And those are just the brides who aren’t afraid to admit it!

Pair Iphone App

A new iphone app, Pair might help couples reduce the stress.  Designed to help long distance lovers stay connected and in touch throughout the day, Pair is a one-to-one, private social network created for couples. Generally, you can:

• post cute video messages and photos that no one else will see
• chat for free, or switch from text chat to facetime within the app
• share sketches
• share your location

For wedding planning, we think there are some great features to keep the ball rolling, and both the bride and groom in the loop. You can:

• Set specific date reminders (meant for birthdays and anniversaries) for things like fittings, rehearsal dinners, stags etc.
• Use the shared todo list to stay on top of getting everything done leading up to the big day
• Share photos and ideas for the wedding

Cutest features?

• The Thumb Kiss – when both people touch the kiss icon at the same time, your phones vibrate simultaneously. (Don’t get any ideas – there’s probably a more effective app for that;)
• With the tap of a button, you can let your partner know you’re thinking of them.

Have you tried it? Let me know what you think!

First: 90 Second Pitch and Judges Questions.  Next: Watch the Judges’ Final Verdict.

How to Prepare for Pitching Your Startup LIVE!

Here are 5 Steps to Nail Your Pitch:

Plan ahead – prepping for a 10 minute appearance can take 4+ hours to compile and practice to proficiency.

** To be clear, I don’t prepare in this manner for all pitches or presentations, but for short (under 10 minutes) segments on live television or those with the potential for extreme embarrassment, it really does the trick for me.

1) Determine how long you have for your initial pitch & how many words you can fit in
On ‘The Pitch’ they cut you off right at 90 seconds, so you certainly don’t want to run long and risk not getting all of your information across. I simply googled the average rate of speech and found that people normally speak between 150 and 160 words per minute.  I tend to speak quickly, so I went with the upper limit but allowed about a 5 second buffer.

In the 90 seconds I had to pitch my business, I had approximately 240 words to play with.

You may also wish to vary your rate of speech throughout to emphasize certain parts of your pitch.  Here are some ideas you can play with while practicing:

• FASTER speaking speed signals urgency, excitement, passion or raw emotion.
• SLOWER speaking rate signals importance, seriousness, summarizing or significant ideas.

2) Watch previous episodes of the show to determine what content needs to be in your pitch
I watched 5 or 6 videos from The Pitch online to identify what worked for previous pitchers on that show (every show or investor will be slightly different).  I made sure to watch the segments where the judges asked questions to identify common questions.  I made sure to answer all the common questions in my pitch.

For something like Dragon’s Den or Shark Tank this is especially important. You’ll notice that some pitchers get through a couple minutes of their pitch, while others get cut off really early on in order to get to the point. Pin point when they get cut off and you’ll know what to avoid.

If you are pitching an investor in person, this research may be based on their areas of expertise or interest and what they’ll likely want to know or appreciate.

3) Write the pitch in your own words so it rolls off your tongue
Don’t just copy and paste things from other marketing materials.  Copy written for text-based marketing materials may not be easy to say when you are nervous and your pitch must sound natural and be easy to enunciate.  Be as concise as possible while you are writing, but don’t worry too much about your word limit.

I included the basic elements of our typical elevator pitch plus any stats I thought might help to frame our growth and market size.  If you have extra time, add in other content/best practices you’ve researched in step 2. Keep in mind that for television shows, they are also considering what is “sexy” and makes good TV.

4) Edit to reduce the text down to fit within your word limit
First try to reduce & rephrase your words. If you are still over the limit, then you might need to cut entire sentences or stats out of the pitch.  I had to do this. I can’t remember what I had to cut out completely, but it seemed important at the time. Be ruthless.

5) Practice, Practice, Practice
Best to do it in front of the mirror and use a timer if you are limited to a specific length.  Practice until you can recite the whole thing without looking at your notes, or stumbling between sections.

To help me remember the flow, I usually print out my notes (18pt double spaced font) and highlight certain keywords near the beginning of each paragraph to trigger my memory on what comes next.  When using my notes to practice, the highlighted words form visual cues for an outline of the pitch.  If I stumble while I’m pitching and forget my words, at least I’ll remember the topic to make the save. I also underline key 3-7 word phrases for the same reason.

If you consistently stumble on certain sections, consider re-writing or re-phrasing it to something more comfortable.  Expect a couple re-writes during practice.

6) Rinse & Repeat 1-5 for any questions you are anticipating
I took some time to forecast questions I would surely be asked such as “what’s your revenue?” and “will brides seriously buy and sell used wedding dresses?”.  I didn’t entirely memorize canned answers, but I practice key phrases for each topic.

Ok, you’re ready. Kill it!

I just came across a fantastic example of cross promotion between artists in the My Owl Barn’s “Owl Lover” calendar project. Back by popular demand for 2012, this collaborative project coordinated by My Owl Barn now includes 45 different artists.

Own Barn Free Calendar Download

How Does it Work?

Owl Barn allows visitors to save and print a free calendar. Combined with great technology, this clever cross-marketing idea allows you to choose your favorite owl related designs for each month to design your own custom print resolution calendar. (Of course, anyone could do it with 11 other partners producing just one file and forgo the customization technology.)

Then, save your calendar and print it at home, or at a print shop!

So, did it raise awareness for the artists?

I’d say yes! Owl Barn reports:

The project was featured on several reputed blogs like decor8, poppytalk, and the calendar was downloaded by almost a hundred thousand owl lovers all over the world. The calendar page received more than 10,000 likes on Facebook.

My only suggestion?

Size the calendar so it fits a regular plastic cd case, or a mini disc case. Most people have a couple of those laying around, or they are very cheap to purchase and make giving the calendar as a gift slightly more polished.

2011 SmartBrideBoutique.com Mini Desktop Calendar

Download your free calendar:

Just in time for Christmas – make your own for stocking stuffers

Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

There are lots of reasons to take a quick getaway right after your wedding and save your Mega-moon for later:

1. You need some time to save up.
2. It’s not the right season (weather-wise) for where you’d like to honeymoon OR you find an amazing deal for the off-peak time of year.
3. You can’t get all of your holidays/time off work in one shot – often you’ll need a few days off BEFORE your wedding.
4. You don’t want to sleep through your honeymoon while recuperating from your big day. (You’d be surprised how many couples we know that have slept through the first couple days of their week long trip.)

Ok – so what are the options?

Regardless of where you live, there are bound to be hotels and other locations near by that will offer a quick getaway for you and your new partner to relax, recuperate and recharge. Many often have special couples packages including a few extras.

Maybe you stay in your own city, but book a night or two in a great hotel (check for last minute hotel deals!) or perhaps there are resorts or spas just outside your city. Rent (or borrow) a cottage for the weekend or find a sleepy B&B nearby where you can sleep in and stroll the day away.

We took our own Mini-moon a few weeks ago at Ste. Anne’s Spa near Grafton, Ontario.

Ste. Anne’s Spa is located about 90 minutes east of Toronto, Canada. Originally we thought it would be the perfect location for a girls trip or bachelorette party (FYI – it totally is!) but after visiting, we saw huge potential for a couples weekend or Mini-Moon (as we like to call it). The staff is attentive but know just how to maintain your privacy across the massive property.

The Beautiful Grounds at Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

Your meals are completely taken care of, and perfectly portioned/designed to energize and heal run down bodies. Rooms are cozy, romantic and very private. In fact, you need not wear anything but a robe across the property!

The Fabulous Food at Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

Dining Alfresco at Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

We asked the staff at Ste. Anne’s about the best way to create a romantic and relaxing Mini-moon at their property.

Here are all the secrets and top tips to creating the perfect getaway:

Q. All your rooms are decorated differently. Which rooms would you suggest for honeymoon couples?

Ste. Anne’s Spa – Maud Watt Room, Frances Anne Hopkins Room & Arthur Room

Most all of the rooms would be suitable, but a few of our romantic favorites are (left to right in image above):

• MAUD WATT
• FRANCES ANNE HOPKINS
• ARTHUR ROOM (Dorset Manor Location)

Q. Your spa menu is extensive, what treatment would you suggest for relaxation and rejuvenation after a stressful period leading up to a wedding?

A body wrap is great for deep relaxation. We offer many, so couples can choose which ever one suits their particular needs.

Here are a few examples:

• Contouring Mud Stone Wrap
• Eucalyptus Body Wrap Milk
• Milk and Sesame Stone Wrap
• Moor Mud Hydro Wrap

Q. Is Ste. Anne’s just a spa or are there other things to do on the property?

There are many activities ranging from total relaxation to strenuous physical activity! For those who are a little more active, consider participating in any of our wellness classes including yoga, stability ball class, meditation and more or simply do a workout in our gym.

There are also fantastic walking trails around the property. If you prefer a destination rather than a wander to take in the beautiful scenery, take the 10-15 minute walk down to the Maison Sante just 1 km north of the main inn. It houses an indoor pool equipped with hydrotherapy jets and a dry sauna.

Relaxing Outdoor Fresh Water Pool at Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

Couples can also choose to bring their own tennis rackets to play a game or two on the courts, enjoy the amazing spring water pool, or take part in caring for the 10 domestic horses kept on the property.

Chill Out Inside at Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, Ontario

Q. Men are often leery of spa treatments. Are there any treatments designed specifically for men? Or those most enjoyed by men?

• BACK CLEANSING STONE TREATMENT: Deep cleansing, exfoliating skin treatment for the back. Hot basalt stones massage custom-blended herbal formulas onto your back. Additional heated massage stones are used to provide a light, relaxing back massage. (1hr. ~ $120)
• MEN’S EXPRESS FACIAL: A relaxing introduction to Aveda skin care and facial massage, customized for men with a soothing aftershave finish. (3/4 hr ~ $85)
• DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE with a Registered Massage Therapist: For people that are experiencing chronic pain or just like a deeper massage. Trigger points are manipulated to release tension, restoring muscle integrity and overall body balance. (1/2 hr. ~ $65 1 hr. ~ $120 1-1/2hr. ~ $180)

Q. What’s the best way to book a short escape?

If you have a particular room in mind, it’s best to call ahead and check availability. If you’re more flexible on dates, room preference etc, check out the last minute spa deals. Our packages are all inclusive of: 4-course dinner, breakfast, 3-course lunch & afternoon tea, 1 group wellness class (Wellness Classes are only available at Ste. Anne’s Spa) and complete use of the facilities.

Honeymooners and wedding guests alike can experience hiking, golfing, wineries, spas and sightseeing all within the area. Even the Grand Canyon is a perfectly doable day trip.

Here are some of our best tips to experience the legendary Red Rock Country.

View from the back patio of Cozy Cactus Bed & Breakfast

Where to Stay:

Regardless of your budget, there are great accommodations in and around Sedona. Some of the best value for your money can be found at the intimate bed and breakfasts that provide prime locations and views, gourmet breakfasts, help to book your activities and plan your stay, and a more relaxed and private atmosphere.

The Cozy Cactus is a five-room B&B run by two of the most gracious hosts you’ll meet in Sedona. Two of their one-bedroom suites ($200/night) capitalize on red rock views behind the property. Their backyard literally borders the national park which is just a few minutes walk away from breathtaking hiking. The breakfast (included) is not to be missed and depending on the season can be taken on the back patio while you soak up the incredible views.

Sunset Villa Room at Adobe Village Graham Inn

Another rustic yet luxurious option is the Adobe Village Graham Inn. Featuring a private patio, kitchenette, fireplace, 2-person tub, and waterfall shower, the Sunset Villa room ($459/night) even has a breadmaker and includes a gourmet breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres.

Where to Eat:

After a hard day of playing in the sun, you’ll surely be hungry. Sedona has many restaurants and cafes. Make sure to ask for reservations, or have your hosts or concierge recommend the best time to go to avoid long wait times. We were pleasantly surprised to be served popcorn and drinks in the lobby of Elote while waiting for a table. Chef Jeff Smedstad puts a new spin on traditional Mexican cuisine. We started with fresh guacamole, the special blood orange margarita and salivated as we waited for the main course. My husband devoured his Puerco en Cascabel (slow roasted pork) and even sampled my pan roasted pacific snapper. We didn’t really have room for dessert, but who could pass up a pumpkin flan?

Another especially romantic option is Cucina Rustica. You may also enjoy the incredible views, seafood and delicious steaks from the Shugrue’s Hillside Grill back patio.

What to do:

You will never run out of things to do and see in Sedona, but here are just a few honeymoon highlights.

Little Horse Trail, Sedona ArizonaAmazing Hikes:

We only had time for one short hike on our visit, but we couldn’t have been more pleased with Little Horse Trail. It’s a relatively easy hike about 2 hours in length (depending on how many times your husband stops to take pictures). At the highest point (Chicken Point), you reach an amazing view point that several Jeep tours also hit. Most of the jeep passengers are dumbfounded that hikers just appeared alongside them practically out of the canyon. For more information on the various hikes, visit greatsedonahikes.com where you can search hikes by difficulty and duration. Not all hikes will require serious hiking footwear, but good quantities of water, snacks and sun protection are highly recommended.

Wine to Water Tour:

If you like a little vino with your adventure, this tour is for you. After an hour float trip down the Verde River (generally gentle with a few exciting bits to compliment the views), you’ll arrive at the winery. Alcantara Winery and Vineyard features a Tuscan style farmhouse where you’ll enjoy tasting their award winning wines under the guidance of knowledgeable sommeliers. The tour lasts about 3.5 hours departing from the boathouse in Sedona at 1pm daily. $129/person including tasting. www.sedonaadventuretours.com/sedona-wine-tours

Take to the Sky:

Perhaps you prefer to experience Sedona from the sky. For hot air balloon rides, try Red Rock Balloons or Northern Light Balloons. These two companies are authorized to fly over the red rocks while others are not. For a faster pace, try a Bi-place or helicopter tour with Sedona Air Tours.

By Land:

For a group outing, Pink Jeep Tours offers the Broken Arrow Tour which leads you on and over the red rocks surrounded by magnificent canyon walls. The drivers are experienced and tend to get you places where you might not otherwise venture yourself. Option two is to rent your own 4×4 Jeep Rubicon for the day (Try Barlow Jeep Rentals). Have your hosts help you plan a route and don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch, blanket, and vino for a romantic honeymoon stop along the way.

Special thanks to Carrie at the Cozy Cactus for her expert advice on honeymoons in Sedona.

The other day we came across LiveShare.com. It seemed too good to be true – so we decided to check it out. LiveShare allows you to compile one collective photo album with family and friends leading up to your wedding reception. You can project your album during the wedding reception as a slide show AND (and this is a BIG AND) your guests can add photos they take during the reception to the stream right from their smartphones! It’s like disposable cameras on the tables meets instagr.am!

Here’s How You Can Create a Custom Photo Slideshow!

Basically, what you’ll set up is one giant photo album that looks like the screenshot below. You can use it for a slideshow featuring photos of your childhood, to broadcast photos from your wedding ceremony or reception in real time to family and friends who can not attend, or even to collect photos from your wedding guests after the event for your album.

This is what your photo stream looks like using the livestream website

To get started, you need to create a free account using your Facebook account.

Next, you create your own photo stream. Give it a name, and decide what privacy setting you would like to use. For security, we recommend a private stream, but we noticed that it’s much easier to share the album with your guests when you choose public via a simple URL. It’s up to you.

Choose to make your stream public or private.

You can then share the public link/URL with friends and family, or choose the private stream and enter the e-mail addresses of all the guests you would like to be able to view and add to your stream. When you use the private setting and e-mail invitations, your guests receive the e-mail below.

Guests may need additional instructions.

We recommend that you send your guests some additional instructions, or put the details on your wedding website to ensure everyone knows what to do. You might want your guests to:

1. Add photos from your childhood, or photos of you and your husband to the stream in advance of the wedding
2. Download the mobile app for their phone in order to contribute photos during the event.

Currently the mobile app is available for the iPhone, android and windows7 phones. No blackberry yet!

Guests can take photos and upload to the stream straight from their smart phone.

Currently available for iPhone, Android and Windows7 phones.

Setting Up the Slide Show – What You’ll Need:

In order to show the photos at your reception, you’ll need a few things:

• computer
• internet connection
• projector
• white wall or screen to project the images on in a dimly lit area
• proper cords to connect the computer to projector (different for each computer)

Also, because this service is new, you’ll need to e-mail the team at LiveShare.com (liveshare@cooliris.com) for your own personal URL/webpage that will play your slide show.

New Features Coming Soon!

Apparently there are new features coming all the time… however, if you’re listening, LiveShare, here are a few features we’d like to request:

• Mobile app for blackberry – a lot of our friends are business types!
• Not to have to use our facebook account. Not everyone we’re friends with on facebook is invited to the wedding and we don’t want you publishing things to our wall
• To be able to give a URL with the private stream option rather than inviting by e-mail
• Build the live slideshow URL right into our account so we don’t have to e-mail you

What to Do IN San Francisco:

Golden Gate Park

On sunny days, this massive 1000 acre park in the heart of the city is an ideal spot for a stroll and a great place to relax. Inside, you’ll find plenty of diversions including the De Young fine arts Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, a flower conservatory and a serene Japanese tea garden.

Alcatraz Island

Yes, it’s a tourist magnet, but for good reason. A guided tour of this storied old federal prison can be genuinely chilling, and the island itself affords unparalleled views of the bay. While you wait for the ferry, skip the overcrowded Fisherman’s Wharf and instead peruse the Ferry Building Market Place for gourmet foods and crafts.

Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito

Just across the bay, Sausalito is a picturesque little town close enough to access by quick drive or easy day trip by bike. On the way, you’ll cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the end of which affords mind blowing views of the city.

Lombard Street to Telegraph Hill

Famous as being San Francisco’s most crooked street, follow Lombard’s winding switchbacks east and onwards through the sloping Russian Hill and North Beach neighbourhoods until Telegraph Hill. It’s a steep climb to Coit Tower, but one that is rewarded by the view from atop the city.

Pit Stop:

Caffe Trieste (North Beach/Little Italy)

San Francisco’s first espresso bar, and still a prime people watching spot. A short walk from City Lights, one of the world’s great bookstores and the original epicentre of beatnik-dom. www.caffetrieste.com

Events:

Giants Game

Indulge your husband for an afternoon by taking in a Giants game at AT&T Park, one of the best parks in baseball. Located on the Embarcadero, the park is easily accessible by Muni transit, and borders on San Francisco’s industrial-chic SOMA neighbourhood, which is sprinkled with modern art galleries and shops.

Bay to Breakers

If your honeymoon happens to overlap with the third Sunday in May and you don’t mind a little public nudity, consider taking part in Bay to Breakers. The annual road race / giant party / spectacle brings the whole city out in costume (or lack thereof) for a day of revelry.

Where to Shop:

Hayes Valley / Lower Haight

A low-key pocket of cool just north of Market Street and the Civic Center, Hayes Valley offers a concentration of hip clothing and design boutiques, and great restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow Haight Street west to the Lower Haight, where you’ll find a good collection of boutiques and independent shops before the street explodes into full-blown madness at the intersection of Haight and Ashbury.

The Mission

A mix of punks, latino gangsters, boutique shopping and envelope-pushing art exhibitions, The Mission is one of the weirdest – and certainly one of the best – neighbourhoods in the city. The calm Mission Dolores Park lurks just behind the main street if you’re in need of a place to kick back and relax.

Union Square

If it’s Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton are what you’re looking for, you need not venture past Union Square, a centrally located shopping mecca stacked with high-end boutiques and large brand names.

Where to Eat:

Firefly (Noe Valley)

Upscale Americana comfort food served with offbeat artsy panache. Even though it’s tucked out of the way in a quiet stretch of Noe Valley, reservations are recommended. www.fireflyrestaurant.com

Slanted Door (Embarcadero)

One of the best Asian restaurants in the country, the Slated Door occupies a sleek modernist space in the Ferry Market Building. The renowned quality means reservations are hard to come by – book at least three weeks in advance. www.slanteddoor.com

Betelnut (Marina)

If a reservation at the Slanted Door proves elusive, Betelnut in the popular Marina district is a delicious consolation prize. www.betelnutrestaurant.com

Zazie (Cole Valley)

A tiny little bistro just a quick detour from the Haight, Zazie is one of the most popular brunch destinations in the city. Call ahead for reservations, especially if you can get a table on the enclosed backyard patio. www.zaziesf.com

SPQR (Pacific Heights)

Modern Italian, tapas style. Excellent and simple food, but a no reservations policy means you’ll be lining up for tables. www.spqrsf.com

Blue Bottle Coffee Company (Hayes Valley)

Located in a garage down an alley, this coffee-culture favorite may be tough to find, but is well worth it if you’re a discriminating coffee drinker. www.bluebottlecoffee.net

What to Do AROUND San Francisco:

Road Trip: San Francisco to Carmel

Rent a convertible and leave a full day to meander down the coast, stopping at public beaches and small towns along the way. The town of Carmel is a gorgeous beachside stop, and you can easily spend the better part of a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path to rest your head, try the Pleasure Point Inn in Santa Cruz. The small bed and breakfast feels like home, and its rooftop hot tub overlooks a popular local surf spot.

The 17 Mile Drive

The winding stretch of road between Monterey and Carmel is world-famous for good reason. Pay the park fee and enjoy a leisurely drive through some of California’s most stunning oceanside scenery.

Bonny Doon Vineyard

Sure, the Napa Valley is nearby, but if you’re looking for a unique California wine experience, Bonny Doon Vineyard is a short drive up into the cool hills of Santa Cruz. The counterculture winery is run by a mad philosopher with emphasis on design and experimentation.

Where to Stay:

High:

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

$400/night and up

5 star
Medium:

Le Meridien San Francisco

$277/night

4 stars

Low:

Harbor Court Hotel – a Kimpton Hotel

$140/night

3.5 stars

Ask about their green package for hotel discounts, and credit towards bike rentals.

Clearly we’re not all professional models…. and if Kate Moss can get caught sporting a double chin on her wedding day, the rest of us could be in trouble!

Never fear, there are 4 simple things you can do to look amazing in all your pictures:

1. Lift your chin slightly to avoid the dreaded double chin.
2. Turn slightly sideways and shift your weight to your back foot. This will make you look slimmer.
3. Hold your arms slightly away from your body to prevent your arms looking larger than they are.
4. Pull your shoulders back and chest forward. Avoid sucking your tummy in too much as it can look a little strange

I love it!  This guy has built a retractable kitchen island controlled by his iPhone.  I guess it pays off to know how to hack the web and kitchens!

I wonder what it looks like from the basement?  Read the full post on: ikeahackers.net and check out dude’s cat riding the wave!

I’d be interested to know what IKEA thinks of this website.  The site has been around since 2006 and boasts over 1,000 hacks in the last two years alone.  Despite the product liability/safety issues of changing the integrity of the product, does this website create a positive or negative reflection on the IKEA brand?

On the one hand the hacks could spur increased purchases and several uses for their products.  On the other, does hacking a product inherently undermine the original and intended design and functionality?

What do you make of the site’s disclaimer?

IKEA is a registered trademark of Inter-IKEA Systems B.V. | LEGALLY REQUIRED DISCLAIMER: This fan-run website is NOT related to IKEA, IKEA.com or the IKEA Group. Any and all links to IKEA.com are presented for reader convenience only and do not imply IKEA’s approval of this website and/or the modification of its products. IKEA and IKEAhackers.net are not liable for any product failure, injury or damage resulting from the application of hacks featured on this site.

Read on for more information on where to stay and eat, and what to do while you’re there!

Where to Stay:

For a private and luxurious stay, look no further than Maison 9 ($195-245 Euro/night), a 4 room bed and breakfast with amazing rooms featuring rain showers, espresso makers, mini kitchen and everything you’ll need to chill out, or adventure around the southern coast. From the linens, towels to the soaps and complimentary wine, everything is hand selected by the hotel’s owner who shops the world to stock several family owned hotels around the globe.

Tucked down a rural laneway just beyond the buzz of the old town, the red ochre façade of an old Provencal abode reveals a luxurious country sanctuary with an infinity pool looking out over the distant cliffs. If you can even tear yourselves away from the hotel, make sure you schedule some time to enjoy the sumptuous breakfasts (included). Be prepared to lose track of time – you likely won’t be hungry for lunch any time soon!

What to Do:

Stroll Into Town: The town of Cassis itself is an excellent place to explore tiny cobblestone streets, relax over long lunches of fresh fish and locally produced wine (Rose is this region’s speciality), and generally soak up the easy going atmosphere.

Hike to a Secluded Beach: There are some perfectly adequate beaches to be lounged upon in Cassis, but supernatural splendor awaits in the Calanques, a series of finger-like inlets carved into pine-topped limestone cliffs. These French interpretations of fjords are anything but mundane, hiding vivid turquoise pools and tiny beaches accessible only by foot or small boat. Those adventurous enough to take the hour-and-a-half hike from Cassis to En Vau and Le Sugiton, the prettiest of the Calanques, are rewarded with an idyllic platform for sunbathing and swimming.

Hire a Private Sailboat: Not in the mood for scrambling down cliff faces in deck shoes? Elect to explore the Calanques in style aboard a private sailboat. Normally this would be a bank-breaking proposition an hour east on the Cote D’Azur, but we found a day-long charter on a 40-foot sailing yacht in Cassis for the absurd price of 50 euros per person. Our captain, a convivial ex-Parisien executive named Dominique, knows he could be charging more, but he didn’t seem to care.

Dominique piloted us in and out of the Calanques, where French holidayers lazed in the sun and plunged into the pristine waters from the rocky outcroppings above. Late in the afternoon we dropped anchor in an uninhabited island cove, and for a moment, it was as though we had the entire coast to ourselves.

Day Trips: An amazing island beach beckons from the small port of Le Brusc on the other side of Toulon. From here, Les Embiez is a quick ferry away. Purchased by the late Paul Ricard (of the eponymous Provencal pastis) in 1958, Les Embiez is far less rambunctious than you’d expect for an island owned by a legendary liquor magnate. Don’t be fooled by the pretty toy port lined with sailing yachts – the majority of the rugged little island’s population is made up of goats. Still, 10 hectares of vineyards, a smattering of secluded beaches and a bargain-priced aquarium provide ample fodder for a day trip, with a boutique guesthouse as backup in case you’re seduced by the island’s languid pace.

Where to Eat: As always, restaurants tend to come and go. We recommend checking a guide book, or doing a quick search of reviews on trip advisor shortly before you go to get the latest recommendations. However, one of our favorites was Poissonerie. Enjoy unobstructed views of the dramatic Château de Cassis over fresh fish caught daily. (5 Quai JJ Barthelemy, Cassis; 0442017156)

———–

Additional Info:

Getting There:

Air Transat offers charter flights direct to Marseille Airport (MRS) from Montreal and Toronto, Canada. National and Low cost airlines also fly from other major European cities. Try: www.airtransat.ca, www.easyjet.com and www.ryanair.com.

A rental car is a must for getting around and exploring the coast, and many rental agencies are available right from the Marseille airport. Rent well in advance, especially if your trip happens to coincide with one of the many french long weekends throughout the summer.

More Honeymoon Series Posts:

1. Urban Chill – San Francisco