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Honeymoon Inspiration

Luke and Catherine's wedding day. Colour shot of the couple standing facing each other and touching foreheads against a backdrop of yellow corrugated metal. Catherine wears a long sleeved wrap top dress with sparkle thread throughout and Luke wears a black suit and bowtie.

A chilled urban wedding and Sicilian honeymoon adventure

by Rosie Hurwitz April 18, 2023

Today on our blog we chat to travel loving couple Catherine and Luke. They met at school in Coventry in 2008, became a couple in 2011 and have been together for nearly 12 years now. They were due to get married on their 10 year anniversary but had to postpone it by a year because of Covid. However, Catherine says “it was certainly worth the wait and it was lovely to be able to say we were starting off the next decade together as husband and wife!” They married in Birmingham and had the “best day ever” followed by a honeymoon to Sicily, which was made extra special with contributions from their family and friends.

How did you get engaged?

Catherine: We love to travel and had booked a weekend break to explore Baden Baden in Germany back in 2019. We had the most stunning weather and on a mountain walk in the Black Forest Luke proposed. It was a complete shock to me and I had jelly legs the entire way down (which took about 3 hours!) We celebrated by eating pizza & letting all our family & friends know the good news!

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We aren’t very traditional and we wanted a chilled wedding where everyone could have fun. We got married at The Old Library in Digbeth, Birmingham and even though we’ll obviously be biased, it was the best day ever. The whole venue was perfect and it looked stunning on the day, especially after our florist had gone in and worked her magic! We had Greek street food which our guests still talk about now – it really hit the spot. One of our best friends very kindly baked us our wedding cake which was as delicious as it was beautiful. Our photographer was INCREDIBLE and not only did she capture the most gorgeous photos, she put us so at ease and it felt like we’d known her for years. Katie and Sonya made sure my hair and makeup was perfect and the vibes in the hotel room that morning were immaculate! All of our suppliers made our chilled wedding a reality but they also made it so, so special. If we did the day all over again (which we wish we could) we wouldn’t change a single thing.

Did you have a first dance?

No we didn’t. We wanted everyone up on the dance floor for as long as possible as it had felt like such a long time since we could have a big party. We asked our DJ to play Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield as our first song and it certainly did the trick! It was so special to have everyone join us for our “first dance”.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Luke: When Catherine walked down the aisle!

Catherine: I can’t pick just one but the buzz of your wedding day is something else. Seeing how happy Luke and our family and friends were was the best feeling.

Why did you choose Patchwork for your honeymoon fund?

Catherine: I found Patchwork online and loved that it was a way for guests to gift us a contribution to our honeymoon whilst also being pleasing on the eye! It was so easy to set up and use and we loved that guests could gift us specific trips and items. It also made the planning process of our honeymoon loads of fun for us as every time a gift came through we got more and more excited for our trip. A huge bonus was that guests could also leave messages which we kept unread until our flight and read them on the way over to Sicily – it was such a lovely way to start our trip!

What did you invite guests to contribute towards?

We asked for a range of different items and activities ranging from £5 for our gelato fund to £100 for a boat trip. Sicily has so much to do so we included loads of different activities including vintage car hire, winery tours, volcano trips & of course, lots and lots of food.

What did you enjoy most about using Patchwork?

It was so easy to set up and once we had added our items, we didn’t need to do much else. It was all taken care of by Patchwork and we got notifications when anything updated. We linked our page to our wedding website so that guests could easily access it and everyone found it easy to use. We loved that it felt like a much more personal way for our guests to contribute to our honeymoon.

What did your friends and family think?

The feedback was really good. We think the highlights for them were that it was easy to do and they felt like they were contributing to something. We sent postcards to them after our trip & we let them know how we got on with what they had kindly gifted us.

Where did you go on honeymoon and what were the highlights?

We did a tour around Sicily in July/ August. It was the perfect place for us. So much to do, so much to see and so much good food to eat!

We started in Palermo which was such a fun city with great street food. We then went to Agrigento and visited the ancient temples at sunset. After that we headed to Cefalu which was a seaside dream which looked like it belonged in a Disney film. Then we went to the quieter town of Patti and during the days we weren’t lazing in the sun we went on excursions to the Aeolian islands where we visited Stromboli and watched it spit lava (a real bucket list moment!)

To wrap it up we then went and enjoyed Taormina (where The White Lotus was filmed – not that we knew that at the time!) and made delicious pizzas and pasta from scratch.

How did it feel knowing your friends and family had helped make it happen?

We are so grateful to all of our family and friends for our gifts. We love to travel and so knowing that so many of the activities we did whilst on our honeymoon were all thanks to our loved ones made the experiences all the more special.

Do you have a top tip for other couples planning weddings?

It’s your day so do it how you want to. Don’t feel pressured into spending loads of money or doing things just because they are tradition. Set your priorities to what you both want as a couple and the rest will follow. Most of all, enjoy it!

Thanks Catherine and Luke for sharing your amazing wedding day and stunning Sicilian honeymoon adventure with us! We’re so pleased Patchwork could play a part in making your dreams come true. If you’d like to set up a honeymoon fund to Italy or anywhere else in the world come over and chat to us today!

Here are some of the amazing suppliers that helped make Catherine and Luke’s wedding day the best day ever!

Venue: The Old Library, Digbeth

Florist: Willow & Wild Floral Events

Photographer: Blonde Shot Photography

Catering: Aretsi Catering

Catherine’s Dress: Asos

Hair: Sonya Jayne Bridal Hair

MUA: Katie Leanne Make-Up

DJ: Audiohead Events

Photobooth: PhotoMeBooth

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Emily and Steve on their Canadian honeymoon. Selfie shot with lake and mountains in background.

Honeymoon Inspiration Patchwork Couples

A relaxed Staffordshire wedding and Canadian Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz March 14, 2023

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Patchwork couple Emily & Steve first met in October 2010 at university in Reading. They were in the same halls kitchen, becoming good friends first, and then getting together half way through their first year (with much help and encouragement from their friends!) They’ve been together ever since. Both originally from the Midlands, they’ve slowly moved back up the country, since leaving university and are now settled happily in Banbury. Today they tell us all about their gorgeous wedding at The Cowshed at Woodhall Farm, Staffordshire and the amazing Canadian honeymoon adventure they had – with a little help from family and friends!

How did you get engaged?

We were on holiday in San Francisco – Steve was there for a work trip and I joined him for the second week. He’d planned a hike at the Marin Headlands which he’d done with his work pals the week previous saying how amazing the views were. I thought something was going on as we approached a bench near the top and he said ‘let’s just wait for those people to move…’ Once it was quiet, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He’d made a temporary wooden ring which he’d managed to keep hidden. I, of course, said yes! We took in the view and ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we’d made for the walk.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We wanted a wedding that we would have been excited to go to ourselves. The most important things to us were tasty food and everyone having a dance (if they wanted to!) Neither of us like being the centre of attention so we wanted it to be a relaxed day, for us and those invited too. We asked family and friends to help make decorations and set up the day before which meant everyone felt involved in our day – even if it was just cutting out paper leaves!

Did you have a first dance?

We danced to ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by The Police. We didn’t really have a ‘song’, so we put together a playlist of our favourite songs and this one won.

What was your favourite part of the day?

Getting to have all our family and friends in the same room – finally! It was lovely chatting to people and catching up. We haven’t had such a big gathering since pre-covid. Having to cancel twice due to the pandemic meant this had been a long time coming. When I asked Steve he said his favourite part was getting to jump to the front of the queue for Disco Fries!

Why did you choose Patchwork for your honeymoon fund?

I found Patchwork on a wedding blog that was recommending alternative gift giving websites. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t drawn to Patchwork because it looked good. It wasn’t ‘wedding-y’ and we could make our page our own. The best bit was feeling like people were part of our honeymoon planning. It can be a bit awkward asking people, especially friends and family, for money. However this felt fun, and it was great to chat to people about the trip.

What did you invite guests to contribute towards?

We asked for money to put towards our honeymoon in Canada. It was somewhere we’d always wanted to visit and felt like a perfect honeymoon location for us. We put together a list of things we wanted to do whilst we were away – bigger activities like a whale watching trip and smaller items like poutine or brunch – so guests could chose what things they’d like to contribute to.

What did your friends and family think?

They loved it. We had lots of comments about how they hadn’t seen anything like this before and how easy it was to use.

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what were the highlights?

Our adventure started in Vancouver and we spent a few days exploring the city. We walked the coastal path around Stanley Park, and went whale watching off the southern gulf islands. Seeing orcas and humpbacks was just incredible. We took a train through the rockies, arriving the next day in sunny Jasper. The next week was spent exploring the canyons, lakes and mountains of Alberta, finishing in Banff. It’s hard to choose a highlight – every place we visited was amazing, the people so friendly and the food delicious. We had the best time.

How did it feel knowing your friends and family had made it happen?

It was lovely. It felt like they were really part of it too. It was nice to share it with everyone.

And finally, what’s your no.1 top wedding planning tip?

Work out what you both really care about first, and prioritise. It’s your day, you can’t please everybody, so do what you guys love and try not to worry about everyone else.

Thanks so much Emily and Steve for sharing your beautiful words and gorgeous photos of your wedding day and Canadian honeymoon adventure. We’re so glad Patchwork could help you have the trip of a lifetime. If you’d love more love and less stuff for your wedding, you can set up your own honeymoon fund for a Canadian honeymoon or browse our 100s of other honeymoon destinations and start getting excited about your trip!

Here are some of the amazing suppliers that made Emily and Steve’s day extra special:

Venue: Cowshed at Wood Hall Farm

Food: Baked in Brick and Disco Fries

Drinks: Thirsty Nomad Bar

Photographer: Kate Jackson

Flowers: Flowerology

Cake: Made by Steve’s sister!

Outfits: Bride and Bridesmaids Monsoon and Groom and Groomsmen Slaters

Band: The Royale

Hair: Hair by Ellis

Makeup: Soie Makeup Georgina

p.s. you can listen to Emily and Steve’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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A young white woman with long blonde hair and a young white man with short light brown hair and short beard are looking to camera and taking a selfie. She wears a pink bikini and he a white tshirt. Behind them is a wide expanse of Mexican beach and blue sky.

Honeymoon Inspiration Patchwork Couples

A rustic autumn wedding and honeymoon to Mexico

by Rosie Hurwitz October 27, 2022

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Patchwork couple Nick and Becky both grew up in Oxfordshire, and although they argue over the precise time they first met, agree that they were roughly 14 and 15 years old on a night out with mutual friends. Over the next 18 years they would meet at parties, but despite their best efforts, would never be single at the same time. Finally (in their 30s!) they made it on their first date! They got married last year in a rustic autumn celebration in the Hampshire countryside. Instead of traditional gifts, friends and family chipped in to their Patchwork to help them have a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon to Mexico.

How did you get engaged?

In the summer of 2020, when we were finally released from Lockdown #1, we made it out of the country to the l’Occitane region of France. Nick proposed in his favourite spot near his family home, outside the tiny church of Notre-Dame des Grâces that overlooks the beautiful French countryside.

What kind of wedding did you plan?

We got married in a little church, followed by a beautiful barn and Oast house in the Hampshire countryside. It was October, so we wanted the wedding to be autumnal and rustic.

Did you have a first dance?

We danced to ‘Always Remember Us This Way’ from A Star Is Born, the first film we watched together. The lyrics felt perfect!

What was your favourite part of the day?

It’s impossible to choose – everything from getting ready with our girls / boys, to saying our vows in the church, the banquet, the speeches, the party. It was truly the best day of our lives!

Why did you choose Patchwork for your wedding registry and what did you invite guests to fund?

We both agreed that we didn’t need any material things for our house, and that we’re all about the experiences! That’s why we wanted to ask our friends to help us achieve the honeymoon of our dreams with a honeymoon fund for Mexico. After lots of research, Patchwork stood out to us as the best honeymoon site available. What we loved most about Patchwork was how beautiful the ‘patchwork’ looked after we’d chosen all of the pictures and layout. It portrayed so beautifully the adventure that we wanted to go on. Because it didn’t have a rigid template, it could be completely tailored by us.

What did your friends and family think?

We think everyone was pleased to be contributing to our memories and experiences together rather than material things.

What did you do with the wedding gift money you received?

We went on our dream honeymoon to Mexico (we were incredibly lucky because Mexico came off the red list just days beforehand!). We started in Mexico City with the Dia de los Muertos parade (something that’s been on my bucket list forever!), followed by the stunning city of Oaxaca. We then travelled through the Yucatán Peninsula to swim in the cenotes and visit the Mayan temples, and to the beaches of Tulum, before ending on the beautiful little island of Isla Holbox.

How did it feel knowing your friends and family had helped make it happen?

The fact that our friends and family had contributed to our adventure meant that every moment felt extra special, knowing that we would write to them afterwards to let them know just how amazing it had been. It also meant that we didn’t feel guilty enjoying indulgent meals and beautiful hotel rooms along the way!

And finally.. what’s your no.1 wedding planning tip?

Our biggest tip would be to enjoy the preparation! The lead up to the wedding was genuinely one of the most exciting times of our lives and we loved every moment of planning the perfect day. So don’t wish it away or get too stressed!

Thank you Nick & Becky for sharing your gorgeous autumn wedding day with us – and also for some of the best honeymoon pics we’ve seen! We wish you lots more adventures together and every happiness for the future.

If you’d like to create your own honeymoon fund patchwork for Mexico or anywhere else you can think of, come and join thousands of other happy customers using Patchwork for their wedding registries.

Here are some of the amazing suppliers that made Nick and Becky’s day even more special:

Venue: Bury Court

Caterer: Jacaranda

Flowers: Bloomantic

Photographer: Nicola Dixon

Dress: Rue de Seine

Band: Soul Supreme

p.s. you can listen to Nick and Becky’s first dance song on our Spotify playlist, made up of lots of our Patchwork Couples’ first dances.

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Honeymoon Inspiration

Faraway’s Top 5 adventure honeymoon destinations

by Ismay Ozga March 13, 2021

written by Ismay Ozga

Did you know SE4 is a hotbed for honeymoon fanatics? Fellow Brockley residents Al and Helen are the founders of Faraway, a travel company that specialises in giving busy people – especially newlyweds – bespoke and unforgettable honeymoons and escapes.

As a recently married couple in their thirties who love to travel, they get how important your honeymoon is. They also know that most of us don’t have the time to do all the research and legwork required to make it the extraordinary adventure we dream of (especially on top of organising a wedding!) – which is where Faraway comes in.

Helen and Al dropped in to the Patchwork studio for a cuppa earlier this week. Whilst they were here, they shared their top 5 honeymoon destinations for a unique honeymoon that is equal parts romance and adventure:

Colombia

If you’re dreaming of the sunshine and swaying palms of the Caribbean but with something a little “extra” (because, hey – it’s your honeymoon!), we suggest taking a look at Colombia.

Splash your way along the northern coastline, before going hiking or horse-riding into the coffee region, and getting off-grid in a remote jungle lodge deep in the Amazon rainforest. If you’re into cities, make time for Bogota, with its excellent museums and restaurant scene. Then the comeback city of Medellin, where you can hop in a cable car for less than a fiver and enjoy the best views of the city from high up in the hills. Finally, don’t miss the old town of Cartagena – where you’ll find beautiful hotels, cobbled streets and the perfect spot for sundowners up on the city walls.

With so much to see and do, Colombia definitely works on its own. But, our couples often head off on honeymoons of three weeks or so. Many choose to combine it with Ecuador’s volcanoes and cloudforests, or a tropical island or two off the coast of Panama.

Rwanda

For wildlife enthusiasts with the budget to splurge, there are few better options for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon than Rwanda. Begin with a day or two exploring Kigali (Africa’s cleanest – and perhaps calmest – city). Spend an afternoon at the genocide museum, which pays tribute to the victims and shares uplifting stories of how the country has overcome an intensely painful period.

Then head to Volcanoes National Park, where local guides will take you trekking deep into the jungle for an up-close, wild encounter with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Rwanda is a leader in combining conservation and community tourism, so you’ll receive a big warm welcome in the local villages too.

If you can’t imagine a honeymoon without a bit of beach time, we’re with you! Rwanda is relatively small – so, you should have plenty of time to hop across to Tanzania for a barefoot Indian Ocean escape. Choose between Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba or even Fanjove – depending on how remote you want to go.

Argentina

The ultimate destination for active couples who adore wine, steak and un-be-lieve-able landscapes. Go horse-riding and wine-tasting in the foothills of the Andes, ice-trek across the glaciers of Patagonia, and go whale-watching at the coast. Then, head over to Buenos Aires and tango the night away in San Telmo before catching a football game at La Bombonera (it’s all about compromise, right?).

Argentina is vast and packed with different experiences, so you can easily spend a few weeks there. Otherwise, you might like to combine it with one of its neighbours – choose between Chile’s deserts and lakes, Uruguay’s windswept beaches, or hop over into Brazil to see the majestic Iguazu Falls from both sides.

Sri Lanka

If you haven’t been to Sri Lanka, your honeymoon could be the perfect opportunity to visit this popular and stunning island, just southeast of India. The list of options to explore is almost endless: lush waterfalls, abundant wildlife, endless beaches, temples and tea. Add to this friendly locals, fantastic food and beautiful places to stay – from luxurious retreats to cute b&bs – and it’s a pretty irresistible choice.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry suffered a big blow with the terrorism attacks earlier this year. Now it’s beginning to bounce back, not only will you be showing your support to a destination that needs it, you may well find this gem without the crowds who had been flocking there in recent years (no promises, though!).

The Maldives are a relatively short hop away too – making them a popular add-on, if you’re dreaming about that quintessential honeymoon-villa-on-stilts experience.

Malawi

We’re particularly fond of helping couples discover places that encourage you to unplug and feel ‘far away’ from life at home together – and Malawi definitely ticks those boxes.

It might be an unusual choice for a honeymoon, but we think this landlocked African gem is pretty perfect for cool couples who are into sustainable luxury, friendly locals and an authentic, relaxed vibe. As a bonus, phone signal is almost non-existent so you can truly escape just the two of you. And what could be more romantic than that?

Combine a castaway island on shimmering Lake Malawi (as it’s your honeymoon – may we suggest Mumbo or Likoma) with a safari in an unspoilt wilderness reserve and some time exploring in the highlands. Time it right, and you can incorporate the award-winning Lake of Stars festival too.

Think you’d like some help with your honeymoon? At Faraway we create bespoke escapes you’ll never forget; so, you can enjoy your wedding celebrations knowing you have a life-changing honeymoon ahead of you.
We offer all couples a free call, so you can get to know us first.
Team Faraway x

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Skiier on pristine snow covered mountainside, Iceland

Honeymoon Inspiration

Land of extremes – an Icelandic honeymoon adventure

by Rosie Hurwitz October 14, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Our friends at luxury travel agent Go Bespoke share some of the team’s top recommendations for an Icelandic honeymoon in this guest post. It’s just 3 hours and 10 minutes flying time from London to Reykjavík. This land of extremes promises plenty of unforgettable experiences and memories for adventurous honeymooners. And with a Patchwork honeymoon fund, your friends and family can chip in to help make it even more spectacular!

What makes Iceland perfect for honeymooning couples?

Iceland is quite simply like nowhere else on earth. An arctic wilderness dotted with volcanic peaks, geysers, glacial rivers and geothermal lagoons. It is the perfect destination for honeymoon adventure seekers. For those who also like a dose of culture, the thrill of the wild is matched by the vibrancy of the capital city, Reykjavík. The city’s downtown area can be walked in less than a day.

There’s is plenty to discover, including cutting edge galleries, a burgeoning restaurant scene and lively nightlife. Whether Icelandic micro beers or cool cocktails are your thing, you’ll find plenty of choice. Stroll the streets to encounter an enchanting mix of old and new. The small painted houses rubbing shoulders with boutique hotels and stunning contemporary architecture such as Harpa – the city’s concert hall and home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.

Image credit Thomas Malik

What are the best times of year to go on an Icelandic honeymoon?

The summer months from June to August offer plenty of daylight hours for outdoor adventures such as cycling, hiking and whale watching. It is effectively light for the whole 24-hour period, but the sun does set for around three hours per day. Therefore, make sure you’ve packed eye masks if you are visiting in the summer months! Book between October and April to be in with a chance of spotting the iconic Northern Lights. With the weather at its crispest, prepare to witness some breath-taking winter scenery. There are partially frozen waterfalls, dramatic icebergs and ice fields.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland — Image credit: Valeriia Bugaiova

What are your top tips for the best places to stay in Iceland?

Kvosin Hotel, Reykjavik

Explore the charm of the city from this fabulous boutique hotel. It’s located in the historic Kirkjuhvoll building in the heart of downtown Reykjavík. Built in 1900 Kvosin Hotel is a former townhouse which has been beautifully renovated with Scandi-style interiors. It makes the perfect base for spending a romantic city break for a couple of nights.

Book the ‘Big Room’ category if you’d prefer a bit more space. It offers an added lounge area and a marble-topped kitchenette perfect for in-room snacking.

Price: From £233 per night

Deplar Farm, Troll Peninsula

It doesn’t get more off-grid than this converted sheep farm in the remote Flijót Valley. There are just 12 luxurious suites to choose from. The farm’s mountainous location in the Troll Peninsula means it is ideal for outdoor honeymoon adventures. Activties range from heli ski-ing, hiking, horse-riding, salmon fishing to sea kayaking – not to mention viewing the Aurora Borealis. You can also spend your stay kicking back in the spa. You can hop from the geothermal-heated indoor/outdoor pool to the Isopod flotation tanks. There’s an outdoor Viking sauna or you canprop up the swim-up bar under the midnight sun.

Deplar Farm is about 5 hours from Reykjavík’s Keflavík Airport, or 150km from Akureyri Airport. You can also arrive by helicopter onto the farm’s own landing strip!

Price: From £2,200 per night (price includes meals, local transfers and two guide-led activities per day).

The Retreat Hotel At Blue Lagoon, Grindavik

This fabulous all-suite property is located in the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark. It’s about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from the centre of Reykjavík. Stay at The Retreat Hotel and you will gain access to The Blue Lagoon. This is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. It ranks in the top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic and definitely one for the honeymoon bucket list. The mineral-rich waters there are the perfect temperature for bathing in, measuring 39 degrees all-year round. You will experience the exhilarating ritual that uses the lagoon’s silica, algae and minerals to rejuvenate even the most exhausted honeymooners!

The Retreat Hotel also has its own subterranean Retreat Spa and private Lagoon which you can exclusively access during your stay.

Price: From £1,100 per night in a Lagoon View Junior Suite. Including breakfast, unlimited use of the Retreat Spa, Retreat Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon, morning yoga, and a 7-course dinner for two at the Michelin-rated Moss Restaurant.

And your top tips for unforgettable Icelandic honeymoon experiences?

Soar over the Icelandic Highlands by private helicopter
Take a private boat excursion among the icebergs of the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
Book a private Snowmobile tour on the spectacular Langjökull glacier followed by a picnic lunch
Visit the waterfalls of Gullfoss and Skógafoss
Explore the vast black sandy beaches of the south coast on a private Super Jeep tour
Walk alongside the North American tectonic plate and Eurasian plate at UNESCO heritage site, Thingvellir National Park
Experience the spouting hot spring at Geysir.

Wow, well we’re certainly adding Iceland to our hot (or maybe not so hot) list! If you’re feeling inspired to plan an Icelandic honeymoon, use Patchwork. You can invite family and friends to treat you to experiences that will make your trip even more special.

Whether it’s £5 for a coffee, £70 towards a whale watching trip, or £150 for some sub-zero scuba diving, your friends and family will love to know they are treating you to the things you really want.

For more information about planning a honeymoon in Iceland, contact Go Bespoke on 020 8935 5779 or email the team at [email protected] quoting ‘Patchwork’.

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Image of painted blue and green doorway with bicycle and cactus plants next to it

Honeymoon Inspiration

Original Travel’s slow travel honeymoon destinations for 2021

by Rosie Hurwitz September 29, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Planning your perfect adventure and choosing that dream honeymoon destination in which to kick off married life can be a tough decision at the best of times, but add in a global pandemic and things get a little more complicated. So Original Travel have come up with a few of their top picks for off-the-beaten-path honeymoon destinations, where you can escape the crowds and even – in some cases – avoid getting on a plane at all.

Ancient site of Nemrut Dagi, Turkey honeymoon destination — Stone faces at the ancient site of Nemrut Dagi, Turkey

Explore Eastern Turkey

If the idea of spending your honeymoon lying on a beach and never leaving the hotel is entirely unappealing, then E astern Turkey is probably the polar opposite, and so might be just for you. This is a honeymoon destination for culture vultures and history buffs, those who love sinking their teeth into a destination and really discovering all it has to offer. Turkey’s lesser-explored eastern region is filled with fascinating Christian history, including the final resting place of Noah’s Ark, Mount Ararat. Another highlight is visiting the earliest religious structure ever discovered – Gobekli Tepe, which is an archaeological site thought to date back to around 10,000 BC. You could also add on some time in Cappadocia, a region known for its iconic ‘fairy chimneys’ and other unusual rock formations – a sunset over this spectacular landscape is a sure-fire way to inject some extra romance into your honeymoon.

Zambezi river from the air

A Secluded Safari in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Have you always dreamed of spending your honeymoon on safari, but would rather go somewhere a little more off-the-beaten-path than the classics such as Kenya or South Africa? Then may we present Zimbabwe and Zambia. Think small luxury camps, secluded game drives (without the hoards of 4x4s you might find in some other top safari spots), the best guides in the business and romantic dinners under the stars in the middle of the bush. This honeymoon destination will serve you sunsets right on the Zambezi river – keep an eye out for hippos and other wildlife! Then top the honeymoon off with an unforgettable visit to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World for a very good reason.

Slow travel Italian style

Italy may not exactly fit the ‘off-the-beaten-path’ honeymoon criteria, but if you’re looking for a flight-free, slow travel honeymoon destination then heading to Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, by train might be the perfect option. At Original Travel, we are big fans of taking the slower route, and really enjoying the scenery along the way, and travelling by train allows just that, as well as being a much more eco-friendly alternative to flying.

Puglia is one of our all-time favourite spots in Italy, and one that hasn’t yet been totally overrun by tourists. Expect countryside dotted with ancient olive trees, beautiful baroque architecture in every town and village throughout the region, wonderful unspoilt stretches of coastline, and fantastic food that even other Italians acknowledge is the best in the country (praise indeed). In short, all of Italy’s best bits, but without the crowds – to us that sounds like the perfect honeymoon option in this strange corona-era (or any era for that matter).

Romance in Romania

Romania couldn’t be much further from the classic beach honeymoon destination if it tried, but if it’s authentic, memorable experiences in a beautiful setting that is virtually untouched by tourists, this could be just the answer. A trip to Transylvania is almost like travelling back in time, offering the chance to reconnect with nature and everything around you, which sounds like a very appropriate way to spend your honeymoon in our opinion. Spend your days getting to know local families, visiting craftsmen and artisans to learn about their trades and hiking through the stunning Piatra Craiului National Park (part of the Carpathian mountain range), all while staying in charming guesthouses and taking the time to truly slow down and live in the moment. This is also another destination that can be reached from the UK entirely by train, so fits the bill if you are looking to travel flight-free.

Taktshang Goemba, Tiger nest monastery, Bhutan — Tiger nest monastery, Bhutan

A Himalayan Honeymoon in Bhutan

If it’s eco-friendly travel you’re after, Bhutan ticks the box brilliantly. 70% of the country is covered by forest, which means that it soaks up more carbon than it emits, in turn making Bhutan the world’s only carbon negative country. Spend your honeymoon here visiting Bhutan’s ancient monasteries, soaking up the traditional Buddhism steeped culture and trekking through this pristine Himalayan environment.

While the country may have so far escaped the twin forces of globalisation and overtourism, there is luckily no shortage of luxury hotels dotted throughout the mountain valleys of Bhutan, so you will have a suitably luxurious place to rest your heads. The only downside on the eco-front is that unless you’ve got a very generous annual leave allowance, reaching Bhutan by train might be a stretch too far, so flying is really the only option (but luckily for you, Original Travel offsets all the carbon from our clients’ flights, so you can do this guilt-free).

Patchwork Honeymoon Fund honeymoon destination

If that’s inspired you to start planning your honeymoon, use Patchwork to ask guests to help treat you to experiences that will make it extra special. Whether it’s £10 for a bowl of orecchiette in Puglia, £50 towards a day’s hiking in Romania, or £150 towards a private game drive in Zambia, your guests will love to contribute to the activities that mean the most to you. Customise one of our templates (we have over 100 different honeymoon destinations) or start your own bespoke page from scratch.

Original Travel are working to instil confidence in people booking any sort of holidays at the moment, by ensuring flexibility in booking dates and destinations (in case travel advice changes) and offering travel insurance that covers coronavirus curtailment.

And of course if you use Patchwork honeymoon fund to collect gift money from friends and family, you have complete control of your money and total flexibility on where, when and how you spend it.

The top image in this post is courtesy of Giulia Zanca

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Natasha of AllCall Travel, standing in Dolomites, Italy

Honeymoon Inspiration

Hidden Gems for The Perfect Venice Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz September 7, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Natasha, founder of AllCall Travel has written this guest post to share some hidden gems in Venice. Read on for an unbeatable mix of “off the beaten track” and classic Italian opulence, to help you plan your post-Covid honeymoon trip of a lifetime.

Honeymoon planning can be tough. You want to decompress from the day—too much family time, endless planning, and inevitable stress—but you also want a trip of the lifetime that fulfills every vacation hope and dream. Right? I get it.

A few years ago my husband and I road tripped through northern Italy. Milan to Lake Como to the Dolomites to Venice. It wasn’t our honeymoon, but it was beautifully planned if I do say so myself! I love planning great vacations and know how broken the whole process is. That’s why I started Allcall. It can be hard to plan a trip, to find the hidden gems that make it feel like you’re truly experiencing a destination. Especially in famously romantic places like Venice.

I’d love to share a few tips and finds from my trip. Hopefully, they will help with your own Venice planning.

First stop – the Dolomites

First suggestion, spend a few nights in the Dolomite mountain range before heading to Venice. Just a three hour drive from Venice, this region of Northern Italy left me totally awestruck. A mix of Italian, Austrian, and Swiss culture, it’s like no other area in Italy. Stay at Terra The Magic Place. A sister and brother duo run this Relais & Chateaux property with a 2-star Michelin restaurant in the lobby. Whether you go in the winter to ski or in the summer to hike, you’ll find yourself totally in love, with both your partner and the region.

Woman walking away from camera with view of the Dolomites, Italy ahead go her

If you are looking for a real adventure, hike to Lago di Sorapis. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s 7 miles I’ll never forget and the drive in is world class.

Next stop – Mini road trip to Venice

Then make your way to Venice. If you are driving, there is a rental car drop off right over the Ponte della Libertà bridge, connecting Venice to the mainland. It’s easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! Drop your car; you’ll be on foot or boat for the remainder of your trip. (P.S. take the speed limit seriously on the bridge to avoid collecting tickets along the way, it’s all radar monitored. And trust, you’ll be getting Italian bills in the mail for years to come.)

Neighborhoods to live like a local in Venice

Let’s talk neighborhoods. My personal favorites are Cannaregio and Castello. Both feel like areas where people actually live. You’ll rub elbows with locals while enjoying a glass of vino at little cafes and wine bars or shopping at the butcher and market. Unlike San Marco, it is not tourist central. I do suggest an afternoon in San Marco to check out of the famed Piazza and Saint Mark’s Basilica. Grab a coffee at 300+ year old Caffè Florian, just don’t expect an off-the-beaten path feel in this area.

Buildings and architecture in Castello, Venice, Italy

Eating and drinking in Venice

My favorite restaurant in Cannaregio is Il Paradiso Perduto, if you are looking for a genuinely good time, great cheap drinks, and excellent seafood, look no further. This spot is filled with loud, young, rowdy Italians and you’ll have a blast. There are only 2 time slots for dinner, make sure to call ahead to get reservations. You won’t be sat on time, so don’t come starving. Do come ready to drink.

Exterior exhibit at Peggy Guggenheim Collection

My favorite restaurant in Castello is Al Covo. This family-owned restaurant is perfect for a white tablecloth dinner, when you feel like getting all dressed up. The fresh pasta is what you dream about when you plan a vacation to Italy, and the seafood is what you expect when you plan a trip to Venice. There’s a reason it’s included in the Michelin Guide. The Castello neighborhood is also home to Giardini della Biennale, which hosts the Biennale Art Festival every year. But it’s worth checking out year round, even just for amazing views and peaceful surroundings.

Snacks and beers on table by window at Bar All Arco, Venice, Italy

One of the things I love about Venice is the mom-and-pop bars that offer 3€ beer, wine, and aperol spritz paired with cichettis. Cichettis are basically mini open faced sandwiches topped with all types of incredible local ingredients, like fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drenched in olive oil or fresh sliced white fish with green olives. You’ll find spots like this all over the island, but two worth checking out are Bar All’Arco (a must) and Osteria Al Squero. Osteria Al Squero is conveniently located next to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which is also a must.

I love these little bars, but sometimes you want to feel the full opulence of the city and for that I recommend grabbing a cocktail at the Aman Venice. It’s what you would expect, extremely over the top and high-end in all the right ways. Grab a drink by the water or at the bar, either way you’ll be pleased.

Aman, Venice, interior of building with stained glass windows and grand staircase

And lastly…

It can be tough to find those gems in Venice that aren’t pummelled with tourists and selfie sticks. But I promise, they exist. A few closing pieces of advice. Be sure to have a shortlist of places you know you want to go beforehand, otherwise it can be easy to fall into a tourist trap. Be prepared to walk, you’ll find spots you never could have had on a list and moments where the beauty of the city comes to life in unexpected ways.

Venice Patchwork honeymoon fund in an iPad

Feeling inspired? Make it happen!

Set up a Patchwork page inviting your guests to contribute to specific activity on your trip. From a night in a luxury hotel to a gondola ride, a gourmet dinner for two, to the biggest gelato in Venice, your friends and family will love to know they’ve treated you to an unforgettable experience. Use one of our easy to customise templates to set up your Venice honeymoon page or create your own bespoke adventure by setting up a page from scratch! When you’re ready to book your honeymoon, contact Natasha at AllCall for expert advice. You can see a full list of her recommendations, including favorite lodging options at any price-point on Allcall, or if you are looking for something more custom, join the Allcall Travel Club.

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Honeymoon Inspiration Patchwork Perspective

Adventure and Romance on a Costa Rica Honeymoon

by Rosie Hurwitz August 12, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

Combining adventure and romance, Costa Rica is a favourite with Patchwork couples planning dream honeymoons for 2021 and beyond. Britt from The Honeymoon Fixer has written this guest post to share her top tips for planning an unforgettable Costa Rica honeymoon. So, if you’re setting up a Patchwork honeymoon fund and asking guests to treat you to some once in a lifetime honeymoon experiences, read on for some ideas to make your Costa Rica patchwork come alive…

From beach to rainforest and everything in between.

This tiny country never fails to delight and has become one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. Specialist travel company, The Honeymoon Fixer highly recommend Costa Rica as it has so much to offer. A proper tropical paradise with beautiful beaches, turquoise seas, gorgeous sunsets, pristine rainforests, amazing wildlife and stunning scenery. For couples that are concerned about sustainability Costa Rica is perfect. Many locations are eco-friendly, employ local people and are conscious about their practices.

With it’s fantastic selection of places to stay and plenty of activities on offer Costa Rica has something for everyone. Whether you are wanting to indulge in an adventure, take part in sporting activities or just spend time relaxing in a luxurious hotel in a beautiful, romantic setting.

Image courtesy of Costa Rica Tourist Board

Top activities to make your Costa Rica honeymoon unforgettable

If you’re tempted to book a honeymoon in Costa Rica, here are a few excursions for adventure and romance that The Honeymoon Fixer recommends:

• Visit Corcovado National Park to see howler monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws and other wonderful wildlife in their natural habitat.

• Enjoy the famous Tabacon thermal mineral springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

• Hike to the Rio Celeste waterfall and be amazed by the beautiful bright blue colours.

A Costa Rica Patchwork Honeymoon Fund views on an iPad

• Don’t miss The Chocolate Forest Experience. This includes a walk through a cacao plantation and trying some delicious organic chocolate. The day ends at sunset with a chocolate and wine tasting overlooking the Caribbean coast.

• Climb to the stunning blue grotto at Punta Uva.

• Have lunch at La Paz Waterfall and afterwards take a leisurely stroll through the gardens.

• See the nocturnal wildlife in action on an evening tour at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Turtle heading for the sea on Costa Rica beach

• Head to the Lankaster Botantical Gardens. They’re full of fabulous plants and particularly known for their orchids.

• From July to October you can watch turtles nesting Tortuguero beach.

• Relax on a pristine sandy beach in one of the gorgeous secluded coves at Playa Chiquita. You can enjoy snorkelling around the reef.

Feeling inspired? Let’s go!

If this post has inspired you to plan a Costa Rica honeymoon, Patchwork can help! Instead of traditional wedding gifts, invite friends and family to help fund a visit to the Arenal Volcano, lunch at La Paz waterfall or cocktails for two on a stunning beach! Then once you’re ready to book your trip, contact The Honeymoon Fixer. To find out more about Costa Rica and the latest situation with Covid-19 it is advisable to get in touch with your travel consultant or check current government advice.

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View over Southlawn, Maunalani Resort, Hawaii

Honeymoon Inspiration

Insider tips for Exploring Canada & Hawaii

by Rosie Hurwitz August 10, 2020

written by Rosie Hurwitz

This guest post is for couples looking for a mix of action & beach-time, the combination of Canada’s westernmost province, British Colombia (BC), and America’s 50th state, Hawaii, is hard to beat. Julie from luxury travel experts My Native, takes us exploring for the perfect Canada and Hawaii honeymoon…

Wooden cabins on stilts over water, Canada

What should couples expect from British Colombia?

Meander through the markets, boutiques & cafes of downtown Vancouver
Vancouver is home to some fabulous microbreweries; take advantage of the city’s free bikes to tour the craft breweries on two wheels. We’ll provide you with a map of our favourites. If you’re more of a foodie, our gastronomy tour of Vancouver won’t disappoint.
Floatplane into British Columbia’s most remote lodge, Nimmo Bay
Take a yoga class on the dock
Soak in a cedar hot tub beneath a towering waterfall
Learn how to fly-fish
Paddle board or kayak across the world’s most tranquil waters
Enjoy a guided hike in the Great Bear Rainforest
Spot humpback and orca whales
Head to Whistler for some adrenaline-packed heli-hiking & white water-rafting

Men in large canoe, Maunalani Resort, Hawaii

Perfectly connected – from Vancouver to Hawaii

Just a 5-hour flight from Vancouver, head to Hawaii for some R&R. And when you’ve tired of the beach, learn to surf, paddle an outrigger, swim in the island’s seven sacred pools (& waterfalls), snorkel, dive, and join the ‘Morning Ocean swim clinic’ if you’re an early-riser! We’re excited about the brand-spanking-new Auberge Mauna Lani on Big Island; their beachfront bungalows with private pools are hard to beat for couples looking for privacy. If you prefer a smaller, quieter, boutique property – aka, no children – consider Hotel Wailea on Maui. Their ocean-view suites and pool-side cabanas are divine. And if you have time to combine two islands, we’d definitely recommend it.

Surfshack, Maunalani Resort, Hawaii — Image by Steelblue

What should couples expect from Hawaii?

Manta Ray Night Snorkel on Big Island. Set sail as the sun goes down on a private catamaran in search of gentle manta rays;
Volcanos With a Geologist on Big Island. Keep an eye out for glowing lava rivers and lakes on a helicopter flight over Volcanoes National Park. Then, join a geologist for a hike through the park to see active volcanic features such as craters and cinder cones up close!
Ranch Horseback Ride on Maui. At this secluded hilltop ranch, join your cowboy guide for a private horseback ride along a rugged path that winds its way through a scenic valley towards the Pacific Ocean.

Image by Steelblue

Want to go? Here’s how

Set up a Patchwork page inviting your guests to contribute to specific activity on your trip – from bear watching to white water rafting, a massage on the beach, to cocktails at sunset, your guests will love to know they’ve treated you to an unforgettable experience. Use one of our easy to customise templates to set up your Canada honeymoon page or your Hawaii honeymoon page or create your own bespoke adventure by setting up a page from scratch! When you’re ready to book your honeymoon, My Native delivers exceptional luxury and travel experiences and is focused on providing a truly unique and bespoke holiday. Contact Julie at My Native and she will create a tailor-made adventure just for you.

Fast facts:

Flight times: London to Vancouver is 9 hours direct, & Vancouver to Hawaii is 5 hours direct.
Best time of year to travel: June – September

There are no direct flights back to the UK from Hawaii so, on your way home, stop off in San Francisco for a few nights of California cool in our favourite US city.

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Hammock over water with over water villas in background, The Maldives

Honeymoon Inspiration

Why choose a honeymoon in the Maldives?

by Ismay Ozga March 9, 2020

written by Ismay Ozga

Grace from Turquoise Holidays has written this guest post to share her reasons why you just can’t beat the Maldives as a honeymoon destination. For complete relaxation, indulgence and getting-away-from-it-all, it can’t be topped. If you’re setting up a Patchwork honeymoon fund and asking guests to treat you to some once in a lifetime honeymoon experiences, read on for some inspiration to really bring your Maldives honeymoon patchwork to life…

Gin-clear waters. Cashmere-soft beaches. Rustic-chic overwater bungalows. Tropical island seclusion. The Maldives boasts all of the dreamy ingredients that feature in a honeymooner’s fantasy honeymoon and at Turquoise Holidays, we believe you can’t beat it as the ideal relaxing escape for newly weds to enjoy after a hectic few days getting married.

private sandbank picnic on white sand beach with turquoise water, the Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

The perfect post-wedding recharge.

A honeymoon is a holiday you’ve probably been thinking about before you even got engaged. Of course, your wedding is one of the biggest single days of your life you’ll ever have to plan for and a Maldives honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to recharge and begin your married life with some romance in paradise. All of the wedding planning, menu tastings, music selections and endless ‘wedmin’ can seem stressful, but we’re sure your minds are also dreaming of white sands, turquoise waters and cocktails at the same time!

Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Privacy, pampering and escape.

Who can blame you? Those tiny Maldivian islands are akin to gorgeous green droplets in an ocean of blue, places where you can lie in huge, luxurious beds draped in white linens listening to the sound of crystal-clear wavelets lapping the pristine beach. They’re accessible only by speedboats and tiny seaplanes so privacy is guaranteed – an essential part of any honeymoon. When you’re there, you can expect fabulous dining, dreamy overwater infinity pools and out-of-this-world bathrooms, some with glass-bottomed bathtubs for you to peer into the ocean below. Endless pampering by each resort’s attentive staff will make you feel like a celebrity, too.

View looking across shallow turquoise water to over water villas, the Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Living room of overwater villa in the Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Overwater villa or beach villa? Decisions, decisions…

There are two ways to honeymoon in the Maldives – beach villas and overwater villas. Each type can come with our without private pools and both have gorgeous bathrooms. Overwater villas, of course, have direct access to the lagoon and you can sit on your outside decking watching rays and sharks glide by quietly. It’s truly captivating! It goes without saying that the overwater bungalows are iconic but beach villas offer the edge when it comes to space and privacy. If you’re staying for a week or more, we’d recommend splitting your time across both room types, so you can get the best of both worlds. It also helps to not blow the budget out the water!

Sunset at Palm Beach, The Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Over water bar at sunset, the Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

A feast for the senses.

Every day in the Maldives is like a feast for the senses and while you can easily just relax on its postcard-perfect beaches, the Maldives is also somewhere you can indulge in a variety of activities. There’s plenty of incredible snorkelling and diving, where you can swim alongside reef sharks, tropical fish and turtles, while cocktail classes, romantic sunset cruises, cookery lessons, yoga and beach picnics will all ensure boredom is never close to setting in. For the foodies who are needing to treat themselves after the pre-wedding diet, each hotel has an array of restaurants serving a multitude of cuisines – some even have underwater restaurants for the added ‘wow’ factor!

Table set for breakfast on beach, overlooking turquoise ocean, The Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Where to stop off enroute to paradise.

The Maldives is also a great destination for twinning with other places, should you want to add another dimension to your honeymoon. Destinations in the Middle East like Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Oman, as well as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore, all add colour and an exciting contrast, as well as being simple connections to the Maldives.
The Maldives is a truly beautiful collection of islands, which live up to the hype and what you see in the glossy brochures and on Instagram. It’s the perfect backdrop to any honeymoon and one which is no less than you deserve after a hectic wedding. It’s time to put your feet up in paradise!

Romantic outdoor jacuzzi on deck of over water villa, the Maldives — Image courtesy of Turquoise Holidays

Feeling inspired to go to the Maldives?

If this post has inspired you to plan a trip to the Maldives, Patchwork can help! Instead of traditional wedding gifts, invite friends and family to help fund a night in an over water villa or cocktails for two! Then once you’re ready to book your trip, contact The Turquoise Holiday Company. With 18 years’ experience and specialists in the Maldives, the team can help you craft your perfect tailor-made holiday to paradise. Visit Turquoise Holidays to book, or call 01494 678400.

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