Munich – that’s “Oktoberfest,” right? Was that your first association?
Well… yes. Parades and beer tents and the general atmosphere of a time-honored country fair. That’s what you get when you travel to Munich in the Fall – between September 20 and October 5 this year, to be exact. BUT there is so much more to Munich… let me show you.
Beautiful baroque architecture…
The Marienplatz and Liebfrauenkirche…
… parks and beer gardens…
… and lots of things to see in the vicinity. You could go on a day trip to King Ludwig’s castle Neuschwanstein (inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella castle)…
… a folly that actually cost the king his life – he was found drowned in a nearby lake, most likely a political assassination motivated by his enormous spending spree on fairytale castles.
You could go on a day trip to see the Alps and the picturesque little town of Mittenwald …
… or, even better, stay there for a while for mountain hiking. Also less than 200 miles away is Lake Constance with its fully restored Bronze Age village…
… absolutely worth the detour.
For your stay in Munich, I recommend as your homebase the hotel Bayerischer Hof – traditional, elegant, centrally located (with the most famous dirndl shop right next door!) and the additional benefit that the Oktoberfest parades go right past its front entrance.
Once you are in Germany, what about traveling a bit further north for a Rhine river cruise past countless medieval castles…
… and a visit to the medieval city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber – also home to one of the most famous “Christkindlmaerkte” (Christmas markets) in all of Germany?
So…. why am I so fascinated by Ferrari, its race cars, and its Formula 1 team?
Easy. Their relentless pursuit of performance and excellence and their uncompromising dedication to stunning design are exactly matching my own values. They are pursuing the same goals, albeit in on a much larger scale, of course.
My admiration includes the Ferrari F1 team, Charles Leclerc and, as of this season, Lewis Hamilton.
Stills from a video published by Ferrari – the two F1 stars trying out the new Ferrari F-80. If anything, these two drivers never give up, never compromise and always deliver their very best – exactly what I am striving to do in my own job.
Let me pursue excellence and beautiful design for YOUR wedding to make it A Day Like No Other!
Venice – the stuff of dreams and legend… famously built on a series of wooden poles (pilings) driven deep into the soft, muddy floor of a lagoon in the Adriatic See, dotted with 118 small islands —a remarkable feat of medieval engineering.
The city was founded in the 5th century by refugees fleeing barbarian invasions. To build stable foundations in the marshy Venetian lagoon, early settlers drove millions of wooden poles, often made from water-resistant wood like alder, larch, or oak, through the mud and into the compact clay beneath. These poles supported wooden platforms, which were then topped with stone foundations and buildings.
Surprisingly, the wood didn’t rot. Submerged in oxygen-poor, silt-filled water, the wood petrified over time, becoming incredibly durable. This unique technique allowed entire structures—from homes to cathedrals—to stand atop shifting, waterlogged terrain.
Most of the city’s iconic buildings—including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace …
… still rest on these ancient pilings. The result is a floating city of stone and marble, literally rooted in wood – and ingenuity.
Its architecture reflects this rich history—most famously in St. Mark’s Basilica, with its Byzantine domes and glittering mosaics, and the Gothic Doge’s Palace, a symbol of Venice’s political and artistic grandeur. Strolling through Piazza San Marco …
… visitors are surrounded by elegant facades, soaring bell towers, and intricate stonework that blend Eastern and Western influences.
Most of Venice’s iconic buildings—including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace—still rest on these ancient pilings. The result is a floating city of stone and marble, rooted in wood and ingenuity.
It also means, that in Venice city blocks and neighborhoods are connected by canals, not streets.
Venice emerged as a major trade power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of East and West. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, the city became a thriving maritime republic, dominating commerce between Europe and the Byzantine and Islamic worlds. Venetian merchants traded in spices, silk, precious metals, and glass, building vast wealth and influence. The city developed powerful fleets and established trading posts across the Mediterranean and Black Seas, securing exclusive contracts and privileges.
One of Venice’s most famous figures, Marco Polo, symbolized the city’s global reach.
In the late 13th century, he traveled the Silk Road to China and served at the court of Kublai Khan. His detailed accounts introduced Europeans to the wonders of the East and inspired generations of explorers.
Through innovation, diplomacy, and naval strength, Venice became a commercial empire—its legacy still reflected in its opulent palaces, art, and cosmopolitan spirit.
Venice is also a city of art – from the Venetian Renaissance masters like Titian and Tintoretto to the avant-garde Venice Biennale. Not to forget – glass art, at home on the island of Murano (where glass mirrors were invented) …
… and the lace handicraft on the island of Burano.
You need to visit them all! And then there is the famous Venice Carnival, one of the world’s most iconic and enchanting festivals, celebrated each year in the lead-up to Lent. Steeped in history, the event dates back to the 12th century and flourished during the Renaissance, offering Venetians a period of indulgence and anonymity behind elaborate masks. Infamously, it was the time of the most murders in Venice, throughout the year…
Today, the Carnival transforms Venice into a magical stage of elegance, mystery, and theatricality. Locals and visitors alike dress in lavish 18th-century costumes, adorned with handcrafted masks ranging from simple eye covers to ornate full-face designs. The city’s piazzas, canals, and palaces host a dazzling array of events—from masquerade balls and street performances to gondola parades and costume contests.
And if you go, the Hotel Cipriani is my personal recommendation for your luxurious home base for all your excursions. Want to see it before you go? Watch The Tourist with Jennifer Lopez and Johnny Depp (which was filmed there) and be vowed! Or see our own couple Philipp and Michelle right there…
The Maldive Islands are a world-renowned tourist destination, celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, luxurious resorts, and vibrant marine life. Located in the Indian Ocean, this island nation comprises over 1,000 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, offering pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and spectacular sunsets.
It all started in the 1980s as an unspoiled location for hardcore SCUBA divers – the colorful reefs on the Maldives were untouched and unmatched in their natural beauty. There was no “tourism” to speak of… very few of the tiny islands – most of them easily walked around in 20 minutes! – had any accommodations, and the ones there were consisted of primitive coral rock huts. (I happen to know because I was one of these first dive enthusiasts…). Fast-forward twenty years, and luxury hotel chains discovered this island paradise, from Hilton to Four Seasons to St. Regis… pools and tennis courts were built, and these days you’ll find luxury amenities, food and entertainment.
A favorite for honeymooners, SCUBA divers, and luxury travelers, the Maldives combine tropical serenity with exceptional hospitality. Visitors these days stay in iconic overwater bungalows …
enjoy world-class snorkeling and diving among coral reefs teeming with marine life …
… any type of watersports…
… or relax with spa treatments and private beachfront dining.
Whether you’re seeking romantic seclusion, underwater adventures, or a high-end wellness retreat for your honeymoon, the Maldives offer a unique blend of tranquility and indulgence, making it an absolute tropical dream destination.
Do you love the mountains – and good food? Then this is the perfect honeymoon for you. Growing up in Europe in a mountain-hiking family, the Dolomiti were a natural vacation destination, so I’ve seen a lot of them! The most dramatic, rugged mountains, juxtaposed with gently rolling foothills dotted with vineyards and apple orchards and with picturesque little towns and villages where Time has stood still and where the best food you’ve ever tasted is served alongside local wines.
You will likely make the historic city of Merano your base camp for your mountainhiking expeditions – and there is some history to take in! As the capital of a region that over the course of the last millenium has been handed back and forth between Germany, Austria and Italy (South Tyrol or Alto Adige), it has become bilingual (Italian and German) and absorbed the best of both cultures, both north and south of the Alps. It has seen even Hannibal and his army marching through in 218 BC, complete with 40 elephants!
Go visit the “Erzbischoefliche Burg,” the castle originally built for the local archbishop…
… and simply explore the city and the myriad trattorias…
Another “must” is an excursion to Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), a highland area of expansive wildflower meadows, age-old villages and a cute little tram connecting them all – and of course, cable cars take you up to the surrounding mountaintops, unless you are ambitious enough to climb them!
The city of light, the city of love – once in your lifetime, you HAVE to see it, so why not for your honeymoon? Believe me, it IS magical – still, despite the traffic and the tourists…
One of my own fondest memories is arriving at the Gare du Nord via night train with my then-fiance, now-husband, at the crack of dawn – way too early to check into our hotel. We left our luggage at the station and walked. We watched the sun rise in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
We wandered the streets as the city was waking up. It was a rare epiphany: we felt the soul of the city… beyond the Eiffel Tower.
Yes, of course, you should visit the Eiffel Tower, that’s a “must” for all tourists, but there is so much more! The Palace du Louvre with its world-famous museum and the glass pyramid in front …
… the newly restored and reopened Notre-Dame cathedral, one of the greatest Gothic masterpieces…
The Seine with its many bridges (and don’t forget a boat tour on a bateau mouche – maybe at night..)
… the Palais Royal…
… and long strolls throught the St. Germain des Pres neighborhood.
This here is MY Paris… quiet, romantic, and steeped in history.
You’ve seen these stunning sparklers on TV, I am sure – and now you can have them for your wedding! Be it to accentuate your pronouncement as husband and wife, be it to give your First Dance extra glamour – this fantastic visual effect is now available for private events. And that is great, given that nearly everywhere across the nation, fireworks and regular sparklers are no longer permitted, due to the fire hazard they constitute. So what makes cold sparklers less dangerous and more accessible?
Cold sparklers, also known as cold spark machines, are special effects devices used to create stunning spark fountain displays. Unlike traditional fireworks, they produce a controlled stream of sparks that are cool to the touch and safe for indoor use when operated correctly.
They are called “cold” because the sparks they emit are generated from a powdered titanium alloy and burn at a much lower temperature than conventional pyrotechnics—typically under 130°F (55°C). This significantly reduces the risk of fire or burns, making them safer around people, fabrics, and decor. Mark my words: “safer” – not completely safe. The sparks can still cause burns or a fire, and that is the reason whycold spark machines are still classified as pyrotechnic devices nearly everywhere and require a pyrotechnics license and a permit to operate them. Laws vary by location, but you absolutely need to find out ahead of time the requirements for your particular location – even if DJ companies offer their cold spark machines along their DJ’ing, MC’ing and photo booth services. Don’t be fooled… if you book them for your event despite their lack of a proper license, all liability falls to you. Believe me, I had to do thorough research for one of my brides, and this is the result. Better safe than sorry!
For the start of my new series, let’s begin with my own honeymoon destination – still a tropical dream!
An island country in the Indian Ocean, 2,000 km off the coast of East Africa and east of Madagascar, it is part of the Mascarene Islands of volcanic origin, and a true melting pot of cultures, religions and languages – where just over a million of Mauritians of Indian, Chinese, French and Creole origin live together peacefully. The capital city Port Louis is home to a daily market with an overwhelming selection of fresh fruit and local spices – you’ll never forget that aroma, nor the aroma of the multicultural Creole cuisine with Indian, French and African influences. I learned cooking curries there… and it has stayed with me to the present day!
Mauritius is a dream honeymoon destination, with turquoise waters and white powdery sand on postcard-perfect beaches—for example Belle Mare and the serene lagoons of Le Morne.
Beyond sunbathing and every watersport imaginable, newlyweds can hike in the lush Black River Gorges, enjoy local culture ….
… swim with dolphins, encounter the diverse wildlife ….
… go on a helicopter tour of the island, or take a catamaran to uninhabited islets.
Sunset beach dinners, private villa stays, and spa experiences make it easy to unwind and disconnect from the daily grind. Chances are, you simply want to stay there… for the rest of your married life!
