Serenity Weddingsresources.serenity.co.uk/Download.aspx?url=/PDF/... · destinations abroad. That...

Weddings,Honeymoons

Serenity

Special Occasions&2012

O V E R

20y E a R SE x p E R i E n c E

2Simply call 0845 330 2051 or email [email protected]

inTRODUcTiOn

Weddings & HoneymoonsCongratulations on your forthcoming wedding and thank you for considering us to help arrange your special day or honeymoon. Whatever your budget and party size we can find a location that will make your occasion truly special.

In The Gambia you could take your vows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the luxurious Coco Ocean Resort & Spa, hire the boutique Ngala Lodge exclusively for your wedding party, or honeymoon in a unique tree house in a baobab tree in neighbouring Senegal. We also work with ‘Cape Verde Weddings’ who specialise in weddings on the sunshine islands. In summer, the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia offer a wide range of hotels and self-catering properties in stunning locations, ideal for honeymoons.

The personal touchOur UK wedding co-ordinators have visited many of the hotels and know them well; they will be happy to assist and to discuss your requirements, make suggestions and plan and arrange your ideal wedding or honeymoon, taking the stress out of your hands. Booking with Serenity Holidays means this special occasion will be tailored to suit your own personal requirements. Whether you are travelling just as a couple, with a large group, want to marry and stay in one hotel or travel to various locations, we can help.

Wedding List We will give you a booking reference which you can pass on to friends and family to enable them to pay money into your account as their wedding gift to you. This can be used to pay off your honeymoon or put towards excursions, spa treatments and other extras.

Special Occasions Are you looking to book a special holiday for yourself or a loved one to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion? Whatever the celebration, we have selected the best hotels in the best locations to make the event truly special. You will find brief details of what we believe to be the most luxurious and unique properties to ensure your celebration is memorable and will be happy to discuss your ideas to ensure your holiday is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

contentsChoosing the right location for your weddingThe Gambia Page 4

Coco Ocean Resort & Spa Boutique Page 5

Ngala Lodge Boutique Page 6

The Kairaba Page 7

Kombo Beach Hotel Page 8

Senegambia Hotel Page 9

Cape Verde Page 10

Our favourite honeymoon locationsThe Gambia Page 11

Cape Verde Page 12

Senegal Page 13

Corsica Page 14

Sardinia Page 15

Extras & Further Information Page 16 & 17

How to Book, T&Cs, AITO Page 18 & 19

From November right through to June the average temperature is in the low 30s, with 8-10 hours of sunshine a day and virtually no rainfall. Travel is easy too with flights around 6 hours, and as there is no time difference, you won’t have any jet lag to contend with on your wedding day. There is a good choice of locations depending on your budget, party size and idea of a dream wedding: on the beach, in tropical gardens or on a clifftop overlooking the ocean.

Read more about the hotels and options available and speak with one of our wedding co-ordinators to help you choose the ideal venue. To make your day truly unique we can arrange African dancers and musicians to entertain you and your guests, tropical flowers to decorate the venue and many other little touches (additional charges apply).

For more information on The Gambia visit Gambia.co.uk/Weddings

The GambiaThe Gambia is a fantastic choice for a relaxed wedding and offers excellent value for money, enabling you and your guests to experience an unforgettable day without the expense of a wedding in the UK or other destinations abroad. That said, there are some incredible luxurious hotels and excellent facilities so if you do have a large budget it will go a long way in The Gambia.


This hotel has arranged a number of weddings from simple ceremonies for just the wedding couple to large parties for over 300 people. The hotel’s wedding co-ordinator will discuss your ideas and tailor the day to suit you. There is a wide range of suites to choose from; possibly the most romantic accommodation for a honeymoon couple would be one of the three beach houses which sit directly on the beachfront. The hotel also has its own African pirogue and could arrange a private day cruising the tributaries of the River Gambia for you and your guests.

A week staying in a Junior suite on bed & breakfast including flights and transfers costs from £1097pp in winter 2011/12. Each wedding/honeymoon couple receives a free foot massage in the hotel’s luxurious spa.

Find out more about the hotel at Gambia.co.uk/CocoOcean

coco OceanResort & SpaThe most luxurious hotel in The Gambia with a stunning beachfront location, sumptuous surroundings and an excellent spa facility.


With its acres of exquisite gardens, striking Moorish domes and arches, and spacious, cool and contemporary rooms, the Coco Ocean is the only place to stay on The Gambia’s Atlantic coast.

OliVER SMiTHDaily Telegraph

The spacious tropical gardens provide a romantic setting for a wedding of any size and if booked far enough in advance, it is possible to book the whole property for you and your guests. The clifftop restaurant serves excellent international cuisine and the emphasis throughout this property is on personal service. There is a ‘no children’ policy at Ngala Lodge, ensuring peace and tranquillity throughout the extensive grounds. The individual suites are all well equipped but for somewhere extra special for

your wedding night, we recommend the Atlantic Suites with their private Jacuzzis or the Penthouse which has a private roof terrace and skylight over the bed.

A week staying in a suite on bed & breakfast including flights and transfers costs from £978pp in winter 2011/12.

Find out more about the hotel at Gambia.co.uk/Ngala

ngala lodgeA small, luxurious boutique hotel with just 18 suites situated on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.


Ngala Lodge is simply one of the most charming places I’ve ever visited. Intimate and private, it feels like a secret only a handful of travellers have been lucky enough to discover.

JaMES RObinSOnThe Guardian

The pretty bourgainvillea-filled gardens provide an exotic setting for your wedding service.

A week staying in a Deluxe room on bed & breakfast including flights and transfers costs from £855pp in winter 2011/12. Each couple celebrating their wedding, honeymoon or anniversary receives a fruit basket and flowers.

Find out more about the hotel at Gambia.co.uk/Kairaba

The Kairaba The Kairaba is one of the most popular hotels in The Gambia with spacious, tranquil grounds, excellent levels of service and a prime location beside the beach in the country’s largest resort, Kololi, with many restaurants, bars and shops close by.


A delightful hotel, wonderful ambience, excellent restaurants and great staff.

MR WillSWest Midlands

The hotel’s terrace, directly on Kotu beach, provides a romantic setting for the service and the hotel’s two restaurants can cater to any party’s needs. This is a good choice for couples travelling with children as there is a children’s play area, organised pool games and new studio accommodation with kitchen facilities. The beachside wine bar is one of the best locations in The Gambia to watch the sun set over the ocean, and often there is music from a local band beside the pool to complete the romantic evening.

A week staying in a standard, air-conditioned room on bed & breakfast including flights and transfers costs from £693pp in winter 2011/12. Each couple celebrating their wedding, honeymoon or anniversary receives a complimentary bottle of wine and flowers.

Find out more about the hotel at Gambia.co.uk/Kombo

Kombo beachHotelA popular, lively hotel in a beachfront setting which provides inexpensive accommodation for wedding couples and their guests.


I love the ambience of Kombo Beach - comfortable air-conditioned rooms, beautifully manicured gardens, great food and plenty to do. The relaxing beachside location and genuine warmth of the welcome keeps me coming back for more.

TOny KniGHTcompass Magazine

The colourful gardens, which attract a variety of birdlife, provide the ideal location for a wedding ceremony and the accompanying birdsong could be the perfect backdrop to your vows. The Senegambia is another good choice for couples travelling with children or in larger groups as this is a lively hotel with many activities aimed at adults, teenagers and children alike. There is a choice of bars and restaurants within the hotel and there are many more bars, restaurants and shops right on the hotel’s doorstep.

A week staying in a standard air-conditioned room on bed & breakfast including flights and transfers costs from £729pp in winter 2011/12. Each couple celebrating their wedding, honeymoon or anniversary receives a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and flowers.

Find out more about the hotel at Gambia.co.uk/Senegambia

SenegambiaHotelThe Gambia’s largest hotel is set in twenty acres of tropical gardens beside a sandy beach in the popular resort of Kololi.


The beachfront Senegambia couldn’t be in a better location if it tried! It’s within walking distance of fantastic bars and restaurants on the Senegambia ‘Strip’, however the hotel itself has beautiful, tranquil gardens.

laURa ScHOfiElDSales consultant

The weather can vary on each of the islands but throughout the year average temperatures remain in the mid to late 20s - from 24 in January to 30 in September with between 6 and 10 hours of sunshine a day. At certain times of the year it can be windy, which make the islands popular for watersports, but it’s best to speak to an expert to make sure the winds don’t spoil your day - that’s where we can help. Our team know the islands well and we work with a UK wedding organiser who

got married on Sal and has since set up a company specialising in marriage ceremonies and vow renewals in Cape Verde. For more information call us on 0845 330 2051 or email [email protected]

For more information on Cape Verde visit CapeVerde.co.uk/Weddings

cape VerdeThe white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Cape Verde provide an exotic backdrop to wedding ceremonies and the laidback atmosphere and good year-round climate of the islands add to the appeal of getting married in Cape Verde.


Our favouriteHoneymoon locations

L’Ile Rousse, Corsica

Mandina Lodges, The Gambia

Coco Ocean Resort & Spa, The Gambia

North West Sardinia

•AtlanticSuiteatNgalaLodge-withyourownprivate Jacuzzi on the terrace overlooking the gardens and ocean. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,251pp on bed & breakfast.

•FloatingMandinaLodgeatMakasutuForest–sleepin a four-poster bed in a unique lodge floating on the river in the heart of the African bush. Wake up to the sound of the dawn chorus, the baboons playing in the forest and in the evening dine under the breathtaking, uninterrupted night sky. We particularly recommend this as a twin centre option. 3 night stay from £394pp on half board (excluding flights).

•BeachHouseatCocoOceanResort&Spa–relaxingspa treatments, à la carte cuisine and luxurious surroundings beside the beach. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,517pp on bed & breakfast.

•SitanunkuLodge–takeafastboatacrosstothenorth bank of the River Gambia to these romantic riverside lodges. Another great option for a twin centre stay. 3 nights from £295pp on half board (excluding flights).

•Omakan–asmallboutiquehotelwithjust13suites set around a small pool in the heart of a Gambian village community. 7 nights (including flights) from £898pp on bed & breakfast.

The GambiaAs a honeymoon destination, The Gambia offers a wide range of accommodationtosuitalltastes–whetheryou’relookingforcompleterelaxation and luxury, or a unique cultural experience you won’t forget.

Our favourite locations for a honeymoon are:


For more information on The Gambia visit Gambia.co.uk or call 0845 330 4567

Ngala Lodge

Coco Ocean

Sitanunku Lodge

Omakan Hotel

Mandina Lodges

•Mountains&BeachesIslandHopping–stayonthe islands of Santiago, Sao Vicente, Sal and also take a day trip to the rugged island of Santo Antao, arguably the most beautiful in the archipelago. 14 nights island hopping (including flights) from £1,755pp on bed & breakfast.

•ExecutiveRoomsatHotelMorabeza–thesenewrooms are possibly the best in Cape Verde. The Morabeza is a friendly family-run hotel right on

Santa Maria beach. 7 nights (including flights) from £989pp on Bon Appetit.

•MeliáTortugaBeach&Spa–this5*all-inclusiveresort opened in May 2011 and offers an excellent standard of accommodation beside a sandy beach. There is a wide range of facilities including 2 swimming pools, 4 restaurants, 4 bars, spa, gym and evening entertainment. 7 nights (including flights) from £964pp on all-inclusive.

cape VerdeAn excellent year-round climate makes the islands of Cape Verde a good honeymoon choice at any time of year. The stunning sandy beaches, water sports, diving opportunities and diversity of the islands attract honeymooners looking for either complete relaxation or an active holiday; plus there’s the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience of whale watching or visiting turtle nesting beaches. Each island has its own unique character and attractions and our travel advisors will be able to help you choose the ideal location for you, however to experience the diversity of the archipelago we recommend an island-hopping itinerary.

Our favourite honeymoon options are:


For more information on Cape Verde visit CapeVerde.co.uk or call 0845 330 2046

Boa Vista

Meliá Tortuga Beach & Spa

Santo Antão

Hotel Morabeza

•LamantinBeachHotel–themostluxurioushotelin Saly with a spa and private beach beside the marina. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,175pp on half board.

•OceanFrontRoomatRoyalDecameronBaobabResort–stepdirectlyoutofyourroomontothewhite sandy beach at this all-inclusive hotel in La Somone. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,361pp on all-inclusive.

•RoyaleSuiteatLeRoyalLodgeHotel–yourownprivate plunge pool and luxurious suite overlooking the sea at this stunning hotel on the edge of the Saloum Delta National Park. 7 nights (including flights) from £2,072pp on half board.

•ATreeHouseatLodgedesCollinesdeNiassam–whatcouldbemoreromanticthansleepingina tree house in a baobab tree. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,316pp on half board.

SenegalAlthough we don’t currently offer weddings in Senegal, it is an unforgettable destination for a honeymoon or other special occasion. It is possible to combine Senegal with a stay in The Gambia for a touring or twin centre holiday, or book it independently and the standard of hotels and service is excellent. The Saly region south of Dakar is an established palm-fringed beach resort with a wide range of activities and facilities, whilst the Sine Saloum Delta is an area of natural beauty where you will discover beautiful birdlife and picturesque beaches, mangrove swamps and sand islands.



For more information on Senegal visit Senegal.co.uk or call 0845 338 8700

Le Royal Lodge Hotel

Le Royal Lodge Hotel

Royal Decameron Baobab

Collines de Niassam

•SeaViewRoomatHotellaVilla5*–thisisthemost stylish hotel in Corsica with a reserved section of Calvi beach for guests. 7 nights (including flights) from £1,786pp on bed & breakfast.

•StandardRoomwithSeaViewatHotelUCapuBiancu4*–you’llbeabletocompletelyunwindat this hotel which is in a secluded spot with

spectacular views across the Gulf of Santa Manza. 7 nights (including flights and car hire) from £1,865pp on half board.

•CasaAcciani–forcompleteprivacystayinyourown one bedroom villa with garden, pool and great views of Calvi bay. 7 nights (including flights and car hire) from £994pp on self-catering.

corsicaCorsica is also known as the ‘Island of Beauty’ and for good reason; it is a stunning island which is largely untouched and unspoilt with a green mountainous interior and pretty sandy beaches. If you choose to honeymoon on the island you’ll be in good company; it has long been the choice of the rich and famous. Prince Rainier of Monaco brought his bride Princess Grace to Calvi for their honeymoon, as did Richard Burton when he married Elizabeth Taylor and in 2010 Alicia Keys chose Corsica as the location for her wedding to Swizz Beatz.



For more information on Corsica visit Corsica.co.uk or call 0845 330 2345

Hotel la Villa

Hotel U Capu Biancu

Casa Acciani

L’Ile Rousse beach

•DeluxeSeaViewRoomatHotelCapod’OrsoThalasso&Spa5*–enjoypanoramicviewsoftheMaddalena islands and charter the hotel’s boat for a day or two. Idyllic! 7 nights (including flights and car hire) from £1,142pp on bed & breakfast.

•CasaLluiseta–asimpleyetveryromanticonebedroom villa with private pool set within its own olive grove in the Alghero countryside. 7 nights (including flights and car hire) from £944pp on self-catering.

•SuperiorRoomatHotelVilladelBorgo4*– A small and intimate boutique hotel, perfect for a romantic break. 7 nights from £724pp (including flights and car hire) on bed & breakfast.

•JuniorSuiteatPetraSegretaResort&Spa4*– stay in your own stazzu-style building with four-poster bed and 2 bathrooms in the grounds of this special property. 7 nights from £1,429pp (including flights and car hire) on bed & breakfast.

SardiniaThe Italian island of Sardinia attracts many of the world’s rich and famous each year and once you’ve been you’ll understand why. There are some fabulous white sandy beaches lapped by clear turquoise waters with impressive yachts in the marinas; the mountainous interior is beautiful and you can dine on excellent cuisine in the many restaurants and ‘agriturismi’ (farm-based restaurants). There is a good choice of luxurious hotels as well as villas and apartments if you would prefer greater privacy.

Here are our favourite honeymoon locations:


For more information on Sardinia visit SardinianPlaces.co.uk or call 0845 330 2056

PetraSegreta

Hotel Capo d’Orso Thalasso & Spa

Hotel Villa Del Borgo

Bay of Alghero


Wedding Requirements in The Gambia After arrival at your hotel, one of our resort staff will make arrangements to meet with you and talk through the arrangements for your wedding day.

Wedding Prices The basic costs for any wedding in The Gambia are £250 for the arrangement fee plus £455 (20,500 Dalasi) for the registrar which should be paid at the time of booking–thisincludesaUKbasedweddingco-ordinatorto plan your day, the ceremony and wedding license and a member of staff in The Gambia to assist you with arrangements. There are additional costs for an air-conditioned taxi to Banjul to swear your oaths: £22 (D1000) plus the Registrar’s call out fee of £45 (D2,000) –bothofwhichshouldbepaidlocallyinTheGambia.

Optional Extras Your wedding co-ordinator will tailor the wedding to suit your desires, budget and party size, however here are some approximate prices of optional extras to help you.

Wedding cake: £50 - £150 (depending on size and type)

Bouquet: £65

Button holes: £25 each

Photographs: DVD of photos £95, prints £1.25 each

Video: £120 for filming of the ceremony

Music: approximately £60 for a band

All prices are valid in December 2011, but are subject to change based on current exchange rates.

Further Information Your wedding will be a civil ceremony similar to one in a registry office and is recognised under British law. You do not need to register your marriage again in the UK. Please bear in mind that The Gambian culture is a very laid back one, wedding ceremonies are not elaborate and will be a simple ceremony arranged by the Minister of Justice. You will need 2 witnesses for the ceremony (two of our resort staff will be happy to be there for you if required) and you will need to be in the country for at least three days before the ceremony can take place.

Please don’t forget to take the following original documents with you to the Registrar’s Office:

•Passports

•BirthCertificates

•Passportphotographs(1perperson)

and if appropriate

•DecreeAbsolutes

•Deathcertificates

We do advise that you dress appropriately for this visit (long trousers rather than shorts and perhaps a dress for the bride-to-be), as it is likely that there will be other couples waiting to get married.

How to book

To find out more or to book:

telephone 0845 330 2051

email [email protected]

visit your local travel agent This wedding guide should be read in conjunction with one or more of our brochures: The Gambia & Senegal Experience, The Cape Verde Experience, Corsican Places and Sardinian Places. Please refer to the terms and conditions in the relevant brochure or website. The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 1866. Please see our Fair Trading Charter for more information. We are also members of ABTA and AITO.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIPAITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITYAn AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. Members have to comply with UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis.

ACCURATE BROCHURES & WEB SITESAll members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTSAll members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDSAITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISMAll members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 to 5 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSAll members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Serenity Holidays is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.

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Serenity Holidays Ltd, Registered in the U.K number 01744872 Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AN

Thanks to: Photography: Jon Banfield Photography, The Gambia Experience Team, Chris Packham | Design: Serenity Design Studio | Print: Hawthornes. Copyright ©2011 Serenity Holidays. All rights reserved.

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Corsican Places

Corsica.co.uk0845 330 2345

Sardinian Places

SardinianPlaces.co.uk0845 330 2056

Great Escapes - Short Breaks

GreatEscapes.co.uk0845 330 3434

CapeVerde.co.uk0845 330 2046

The Cape Verde ExperienceThe Gambia Experience

Gambia.co.uk0845 330 4567

The Senegal Experience

Senegal.co.uk0845 338 8700

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