Honeymoon

The perfect honeymoon takes as many shapes as the perfect honey.Almost every lodging in the world offers some sort of romantic package or can invent one at a moment's notice with a quick call to the florist. In general, amenities range from ``Just Married'' T-shirts and a bottle of bubbly to moonlight sails (common in Florida and the Caribbean) and heart-shaped beds or tubs (a trademark of the Poconos and Niagara Falls).Geri Bain, travel editor of Modern Bride magazine, says the weddings-away business is ``growing really fast.

Mayor-elect Martin O'Malley says he will ask Baltimore's community and business elite to help develop a strategic plan for a widespread attack on the city's most troublesome ills.O'Malley said yesterday he wants the private sector to help perform an audit of city agencies that will identify waste in such areas as health care and public works and to help find ways of reducing the city's crime rate."We're going to embark on a transition process that opens the doors of government," O'Malley said.

Someone better tell the mayor-elect that in Baltimore the honeymoon lasts until the first snowflake.Henceforth, membership will be by competitive examination in the House of Nerds.Bradley and McCain sound like ideal Reform Party candidates.In the interest of journalistic integrity, the right hand typing these comments does not know what the left hand is saying.

For our honeymoon, my fiance and I are going on a glamorous Mediterranean cruise. In the past, I was always a bit overweight and wore loose, comfortable clothes to hide the extra pounds. Now, with discipline and with the excitement of the wedding, I've slimmed down a lot -- two whole sizes.I want to buy a bare, summery evening dress to wear on the cruise, but my mother, who is quite heavy, is against it. She says I would not only look ridiculous in something daring, but it would also be a waste of money.

Bridal ShowcaseLearn how to plan a successful wedding Sunday at the Delmarva Bridal Showcase at the Ocean City Convention Center. Bridal professionals will display and discuss everything needed for the occasion -- from bridal gowns and formal wear for the entire wedding party to caterers, photographers and honeymoon destinations.Fashion shows are scheduled at 1: 30 p.m. and 3: 30 p.m. and one lucky couple will be the winner of a honeymoon in the Poconos.Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 and tickets will be sold at the door.

CBS says hello to a new sitcom from David Letterman's Worldwide Pants production company, while AMC pays tribute to the late Claudette Colbert with a daylong film festival on what would have been her 93th birthday."

My honeymoon two years ago had all the elements I deem essential for romance and relaxation: cozy accommodations in a knockout location. We chose a place that guaranteed little fuss but plenty of outdoor activities -- but none of which required our participation if we chose instead to stay in and nuzzle.Our seaside condo on North Carolina's dunesy Outer Banks meant freedom from hotel and restaurant formalities. We just picked up our key at the rental office and were left blissfully on our own. We could eat out, carry in, or even do a little cooking if the mood struck.

When none of the chairs was delivered for our wedding, we knew we had made the right honeymoon decision.Our 100 guests were gathered at Rockwood Manor, a flower-filled park in Potomac that we'd chosen for our outdoor wedding. All the tables and food and wine were in their proper places; the guitarist and flutist were poised to play Pachelbel's Canon in D for our processional; the rabbi and minister duo we'd chosen to honor our two faiths waited by the gazebo with their blessings, and the photographer hovered, ready to catch every nuance of our big day -- and no chairs.

"I don't see why we need these raincoats," 11-year-old Matt groused, donning the yellow slicker only because it was required for admission.The young attendant at Niagara Falls, N.Y., merely smiled knowingly. A short elevator ride and slippery walk later, Matt was drenched, despite the slicker.We all were drenched, and shaking from the thrill of walking right under the thundering Bridal Veil Falls, getting splashed and sprayed on the Hurricane Deck and on the wooden ramps that get so much abuse from the elements they must be replaced every year.

Prince Edward Island's pristine beaches, private coves, rolling green farmland and dense forests have made it a romantic haven for lovers from all over the world. The charm of Canada's smallest province, off the coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is that it's still a land of fisherman and craftsmen, and of farmers and artists. Its villages are intact, as are its lighthouses, lonely country churches and sandy beaches.Yet strangely enough, Prince Edward Island's tremendous appeal in the last 10 years as a romantic tourist destination has been credited to Anne of Green Gables, a spunky, red-haired fictional character created nearly 100 years ago by island author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Air travelers who booked tickets in advance for this fall may want to check again before they check in. As airlines cut back, some who followed the travel industry's advice to book their trips ahead - from honeymooners to family vacationers - are finding themselves with seats on flights that no longer exist. Carriers say they are doing the best they can to notify customers of disruptions and accommodate changes. But affected travelers say the options presented by the airlines can be inconvenient, requiring them to use more vacation days, pay for longer - or additional - hotel stays or shave time off the start or end of their trips.

In February, my wife and I were honeymooning in Los Cabos, Mexico. The infinity pool was one of the highlights of the hotel. One night, I decided to take my new camera into the pool for some pictures. The hardest part was steering clear of the splashes. Rich Reaven, Baltimore The Sun welcomes submissions for "My Best Shot." Photos should be accompanied by a description of when and where you took the picture and your name, address and phone number. Submissions cannot be individually acknowledged or returned, and upon submission become the property of The Sun. Write to: Travel Department, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278, or e-mail travel@baltsun.

MOUNT POCONO, PA. -- George Keifer hadn't been to Mount Airy Resort since his honeymoon in 1965, and, as he recalls, he took full advantage of the heart-shaped bathtub, leaving his hotel room only to buy meals. Keifer, a retired dairy farmer, recently returned to Mount Airy for a different kind of recreation. And this time he arrived with a mob of people he didn't know as well as he knows his wife, Carol. When Mount Airy Casino Resort recently became the first stand-alone casino to open its doors in Pennsylvania, in rushed Keifer and 1,500 other people who had waited in line for hours -- and in some cases drove hundreds of miles to be there.

Lisabeth S. Miller, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark J. Miller of Clifton, New Jersey, and Peter E. Auchincloss, son of Barbara J. Auchincloss of Baltimore, Maryland were married on July 16, 2007 at 5:00 o'clock p.m. at Dickey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The wedding ceremony was followed by a reception at The Johns Hopkins Club. After a honeymoon in Key West the couple will reside in Baltimore.

So, you like the idea of Davey Johnson making a triumphant return to the Orioles' dugout, do you? Don't feel bad. Earl Weaver coming back seemed like a great idea at the time, too. And, for readers in our Redskins-loving circulation area, Joe Gibbs' return was going to be the answer to all your prayers. Wasn't it? Be careful what you wish for. Not just Orioles fans, who are figuratively sweeping Johnson back into office by voting for him at baltimoresun.com's who-should-replace-Sam poll.

MONTECITO, Calif. -- It's neither the biggest cottage nor the only one with an ocean view. But it commands at least $1,000 more a night than other lodgings at historic San Ysidro Ranch in the Montecito hills. That's because Jackie and John F. Kennedy slept in it during their extended 1953 honeymoon, which, biographers say, took them first to Acapulco, Mexico, and later up the California coast. The future first couple probably paid $27 a night, the going rate then. But today you'll pay more than 100 times that - $2,990 a night - to sleep in the 1,621-square-foot Kennedy Cottage, which reopened in March after a yearlong restoration.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J Norton of Towson, MD are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter, Julie Anne Norton to Blair Robert Stewart, son of Fabian Stewart and the late Beverly Stewart of Wellington, New Zealand. The couple was married on November 4, 2006 at Immaculate Conception Church in Towson, MD. Reverend Glen Byrne officiated. The Reception followed at The Mount Vernon Club, Baltimore, MD. Heather Jeff, sister of the Bride was the Best Woman and Andrew Broe, lifetime friend of the Groom was the Best Man. Julie and Blair are practicing Architects in London, UK, and returned there after a honeymoon trip to Argentina.

On the Orioles I honestly believe we have enough offense to be a wild-card contender. It's the pitching that must dramatically improve. The honeymoon is over for Leo (Mazzone). He and his staff need to step up this year.

Dr. Stuart Mc Caughey & Tracey Duble were married on February 6, 2006 at the courthouse in Towson, MD. In attendance were Nina Mc Caughey, John Mc Caughey and Hon. Grace Connolly. A honeymoon to Prague, Berlin & Amsterdam is scheduled for March.

Allison Hall Smith and Carey Holness were married on December 4, 2005. Dr. Talbert Shaw, President Emeritus, Shaw University, officiated at The Cloisters where the ceremony and reception were held. The bride is the daughter of Diana and Edward Smith of Baltimore. Mrs. Smith-Holness graduated from Institute of Notre Dame, Bennett College and Howard University, where she received her MSW. She is employed as a Clinical Care Manager for APS Health Care. The groom is the son of Pam and Cargell Holness of Palm Coast, Fla. He is a graduate of the Takoma Academy and the University of Md. and is employed as a Special Ed. teacher at Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health.