not only tourists and honeymooners but also those individuals who may want to have a destination wedding, where their guests can use the experience as a vacation also...giving them that two for one punch. So now is a good time to consider going out of town.

At any rate, here's my Top 5 Hot Destination List for 2009:

1. Sitges, Spain: Sitges is a wonderful seaside town southwest of Barcelona in the Catalonia region of Spain. This wonderful town is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. It has become a miniature Ibiza. Sitges touts 17 beaches, four-star hotels, delectable gastronomy, culture, and something for everyone. Easy access by plane or train from several European destinations. A nice car drive from Barcelona.
   
   
2. Mendocino, California: Mendocino is small town in Northern California. Located on the Pacific Ocean, this artist colony is a hidden gem that has become more and more popular in the last several years. The town remains quaint and offers amenities to house your wedding guests in great bed and breakfasts as well as boutique hotels. Additionally, it's a perfect location for a honeymoon, where you just want to leave everything behind. Mendocino is a 4-hour drive north from San Francisco.
   
   
3. Boracay, Philippines: A resort town on the island of Panay in the Philippines, which is located about 200 miles south of Manila. It's an untapped beach resort that has been gaining notoriety and followers. A hidden gem that is a favorite beach getaway for Eastern Europeans as well as those from Asia. Boracay boasts an average temperature of 77 degrees to 90 degrees year round. You will fall in love with its white sand beaches, resort accommodations, and the Filipino hospitality. Direct flights from Manila.
   
   
4. Victoria, Canada: The capital city of British Columbia is found on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and lives in the shadow of its more landlocked famous city, Vancouver. Nevertheless, this romantic waterfront city is the gem of British Columbia. The Mediterranean climate of Victoria makes it the perfect North American location for a honeymoon or destination wedding. Additionally, Victoria and Vancouver Island offers so much, from hiking trails, to 5-star restaurants and resorts, and history invite visitors to discover it. The picture perfect Inner Harbor and Empress Hotel would be the perfect background to any wedding. Boat access from Vancouver.
   
   
5. New York City, New York: Who can deny the "city that never sleeps" as one of the all time best hot spots in the world. I♥NY! NYC has so much to offer not only for destination weddings, but for honeymooners as well. The city has so much to do, so much to see, and it appeals to all age groups. From the serenity of Central Park to the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the city has something to offer everyone. The big plus, it's easy to access from anywhere in the world.

I hope that this helps you in narrowing down your honeymoon or destination wedding locations. The world has so much to offer go and discover it and just maybe, these locations helped you look outside of the travel box.

-Percy

Photos from Wikipedia

Wacky Wednesdays: V.Married (Air Weddings) by Virgin Atlantic

I am a member of Virgin Atlantic's flying club and this morning I got this fabulous email announcing V.Married. I thought..."Wow, Virgin Atlantic is now getting in the wedding business."

This is the official announcement from Virgin Atlantic:

"Put a ring on it at 30,000 feet!

We are proud to announce a once in a lifetime opportunity - air weddings.

Take over our Clubhouses for your bachelor and bachelorette parties, then take off with up to 300 guests for your wedding in the sky, complete with pilot officiator and air hostess bridesmaids.

Enjoy a champagne reception (with real champagne flutes), followed by a three course meal and speeches through the headphones.

It's all the excitement of a wedding, elopement and honeymoon rolled into one, with your friends and family along for the ride. Now all you need to do is say 'I do'."

I was so excited that finally I would have another venue to work with and pitch to my clients. Plus, things started to run in my head, like matching this up with a mini vacation/honeymoon for the client and guests. So I clicked on the link that said, "Get Hitched" and this is what I got on the WebPage (click on image to see it larger).

Damn that Virgin Atlantic for playing the April Fools Day card to us vulnerable wedding professionals! Maybe now they will actually offer it, knowing there would be interest in it. Come on Richard, make good on the joke!

-Percy

Website image from Virgin Atlantic

Location Location Location - Casa Barranca in Ojai, CA

I'm giving props to a local estate and vacation rental in my hometown of Ojai, California. This 54 acre craftsman home nestled in the hills of the Ojai Valley is probably one of my favorite rental homes ever! It's called Casa Barranca.

Casa Barranca is surrounded with lush landscaping, incredible views and is the perfect backdrop for a wedding or event. It offers so many options for your event and guests. Additionally, the jaw dropping architecture and furnishings are sure to amaze. If you are staying in the home, you will be pampered not only by the staff but by the location. Talk about a time to relax!

The main house is called the Pratt House and "Architectural Digest notes that in the grace of the Pratt House "...the sun translates the Greenes' structural poetry into ever-shifting patterns of light against polished wood. At night... the silhouette of live oaks is framed against the Milky Way. A closer approximation to Shangri-La is hard to imagine."

Additionally, Casa Barranca also has their own organic vineyard and their wines are fabulous! Accoridng to the Casa Barranca Organic Wine Website, "Our boutique wines are handcrafted in our century old underground stone winery where we use gravity to rack our wines. We are committed to employing winemaking practices without the use of toxic solvents and cleaners. Our winery is powered by solar electricity and we grow and purchase grapes that are farmed without the use of any pesticides or herbicides. This is in keeping with the most time honored traditions of old world winemaking."

Visit the Casa Barranca Website for a virtual tour of the house. If you are interested in checking out this home and other retreat homes in the Ojai Valley, contact Judy Gabriel with Retreats of Ojai and she will be happy to show you what great estates and retreats Ojai has to offer.

-Percy

Photo from Casa Barranca

Bridal Show of All Bridal Shows this Monday 9/22 in Los Angeles

If there is one bridal show you must attend this year, it's The Wedding Salon Wedding Showcase. It's being held this Monday, September 22, 2008 from 4pm - 9pm at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

The cost of the is $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site.

Hope to see you Southern California Brides there!

-Percy

The Wedding Salon Event - 9/22/08 Los Angeles

Hey, you Southern California Brides and Grooms...the best of the best wedding shows is just around the corner and it is coming to Los Angeles!

The Wedding Salon, put on by 4Pm Events, is going to be the must attend luxury wedding showcase of the year. You will get to see the latest products and experience the exceptional services that caters to the sophisticated bride and groom, and maybe you will bump into me...yes I will be checking out all the goings on as well! You will be able to meet with finest companies to plan your wedding as well as experience the spectacular displays of wedding fineries including cakes, gowns, and floral arrangements.

The cost of the event is a mere $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site (the list will continue to grow as the date comes closer). The LA Show will take place on Monday, September 22, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel from 4pm - 9pm. If you are not in the LA area, here is a list of upcoming Wedding Salon shows coming to a city near you.

Wednesday October 22, 2008
New York, NY
Show hours: 4pm - 9pm
Venue: TBD
Address: New York, NY

Monday November 10, 2008
Miami, FL
Show hours: From 4pm -9pm
Venue: The Biltmore Hotel
Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Miami, FL 33134

Have a grand day exploring all the best for your upcoming nuptials. Register today!

-Percy

Logo from The Wedding Salon

For You Honeymooners

For you newlyweds and honeymooners, Condé Nest Traveler has released its 14th Annual Gold List of "The Best Places to Stay in the World."

You will find everything from hotels in the United States to Beijing, China and everywhere, and I mean it literally, in the world. Therefore, if you are looking for a getaway or you're planning your memorable honeymoon, consider looking at the recommendations of the readers of Condé Nest Traveler.

Each hotel on the 14th Annual Gold List will have an overall score from 0-100. Additionally, the listing will give you price points from $ to $$$$, location, photos, and will offer an overview of the property. Also, when you click on a property, it will give you the number of rooms on the property as well as ratings on the rooms, service, food, location, design, and activities at the hotel. It's a pretty overwhelming list, but thoroughly helpful.

Here's to hoping you find a fabulous place to stay. Happy resort hunting!

-Percy

Photo from Condé Nest Traveler

Hot Destinations

The honeymoon is usually the one thing that the married couple looks forward to...a way to unwind and relax from the whirlwind wedding that just had. However, couples are also looking for destinations to host their wedding.

Destination weddings are becoming more and more common. Couples are looking for settings that are more intimate and inviting only a handful of their closest family and friends. They are creating mini vacations for their invitees. What a way to remember a couples wedding day.

Here is my Top Five Hot Destination list for 2008. Maybe it will inspire your own honeymoon or destination wedding.

Percy's Top Five for 2008

1. Quebec City, Canada: Wonderful Old World Charm located in North America. Easy access from anywhere in the United States. Very French and Romantic and the Hotel Frontenac offers an amazing background to this walled city.
2. Santa Barbara, California: Often referred to as the American Riviera, this Spanish inspired town located just north of Los Angeles, offers perfect weather year round with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean.
3. Sorrento, Italy: This lovely town located on the Amalfi Coast is perfect for any destination wedding. Set amongst blooming citrus with that quaint small town feel, you will feel at home even though you are worlds away. Easy Access from Roma (Rome) or Napoli (Naples).
4. Prague, Czech Republic: Prague is what Paris was 40 years ago, though it's quickly becoming the go to place for tourists. It's romantic and dramatic and offers the old world charm without the hustle and bustle of its larger European counterparts. Still it offers many amenities that are still affordable and the backdrop of the city is just breathtaking.
5. Maui, Hawaii: How can you go wrong with Maui? There are so many things to do and the landscape is just wonderful. The town of Hana offers a laid back - tourist free setting, while Kanapali and Kihei offers more of a vibe. Nevertheless, the island itself offers so much for you and your guests that you can't go wrong in choosing this location.

Hopefully this will help you make decisions on your honeymoon or destination wedding. No matter what location you choose, just remember that no matter where you are, the most important thing is that you are there together.

-Percy

Photo from InStyle Weddings