Try Something Different Next Time You Travel
The Signal - Business Section, June, 2006  

Travel is a magical experience. And often it turns out that the most unexpected events on a trip are the most unique and memorable. Special moments in time shared with others doing something adventurous, educational, exciting or just plain old fun, are the experiences we take home as a personal souvenir, forever changed by the unexpectedness of it.

Every destination has something interesting and rare to offer. Whatever it is, the opportunity is out there just waiting to be explored and experienced. One of my recent unexpected activities that will stay with me for a long time is climbing the Sydney Harbour Arch Bridge in Australia. Situated behind the famous and architecturally stunning Sydney Opera House, the bridge is a sight to behold and a structure worth climbing if ever given the opportunity. I was lucky enough to have this chance, and am glad I took it.

The bridge literally crosses the harbor, and is considered one of the longest one-bow bridges in the world. Completed in 1932 after nine years of construction, the Sydney Harbour Bridge connects people to the city, carrying more than 200,000 cars across the water each day.

As part of a 3.5-hour guided tour, I climbed the arch of this bridge wearing a special pocketless jumpsuit tethered to a steel line along the catwalk. The cement walkway originally was used by construction workers building the bridge, but has since become one of Sydney’s most distinctive tourist attractions, offering an unparalleled view of the city and impressive photo opportunity.

The arch is a series of steps, but the adventure is not strenuous, more like a leisurely stroll. Our jumpsuits are a safety thing, just to make sure nothing falls out of our pockets or gets blown off us and into the water below. We are all radioed together for sound and are led by the guide who stops our approximately 10-person group every few feet to announce points of interest worth seeing from a birds-eye view. And it is amazing.

I had heard about this tour before, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the experience went way beyond my expectations. It was the highlight of my trip. Given the opportunity to do it again, I would without question, but would like to go at a different time of day. We went on a beautiful picture-postcard afternoon and it was perfect. The tours are offered 20 hours a day, from pre-dawn through sunset and into the evening, with each block of time featuring it’s own rare magic.

Traveling to Australia in itself is a fantastic trip. So much to see and do in this land down under, still the unforgettable experience of a leisurely stroll across the Sydney Harbour Arch Bridge is one of life’s unexpected pleasures.

Next time you travel, be sure to find your own remarkable unexpected experience. It will be the zenith of your vacation, and a memory you’ll have forever.

For many brides to be, this is the ultimate fairytale princess happily ever after – marrying Prince Charming in a European castle with all your closest family and friends present. More than just a dream from a picture book, this new twist on the destination wedding has grown-up Cinderellas everywhere saying I do from inside a castle.

Historic old castles in Ireland and Scotland, chateaus in France and villas in Tuscany, these fabulous properties throughout Europe are what couples today are looking for in a wedding destination. Taking a royal turn from the traditional mega resort island beach destination wedding, castles are where it’s happening for the modern bride and groom.

When searching for the ideal castle, it is important to realize they come in many shapes, sizes and locations. Some castles now serve as lovely hotels, like The Ashford in Ireland. Others are still privately owned and available as luxury property rentals, such as the Tower of Perth in Scotland offered by Time & Place. Both styles have their own unique advantages for a wedding ceremony and guest accommodations.

Depending on the size of your wedding party, options may vary and it is important to work with you travel professional who can provide resources and planning assistance from flowers to appetizers to getting a marriage license. For smaller groups, the ability to coordinate an intimate ceremony and personalized celebration works well at many of the privately owned castles. These often have fewer guest rooms than a hotel but are exclusively private to your party.

The Tower of Perth in Scotland, for example, is a 14^th century Tower House with Victorian additions, completely restored by the owners in 1996 to infuse many of toady’s modern conveniences with traditional old world charm. With beautiful gardens, a full-service kitchen and a complete domestic staff, including a house manager, full maid service, a chef, gardeners, a maintenance person and a local concierge, everything is covered. Located near Edinburgh and Glasgow, the property has convenient access to international airports as well. The castle sleeps 16 people.

For the bride planning a larger celebration, sprawling estates and hotel-style castles are the way to tie the knot in imperial style. Fit for a king and ready to serve the bridal queen for the day, the noble extravagance of the castle wedding is impressive.

Some plan the event around the castle itself, other couples decide on a geographic destination and then find the castle to suit their particular wedding-day needs. Since family and friends are traveling to be part of the big day, most will take the opportunity to use the trip as a vacation, arriving early or staying longer to explore the country. Often, the couple will schedule excursions in advance so the wedding party and guests have something fun to do while visiting. Activities may include sightseeing tours, shopping days or soft adventures for the active sorts. Again, rely on your travel expert for coordinating these details.

The destination wedding is like a ceremony and honeymoon rolled into one that also includes family and friends. Leaving our country to do this can present challenges, but the happily ever after part seems to prevail. Storybook princess marrying her prince in a European castle really does happen, no fairytale.

For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368