We Heart Weddings » Honeymoon Venues

Taiwan

Marbee — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:50:06 +0000

Not many people I know know that I lived in Taiwan for two years right after college. It`s been xx years already but I still remember all the wonderful street food I ate (from fermented tofu, a.k.a stinky tofu to oyster pancake with an orange-y sauce that looks synthetic but tastes delightful) , the night markets I went to (until about 2 in the morning with my Japanese room mates), the hot spring resorts and cities we visited (via train to Hua Lien, Hsin Chu, Tainan, Tai Chung, Kao Shung), and the wonderful Taiwanese, Japanese, Latvian, South African, Korean, Russian, Slovenian, Ukrainian and British friends I made when I was there.

The picturesque Sun Moon Lake

Kenting is the site of many popular Taiwanovelas

The Taroko Gorge in Hua Lien is composed mainly metomorphic rocks, such as marble,gneiss, “schist”,etc. The name, Taroko, means the “magnificent and splendid” in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe who resides in the area. (source: wikipedia)

That recollection played like a sentimental movie in my head as I traveled all the way from Quezon City, to the Trader`s Hotel in Manila where the presscon of the first Taiwan Travel fair was held. Despite the bad traffic and the intense summer heat, the trip became tolerable because:

I heart, heart Taiwan, and wanted to see what was new with it, as the last time I traveled there was before I started editing Wedding Essentials magazine or, 6 years ago.

It also helped that I heart the person who invited me to the presscon
and upon arriving at the venue, I heart my seat mate (the mighty JYD, one of my 2 favorite women in media)

Going back to the Taiwan travel fair presscon, representatives of the Taiwan Tourism Board came to introduce the newest offerings of Taiwan, under it`s new tourism tagline `Touch your Heart.`

Although Taiwan is not as cosmopolitan as Hong Kong, as vibrant as Macau nor as dynamic as Singapore, my 2 years there has proved to me that it is indeed, a destination that will touch your heart. And I can`t wait to go back to Taiwan!

So newlyweds and soon-to-weds, do consider Taiwan as a honeymoon venue.

Some interesting things to do in Taiwan as a couple
1. Go on a food adventure: Explore the night markets and try all the delicious street food you can literally, stomach. Look for the candied cherry tomatoes and the oyster pancake which I mentioned above.

2. Book a couple of nights at a hot spring resort in Yangmingshan or Beitou. Google Villa 32 Resort in Beitou

3. Bring home something of the two of you that is `distinctly Taipei`. Book a session for a pre or post nup pictorial in one of Taipei`s many photo studios as what a lot of Hong Kong couples do. According to Reuters, Hong Kong couples make up half of the 250 brides and grooms who tourism officials say come to Taiwan every month for photos, taking advantage of 1,300 business-hungry studios that provide clothes, flowers, album covers and transportation to venues.

Others come from Malaysia, Singapore and Chinese communities in the United States. Read the rest of the article here.

4. Marvel at the majestic cityscape view from the observation deck on the 91st floor of the 508-meter tall Taipei 101. Designed like a stalk of bamboo, it has 8 sections of 8 floors. Views from the observatories are amazing, and the time spent there, on top of the world- romantic.

5. Enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets at Dan Shui. Danshui is best known for its sunsets on the strait of Taiwan, which can be viewed at the Fisherman’s Wharf. The city is northwest of Taipei and lies at the mouth of the Danshui River, on the shores of the Strait of Taiwan. The city has plenty to see, including historic sights and sunsets. There is also Fort San Domingo, a historic site that has seen Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, and English occupation over 350 years.

These are just few of the many sights, tastes and experiences Taiwan offers. For more information on other destinations within Taiwan, check out www.gototaiwan.net or watch Discovery Travel & Living`s Fun Taiwan show hosted by Janet Hsieh.

Cebu Pacific, Eva Air, PAL and China Airlines fly to Taiwan several times weekly. For more information on schedules, check with your favorite travel agent.

Taiwan sites source: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/849d7/5d1/4/
Photos via www.gototaiwan.net

Bellarocca Resort, Marinduque

Marbee — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:31:36 +0000

Hi everyone! Greetings from Bellarocca Resort in Marinduque.

Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

If you`ve seen photos of this beautiful Santorini, Greece- inspired resort in magazines and newspapers, and are wondering if the resort really is as nice as it looks- take it from us- it`s even more beautiful!

Here are some photos of the resort

The villa where our event stylists stayed in

Every villa has an infinity pool. Taken at 530pm, just before sunset.
Photo by Aldwin Aspillera

To be continued…

Seoul Pop Cosmic Love

Marbee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:08:20 +0000

One often chooses honeymoon destinations based on what one deems exotic, dreamy, or perhaps just memorable. Choices usually revolve around landscapes couples want to capture with their senses and memories, irretrievably associating the place with the first voyage their married life brings. It is easy to soak in places so far removed from civilization that it almost seems as if the world was created for both of you, alone.

Honeymoon time is `you and me` only in this world. Just like the `Winter Sonata` couple here.

But on the other hand, a tour of the various melting pots of old-world culture and art can bring about a revival of your aesthetic sense, setting your newly bonded life together in context even as you embark on the journey back home.

Seoul, for many, may not be the first city that comes to mind but it manages to fulfill all honeymoon expectations, albeit in a way you will least expect.

Bike along beautiful Nami Island just like Yu-jin and Kang Joon Sang a.k.a Janice and Joseph (who shared one bike in the k-drama)

Photos from www.crunchyroll.com

Imagine walking hand in hand down this beautiful tree- lined pathway…

The city is bursting with activity, bombarding the senses with experiences unlike any other. A walk down the streets of Seoul produces a plethora of sensations: the sweet scent of cherry blossoms in April;

A very good time to visit Korea is during cherry blossom season

The uniquely designed store windows selling wares of all shapes and purposes; the delicate flavor of the elaborate cakes in the open displays of a pastry shop; the alternating textures of glass in the most high-tech skyscrapers you can find standing amid the wood and clay heritage houses that still survive in the city.

Exploring Seoul is like, pardon the pun, exploring a complete soul. It exists for the sensory aesthetes – perfect for couples who desire exoticism, harbor a love for culture, and feel a deep longing for an adventure that will set the pace of their married life.

Cheonggyecheon. A favorite hang-out of Korean couples and Korean men about to pop a very important question to their girlfriends

Finding yourself in the heart of Seoul (again, pardon the pun), and then realizing that you’re now half of a whole with your spouse is an ineffable thrill in itself.

The spirit of Seoul is something that is hard to grasp, but is remarkable, once experienced. It is a place where you can lose your sense of self and, in the end, manage to find yourselves as part of each other.

For more interesting pictures of Seoul, check out www.nikdaum.com

For more information on honeymoon packages to Korea, check out Korea travel specialist Rakso Travel

We *Heart* Weddings » Honeymoon Venues

Taiwan

Bellarocca Resort, Marinduque

Seoul Pop Cosmic Love

We Heart Weddings » Honeymoon Venues