Page Article 

2  Celebrate in Paris, Where Love is Always in the 

Air 

3  Fall in Love All Over Again in London 

4  Fall in Love on Lake Maggiore 

5  Couple's Seaweed Baths, Food for Lovers & an 

Enchanting Evening at the Ballet 

6  Afternoon Tea for Two 

7  Castle Celebrations for Milestone Moments 

8  Cosmic Love at The Torridon, Wester Ross, 

Scotland 

9  Weddings, Honeymoons and Milestone Moments in 

Tel Aviv 

10  Proposals and Promises in Paradise 

11  Breakfast by Everest & Dinner Like A Maharaja 

12  Three Different Destinations, three Ways to Spell 

"Love" 

13  Romance & Milestone Celebrations in Australia, 

New Zealand & South Pacific 

15  VIP Experience at the Empire State Building 

16  A Retreat Fit for Royalty 

17  Celebrating 400 Years of romance in Wales 

18  Celebrate Love in Louis XVIII's Former Home 

19  Memorable Meals for Two 

Celebrate Your Love And Your Love Of Travel  

Dear Friends,  

 

Nothing beats a fiery sunset for romance - whether it’s over a jagged mountain peak or dropping into an                                     

endless sea. The light, the colors - for me, this is the most romantic time of day.  

This month’s newsletter is aptly timed as my husband and I will soon celebrate our ten-year anniversary of                                   

being together. We first met at The Goring and will have the pleasure of staying there as the hotel                                     

commemorates its own anniversary - it has been standing for 110 years.  

Read through for delightful ideas for honoring the love in your clients’ lives. Many of our properties can                                   

arrange for private couple’s dinners in secret spots throughout their grounds - Charlie and I enjoyed this at                                   

Cape Weligama on our honeymoon. If mountains make your clients’ heart soar, consider a stay at Blanket                                 

Bay in New Zealand, where everything else slips from consciousness in view of larger-than-life peaks. Or,                               

cozy up at Giardino Mountain in St. Moritz, where alpine air invigorates the mind and body and hot toddies                                     

soothe the soul. (We are now working with several fabulous Giardino properties, so consider stays in Zurich                                 

and Ascona for amorous escapes, as well.) 

From hand-in-hand walks through the wooded parkland at Bodysgallen Hall, to stargazing at The Torridon, to                               

honeymoons in Tel Aviv, these love-filled getaways are sure to inspire romance, whether it’s in celebration                               

of a new couple starting their life as two or in honor of decades of togetherness. 

 

Fondly,  

 

   

© 2020 Rebecca Recommends February, 2020

 

Not to miss in Paris is Fauchon l’Hotel 

 

Découvertes France - Celebrate in Paris, Where Love Is Always in the Air 

  

Couples looking to celebrate their love should not miss an opportunity to come to Paris, the city of love, and                                       

immerse themselves into the aesthetic and multi-sensory cocoon of Fauchon l’Hotel (discover Fauchon                         

l’Hotel in video here), where “glam” is the master word. 

  

Ideally located in the 8th arrondissement, the heart of sophistication, wealth and glamour in Paris, its                               

unique personality will not cease to amaze. Fauchon’s brand is 200 years old and takes its roots in one of                                       

the most creative Parisian patisserie and delicacy shops, adhering to the French culinary tradition.  

  

Guests at Fauchon l’Hotel are invited to experience many indulgent gastronomic surprises throughout their                           

stay, whether at the gourmet bar, or taking advantage of the exceptional in-room gourmet surprises. Do not                                 

miss the iconic Bisous bisous, a very kissable and delicious lip-shaped cake. But most importantly, it is                                 

inherent to Fauchon’s philosophy that all women, whatever their profile, style, traditions and ambitions,                           

feel at ease, pampered and privileged. Special attention to Mesdames is offered through a multitude of                               

details, kind attentions and amenities.  

  

Decouvertes is proud to offer Rebecca Recommends clients special rates at Fauchon l’Hotel and can design a                                 

fairytale of a stay in Paris and all over the French territory, including wedding proposals and symbolic                                 

wedding ceremonies in enchanted places, restaurant reservations, private river cruises and other unique                         

romantic experiences.   

 

Celebrating love in luxury at The Goring 

The Goring - Fall in Love All Over Again in London 

Love is in the air at The Goring. If your clients are traveling to London over Valentine’s Day this year, then                                         

there is no better place for them to experience a wonderfully romantic stay than at The Goring. On arrival                                     

they will be greeted with a delicious, chilled bottle of Champagne to enjoy in their luxurious suite or                                   

bedroom. Then in the evening they’ll savor a truly exquisite dinner in the Michelin-starred Dining Room.                               

Executive Chef Richard Galli has carefully curated a six-course menu for the St. Valentine’s celebration with                               

dishes including Beef Fillet, salt-baked celeriac, black truffle and lovage and white chocolate, lychee,                           

raspberry and rose. 

Drinks in The Goring Cocktail Bar are also a must. With a fabulous new signature cocktail list and a grand                                       

piano taking pride of place providing wonderful live entertainment, drinks by the open fire is the perfect                                 

way to round out a marvelously romantic evening.   

 

Celebrate with someone special at Ecco Ascona   

 

Giardino Ascona, Switzerland: Fall in Love on Lake Maggiore 

 

Savor la dolce vita at Giardino Ascona, one of Rebecca Recommends’ newest clients. Set on the Swiss-Italian 

border on Lake Maggiore, the estate offers boat trips on its private yacht. Chart a course for Stresa, Italy. 

Guests can enjoy lunch at Ristorante Milano, directly on the lake shore and across from picturesque Isola 

Bella. The return journey will take sailors past the Borromean islands and Santa Caterina del Sasso on their 

way back to the port of Ascona.   

 

What about a couples’ seaweed bath? 

Original Travel UK - Couple’s Seaweed Baths, Food for Lovers and an Enchanting Evening at the 

Ballet 

The experts at Original Travel UK have crafted a selection of couple’s experiences sure to inspire romance.                                 

For spa aficionados, how about a steaming hot seaweed bath privately set up for two in a classic Irish                                     

whiskey barrel. Long recognized for providing a sensual and purifying experience, the history of seaweed                             

baths goes back over a century in Ireland, with past generations making the most of their fortifying benefits                                   

in order to see them through the colder months. As the winter sun sets across the Wild Atlantic Way and the                                         

temperature drops, guests are safe from the frost in a blissful bubble.  

For those who equate shared dining experiences with romance, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge.                               

An oyster freshly plucked from the Cornish seashore, a melted chocolate masterclass in the depths of the                                 

Scottish Highlands or a sunset stroll through the vineyards of Kent’s rolling countryside … the UK is peppered                                   

with food for lovers. Original Travel UK can arrange amorous adventures around the region’s most secluded                               

foodie hotspots.  

Finally, consider a night out at the ballet at the Royal Opera House, one of London’s most iconic and                                     

romantic destinations. OTUK has the insider connections for private backstage tours, including the Royal                           

Retiring Room. Discover what happens before “curtains up” and gaze out from the stage across the                               

auditorium before taking a front-row seat for the real deal.    

 

Decadent treats for two 

 

 

Adare Manor - Afternoon Tea for Two 

 

“Love Tea” at the elegant Adare Manor includes decadent treats and champagne for two in The Gallery, an                                   

overnight in a Deluxe Room in the Manor House and breakfast the next morning. The Gallery is stunning with                                     

its grand, stained-glass windows dedicated by the Earl of Dunraven “in the love and honor of Caroline                                 

Wyndham, his countess.” In that spirit, Executive Pastry Chef Xavier Torne has designed a menu to celebrate                                 

the joy and sparkle of love: savory bites and sweet delights crowned with a glass of perfectly chilled                                   

champagne.   

 

Celebrate your wedding at your own private castle. 

Photo credit Margaret Soraya Wedding Photography 

 

Aldourie Castle - Castle Celebrations for Milestone Moments 

 

A milestone celebration is a one-off, so you need a location just as special. A castle celebration gives you                                     

privacy, grandeur and luxury, but also a uniqueness. Aldourie’s story is that it was once a mansion house,                                   

made for house parties. Now it has turrets overlooking Loch Ness, spiral staircases and 500 acres including                                 

an original Victorian walled garden - a place most worthy of your celebration. 

Cruise on Loch Ness for a romantic anniversary or honeymoon, taking in the breathtaking Highland backdrop.                               

Walk the historic trails of Black Isle for moments to treasure or take a beach stroll with your loved one from                                         

Aldourie to Dores. 

Allow your wedding party to arrive by boat on the private marina arriving to the sublime sounds of a Scottish                                       

piper, taking an enchanting walk through the woods before arriving at the Castle. Later, indulge in open                                 

fireplaces, the world’s finest whiskeys and laughter with your favorite people. 

At Aldourie, the birthday guest of honor could even arrive by helicopter. Why not follow with a Nessie hunt                                     

on the loch and later a party on the terrace? Enjoy a barbecue in the walled garden in summer or a dining                                           

room feast in the cooler months. Every castle has its own dramatic history. How will you add its story to                                       

yours?   

 

Cuddle up in the starry Scottish Highlands 

 

The Torridon - Cosmic Love at The Torridon, Wester Ross, Scotland 

 

Escape with your lover to the romantic Scottish Highlands and stay at luxury hotel The Torridon, offering an                                   

abundance of breathtaking moments to bond over. Book a bespoke celestial experience with local                           

astronomer Stephen Mackintosh and cuddle up under the glistening stars discovering the cosmic chemistry of                             

the night sky together. Snuggle up after a chilly night in one of the five-star hotel’s opulent suites. The                                     

Torridon Suite includes a double bath so couples can warm up side by side, alongside a sumptuously                                 

designed sitting room and bedroom overlooking the majestic munros outside. 

Partner the divine experience with a tipple each of Arcturus, The Torridon’s own gin. Handcrafted in the                                 

Scottish Highlands, Arcturus is distilled with foraged local botanicals from the surrounding land, sea and                             

mountains, including Scots lovage, kelp seaweed, rowanberries and foraged blaeberries. Arcturus takes its                         

name from the fourth-brightest star in the sky, a giant red star that is around three billion years old. 

This romantic stargazing experience starts at £250pp, including a three-course seasonal dinner, stargazing                         

lecture, stargazing excursion, Q&A and complimentary images. Accommodation in a Classic room from                         

£112.50pp (two sharing), including breakfast. Get in touch and we’ll connect you with The Torridon.  

   

 

Celebrate milestone moments in vivacious Tel Aviv 

 

The Drisco - Weddings, Honeymoons and Milestone Moments in Tel Aviv 

 

For those clients planning a dream wedding, lavish honeymoon or special milestone, consider The Drisco in 

Tel Aviv. Romantic events at this landmark heritage hotel are something to behold, with the happy couple’s 

concept serving as the team’s inspiration to plan every detail, from tailored menus to personalized 

decorations.  

 

For the pièce de résistance, the exclusive Villa Drisco is a lavish stand-alone property available for wedding 

groups, presenting five stunning, meticulously designed rooms, and one opulent suite for the ultimate 

couple’s hideaway. The Villa Drisco also has its own private salon - perfect to refresh with a cup of coffee or 

wind down with a glass of wine in hand. Before the big day, a trip to the hotel’s Daria Spa is on the menu, 

for an indulgent massage to smooth out the kinks and center the mind, alongside a pampering session to 

style hair and makeup. 

 

Resting in the most romantic of settings, The Drisco Hotel is just a stone’s throw from many beautiful spots                                     

in town. Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood built outside of Jaffa in the late 1880s, is a few                                     

minutes’ walk from the hotel, quaintly distinctive for its restored architectural wonders, charming cafes and                             

upscale boutique fashion and jewelry stores. A stroll to the shimmering waters at the southern beach                               

promenade is not to be missed, the most spectacular spot in the city to snap a picture, with Old Jaffa’s                                       

silhouette in the backdrop. Contact us today to learn how to craft the perfect love-filled Tel Aviv vacation. 

 

 

   

 

In tastes, genres are broken. Photo credit: Aniela Photography 

Catherwood Travels & Private Haciendas - Proposals and Promises in Paradise 

 

The sky is the limit when it comes to celebrations arranged by Catherwood Travels and Private Haciendas.                                 

Together, they offer a unique collection of historical properties in the mysterious and magical Yucatán                             

Peninsula, whose beauty and importance offers the perfect atmosphere in which to host friendly faces from                               

all over the world.  

 

Events organized by Catherwood Travels aspire to be unforgettable. Their expert staff helps make weddings,                             

engagement parties or any other important celebration exceptionally memorable, fun, full of joy and                           

different. Guests, family and friends may live the complete Yucatán experience, through Private Haciendas’                           

collection of estates. Located close to the best natural and cultural attractions, the homes are nestled in                                 

the jungle, on paradisiacal beaches and in colonial cities, such as Izamal. Each one has been meticulously                                 

restored, retaining its original charm while incorporating modern comforts and exquisite environments. 

 

In México, there is a famous phrase: In tastes, genres are broken. So for each taste, Catherwood Travels and                                     

Private Haciendas have a specific hacienda, house or villa ready to be enjoyed. They also have extensive                                 

experience working with the best and most recognized wedding planners, as well as catering, chefs and                               

specialized service providers to achieve even the smallest detail of a wedding just as your clients had                                 

pictured it in their mind.   

 

Champagne with a "Top Of The World" breakfast  

Ventours International - Breakfast by Everest & Dinner Like A Maharaja  

 

Ventours has the insider connections to craft moments of love all over India. Perhaps they’ll warm to a                                   

private dinner in a chhatri pavilion, complete with their own chef and server. One hundred diyas, a million                                   

stars, one musician and a special couple are a recipe for romance. Elsewhere in Rajasthan, private dining is                                   

available in a 16th-century baori (stairwell). Hundreds of flickering lamps, authentic local cuisine and                           

traditional folk music add to the magical setting. 

 

For those seeking the most heavenly of romantic moments, send them into the heavens … the Himalayas.                                 

There’s nothing like a champagne breakfast in view of Mount Everest to say, “I love you.” Shortly after                                   

dawn, depart by helicopter for the Everest region, passing Langtang, Dorjee Lakhpa and Gauri Shankar.                             

After refueling, proceed farther up to Kongde Ri, regarded as a holy mountain, landing at Kongde Lodge,                                 

reportedly the highest in the world at 4,250 meters. The views from here are magnificent and in the                                   

backdrop of a champagne breakfast, your clients will see the entire glory of the Himalayas: Everest, Lhotse,                                 

Makalu, Cho-Oyo, Gyajung Khang and Ama Dablam. Rebecca has had the opportunity to experience this                             

once-in-a-lifetime breakfast - get in touch for a firsthand description.  

   

 

Relax and enjoy a romantic evening for two in your infinity pool at Cape Weligama 

 

Resplendent Ceylon - Three Different Destinations, Three Ways to Spell “Love” 

 

There’s nothing like exploring, learning and bonding with a loved one. At Ceylon Tea Trails, guests walk the                                   

trails through beautiful tea fields together with a Tea Trails naturalist, and glide through Castlereagh                             

reservoir in a kayak. At Wild Coast, they can savor a romantic dinner amongst the sand dunes, under the                                     

stars, with wild jungle on one side and waves crashing against the shore on the other. On the other hand, a                                         

challenging session of couple’s yoga could be one of the most fun – and relaxing – things to do this                                       

Valentine’s season. Later, guests enjoy a romantic dinner for two at one of the property’s breathtaking                               

lookout points – a sought-after choice for proposals and surprise honeymoon dinners. 

 

Resplendent Ceylon’s properties are also ideal for intimate destination weddings and gatherings. Three                         

different ambiences, climates and architecture make for unique choices that will make for memorable                           

moments. Allow us to put you in touch with the Resplendent Ceylon team to organize a special event for                                     

your romance-seeking clients. 

   

 

Your private accommodations at Villa Noosa 

 

Southern Crossings - Romance and Milestone Celebrations in Australia, New Zealand and the South                           

Pacific 

To take your clients’ romance to new heights, Southern Crossings can heli a couple to a secluded                                 

mountain-top hot tub for two on New Zealand’s stunning South Island or arrange a seaplane to take them to                                     

a long winery lunch on Waiheke (just minutes from the center of Auckland). How about a climb to the                                     

summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, serenaded at the top? Or perhaps a private island is more their style?                                     

From Fiji to French Polynesia, Tasmania to the Great Barrier Reef, Southern Crossings has island escapes to                                 

host exclusive celebration vacations. Whatever their preferences, Southern Crossings can make a perfect                         

match. 

 

If your clients are looking to celebrate a special milestone with family and friends, Southern Crossings has                                 

private villas aplenty (take a look at the brand-new – opened December 2019 – Residences at Kauri Cliffs                                   

that offer space to come together, and space to enjoy some downtime). Naturally, they can also arrange                                 

private chefs to cater, housekeeping to clean and a concierge on hand to bring the little “wow” moments                                   

that make a holiday like this so special. 

 

 

   

 

Southern Crossings is also thrilled to have access to a new boat that has just arrived in Sydney. This cheeky                                       

little 54-meter super yacht has previously hosted a who’s who in the Med, and is now available for day and                                       

multi-day charters in Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef or for aquatic adventures farther afield in New                                 

Zealand or the Pacific. With six cabins (to sleep up to 12 guests, who will be thoroughly indulged by a crew                                         

of 13), she comes equipped with a host of toys – including a climbing wall and slide, paddleboards and                                     

wakeboards, Jetskis and kayaks – that are sure to thrill all the kids (both big and small!), spacious decks for                                       

lounging and dining, a jacuzzi and even a silent disco to keep the celebrations going! 

 

Allows us to put you in touch with the folks at Southern Crossings, who have the knowledge and the                                     

know-how, the connections and creativity to curate a most memorable vacation in Australia, New Zealand or                               

the islands of the South Pacific.  

 

   

 

Enjoy a romantic VIP Premium experience at the Empire State Building 

 

Beyond Times Square - VIP Experience at the Empire State Building 

We’ve all seen the movies … there’s nothing quite as romantic as taking the love of your life to New York                                         

City on Valentine’s Day and getting the bird’s-eye view from the top of the iconic Empire State Building.                                   

Beyond Times Square can arrange a 90-minute guided tour with an Empire State Building Observatory                             

Ambassador, including VIP priority access throughout the visit and exploration of the brand-new Observatory                           

Experience, complete with 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits that invite guests on a journey from                               

the building’s construction to its current place in pop culture. Your tour guide is a long-time employee of                                   

the Empire State Building and will share interesting insider stories. The experience also includes express                             

access to the 86th floor and 102ndfloor Observatories and a commemorative souvenir photograph. Create                             

romantic memories in NYC that will last for a lifetime!   

 

Romance in King Henry VIII's hunting lodge 

Great Fosters - A Retreat Fit for Royalty 

Sentimental moments come easy at Great Fosters, nestled within 50 acres of formal gardens and parkland                               

near Windsor. This Grade 1-listed building was originally built as a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII and                                   

oozes history and romance with cozy corners and secret gardens. 

Step back in time and enjoy a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, exploring the 4,000 acres of Windsor                                 

Great Park, Her Majesty The Queen’s estate. Afterward, visit the Queen’s favorite residence, Windsor                           

Castle. Take a tour of the state rooms and St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke &                                       

Duchess of Sussex, married last year. 

Return to the hotel for a stay in the beautiful Tapestry Room, which spans the whole width of the house. It                                         

has three huge 16th-century Flemish tapestries adorning the walls with an emperor-sized bed sitting proudly                             

in the center of the room. The bathroom has beautiful views across the gardens plus a tub for two. Enjoy an                                         

aperitif by the Saxon moat amidst the heady perfume from the rose garden before a romantic dinner in the                                     

Michelin-starred Tony Parkin at The Tudor Room. With only eight tables, the Tudor Room is an intimate                                 

dining experience with a modern British and European tasting menu.    

 

A picture perfect romantic setting in Wales 

 

Bodysgallen Hall & Spa - Celebrating 400 Years of Romance in Wales 

 

Bodysgallen is undoubtedly one of the most romantic settings in Wales, where couples can spend quality                               

time together enjoying all the finer things the hotel has to offer. Imagine a cozy candlelit dinner in the AA 3                                         

Rosette-awarded restaurant, relaxing in the spa or exploring the ancient wooded parkland and gardens hand                             

in hand. Then return to the intimate Drawing Room in this historic house, celebrating its 400th anniversary                                 

this year, and sink into plump feather-filled sofas before a magnificent fireplace. The more adventurous                             

may partake in one of the activities at Zip World in Blaenau Festiniog, in the heart of the Snowdonia                                     

National Park. These caverns are like underground cathedrals, where you can spend an afternoon zip-lining                             

from one chamber to the next, or bouncing on trampolines hung between the cave walls - a truly                                   

exhilarating experience. 

 

Celebrate your love with friends and family with a marquee wedding 

 

 

Hartwell House & Spa - Celebrate Love in Louis XVIII’s Former Home 

 

Heart-filled moments are in the making at Hartwell House & Spa, an exceptional venue for an unforgettable                                 

celebration. Whether it is an intimate wedding for two, an exclusive-use celebration for 80 of your closest                                 

family and friends or any milestone in between, Hartwell will treat your clients as royalty, just like the kings                                     

and queens that have lived and visited in its illustrious and historic past. Once home to Louis XVIII of France,                                       

this now National Trust-owned hotel gives one the experience of living in a stately English home, but                                 

without any of the upkeep. With four magnificent drawing rooms, incredibly romantic four-poster suites, 90                             

acres to explore at leisure and a spa in which to relax and rejuvenate, guests feel like Lord or Lady of the                                           

Manor. 

 

Pop next door to Waddesdon Manor, built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s to display his                                   

collections and entertain the fashionable world. Private tours are available behind the scenes of this                             

stunning French Renaissance-style château. Private tasting opportunities are available at Hartwell’s                     

extensive wine cellars and the Rothschild vineyards.   

 

Gourmet lovers will delight in this 18th century manor home 

Middlethorpe Hall & Spa - Memorable Meals for Two  

 

Love is in the air for gourmet lovers at Middlethorpe Hall in York, where two can dine on the sumptuous                                       

six-course gourmet menu, created by Head Chef Ashley Binder, and paired with selected wines. To complete                               

this quintessential country house experience, stay over in beautiful accommodations in the 18th-century                         

Courtyard, waking to a delicious Yorkshire breakfast, before relaxing in the Middlethorpe Spa, perhaps                           

enjoying “Treatment of the Month for February – Half-day Spa,” which includes a facial treatment and                               

express manicure, plus a glass of bubbly and slice of red velvet cake to finish. Add to the romance while                                       

staying at Middlethorpe Hall, taking the opportunity to discover some of the film locations used in the latest                                   

Downton Abbey blockbuster, such as Harewood House, Wentworth Woodhouse, Alnwick Castle, the Beamish                         

“open-air museum,” and many more, all sited in Yorkshire. Contact us for details of this very special                                 

romance-inspiring package.