ClassicTravel.com's second submission for NBC's "Today Throws a Wedding"

Our second submission for NBC's "Today Throws a Wedding" is a City experience and spiritual retreat to Bhutan with a taste of Bangkok. Virtuoso Travel Agent here at ClassicTravel.com, Ken Lewis called on his friends at Cox and Kings, an onsite concierge and planning service to coordinate the ultimate spiritual and luxurious Asian honeymoon. 

It all starts in the United States as the lucky couple is whisked away by Limousine to the airport. They will arrive in Bangkok, where they will be greeted by a Cox & Kings representative who will bring them fresh flowers! From here everything is easily facilitated with VIP fast customs & immigration as well as baggage claim. They will be treated like royalty as a private limo takes them to the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, an oasis of relaxation in this bustling metropolis. There they will stay in a Deluxe Suite which overlooks the scenic Chao Phraya River. Writers such as Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal have used this suite as a creative retreat. The couple will be treated to silk bathrobes, Hermes amenities and personalized butler service! They will receive romantic chocolates and champagne upon their arrival.

As part of the couple's unique Bangkok experience, they will enjoy a 90 minute spa treatment at one of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok's Spas. They will learn some secrets of Thai cuisine with a private cooking class. Finally, they will get to relax with a High Tea in the Author's Lounge. For dinner, the couple will enjoy a one of a kind experience aboard a rice barge cruise which goes up and down the Chao Phraya River. They will be serenaded by live music, and have the unique opportunity to see the wondrous temples and architecture of Bangkok by night.

After just one night in Bangkok, the couple will fly to Bhutan where a Cox & Kings Guide will greet them upon arrival and they will be escorted to The Amankora, in Paro, Bhutan. Following will be a "peaceful pilgramage" to 5 Amankara lodges throughout the scenic Bhutan Himalayas. Here the newlyweds will witness amazingly gorgeous scenery and have a one of a kind spiritual Buddhist marriage ceremony. While staying for 2 nights at The Amankora, Paro, the couple will stay in a suite,

 with views of 17th century ruins and snow capped mountains. Here they will experience a Bhutanese Wedding Ceremony at a 7th century temple, where a life-long blessing will be bestowed upon the couple. This ceremony is a once in a lifetime spiritual experience, where the newlyweds will be blessed by buddhist monks. After, the couple will take an afternoon hike to "Tiger Nest" where there is a monastery (it is closed to tourists but the views are amazing.)

A monastery in Punakha

After two nights in Paro, the couple will be driven to Amankora Punakha, which is one of the lowest lying valleys in Bhutan, and enjoys a more temperate climate than the rest of the country. After their arrival, the couple will receive a cleansing and spiritual spa treatment. The next day, the newlyweds will hike past rice patties and other fields to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, an enormous monument which contains paintings by the Queen of Bhutan. this will be followed by a walk past royal residences to an ancient fortress still used for monastic purposes, where a picnic lunch will be served. Then they will visit the village of Lobesa, home to a fertility monastery.

The Royal Palace at Thimphu

The next day will see even more unique experiences. The couple will move on to Amankora Thimphu where they will spend another two amazing nights. In this city, which is the nation's capitol, visits to many museums and local shopping can be arranged. On their second night here, the couple will have a romantic candle lit dinner at the foot of a hill, under a starry sky. This is a one of a kind experience that will never be forgotten. 

Then it is back to the Amankora, Paro for one more night of relaxation in Bhutan. The next day, the couple will fly back to Bangkok and board a relatively private flight (8 seats!) to the tropical island of Koh Kood, Thailand where they will stay at Six Senses Soneva Kiri, a boutique resort with ocean view villas. The couple will have their own personal butler, and will enjoy a private outdoor screening of Cinema Paradiso, a classic and beautiful Italian Film, with the added amenities of cocktails and popcorn, followed by a gourmet candle lit dinner. On the couple's last night at Soneva Kiri, they will dine in a "tree pod," high in the treetops. 

The next day it's time for the couple to leave their incredible spiritual and luxurious retreat, and time to return to reality, and enjoy their married lives together!

For more information on any of the properties or activities mentioned here, or on other Virtuoso Properties found on ClassicTravel.com, please contact Virtuoso Travel Agent Ken Lewis at Ken@classictravel.com or by phone at 212-404-6731.