Surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean, Italy is largely a coastal country. No matter where you’re at, you’re never far from water there. And while the country boasts dozens of beautiful coastal cities, no two are exactly the same. Those along the eastern side of the Italian peninsula, for example, look out over the Adriatic arm of the Mediterranean, known for its calm crystal-clear waters. These are the waters that fill Venice’s storied canals, and despite what you may have seen or heard about Venice, nothing beats seeing it in person. Be prepared to get lost wandering over bridges and through the neighborhoods of Venice: it’s the best way to explore this miraculous city. READ MORE

A Guide to Off-the-beaten-path Attractions

Headed to Rome on honeymoon? If you’re like most travelers, you’ll want to see the city’s iconic sights — but you’ll also want to create unique experiences that’ll make this trip your own. And in a city packed with history, that’s easy to do. When you’ve tired of rubbing elbows with other tourists at the Colosseum and the Forum, head to these off-the-beaten-path highlights for sightseeing that’s far more intimate. READ MORE

Bath & West Country

Georgian architecture, picture-perfect gardens, hedge-lined countryside, verdant romantic places and luxury hotels. England’s West Country is King Arthur and Jane Austen country.

Hunstrete House Hotel
Hunstrete
Nr. Bath, England
www.hunstretehouse.co.uk
A pretty 18th century Georgian manor house set in 71 acres of deer park, woodland walks and fragrant gardens, located 6 miles outside of Bath enroute to the cathedral city of Wells. READ MORE

Early Wedding Traditions

As early as the sixteenth, up to the nineteenth century, marriages were arranged by parents or guardians. The bride and bridegroom often were not acquainted until their marriage. The parents often made the marriage arrangements and betrothals while the bride and bridegroom were small children (ages three to seven). The children would continue to live with their own parents and meet from time to time for meals or holiday celebrations. READ MORE

The glorious beaches of the Whitsunday Islands

It’s a balmy 27 degrees. The warm winter sun streams through the car window. As I step on the accelerator, I watch as a congested strip of retail chains and fast food outlets shrink from sight in the rear view mirror. Soon the busyness of Cairns makes way to a sea of vivid green cane fields, with the mist shrouded peaks of the Atherton Tableland as a backdrop. We’ve come in search of Queensland’s hidden beaches. Sure we’ve all heard of the famous Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday’s, Noosa’s Main Beach and lovely, tropical Mission Beach, but we want to see the secret jewels – the ones the locals don’t always tell you about. We want to go where there is barely another footprint and hold hands as we stroll along secluded beaches. We want to breathe deep, feel our pulse return to normal and get to know each other again. READ MORE