Romance, luxury and memorable experiences in Southeast Asia, Italy & South America

Elite Orient-Express hotels and resorts from Asia to Italy and South America are offering specially tailored honeymoons to entice newly-weds in the auspicious Chinese ‘Year of the Dragon’.

This year marks the mightiest and most favourable astrology icon of the Chinese zodiac – with the ‘dragon’ held in high esteem for its dignity and power for good. As a leap year, it is doubly prosperous as a ‘Double Spring’ shuang chun year.

As Chinese couples rush to marry under the powerful symbol, Orient-Express hideaways worldwide have created a unique portfolio of special packages and holiday experiences designed especially for honeymooners, or couples renewing wedding vows.

Against the backdrop of the mystical, world renowned temples of Angkor Wat, intimate luxury retreat La Résidence d'Angkor in Cambodia is the perfect romantic getaway in Southeast Asia. Once-in-a-lifetime guided tours to the famous ruins are a specialty of the resort and the honeymoon package is in VIP style, including limousine airport transfers and champagne on arrival. With rates starting at US$325 a night, couples also experience an exotic candlelit Khmer dinner and traditional well-being bath and massage, plus private meditation with Buddhist monks.

Neighbouring Laos is one of the most off-the-beaten track destinations in luxury tourism and La Résidence Phou Vao, on the outskirts of the former royal capital, is a step back in time to Indochina’s colonial days. The country’s most romantic resort, from the pages of Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham, welcomes couples with a sunset river cruise, a romantic dinner with 500 candles flickering softly around the table and an indulgent ‘Sensuality for Two’ massage. 

In Italy, the most romantic country in the world, newlyweds can embark on "The Grand Tour" of seven nights in a choice six Italian Orient-Express hotels from Hotel Splendido to Hotel Cipriani, Villa San Michele, Hotel Caruso, Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant'Andrea. Couples can plan their ultimate dreamy getaway in Italy at the Grand Hotel Timeo website (http://www.grandhoteltimeo.com/web/oght/packages/4_140278.jsp.)

Not-to-be-missed destinations include Hotel Cipriani in magical Venice, where the hotel can organise a moonlit tour of Venice when most tourists have left, and unique cocktails in the clock tower overlooking famous St Mark’s Square and the rooftops of Venice. Other experiences include a boat tour to the romantic island of Burano for lunch in a private garden, and an indulgent massage for two on a private terrace overlooking Venice. Couples can even be greeted with chocolate hearts on arrival – and ‘PoP’ pink Champagne symbolizing the "power of passion"!

Two stunning sister havens on the southern island of Sicily, Grand Hotel Timeo and neighbouring Villa Sant'Andrea, complete wedding celebrations or vow renewals for couples in traditional local style – arranging a "Festa Siciliana" fiesta party filled with the tastes, music and scents of the island, from local dishes to folk music and entertainment.

Against the spectacular backdrop of amazing Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, the twin resorts are also synonymous with romantic candlelight dinners under the stars overlooking the Bay of Taormina, and can even organise fireworks on request – accompanied by any favourite selection of music.

For adventurers, Orient-Express honeymoons even extend to South America. In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is a magnet for the world’s party-goers during the February Carnival – and couples can combine the excitement of the world’s most famous samba festival with Wedding Night packages at the legendary Copocabana Palace, the most famous 5-star hotel in the eclectic city. Delightful treats include spa pampering for the bride and groom, with flowers, strawberries, champagne and honeymoon breakfast served in the room.

Couples can also enjoy the ultimate South American adventure, an unforgettable 8 day / 7 night journey up into the Andes – into the ancient land of the Incas and the magical cliff top ruins of Machu Picchu. Priced at US$4,511, the Unforgettable Honeymoon in Unmissable Peru package begins in the capital of Peru, Lima, greeting couples to the all-suite Miraflores Park Hotel with a massage to recover from a tiring journey, and tour of the historic city the next morning.

The adventure continues, flying up into the Andean foothills to the colourful, historic city of Cusco, staying at the nearby Hotel Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley. Here couples encounter local Peruvians at local markets and are escorted on a scenic drive through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, and can hike up to a sacred Inca fortress in the Urubamba Valley.

A Vistadome train journey takes adventurous newly-weds up into the Andes to the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu. An overnight stay at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is highlighted by a breathtaking sunrise guided tour of the unique Inca citadel.

Returning to Cusco, couples stay at Hotel Monasterio, a beautiful Spanish colonial Renaissance property restored to its former glory, exploring local markets and historic monuments before evening indulgence with a romantic bath.