BRIDES MAGAZINE SELECTS VENERABLE TRAVEL NETWORK
VIRTUOSO® TO REVEAL TOP HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Virtuoso Advisors’ In-Depth Knowledge Provides ‘Brides Magazine’s Best Honeymoons 2012’

NEW YORK (April 12, 2012) – When it comes to planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway, the travel possibilities can be endless. Choices may include a secluded beach vacation, European tours, intrepid safaris, as well as adventures in new and exotic lands, often leaving couples in a destination decision quandary. The good news for discerning couples: high-end travel agency network, Virtuoso®, has teamed up with the renowned Brides Magazine to provide insight on the hottest honeymoon destinations now!

Collaborating with the revered travel network, Virtuoso, Brides Magazine gained access to an army of 7,200 elite travel specialists, questioning each on what they consider the very best destinations for newlywed couples. Taking advantage of Virtuoso’s more than 60 years of travel expertise, the survey determines Italy, French Polynesia and Maui as the top three honeymoon destinations from a full list of 20 locales in total. Additional destinations in this category cited Greece, Mexico, Bali, Thailand, Costa Rica and Australia as favorites amongst the newlywed set.

“Virtuoso’s reputation as the premiere network of travel agencies and advisors made them a perfect partner for this year’s Honeymoon Awards,” said Jacqueline Gifford, Travel Editor for Brides Magazine. “Their level of travel knowledge is unsurpassed and their insight led to an impressive and comprehensive list of world’s-best destinations, hotels, resorts and cruise lines – everything couples need to get started on their own honeymoon.”

“A couple’s honeymoon should be the perfect antidote to the stress of wedding planning. Virtuoso advisors provide the best possible experience for both the bride and groom, from the dream to the reality,” says Kristi Jones, CTC, President and COO of Virtuoso. “In fact, many couples first use a travel advisor to plan their honeymoon and after they realize how they could be traveling, it turns into a lifelong relationship between the advisor and the couple. Knowing how much we value honeymooners, we were very excited to team up with Brides Magazine to offer insight into planning what is a trip-of-a-lifetime for many.”

From the survey results, the top five city hotels in US & Canada were listed as: The Setai, Miami; Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City; Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, Santa Fe; Encantado, Santa Fe; and Four Seasons, San Francisco. Similarly, the top five hotels and resorts in Europe were named: Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy; Villa D’Este, Lake Como, Italy; Mystique, Santorini, Greece; Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy; and Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy.

Currently available in the April issue of Brides Magazine, would-be honeymooners can check out results from the recent survey and find the inspiration needed to begin planning their own romantic getaway. Feeling lucky? The future Mr. & Mrs. can enter to win a dream Italian honeymoon courtesy of Brides Magazine and Virtuoso, including a four-night stay at The St Regis Rome, a three-night stay at The St Regis Florence, airfare for two courtesy of Lufthansa, a consultation with a Virtuoso honeymoon specialist, plus $3,000 in cash to spend along the way. Visit www.brides.com/win to enter and visit www.virtuoso.com/brides for complete trip details and to find a Virtuoso Honeymoon Specialist.

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About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 330 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,250 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $9.6 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Visit www.virtuoso.com , or view Virtuoso’s latest videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler .

Media Contacts:
Misty Ewing
Virtuoso – Director, Public Relations
Phone: 202.553.8817
E-mail: mewing@virtuoso.com  

Emily Venugopal / Jami Gordon-Smith
The Brandman Agency 
Phone: 212.683.2442
Email: emily@brandmanpr.com  /  jami@brandmanpr.com