ROMANTIC WEDDING IN SCOTLAND
For those of you wishing to have a Romantic Wedding in Scotland there are several companies available online to help you to organize your special day.
They will usually undertake weddings of any size and it can be tailor made to your requirements.
Whether you chose one of the unusual weddings mentioned on this site or a village church, castle, manor house or a hotel you will find excellent companies to organize venues, catering, transport, pipers, kilt hire, legal paperwork (if you are not resident in Scotland) video’s, photographs, honeymoon, and sightseeing. Whatever you require! (NOTE Gay Weddings or civil partnership ceremonies or commitment ceremonies are available throughout Scotland)
A truly romantic setting for your wedding would be Dundas Castle. Only a few miles from Scotland’s capital Edinburgh. This is an historic castle set in 500 acres. They can hold both civil and religious ceremonies and can cater for up to 200 guests. If you decide to honeymoon there it has 5 star accommodation and activities include golf, falconry, shooting, rock climbing, 4×4 driving and archery.
Guthrie Castle, built in 1468 is a fairytale castle which hosts weddings in the Chapel, Great Hall or the Walled Garden. Here you could spend your wedding night in splendour in a beautiful four poster bed.
Murthly Castle and Chapel set in Macbeth country near Dunkeld, Scotland provides romantic and idyllic settings for the perfect wedding. The historic castle is from the 14th century and the chapel is 17th century. It is beautiful, private and romantic and can cater for up to 250 guests.
Another beautiful Scottish Castle is Glenapp. It was built in 1870 and is a magical and romantic setting for a wedding and honeymoon. It has secluded woods, a walled garden, all weather tennis and croquet lawn.
Finally the Travel Advice Pages favourite is Blair Castle. This is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The castle dates from the 13th century. It is set in 2,500 acres of ground on an estate of over 145,000 acres. Here you can opt to marry in the Library, if you are a small wedding of up to 40 guests or in the elegant State Dining Room, a beautiful Georgian room with superb views. The Ballroom can hold up to 220 guests for ceremonies, dining and dancing. If you want to arrive in the style of a princess, horse drawn carriages are available locally too.
There are many beautiful, romantic castles available in Scotland, England and Wales, these are just a small selection of the Travel Advice Pages favourites for a Romantic Wedding in Scotland.
AIR BORDERS REMOVED
Following the abolition of sea and land border controls in the EU in December 2007, air border controls will be removed in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia at the end of March 2008. Another 15 members are expected to follow suit in the near future. The UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania are not members of the Schengen Club. Passengers travelling within the EU between countries who are signatories to the “Schengen” agreement will not be subject to any form of passport control.. This does not mean that a person can travel without a passport or means of identification as these could be requested for security reasons. Non EU citizens will be able to travel within the EU on a single visa - issued by the EU country of their choice of entry into Europe.
This is good news for travellers and will ease travel within the EU and if nothing else will abolish those annoying queues at passport control!
UNUSUAL WEDDING VENUES
While researching weddings I came across several unusual wedding venues in Scotland that you might be interested in.
In Scotland apart from the beautiful Country Houses and Castles available for weddings, there are a number of more unusual settings for your big day.
The Eala Bhan ( Gaelic for White Swan) is a converted herring drifter (large boat to the rest of us) with modern facilities. It can be hired for a day, evening, weekend or even longer.
It can be moored near Urquhart Castle for your ceremony or you may prefer to cruise to Loch Ness and have your Wedding there. Perhaps with the famous Loch Ness Monster in the pictures as an extra guest.
Another beautiful Scottish location is the Rua Reidh Lighthouse. The is on a spectacular cliff top near Gairloch.
Back to Loch Ness again to a luxury Lodge overlooking the Loch. Here you would have five star luxury for yourself and your guests for the wedding and the honeymoon. You could wake up every morning to the spectacular views of Loch Ness.
One of the most famous places in Scotland to get married is Gretna Green. This is the traditional place for those eloping to get married. Now you needn’t elope to enjoy a wonderful wedding there. The Swallow Gretna Hall Hotel was built in 1710 in the village of Gretna Green. It was the original marriage house of the village. Today you can get married in the Blacksmith’s Cottage, the Blacksmith’s workshop or the Linton Room.
A seaplane or a hot air balloon are other great ideas for a Scottish wedding. All that spectacular scenery!
If you enjoyed the movie Brave Heart and Mel Gibson of course, you might like to consider getting married at the Wallace Monument. It is an historic 220 foot high monument to William Wallace built in 1867 on the Abbey Craig and it is a distinctive venue for weddings in Scotland.
Another historic site for a wedding is in the Outer Hebrides where the prehistoric Callanish Standing Stones on the lovely Isle of Lewis could be mute witnesses to the ceremony.
Only the brave would have ventured here a hundred years ago, but it is not unheard of today to hold a wedding ceremony in the Jedburgh Castle Jail, the 19th century Howard Reform prison on the site of the Royal Castle of Jedburgh.
Another well loved location is Rob Roy’s birthplace at Monachyle Mhor in the Trossachs.
Finally if you would like to stage your wedding on the highest spot in the UK then Cairngorm Mountain is the place for you. You take the funicular railway to the top and everything is there that you will need for the big day plus the most wonderful view.
I hope Travel Advice Pages has provided you with a few ideas for your wedding venue and we hope you enjoyed the unusual wedding venues in Scotland.
WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS - NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls has been Canada’s Honeymoon capital for over 200 years. Hundreds of Canadians are married or have their honeymoon at the beautiful and romantic Niagara Falls every year. For anyone outside of Canada it is a wonderful venue for your wedding and honeymoon too.
Niagara Falls has an abundance of natural beauty, the whole of the Niagara Peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Niagara Parkway is said by many to be the most scenic and beautiful in the world.
The Falls which are one of the wonders of the world would make a superb backdrop for your wedding photographs. If yours is a small wedding party, arrangements can be made to hold the service at one of the lookout points too. This would make a truly dramatic setting for any wedding.
Niagara Falls has many top class Hotels available for weddings and honeymoons. Our Travel Advice would be to chose a Hotel on the Canadian side of the Falls rather than the American side as the views are much better. It is possible to obtain a room with a balcony and double jacuzzi overlooking the American and Bridal Veil Falls with side views of the Horseshoe Falls. This is a fabulous sight during the day and at night with the Falls lit up, it makes for a very romantic backdrop.
For all those who would like to Honeymoon at the Falls there is plenty to see and do to make your stay in Canada an enjoyable one. Apart from viewing the Falls themselves there are plenty of other sights to see. A boat trip on the “Maid of the Mist” is a must so you can see the Falls up close and personal. Other sights include: Scenic Trolley rides, the Imax Theatre, the Casino, the Aquarium of Niagara, Observation Tower, Adventure Theatre, Discovery Center, Old Fort Niagara, Niagara Wax Museum, Canal Cruises, Golf courses, Wineries, many restaurants and bars, great shopping and if you venture further into Canada you can take a trip to Toronto and some of the interesting and picturesque small towns in the area.
For those overseas visitors wishing to marry in Niagara Falls, Canada here is some necessary information you will need to make your arrangements:
“You’ll first need to obtain a marriage license, available for $100CAN, which must be paid in cash. You each need to show two official pieces of identification such as a passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license. Also, if either of you have been previously married, you’ll need to show official proof of divorce or death of previous spouse. NOTE: If your divorce was granted outside of Canada, you’ll need to follow some additional procedures to get your divorce certified. Allow extra time for this; give the Clerk’s office a call for all the details. Also NOTE: same sex marriages are legal in Ontario.
You can get your license from the Clerks Department at City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, telephone 905-356-7521. Your marriage license is valid for three months. The office is open weekdays 8:30 am to 4 pm.”
Whether you decide to be married in a church, chapel, by the Falls, in a helicopter or one of the many Hotel venues, we are sure it will be a memorable and very special occasion to be married at Niagara Falls.
FACTS ABOUT NIAGARA FALLS
- Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States of America, established in 1885 as the Niagara Reservation, the first of several such Reservations that eventually became the cornerstones to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
- Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect of Niagara Falls State Park, also designed Central Park in New York City.
- In 1969, an earthen dam was built across the head of the American Rapids, dewatering the American Falls. For six months, geologists and engineers studied the rock face and the effects of erosion. It was determined that it would be too costly to remove rock at the base of the American Falls, and that nature should take its course.
- 3,160 tons of water flows over the falls every second. This accounts for 75,750 gallons of water per second over the American and Bridal Veil Falls and 681,750 gallons per second over the Horseshoe Falls.
- The water falls at 32 feet per second over the falls, hitting the base of the falls with 280 tons of force at the American and Bridal Veil Falls and 2,509 tons of force at the Horseshoe Falls.
- The Falls are capable of producing over 4 million kilowatts of electricity, which is shared by the United States and Canada.
- The Niagara River is actually a strait, connecting two large bodies of water, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
- Four of the five Great Lakes drain into the Niagara River, (Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie) before emptying into Lake Ontario. These five Great Lakes make up almost one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply.
- Over 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls extended seven miles down river at what is now Lewiston, New York and Queenston, Ontario. Over the years, the brink has eroded sometimes as much as six feet per year, to its present site.
- Close to 140 acres, of the over 400 acres Niagara Falls State Park, is under water.
- During the last Ice Age, starting about 1.7 million years ago, continental glaciers up to two miles in thickness covered the Niagara Frontier region.
- The Niagara River Corridor was designated an important Bird Area in 1996, the first internationally recognized area in the world. The river supports thousands of wintering gull and waterfowl species.
- The lower Niagara River supports one of New York State’s endangered fish, the Lake Sturgeon.
- The Niagara River ecosystems support many of New York State’s protected animal species, such as the Lake Sturgeon, Peregrine Falcon and American Bald Eagle.
- The Niagara River Gorge is home to 14 species of rare plants, some threatened and endangered.
- In 1901, 140 of the 170 trees native to western New York were found growing on Goat Island.
- The total number of flora species documented on Goat Island over the last two centuries is just over 600.
- The first person to see and describe the falls in length was Father Louis Hennepin, a French priest who accompanied LaSalle on his expedition to the Niagara region in 1678.
- Green Island, situated between Goat Island and the mainland, was named after Andrew Green, first president of the commission at the State Reservation at Niagara. He was very prominent in New York City with the construction of Central Park, and the planning of northern Manhattan and today’s Bronx. Green helped establish great cultural institutions such as the Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Bronx Zoo, and most importantly, led the Greater New York movement that joined the municipalities around Manhattan Island into today’s 5-borough city.
- Three Sisters Islands were named after the daughters of Parkhurst Whitney, a hotelman and prominent local citizen. The daughter’s names were Asenath, Angeline and Celinda Eliza.
- A statue of Chief Clinton Rickard, who was the founder of the Indian Defense League in 1926, can be found near the Great Lakes Gardens in Niagara Falls State Park.
- In November 1896, electrical power was transmitted from the Adams Power Plant in Niagara Falls, New York to Buffalo, New York. This was the first time in the world that alternating current was transmitted over a long distance.
- At one time, before Goat Island became part of Niagara Falls State Park, there were suggestions on what the island could be used for. Mr. Vanderbilt planned to use the island as a pleasure ground for people riding his trains to the falls. P.T. Barnum wanted to turn Goat Island into circus grounds!
- In 1885, a horse-drawn carriage ride around the falls cost $1.00 per hour.
- On January 27, 1938, the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, known locally as the Honeymoon Bridge, collapsed under pressure from the build up of ice in the gorge below the falls. The bridge had been closed days before in anticipation of the collapse.
HONEYMOON
In ancient Northern European customs, the bride and groom drank Mead, a honeyed wine, for a lunar month (thirty days) after their wedding - creating the name honeymoon.
WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS ABROAD
As spring and summer now seem to be on the way I thought it was time we looked at Weddings and Honeymoons Abroad.
There are so many choices, far too many for one article so there will be several to give you some idea of what is currently available.
There are special holidays to romantic spots where the proposal can be done in style. So it is only right that the wedding and honeymoon be in an equally romantic place.
There are so many choices:
Beach Weddings are very popular and there are just so many places to chose from. Beautiful romantic islands, Australia or South Africa’s spectacular coasts, exciting South America or the laid back Mediterranean.
Wedding Cruises are very popular too. What could be more romantic than having the ship’s Captain perform the ceremony in the ship’s chapel and then dancing the night away under the stars at your reception. Then spending your Honeymoon in relaxing style on a luxury cruise.
Your ideal wedding may be in a castle so you can be the fairy tale princess you have always dreamed of. Castle Weddings are available all over Europe with Britain being a popular choice.
The are always those who want something completely different and we will look at some more Unusual Weddings. Whether you want to be married underwater while swimming with dolphins or floating through the air in a hot air balloon or standing on top of a mountain you are sure to be able to have the wedding of your dreams.
You may be very adventurous and want to combine a wedding with an Adventure Honeymoon. How about an African Safari? You can have a beautiful Beach Wedding on one of South Africa’s many stunning beaches then travel inland for your African Safari Wedding.
Perhaps a City Break Wedding is more your style and what better place for a super sophisticated wedding than New York City. Whether you want to be married in a church, hotel or perhaps a helicopter flying over the city, all are available if you want New York City as your Wedding venue. What a wonderful and exciting place to start married life.
There are just so many fabulous places for weddings and honeymoons abroad. We will show you a sample of what is currently available and if you are planning your wedding at the moment we would love to hear from you, especially if you have come up with something very unusual. We would love to see your wedding pictures too and perhaps have some of them on this site.
THE ANCIENT CITY OF PAPHOS
If you are looking for a Mediterranean holiday that will suit everyone in the family, try the island of Cyprus and the ancient city of Paphos. Paphos is located on the southwest coast of Cyprus and is so historically important that the entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Paphos is over 3000 years old and the town is built on the site where it is said the Greek goddess Aphrodite was born. There are many sites of historical and archaeological interest nearby. The main tourist sites are the Paphos Archaeological Park, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Odeon Theatre, the Medieval Castle, the Paphos Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.
Paphos is very popular with tourists, apart from the many historical sites, it has a lovely year round climate, great hotels, restaurants and bars, it is considered to be quite safe as it has low crime and almost no violent crime, a beautiful harbour, a seaside promenade, an interesting shopping lane near the beach and in the town itself narrow lanes where you can stroll and browse through its boutiques and craft shops.
Paphos is a delight for water sport enthusiasts, with scuba diving, jet skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, fishing, sailing, swimming and a nearby water park.
On land apart from sight seeing and shopping there is horseback riding,cycling and hiking. It has great beaches but it is only a short drive up into the mountains for a complete change of scenery and activities.
Paphos is a beautiful city and the surrounding area is full of interesting and exciting places to visit. Great for the photographers and artists amongst you.
Getting there is easy. Paphos has an International Airport and there is another Airport at Larnaca. Once on the island hire cars are available and the roads are good but if you would rather not drive there are plenty of taxis and the local bus service is excellent.
Whether you want to enjoy the lively seafront and beaches of Paphos or a quieter, relaxed holiday visiting its historic sites or a combination of the two you are sure to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Cyprus and the Ancient City of Paphos.
AIRPORT FLIGHT DELAYS - TRAVEL TIPS
The Easter weekend, as usual, will see airports at their busiest. Inevitably, the unlucky ones will experience problems with cancelled or overbooked flights and airport flight delays.
If the worst happens, air travelers have the right to assistance from an airline. To claim such help, you must have a confirmed reservation and you must be present at the required time for “Check-in.” You should make sure that this is at least 45-60 minutes before departure time or whatever is stated on your ticket.
The following information relates to travelers in the EU but similar conditions apply worldwide.
Airport Flight Delays. If your flight is delayed, you are entitled to various rights, as follows:
1. Delay of three or more hours. Your airline must offer refreshments and two free telephone calls, fax or e-mail.
2. Delay of five or more hours. Your carrier must offer a refund or the choice of a return flight to your first point of departure.
3. Delay until next day. The airline must also offer free hotel accommodation plus transport.
4. Over booked flight. You are entitled to financial compensation. Amounts vary depending on the travel distance. In addition, you are entitled to a refund, a return flight to your first point of departure or a re-routing to your final destination.
5. In the case of a flight cancellation, you should be offered free meals, two telephone calls and hotel accommodation as necessary. As in the case of overbooked flights you should also benefit from a refund. Financial compensation may also apply, depending on the reason for the cancellation. If circumstances were beyond the control of the airline, financial compensation does not apply.
Finally, we hope that none of these scenarios spoil your Easter Holiday - but be prepared. Make sure that you are fully aware of your rights before travelling and know what to expect from the airline if there are airport flight delays. As we have stressed in previous articles, allow enough time for unexpected complications at the airport. Enjoy your Easter break.
ATLANTIC CITY ENTERTAINMENT
From being a desolate island of sand and marshes, Atlantic City has become the fourth most popular destination in the USA, welcoming over 35 million visitors a year. Atlantic City entertainment includes world class casinos and hotels, sandy beaches, a 4 mile long - amusement filled - boardwalk, diverse outdoor activities and great restaurants and shops. Atlantic City is within 300 miles of 80% of the population of the United States.
For many years, Atlantic City has kept pace with its rival, Las Vegas, in terms of gaming revenue and the number of visitors, despite a much smaller population of 40,000. Legalised gaming in neighbouring States has stimulated major developments in the City. These include “The Walk,” eight blocks of up market shops which opened in 2004 and expanded in 2007. Tropicana and Caesar’s each spent over $300 million on “The Quarter” and “The Pier” which are shopping, entertainment and restaurant complexes. The “Borgata,” a high class resort partly owned by MGM, is undergoing a $400 million expansion. Many of the new developments are intended to enhance Atlantic City’s unique ocean frontage.
Luxurious hotels and casino resorts vie with each other to provide top-name Atlantic City entertainment, gambling, dining and shopping. You can play and stay in one of the 11 such resorts in Atlantic City. Nightlife extends beyond the casinos. Check out the 40/40 Club, Jay-z’s Sports Bar, rock at the House of Blues, party at the Providence or join the entertainment at Planet Rose, the ultimate karaoke bar.
However, if gambling is not for you there are many other attractions and entertainments for all the family. For the fit ones, a climb of 228 steps will take you to the top of the recently restored Absecon Lighthouse and a spectacular view of Atlantic City.
The Atlantic City Aquarium is small but great for kids. There are three floors with an observation deck on top.
Dedicated shopaholics will not be disappointed. Outlets at The Walk, The Pier, and the Quarter cater for all tastes and budgets. If the feet are suffering during the shopping, take a Rolling Chair, unique to Atlantic City, which is a 3-person vehicle, pushed by an attendant.
There are dozens of fine restaurants - too many to mention by name. One that the kids will enjoy is the Rainforest Cafe where you can eat in a lifelike jungle atmosphere with hanging vines and animatronic animals such as elephants, gorillas and tropical birds, which come to life from time to time. The lights dim and flicker as the simulated thunderstorms arrive. By the way try the Volcano Dessert.
Other Atlantic City Entertainment:
Lenape Park. Located in May’s Landing with a sandy beach on Lake Lenape which offers picnic ares, water sports, amusement rides and mini golf.
The Steel Pier has 24 rides and a food court with free admission.
Storybook Land is a 20 acre family fun park with over 50 storybook attractions and family rides.
Tuckerton Seaport is where you can step back in time and meet whalers, shrimpers, oystermen, clammers and ships captains, on this 40 acre site.
Wheaton Village is a centre dedicated to American crafts. There are daily demonstrations, a museum and special events.
As you can see Atlantic City is not just about gaming. It is an exciting holiday destination for all the family. It is a great place to visit off season too when you are more likely to get budget prices for travel and hotels. For your next fun family vacation try - Atlantic City entertainment for the whole family.
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