18 SPECIAL FEATURE:
18 SPECIAL FEATURE: HONEYMOONS ADVERTORIAL © AleksandarNakic / E+ - Getty Images © StevanZZ / iStock / Getty Images Plus - Getty Images © QQ7 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - Getty Images Coppia a Positano, Italy Isola dei Pescatori, Lago Maggiore, Isole Borromee, Italy Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy Amore in Italia Italy leads “Top Honeymoon Destinations” lists The romantic aspects of Italy, along with its incredible history and countryside have yet again put the country highest on many travel professionals’ “Top Honeymoon Destinations”. In Italy, in addition to renowned destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, indeed, almost everywhere, the countryside and villages evoke images of another world and another time. At ITB China, visitors can discover more about Piedmont - with Lago d’Orta, Tuscany as a blockbuster destination with Florence, Venice, and also with the Palladio’s Villas near Vicenza, and Trieste and its surroundings. One mustn’t overlook the Amalfi Coast and Apulia masserie as examples of different destinations. Breathtaking lakes region north of Milan, with Lake Como and Lake Maggiore attracting honeymooners from around the globe. Indeed, savvy travel planners are today seeking more original “off the beaten track” destinations. Here are a couple of other new ideas… VENETO: THE LAND OF ROMEO AND JULIETTE Imagine a romantic escape in Verona, the city of love made famous by Romeo and Juliet, or proposing in a Renaissance villa or ancient castle in the Prosecco hills. Veneto offers countless dream locations for romantic couples. What about a honeymoon on the Lake Garda or in Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, an unforgettable wedding in the magic setting of Venice. UMBRIA: NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE Ever changing untouched landscapes in the green of winding valleys make Umbria a region that will never fail to amaze. Umbria is an excellent place for an unforgettable honeymoon. It is a place where time stood still, a region full of traditions, art and history, but also with excellent wines of Montefalco and Torgiano Umbria is renowned for its genuine local food: black truffles, porcini mushrooms, salami, raw ham and pecorino cheese. LAKE MAGGIORE: REFLECTING THE ALPS Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful Italian lakes and has enchanted the great Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here. It is believed to be the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name “Maggiore”, it is of glacial origin and its banks are in Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. Its 11 islands, of which 8 are in Piedmont and 1 in Lombardy, are among the many beauties of this lake. CINQUE TERRE: THE PERFECT COASTAL HONEYMOON GETAWAY On the Ligurian coast to the east of Genoa, Cinque Terre encompasses five glorious towns, where small houses are surrounded by lush nature. Visitors to this district will be fascinated by the beauty of these five small villages, and benefit not only from its pristine waters, but from its natural environment, where wild nature is interspersed with vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards, creating a precious bond between man, his traditions and this breath-taking stretch of coast. Riomaggiore is Cinque Terre’s most famous town. It is the start the zone’s famous trekking route, dug into the rock in the early 20th century, and leading to Manarola where one can find the famous Via dell’Amore or “Way of Love”. PUGLIA: JUST RELAX Life is tranquil in Puglia, where one savors the aromas and savors of yesteryear. Honeymooners may opt for a masseria, an historical manor farm transformed into a wellness and wedding resort. These ancient dwellings, nestled in gardens of aromatic herbs, have a story to tell and their terraces often have particularly romantic views. PIEMONTE: SUMPTUOUS! Piemonte offers outstanding locations for destination weddings. It boasts sumptuous Royal Residences and historical palaces, magnificent castles and sprawling villas, ancient villages, romantic lakes and fascinating botanical gardens. The region definitely delivers a charming atmosphere for “magical” events. For details of different regions, in order to customise travel for your clients, please visit the ENIT stand STANDS A51-D71 ITB CHINA NEWS NEWS • Thursday 9 th May 2019 www.itb-china-news.com
TRAVEL PRODUCT INNOVATIONS GUIDE SPECIAL FEATURE 19 HONEYMOONS THE STATUS QUO When talking about Honeymoons, people used to primarily dream about French Polynesia, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Mauritius – all tranquil places with white beaches and blue water. In the past five years however, this has been dramatically changing. There are still couples are looking for a timeout together on a remote beach, but more and more couples are looking for a unique experience. Normally, a Honeymoon will be the most expensive trip a couple may ever take in their life: absolutely understandable, as this trip should be something really special and should be the first page of the story which they will write together throughout the rest of their lives. More and more couples are thus looking to gain long lasting memories that they can tell their kids about one day. Bora-Bora Pearl Beach resort FACTS & FIGURES According to a tripsavvy survey published in the USA this January, 80% of Honeymooners in the past five years used social media to research their destinations. USbn estimated value of honeymoon industry 8 DAYS average length of a honeymoon 14% average part of total wedding budget spent on the honeymoon 3 KEY TRENDS TO LOOK FOR AT ITB CHINA © Beyond © Rainforest Cruises The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, shines above Bear Lake, Alaska SAFARIS AND NATURE On the top of the “new honeymoon ideas” list is the safari: an experience about which both sides are today increasingly enthusiastic. The ladies always love the animals (especially the baby lions) and the men love to be in the nature and to explore. Furthermore, safari lodges are a perfect place for romantic dinners while having the last drink, and before going to bed, the stars in the desert always shine brighter than you will ever see it in a city. Travelling to wilderness areas in other parts of the world is also a great idea. CRUISING Honeymoon cruising is becoming increasingly popular. The fact of unpacking once and exploring a lot of different cities and harbours can be very relaxing, and at the same time cruise lines are welcoming honeymooners and providing special surprises for them, like a romantic dinner on a remote deck or even a visit with the captain on the bridge, or dinner with him or her. It’s important to study the seasons and plot a course to ensure a holiday is full of romance, free of stress and delivered with lashings of “special”. THE “BIG TOUR” Exploring the world is a dream often heard today from honeymooners. Not as before with a backpack; the honeymoon should have a luxury component. There are no specific countries to point out in this case, as the interests of the couples vary considerably. Asia is always popular, and there also experiences like staying and working for a couple of days in a monastery, or on the other side it could be a road trip in the USA which gives a feeling of freedom. Some are even going to the Antarctic to see the breaching of a whale, a slippery seal or a huddled penguin. THE FUTURE Why just aim for a summer holiday? What about a luxury getaway in the Autumn, with the crunch of the leaves underfoot and the romantic red and gold of the turning leaves all around? Not only that, the big crowds will have gone, making the visit that more intimate! There are so many kinds of perfect honeymoon, it is important to speak with the couple, understand their needs and then be creative enough to find the suitable experience which is creating long lasting memories – Honeymoons are often a great start to becoming friends with the couple, ensuring they become regular clients for the rest of their days. Our thanks to Virtuoso Travel Advisor Guido Graf for his input ITB CHINA NEWS • Thursday 9 th May 2019
