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Distinctive Honeymoons is your one-stop source for any type of romantic trip, whether you're planning your Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, Anniversary Trip, BabyMoon, or Vacation Getaway. Also be sure to check out the honeymoon registry; visit distinctivehoneymoons.com or call 800.803.1360 to learn more.

Finding Eat.Pray.Love in Bali
by Allisson Griesedieck of JG Black Book of Travel

Like most people who have read the book, I have high hopes that the movie Eat.Pray.Love. will live up to the amazing journey that author Liz Gilbert created for us through her witty and wise prose, transporting us from the cafes of Italy to the ashrams of India and finally to the magical place that is Bali. I have exceptionally high expectations for the movie, as I had my own real life Eat.Pray.Love. adventure while in Bali four years ago, an experience that will stay with me forever.

If you’ve never been to Bali, I hope if anything this movie will inspire you to go. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but the people emanate a warm and generous spirit that embraces you like a hug. My first stop in Bali was the newly opened Bulgari Resort, Bali. I remember being left speechless with the beauty of the resort and its surroundings. Its cliff-top location overlooks the southern tip of the Jimbaran peninsula, providing breathtaking expansive views of the skyline and ocean.

It was at the Bulgari Resort, Bali that my Eat.Pray.Love. adventure took root. Every morning, as I enjoyed a breakfast of fresh coconut water and exotic Balinese fruits, I would sit on the patio of my private villa drinking in the dramatic views of the ocean while getting lost in the pages of the book. I was thrilled to find out that the next stop on my itinerary, Ubud, was the same area of Bali that Liz Gilbert had stayed when she was in Bali.

In Ubud I stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, a very different experience than the Bulgari Resort but just as stunning. My private villa overlooked Bali's sacred Ayung River, rice terraces and the lush vegetation of the surrounding jungle – island of the gods indeed. The day I arrived, I was greeted by the General Manager and while my manners begged me to hold off, my curiosity got the best of me and I immediately launched into questioning him about the characters that Liz Gilbert had described in her book. Did he know a medicine man named Ketut Liyer? Had he ever head of a healer named Wayan?

He hadn’t, but the next day a lovely young woman who worked at the restaurant sought me and my friend out and asked if we were the ones looking for Ketut Liyer. She had grown up in the village next to his, and was happy to call him and make an appointment for us to visit him. She also arranged to take time off from work so that she could go with us and act as translator. Our magical journey had begun.

We arrived at Ketut Liyer’s house to find a lovely and very tall blond woman sitting on his porch – the one and only Liz Gilbert! We were stunned to see her there, but not as stunned as Liz was to find out that her book had led us to them. She and Felipe, the man she finds love with in the book and real life, were back in Bali awaiting the paper work that would allow Felipe to move to the U.S. She had no idea that her book was starting to take off in the states – we were happy to inform her that it was. We spent the afternoon together hanging on Ketut’s porch, enjoying conversation, having our palms read and viewing his incredibly detailed artwork. I left Ketut’s house armed with wise insights about my future, a painting that was he assured me destined to bring more love into my life, and the address for Wayan’s restaurant in town – our destination for the following day.

Wayan was just as delightful as Liz had described her. My friend and I told her that we had met Liz the day before and had come for a healing experience. In the middle of her tiny restaurant, Wayan scanned us from head to toe to detect where we were imbalanced. She then prepared each of us a special vegetarian meal designed to help balance us through healing foods. After lunch, we were quite prepared to leave having thought that our experience was over, but we soon found out it had just begun. She ordered us upstairs and asked us to change into sarongs, her daughter Tutti looking on giggling with shy playfulness. My friend and I looked at each with similar thoughts - this is crazy, but let’s do it!

We proceeded to allow four of Wayan’s young protégés to scrub us down with fresh leaves and herbs – a detoxification of sorts – followed by two hour massages. By the time we finished, feeling rested and renewed, it was already dark outside. Wayan had generously spent her whole day caring for us, but yet she made us feel that we had graced her with our presence, allowing her to practice what she loves. We left promising to tell all of our friends in the states about her, in hopes of sending more business her way.

While all of these experiences took place more than four years ago, they are still fresh in my mind. Thus the power of travel – creating experiences that open you up to new possibilities, transform you so that you to see the world in a new light, and stay with you forever.

Featured Videos

• Alila Villas Soori, Bali: A blissful paradise setting for beachfront living at its most relaxing, most stylish and luxurious. View footage here.

• The St. Regis Bali Resort: Featuring all suites and villas, this beachfront resort exudes romance at every corner. View footage here.

• Relais Santa Croce, Florence: Nestled in the exclusive 18th century Ciofi Jacometti Palace, its modern and elegant interiors offer the intimacy of a private residence in the heart of Florence. View footage here.

• Villa la Massa, Florence: A 16th century building featuring serene views of lush gardens or of the river Arno. View footage here.

Like what you see here? Then explore the many other destinations Distintive Honeymoons has to offer at www.distinctivehoneymoons.com, where you can browse through descriptions, photo galleries, and packages of luxury hotels worldwide. Remember that the most important trips of your life should be handled by a travel professional!

Please note that packages on Distinctive Honeymoons are subject to availability, may contain blackout dates, subject to change without notice and other restrictions may apply. For details, contact your agent at 800.803.1360 info@distinctivehoneymoons.com.

Films that Inspire Journeys
Eat.Pray.Love Edition
In the memoir and recently released film Eat.Pray.Love, Elizabeth Gilbert embarks on a mission to shed the clutter and frustration of life’s routines and to just marvel and to seek understanding. Seek the same on your next journey! Here are some ideas for things to do and places to stay in Eat.Pray.Love’s three locations: Italy, India, and Bali.

Italy
Learn how to experience "Il dolce far niente," or "the sweetness of doing nothing."

View from Palazzo Manfredi, Rome

Explore and marvel: Italy’s dramatic religious monuments (the Sistine Chapel in Rome and Il Duomo in Florence just to name a couple) inspire a spiritual elevation from their appearance alone. Historical marvels like The Ruins of Pompeii and The Coliseum will send your imagination spinning. The beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Tuscan country sides will provide an unforgettable mix of peace and adventure.

Indulge: Rich and diverse between regions, Italy’s cuisine provides endless comfort and joy. A traditional multi-course meal may start with antipasto, followed by delectable pasta, then savory seafood with a vegetable side, topped with a melt-in-your-mouth dessert like tiramisu or cannoli. Don’t forget to treat your pallet by sampling wines throughout Tuscany’s gorgeous vineyards!


SAMPLE ITALY ITINERARIES

#1: 3 nights in Milan, 4 nights in Venice, and 3 nights in Florence
Start off at Milan's Hotel Principe di Savoia or Park Hyatt Milan, then on to Venice where we recommend San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort, Luna Hotel Baglioni, or Ca'Sagredo Hotel. Top it in Florence at Villa San Michele, Villa Mangiacane, Villa la Massa, Hotel Lungarno, The Lungarno Suites, Relais Santa Croce, or All Suites Palazzo Magnani Feroni.


View from Hotel Lungarno, Florence

#2: 5 nights in Rome and 4 nights in Tuscanny
Your journey to Rome can start with a luxurious stay at Regina Hotel Baglioni, Palazzo Manfredi, or Hotel Hassler Roma. Continue to an elegant Tuscan retreat at Hotel L'Andana, Hotel Byron, Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, or Castello Banfi Il Borgo.

#3: 3 nights in Sicily, 3 nights in Sardinia, and 3 nights in Ischia and/or Capri
Hop between islands to experience gorgeous coastlines! Start off at Grand Hotel Timeo in Sicily, then Hotel Castello in Sardinia. End your trip in Ischia at Mezzatorre Resort & Spa or in Capri at Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri Palace, or Hotel Punta Tragara. 

Other fabulous stops in Italy:
•  Milan: A cosmopolitan city with a flair for style and a wealth of history. We recommend Park Hyatt Milan or Hotel Principe di Savoia.
•  Ravello: A peaceful town in Salerno with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. We recommend Palazzo Sasso or Hotel Caruso.
•  Liguria: A region on the Ligurian Sea, home to charming seaside resort towns and a refined cuisine. We recommend Royal Hotel Sanremo.