ITALY BEATS OUT HAWAII’S 10 YEAR WINNING STREAK FOR # 1 HONEYMOON DESTINATION

New York, NY, July 9, 2007 – Modern Bride magazine unveils the results of their eleventh annual World’s Best Honeymoons Survey in the August/September issue.  The survey was conducted through Virtuoso, a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who are among the nation’s top travel bookers. Travel experts ranked their overall favorite honeymoon destination, the hotels and resorts with the most luxurious amenities, as well as the destinations that offer the best in categories such as romance, seclusion, affordability, adventure, nightlife, food, and culture. 

This Year’s Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations are:

1.         Italy (3^rd in ‘06) – the number one honeymoon destination for the first year ever, with vibrant cities, tantalizing cuisine, and a culture that has embraced true love for centuries 

2.         Hawaii – a top destination for eleven years with its luxurious resorts and sprawling beaches

3.         Tahiti – for lovers looking to savor the sights, scents and flavors of a French Polynesian treasure

4.         Costa Rica (26^th in ‘04) – exotic rainforests, erupting volcanoes, and wildlife reserves promise an adventure lover’s paradise

5.         Mexico – for a blend of rich culture, endless fiestas, and thousands of miles of white sand beaches

6.         France (9^th in ??06) – for exquisite works of art and architecture, decadent desserts, and an amazing             countryside

7.         Maldives – over 1,000 secluded isles offer out of this world sailing, diving, and swimming in crystal blue waters

8.         Anguilla (34^th in ‘03) – where the beauty of the Caribbean meets with posh resorts and eclectic cuisine

9.         Fiji – a South Pacific oasis of limestone caves, Asian inspired cuisine, and pristine coral gardens

10.       Greece – a convergence of sumptuous food, enchanting island hopping, black sand, and emerald seas

Expertly acclaimed hotels and resorts with the most luxurious amenities include:

Ultimate honeymoon suite:               Premier Overwater Villa at the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Ultimate resort for seclusion:           Le Taha’s Private Island & Spa, French Polynesia

Resort with best service:                   The Peninsula Bangkok, Thailand

Most luxurious bathroom:                Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco, CA

Best resort private plunge pool:       Ladera, St. Lucia

Resort with the best bed:                  Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island, HI

Resort with best beach:                    Caneel Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Resort with best bar:                        The Setai, Miami Beach, FL

Resort with best spa:                         Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best hotel brand:                               Four Seasons

Best all-inclusive brand:                   Sandals

Top three honeymoon destinations organized by category:

Most up-and-coming honeymoon destinations: Dubai, Croatia, Costa Rica

Best cultural experience: Italy, France, Greece

Most romantic: Tahiti, Italy, Hawaii

Sexiest Ambiance: Tahiti, St. Barths, Brazil

Best nightlife: Las Vegas, New York, Brazil

Most affordable destinations: Mexico, Las Vegas, Dominican Republic

Most secluded: Maldives, Seychelles, Tahiti

Best beaches: Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Tahiti

Best snorkeling/diving: Belize, Cayman Islands, Australia

Best for winter sports: Switzerland, Colorado, Canada

Best food: Italy, France, New York

Best adventure: Costa Rica, South Africa, New Zealand

For more info: www.brides.com/modernbride