Your West Midlands Wedding - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 66)

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS If the darker evenings and cold mornings just make you want to hibernate, then the decadent ‘Behind Closed Doors’ winter honeymoon package from Blakes Hotel London will help you to hibernate in style! Upon entering one of Blakes’ beautifully designed suites, couples can abandon their layers, slip on Kiki De Montparnasse silk pyjamas and jump into the king-sized bed. For the ultimate ‘do not disturb’ experience, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in-room, with unlimited room service. This includes oysters – a known aphrodisiac – along with chocolate pastries and a Laurent Perrier Champagne Jereboam that can be enjoyed in the room or in a luxurious bathtub. Find out more at blakeshotels.com/offers/ behind-closed-doors KUONI’S TOP 10 Top luxury travel firm Kuoni has recently released its 2020 travel hotlist, providing plenty of new destination inspiration for soon-to-be-weds. Exploring countries beyond the well- trodden tourist trails is a key theme for the year ahead, so Kuoni has created more travel options to places including India, Africa, Canada, the USA and Italy for couples who want to see the world’s natural wonders in lesser-known regions, national parks and states. Destinations tipped for increased bookings in 2020 include:  1. India, beyond the Golden Triangle 2. Zimbabwe, back after years of political instability 3. USA, direct flight to Charleston and Portland increase demand for fly-drives 4. Indian Ocean, 16 new hotels added for 2020  5. Greece, luxury credentials on the up  6. Colombia, added to its escorted touring programme 7. Japan, the buzz continues for the Olympic Year 8. The Caribbean, new hotel openings  9. Canada, escape the crowds in winter 10. Italy, slow travel in the regions of Puglia and Basilicata Colombia features for the first time in Kuoni’s escorted touring collection, with a 12-night tour taking in the country’s coffee-growing region and UNESCO- listed old town of Cartagena.  Hotel openings in Antigua raise the bar for luxury with Hammock Cove and its collection of ultra-modern pool villas due to open in December, while in Mauritius the new adults-only Lagoon Attitude has a strong sustainable ethos. Luxury credentials in Greece are on the up for 2020 with the Angsana in Corfu a notable addition – an offshoot of the Banyan Tree brand, it is cool and contemporary and mimics a classic Greek hilltop village.  Find out more at kuoni.co.uk EXPLORE SOUTH AMERICA What could be more romantic than viewing the solar eclipse in Argentina and Chile in December 2020? Luxury travel firm Hayes & Jarvis invites couples to explore these captivating countries with its Patagonia discovery tour. Beginning in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, the tour will continue on a magical journey including hiking on the still-growing Perito Moreno Glacier, a catamaran cruise across the Biosphere Reserve of Tierra del Guero, a whale-watching cruise, seeing Magellan penguins and unbelievable scenery along the way. For further details visit hayesandjarvis.co.uk TREAT YOURSELF Discover the stunning south coast of Mauritius on your honeymoon while staying at one of the island’s newest luxury hotel openings – the Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort and Villas. Fringed by acres of sugarcane and the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort is ideal for newlyweds, boasting the signature Anantara Spa, an array of exotic dining options and numerous stylish suites. If relaxing by the pool isn’t your thing, there are plenty of more adventurous pursuits nearby, from hiking and quad biking to zip-lining. Find out more at anantara.com 111 HONEYMOON NEWS