Tanya Wacyk & Jonathan Barker

Tanya & Jonathan

April 26, 2008

Tanya Wacyk & Jonathan Barker

Tanya & Jonathan

April 26, 2008

We can't begin to tell you how excited we are to see all of you in April. Family and Friends are truly the most important part of our lives and to have you all in one place for this celebration is a chance of a lifetime.

The most sought after commodity in New York City is space and every New Yorker will tell you they don't have enough, we are certainly part of that majority. Simply put, we don't have anymore space and after combining our cardboard boxes we've realized we have more than enough "stuff;" we even have the Holy Grail of Wedding gifts, the gravy boat.

So, the idea of the "normal" registry went out the window and the search for something more our style was underway. We knew that we wanted to do something unusual while respecting the tradition of the Wedding Registry. So why not register our honeymoon? Traveling is a shared passion and we've spent many a night daydreaming about all the places we want to see in our lifetime. While we'd love to take credit for this brilliant idea, we can't. The credit goes to our friends Tim and Katie who did the same for their honeymoon (don't forget to check out Tim's new show on the Discovery Channel this fall.)

The site we chose, Traveler's Joy, is the most respected site of it's kind. Reviewed by the New York Times and numerous respected travel guides they offer the most secure e-commerce site.

While your attendance at our wedding is the best gift possible we've come to learn (from all of our recently married friends) that people want to give so, in lieu of a traditional gift, we would be very appreciative to accept any contribution to a trip of a lifetime. Who are we to deny you that opportunity!

Take a look through the registry below and see if there is anything that strikes your fancy. There is a brief description of the trip below and then the registry follows.

See you in April.

All our love,
Jon and Tanya

P.S. If you have any problems with the registry just let us know or contact Traveler's Joy directly. Our email address is: JandTwedding@yahoo.com

We're going to The Amalifi Coast, Florence, Rome and Tuscany!

There are so many places that we want to discover throughout our lifetime. So many cultures to experience, so many centers of art, architecture, history and natural beauty to be discovered. For us, one of those places is Italy. Not just Rome, Florence or Venice but all of Italy. From the coastline of the Amalfi Coast, the serenity of Tuscany to the centers of Art and History in Rome and Florence.

For two weeks we will indulge ourselves into all that is Italy. We leave from New York on Monday arriving in Naples the following morning. Our first destination is Positano, a small village built into the side of the Amalfi Cliffs located in the Campania Region on the Western Coast of Italy. Our hotel is built into the side of the cliffs and has sweeping views of the Mediterannean. It is the perfect destination to catch our breath after the wedding.

After a few days of good food, good wine and pampering we'll drive North to the walled city of Siena, located in the heart of Tuscany. Siena will be our base to discover the entire region with day trips to San Gimignano, Pisa and the serene northern hill towns. There is something about relaxing among the famed vineyards that makes us think we may never come home.

From the serenity of Tuscany we will travel to the heart of Italy's center of art, history and culture - Florence. While there we'll take the time to visit the big three: Il Duomo - Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore, the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. However, it's the non-tourist areas that interest us the most. The open air food markets, the small family run restaurants and the hidden gems such as famed author Dante's house and writing room, the Baptistery of John the Baptist and a glass of wine on the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Lastly and sadly, we come to the end of our honeymoon with a few days in Rome. Of course we will see all there is to see in Rome while sticking to our plan to go where the locals go and live as locals live.

Then it's home. Flying out of Rome on Tuesday and returning to the piece and quiet of New York City. Don't worry, we won't be inviting you over for home movies of our trip, instead we'll send you a few pictures.

Our Registry

  • $0-$150
  • $150-$200
  • $200-$250
  • $250+
  • All
Big leather seats, china plates and movies on demand...... First Class! Help us upgrade our flights to the front of the bus. Tanya has graciously suggested that if we can only upgrade one ticket, she'll take the upgrade and I can fly coach.
$12000
14/15
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
When we arrive at the airport in Naples our driver will have a bottle of 1999 Bollinger 'La Cote aux Enfant' Champagne chilled for the drive to Positano I know, an Italian serving Champagne..... Mamma Mia!
Gift Fulfilled
After nine hours in the air and a connection in Rome we're going to need someone to drive us to Positano. Enter Vittorio, our English speaking driver who was born in Positano. He's the one that suggested the booze for the drive down.
Gift Fulfilled
Built into the cliffs in Positano, the penthouse suite at the Covo Dei Sarceni offers the most dramatic views of the Mediterrannean. Help us wake up to the views of the Amalfi Coast from our private terrace. So glad the dollar is strong against the Euro
$15000
20/20
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Between the Wine, we plan to eat. The Savino Restaurant offers a private veranda for two over looking all of Positano. The Savino is famous for their eight course dinner. It'll be a great experience for foodies like us.
Gift Fulfilled
You can't go to Italy without meeting a Mamma! and we plan too. Mamma Agata is the queen of Italian rustic cooking. She's cooked for Kings, Head's of State, Author and the Hollywood crowd. For four hours we will cook and eat with Mamma.
$16500
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Tanya's Grace Kelly moment. There are many ways to see the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. We chose to do it in a 1962 convertible Jaguar E-Type XKE. For one day we will discover the coastline and the small towns that make up the coast.
Gift Fulfilled
Jon's 007 Moment: A day long powerboat rental to take us from Positano to the isle of Capri and Ischia and beyond. While no one is foolish enough to give us control of a powerboat the Captain has said I'll get the controls in open water.
$27500
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Time to eat again. The La Sponda is the place for a romantic and decedent dinner. Not only rated the best restaurant in Amalfi, it is also rated one of Italy's best. Sweeping views of the sea we've booked our table for sunset.
$18000
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Our last vehicle to see the coast is Vespa Rentals. You can't go to Italy and not rent a Vespa. Don't worry, we'll cover the cost for the bumps and bruises, you will not be legally responsible.
$17500
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Our last night in Positano will be family night. Dinner at La Tagilata. This family run restaurant offers no specials, no schedule and no menus. When you order a bottle of wine, they throw away the cork. Who are we to argue with tradition.
Gift Fulfilled
Tuscany! Here we come. The Villa Elda is a converted brick farmhouse on the edge of Siena. Our room will at the very top of the house and has massive windows overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
$15000
20/20
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
After a hearty Italian Country Breakfast it's off to the Castello di Brolio. The Brolio Castle dates back to 1141 and is home to the oldest winemaking operation in Italy. We'll spend the day sampling our way through their miles of vineyards.
$16000
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Time to head a little further north to the walled town of San-Gimignano home to the famed Vernaccia White Wine and the thermal spa. We'll treat ourselves to a day of relaxation, pampering and a little wine tasting.
Gift Fulfilled
The Brunello is famous amongest locals for it's dining experience. Set among the vineyards of Motalcino they offer a dining experience like no other. Ten courses representing all regions of Italy. Diners are mostly locals... but we got a reservation!
Gift Fulfilled
Off to Florence! The Palazzo Hagnani in the heart of Florence dates back to the 1500's. A former "Palace" it has served as the meeting place for dignitaries during Florence's early history. This will be our base in Florence.
$17500
10/10
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Who knew! There are several ways to explore a city, on your own or with a group. And then there is Susanna Santoni. Susanna will take us on a private tour of her city. We'll cover the big items but spend most of the day seeing what most tourist miss.
$12500
1/1
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Gnocchi anyone? Il Porcospino is the home of gnochhi. Porcospino's owner is the "godfather" of Gnochhi and his restaurant has been voted best gnochhi 5 years in a row. Dinner with a "godfather", you can't make this stuff-up.
Gift Fulfilled
We seem to be eating a lot. Perched on a mountain top just outside of Florence is the Villa Sam Michele. Over looking the the Arno and the Florence Skyline the restaurants facade was designed by Michelangelo. We promise not to break anything.
$18000
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Ah... Roma!! The last leg of the trip. The St. George Roma hotel is in the heart of Rome and steps from the Vatican, Pantheon, Colosseum....and, wait for it.... Yes, Shopping for Tanya on the Via Veneto. It was only a matter of time!
$15000
10/10
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Dinner on the Tiber. Sunset in Rome while slowly cruising down the Tiber and feasting on the creations of the executive chef at Il Vecchio. We'll spend the evening enjoying the views of this breathtaking city while slowly floating on the Tiber.
$16000
1/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Time to Relax. The spa at the St. George offers two hour massages and lunch for two. After spending the morning seeing some sites, we'll spend the rest of the day relaxing in the spa and getting a little well deserved (not really) pampering.
$25000
1/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Tour De Roma: As we did in Florence we'll hire a private guide to take us throughout Rome. This day long trek will take us to the tourist sites but will also take us to the "locals' " Rome. Alessandro Cammilli will be our guide for Rome.
Gift Fulfilled
Last but not least: The Riccioli Cafe near Trevi Fountain is known as Hemingway's Pub. This was his home away from home and spent many hours drinking and writing in one of the dark corners. Now it's one of Rome's most popular oyster and champagne bars.
Gift Fulfilled
$000
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