Posts Tagged ‘Italy’

The Best Places In The World To Get Married

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 by

With Valentine’s Day upon us, romance is in the air and for some that means talk of weddings. We can all agree that full-on wedding planning is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever go through. So with that in mind, here are the best places on Earth to get hitched – places so spectacular and so visitor-focused that the planning will actually add to your enjoyment of prepping for the Big Day.

Important caveat – the price of these locations might cause their own level of stress.

Parrot Cay Resort, Turks and Caicos
Parrot Cay is one of the Caribbean’s preeminent private islands. It features mile-long powdered white-sand beach – with understated style, cosseting service and smiling staff. Plus – we’re always looking out for your health – Parrot Cay has an award-winning holistic spa and offers very healthy cuisine. This is where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner married in 2005. If the paparazzi are chasing you, no worries – Parrot Cay has a no-fly zone so you don’t have to worry about photographers snapping pictures of your nuptials from the air.

Table Mountain, South Africa
Imagine exchanging your vows in the open air, as close to the bottom of the globe as you want to get. You’ll have the city of Cape Town and the ocean spread out before you with the spectacular landmarks of Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head.

The Mount Nelson Hotel is the place to stay in Cape Town.

Castello Odescalchi, Italy
History, natural beauty and spectacular views and being easily accessible make the Castello Odescalchi a great spot for a day you’ll never forget. This is where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes tied the knot.

Imagine a wedding reception overlooking the Mediterranean as the sun sets.

Villa D’Este, Italy
On the shores of Lake Como, this luxury hotel was built as a residence for a Cardinal of the Catholic Church in the 1500s and converted to a hotel in the late 1800s. It’s known for its remarkable gardens – 25 acres of beautiful azaleas, camellias and roses.

Of course, Lake Como is where George Clooney hangs out, so that could be dangerous for some brides-to-be.

Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. In other words, perfect for your wedding. Take in the world famous arts and culture as you visit the city. Maybe you’ll even want to get married in the air – at the top of the famous Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater amusement park. The Ferris Wheel has 15 private, luxury cabins. The Art Nouveau cabin is the one you should ask for – it accommodates 12 – including the bride and groom, two witnesses and the registrar.

Langkawi, Malaysia
Vienna sound too formal? How about the Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi, a group of 104 islands officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah.  

This exotic jungle location is close to phenomenal beaches. You can stay in a traditional Malay houe at this resort – they’ve been collected from around the country and rebuilt to form this small resort.

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Travel Bulletin Southern Europe: Wave of Libyan Refugees May Wash Ashore

Thursday, February 24th, 2011 by

As a desperate power struggle unfolds in Libya, its neighbors fear hundreds of thousands may flee across the Mediterranean to seek asylum in Italy, Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta and Spain. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the region should brace for a “biblical exodus” because one-third of Libya’s population—2.5 million people—are recent immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are now caught in a society reduced to bitter tribal rivalries. Dangerously exposed, they may choose to flee north rather than return to their home countries. Many Mediterranean ports of call may see a heavy influx of refugees in the near term, straining social services and perhaps requiring the United Nations to help create camps and processing centers.

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In Italy, the Doggie Paddle Could Save Your Life

Friday, September 3rd, 2010 by

Off the coast of Italy, distressed swimmers are getting more than just a human lifeguard-they are also getting a dog.  There are some 300 fully-trained “Lifedogs” helping to keep swimmers safe at popular Italian beaches during the summer months.  These specially trained canine lifeguards wear a harness and can tow swimmers needing assistance back to safety by providing them with a buoy or a raft to sit on.  The dogs can easily jump from speeding boats or helicopters, and have been credited with saving several lives each year.

According to a story on NPR, dogs can complete the training at schools such as the Italian School for Canine Lifeguards, which is located outside of Rome.   To earn the license, the human-dog teams are required to pass a series of difficult tests on both the ground and in the water. It takes about three years of training and working alongside a human lifeguard for the dogs to reach expert rescue status. 

Dog lifeguards can be extremely helpful, because unlike humans, the dogs are not scared of dangerous tides or large waves.  To them, the rescue is more of a game.  The dogs are also able to contain the fatigue of the lifeguard, and can allow for three people to be saved at a time, reducing the need for back-and-forths.  Most breeds can be trained, but the best candidates are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Newfoundlands because of their natural instinct for swimming and their calm nature.  The presence of a dog after the rescue can be calming, especially if the victim is a child. 

Have you ever witnessed a rescue by a human-dog team?

Photo by Vurnman.

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