Southeast Asian food varies widely from country to country and even from village to village. A curry in Thailand and a curry in Indonesia are not the same and discovering the difference first hand is part of the fun of any trip to this tasty corner of the world. Today some the region’s passionate chefs are helping keep culinary customs alive while also adding in some contemporary international flare. Sample their delicious wares while on holiday in the following locations.
Photo Credit: Merah Putih
Merah Putih – Seminyak, Bali
Both your palate and your eyes will be wowed by an evening at this stunning, contemporary Indonesian restaurant situated nearby glamorous Seminyak Beach in Bali. The dimly-lit dining room with its soaring cathedral ceiling offers a magical setting for a memorable meal of sophisticated fusion dishes which remain true to their origins. The menu showcases traditional dishes and modern small plates designed to be shared following Balinese culinary customs as well as larger main course dishes. These may include Manadonese yellowfin tuna and pearl scallop with shallots and lemongrass, roast pumpkin ‘Betutu’ Asparagus with long bean, smoked coconut and basa gede and Medan roast pork loin served with cabbage and andaliman.
Sample some of the best Southern Thai food dining at this beautiful, classical house located on Bophut Beach, Koh Samui. Guests can either take in the ambiance of their classy dining room or dine under the stars and to the sound of the gently crashing waves on their romantic terrace. Their varied menu features beautifully presented dishes that will please all members of your party. Since the island is abundant with amazing coconuts, try their Tom Kha Gai chicken soup with coconut milk and fresh Thai herbs before moving on to the stir-fried white snapper with 3 spices, straight from the sea right in front of the restaurant.
A beautifully restored wooden mansion houses one of Yangon’s best restaurants. The refined yet relaxed atmosphere is a lovely setting for savoring their spectacular specialties from the Shan State in the northeast of Myanmar. In the morning get your day started on the right foot with their breakfast Kyaing Tong style noodles or come for lunch or dinner to feast on zesty leek root salad, Taunggyi Style fried dumplings or herb-stuffed catfish steamed in banana leaves. Save some room for their complimentary dessert of steamed pumpkin in rose-water infused and sweetened milk.
Website | Address: War Tan Street, Lanmadaw township, Yangon | Tel: +95 1 221 524 | Email: [email protected]
For a truly authentic and exceptional dining experience in Laos, travel to the lush rainforest of the northern part of the country. Nestled on the banks of a river and on the edge of a small traditional village, the Muang La Resort’s Transient restaurant offers an intimate introduction to the culinary traditions and customs of the region’s diverse ethnic tribes. The ever-changing and inventive menu features Laotian specialities with a contemporary twist. These sophisticated multi-course meals can be enjoyed in the privacy of an enchanting wooden pavilion overlooking the river, found on a small island accessed by a torch-lit path and foot bridge. For a complete culinary immersion, they can also arrange more rustic meals in the homes of local villages as well as cooking classes at the lodge.
Learn more about this unique culinary retreat in Laos through Carpe Diem Luxury Travel here.
Photo Credit: Cuisine Wat Dam Nak
Cuisine Wat Damnak – Siem Reap, Cambodia
A trip to Southeast Asia isn’t complete without a visit to the incredible temples of Angkor Wat and a trip to Siem Reap isn’t complete without a meal at the delightful Cuisine Wat Damnak. Since opening in 2011 chef Joannès Rivière has been consisting winning international accolades for his fusion cuisine melding French and Cambodian gastronomy. He follows a farm to fork approach, using fresh ingredients sourced or foraged from the Siem Reap province in his bi-monthly changing tasting menu. In their modern dining room or on their outdoor terrace, you’ll feel far removed from the boisterous city as you dine on coconut tree heart salad with pan fried snakehead fish, barbecued duck sour soup with lime, shiny cresson and elephant ear taro stem or quail and Cambodian green giant eggplant in game style, wild mangoosteen sour leaves and mushrooms.
Website | Address: Wat Damnak Market Street, Between Psa Dey Hoy market and Angkor High School, Siem Reap | Tel: +855 (0)77 347 762
Travel can be one of the strongest activities which bonds a couple’s love, creating lifelong memories together. It’s not surprising that travel lovers often choose to commemorate their unique love in a unique place – one that may be linked to their fondest travel experiences. If you’re looking for a truly original destination wedding venue, we’ve got some of the best across the globe which will bring to life the magic of Arabian Nights, awaken the spirit of colonial Mexico or take you from the most amazing deserted beaches, via the fields of New Zealand, all the way up to the highest peaks of the Alps.
History Lovers – Quinta Quebrada in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Nestled in the hills of central Mexico, in one of the country’s prettiest cities, you can take a romantic trip back in time at Quinta Quebrada. This vast enchanting home, filled with curiosities, is an exceptional wedding location for history lovers, a true gem offered Pamela H. Murdock Inc.
The center of San Miguel de Allende (a 1.5 hour drive from the Leon airport) has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its well preserved colonial era graceful plazas, baroque churches and grand mansions; Quinta Quebrada being the most famous of these opulent casas. This imposing and yet charming 16th century house, hidden behind tall stone walls, has 13,864 sq. ft. of living space on three floors and beautifully landscaped grounds covering almost one acre. The house has a capacity of 200 for the reception and sleeps 22.
“The wonderful staff of 10+ (more are hired for special events) are very used to having large parties and will ensure that everything is taken care of seamlessly,” says Pamela Murdock who’s stayed at the hacienda and knows the owner’s well.
“The house has been the site of many weddings even before ‘destination weddings’ became popular. The ceremony can either take place at a nearby church or at the house itself. If it’s at a church, mojigangas (giant dancing puppet figures) can be hired to lead the wedding procession back to the house.”
Pamela can work with you to arrange exactly what you’re looking for from cocktail receptions to seated dinners or lunches and from fireworks to mariachis and globos (sky lanterns), in addition to the regular wedding necessities like flowers, hair & makeup and photographers.
To find out more about this curious, historic mansion, contact Pamela H. Murdock Inc here.
Culture vs. Beach – Amara Ocean Resort, Myanmar
It can be tricky to find a destination which pleases both culture and beach lovers, a task achieved beautifully at Amara Ocean resort in offbeat Myanmar.
Set on three kilometers of virgin beach on the Bay of Bengal, the resort features 26 70 sq. m. teak bungalows each with a 40 sq. m. terrace with spectacular views of the sea and the Rakhine Mountains. Its size and extremely discrete location, with no other resort or hotel within miles, makes for the perfect beach destination wedding for you and your guests to enjoy a memorable holiday with cultural twists.
The resort works closely with the local community and can arrange an array of cultural activities allowing you to have first hand insight into Myanmar’s history and culture like walks in the neighboring village, visits to traditional pagodas or to a colourful Burmese market, custom clothes made by a trusted tailor. Guests seeking to kick back and relax can lounge by the pool or be pampered with an outdoor massage at their spa.
Your wedding can be a chic yet relaxed affair with elegantly decorated, candlelit tables next to the beach with the waves gently crashing the background. The meal can feature tasty local specialties, or a mix of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting fresh fish and shellfish, as well as home-grown fruits and vegetables from their own organic garden.
Bring culture and the beach together in this perfect marriage for your wedding day by reaching out the Amara Oceanh.
Nature Lovers – Touch of Spice Te Hihi Estate, New Zealand
New Zealand has some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and you don’t even have to go far from the city to track it down, like at the Te Hihi Estate by Touch of Spice.
Here you’ll have 92 acres of awe-inspring countryside all to yourselves on this exclusive luxury retreat, situated only a 30-minute drive from Auckland airport.
The country-chic homestead is organized with an open plan living and dining area fitted with large windows, taking in ample light. The billiard room provides a secondary location and has a billiard table, bar and media suite. For overnight guests the homestead has for four deluxe bedrooms for eight and Touch of Spice can assist with other accommodation in the area for other guests.
Spend your days before or after the wedding exploring the natural surroundings of the homestead or relaxing on site at its 15m heated swimming pool with large deck area including a Jacuzzi, bar and BBQ area; complete with open wood fire and covered dining area.
“All facilities of the vast property are immaculately designed to the highest standard,” explains Touch of Spice founder and C.E.O. Jacqui Spice. “The homestead can comfortably accommodate 120 for cocktails and canapes and 60 for a sit down meal. The private courtyard to the rear of the billiard room is also suitable for a more intimate function. Alternatively, there are a variety of stunning locations on the property which are ideal for setting up a marquee for up to 200 guests.”
Start organizing your wedding at this unique venue by reaching out to Touch of Spice at this link.
White Wedding – Ultimate Luxury Chalets Private Enclave, French Alps
The ultimate white wedding can be exquisitely arranged by Ultimate Luxury Chalets at their private enclave in the posh French ski resort of Val d’Isere. This exceptional location offers complete intimacy for you and around 65 guests spread over five luxurious alpine chalets.
The enclave consists of four chalets which sleep 10-14 and then the larger Le Chardon which sleeps 20. These exquisite winter retreats blend mountain coziness with supreme comfort, featuring carefully selected materials from Travertino marble to 200-year-old reclaimed wood. The large size and excellent common rooms of the chalets naturally create the ideal space for multigenerational families or groups of friends coming together for the special day.
After a day on the slopes of the Espace Killy, warm up in front of a toasty fireplace or rest your sore muscles in the hot tub on your private terrace accompanied by a glass of champagne. Then make your way inside to feast on international and local specialities prepared by your private chef with a phenomenal view of the Manchet Valley.
Ultimate Chalets also has relationships with a network of wedding specialists based in the local area including a humanist celebrant who can perform the ceremony directly onsite or in a pre-selected outdoor location, a photographer, a florist, a hairstylist and an artisanal wedding cake designer.
To ski your way to the altar, contact Ultimate Luxury Chalets here.
Enchanting Arabian Nights – Kensington Marrakech Villas, Morocco
Marrakech is the perfect definition of a sumptuous and exotic destination to set your wedding, plus, since it’s like an extravagant oasis in the middle of the desert where you can perfectly combine luxury with rustic adventure. Kensington Luxury Properties can help you conceive the perfect destination wedding hosting anywhere from your closest family and friends to 500 guests.
Marrakech is a destination which enlivens the senses. For more than a thousand years, it’s been a crossroad between Europe and Africa. The gorgeous red city has streets are lined with olive and palm trees, vibrant markets and tall walls hiding the most magnificent gardens… a place which can transform your special day into an enchanting Arabian Nights’ tale.
Inside one of Kensington’s prestigious villas surrounded by lush gardens and the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, with sun and warmth all year long, you could not dream of more.
An excellent option for a mid-sized destination wedding is their Jnane Fiestan Villa, a gorgeous property which can accommodate up to 85 people in a closed and private location. For smaller groups, they have an excellent selection of villas of all sizes and price ranges, but all with a very high standard quality of amenities and services and for larger groups, they have several villas which are found within close proximity of each other. The decor can vary from traditional North African luxury to sleek contemporary, however, it always has some local Moroccan flare. Most villas include private pools and many have their own in-house hammams and others their own tennis courts and other facilities.
They can also provide professional assistance with event planner and can assist you in your planning thanks to their exclusive contact list to secure the best of Marrakech for your wedding.
For more information about reserving one or more of these villas, see Kensington Luxury Properties’ profileh.
Design & Divine Beach – Luna2, Bali
Travel to one of the most stylish beaches in the world for your ultra hip design wedding at Luna2 private hotel. It was the first design hotel on Bali’s Seminyak beach and was key in putting this destination on the map.
Luna2 is the ultimate wedding destination, since the private hotel has five bedrooms, guests get the whole place to themselves. Plus, Luna2 studiotel is just a few steps away and offers 14 open-plan studios and an unparalleled playground of venues, ideal for destination weddings.
Bali is an excellent location to celebrate that special moment and the exclusivity of Luna2 where you can be surrounded by your close-knit group family and friends for an intimate, avante-garde beachfront affair.
The Luna2 creative team can work with you to come up with a unique ceremony for up to 40 guests. This could include a wedding bale with white lace & fresh flower decoration, large flower arrangements and bouquets, frangipani petals scattered at wedding altar & flower confetti, a celebrant & certificate of commitment and elegant chairs for the ceremony.
Then their award winning chefs will delight your guests with inventive local or international cuisine. This usually involves a one-hour cocktail reception, with a choice of four canapes, a four-course degustation dinner and four-hours of free-flow soft drinks, juices and imported mineral water.
The sky – and the beach – are the limit at Luna2. Design your ideal day with their team.
A honeymoon is your trip of a lifetime, however, with so many exceptional destinations around the world, deciding where to take this epic vacation is far from easy. Your selection can be facilitated by focusing in on a specific part of the world, like the Asia-Pacific. With its immense cultural diversity, fascinating historic sites, mouth-watering cuisine and phenomenally romantic settings, the region has something for all tastes and interests. Here are some of our favorites across the area to help you plan an exotic and heavenly honeymoon.
Koh Samui – Thailand
From north to south, Thailand’s cultural richness and natural beauty make it a marvelous and multifaceted honeymoon destination. No day of your trip will be the same as you wander through colorful temples, treasure hunt at vibrant markets, swim with schools of exotic fish, sample authentic Thai cuisine and lounge under seaside palm trees. All these pleasures can be experienced to their fullest on one of Thailand’s breathtaking islands such as Koh Samui, off the country’s eastern coast in the Gulf of Thailand.
The best couple’s resort on Koh Samui is Samujana, Thailand’s most luxurious boutique villa estate. The expansive property offers guests uncompromised privacy and service while boasting a prestigious hilltop location just a few minutes’ drive from Samui International Airport. Each of the unique, individually designed villas has spectacular panoramic sea views and private beach access. Enjoy over-sized infinity pools, fully equipped kitchens, landscaped garden areas, private in-villa dining options as well as private activities from yoga to Muay Thai boxing.
With exclusive access to Koh Samui’s finest services, couples can indulge in romantic activities like a sunset dinner prepared by the head chef of the island’s most illustrious restaurant, a private champagne catamaran excursion or a luxurious spa afternoon catered to by an expert therapist. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the beautiful estate, you can take in the island’s temples, markets, elephant experiences and a variety of sports from fishing to zip-lining and from hiking to ATV safaris.
Baa Atoll – The Maldives
Over one thousand coral islands, miles of untouched sandy beaches and endless aquamarine waters,The Maldives are a honeymooner’s paradise. It’s hard to find a more romantic setting for couples wanting to escape the crowds often found at coastal destinations. Here you’ll be able to spend your days relaxing on its deserted beaches, boating around nearby islands, snorkeling above the reefs and pampering yourselves with private spa treatments.
One of the archipelago’s most luxurious resorts is Amilla Fushi. Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, it’s only a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. It has spacious, designer private homes featuring private sanctuaries that either hover over crystal waters or are nestled among the treetops which add a unique dimension to your romantic break. You can dine privately at your villa or in one of the resort’s five restaurants. Explore the area on by taking a private excursion to sandbanks or to see dolphins, or spend a day (or more) relaxing at their renowned Javvu Spa, where its range of treatments include several specific designed for couples.
Honeymooners can take advantage of their “Time for Two” package. It includes daily breakfasts, one unforgettable private dinner by the beach, a romantic sunset champagne cruise and a special “romantic turn down” in your room. In addition, if you stay a minimum of three nights in an Ocean Lagoon, Ocean Reef or One Bedroom Beach House you will receive a 20% discount on your room rate.
Irrawaddy River – Myanmar
Since its recent political openness, Myanmar has become the ideal destination for adventurous couples. Even if tourism is gradually picking up, it is still largely uncharted territory where you can admire ancient pagodas without throngs of camera-wielding tourists, boat past typical fishing villages on spectacular Lake Inle, experience authentic interactions with local tribes and end your trip on the deserted beaches of the south coast.
A unique and intimate way to discover Myanmar is by taking a cruise on one of Amara River’s private teak river boats. Normally for up to 10 or 14 passengers, you can charter the boat just for two and have the exclusive attention of their professional and friendly staff. The traditional wooden boats were custom built and outfitted with modern luxury amenities. The front cabin is set up as a “honeymoon suite” and couples can view the riverbank sites from the upper deck which has a canopied dining area, a bar and a sun deck with colonial style deck chairs.
The boat can take several routes, though the best for a honeymoon is a six-day trip starting in the north in Mandalay and traveling south to Bamaw. A honeymoon cruise will likely include some romantic surprises. You might find your dinner table decorated with flowers and candles, be brought breakfast in bed or relax over a couple’s massage on the deck. Off the boat, couples can do special activities like having an exchange of vows ceremony in a temple at sunset or a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Bagan.
Bali – Indonesia
The magical Indonesian island of Bali is a sublime setting for an enchanting honeymoon. You’ll be seduced by the tranquility of its Hindu temples, the flashing colors of its intricate dancers and the rhythms of the waves crashing against its stunning shorelines. Release your stress over yoga on an outdoor patio, bike through graceful rice fields, hike to the top of lush volcanoes and swim in warm blue waters before closing the day on the beach with a feast of delicious local specialties accompanied by a traditional music performance.
Enjoy the cultural and natural splendors of Bali in the comfort of your private hotel at Luna2. The first true design hotel on the island, this beachfront boutique in sophisticated Seminyak has been deemed one of the “World’s Top 10 Hottest Hotels” by Tatler Magazine Hong Kong. Opened in 2007, and named after the first spacecraft to successfully land on the moon in the late-1950s, its unique design and philosophy unites the past, present and future. You will find this inside with beautiful contemporary furnishings and artwork, and outside with a sleek private pool area and direct beach access.
As a private hotel, you are treated to the impeccable services of an exclusive hotel with the intimate setting of your own “home.” Its dedicated 20-person staff ensures you have the ultimate out-of-this-world stay. Dine on the top international cuisine of its specially designed menu of “Lunafood” and make the most of the range of in and out-of-house activities and spa treatments.
Vatuvara Private Islands – Fiji
If you want to be get away from it all and spend quality time alone with your new bride or groom, there’s no better place than Fiji. Perfectly positioned for total privacy between Tahiti and Australia, this volcanic archipelago features over 300 awe-inspiring islands, around a third of which are uninhabited. Discover lush mountains, peaceful valleys, and unspoiled sandy coves. Its year-round tropical climate, with reliably long sunny days and warm evenings, means you can vacation here any time of year. If offers more than lounging around on the beach – not that there is anything wrong with that especially on honeymoon – active travelers can partake in a variety of sports like snorkeling, diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing and mountain trekking.
Experience your own Robinson Crusoe lost paradise on Vatuvara Private Islands. Hidden in Fiji’s pristine northern Lau waters on Kaibu Island, it is only accessible by the resort’s private airplane. With only three private villas you have the utmost luxurious privacy, you can also opt for an exclusive island buyout to have the whole island to yourselves.
The villas combine Fijian style and contemporary comfort. The one-bedroom villas each feature a large en-suite, fully equipped kitchen, indoor dining and living room area, dedicated villa spa, tropical courtyard and bionized heated pools, as well as indoor and outdoor showers. Each stay is custom-designed to your travel preferences and can include a day of pampering bliss with massages and treatments, exploring abandoned villages, boating the shimmering aquamarine lagoons, or topping your trip off with a champagne evening picnic under the stars.
Contact Vatuvara about this exclusive experience at this link.
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Nature Lovers – Touch of Spice Te Hihi Estate, New Zealand
