Honeymooning in Annapolis

The newlyweds started an all-expense paid honeymoon in Annapolis yesterday that has a price tag of at least $3,000, according to local tourism officials.

The trip was part of the prize the Barbettas snagged as winners of the inaugural Saratoga "Race to the Altar" promotion at Saratoga Race Course in New York. Not only did they win a free honeymoon in Annapolis, the entire wedding was free, as well.

As the contest's winning couple, the Barbettas exchanged vows Friday in the track's winner's circle in a wedding they estimated was worth $50,000. Contest voters planned everything from the gown and tuxedos to the wedding rings and reception site.

As for the honeymoon? Annapolis was chosen by the voting public as the ideal destination, beating out Las Vegas and a Royal Caribbean cruise.

After exchanging vows in front of thousands of spectators, Mr. Barbetta, a day trader, and Mrs. Barbetta, who works for the New York Lottery, hopped on a Southwest flight bound for Maryland. They zoomed to the state capital in a limo provided by Extraordinar Limousine of Glen Burnie.They then checked into the Loews Annapolis Hotel and got their first taste of the city with a stroll down to City Dock.

"It's beautiful here," said Mr. Barbetta.

Meanwhile, local businesses are busy preparing for their visit.

Fintan Galway, owner of Galway Bay Irish Pub on Maryland Avenue, had his restaurant whip up some authentic Maryland crab cakes and corned beef poppers for the couple to enjoy at lunch.

Tonight, the couple will set sail on a Schooner Woodwind cruise to watch the city's famed Wednesday Night Races.

"That's one thing they were looking forward to and we're so excited to be able to take them out there," said Capt. Jen Brest, general manager of the Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind business.

Annapolis Day Spa at Loews Annapolis Hotel will treat the couple to a four-hour pampering session tomorrow, complete with chocolate wraps, champagne facials, rose petal foot treatments, a bottle of champagne and chocolates, among other treats, said Joan Courtney, spa owner.

Susan Steckman, vice president of communications at the visitors bureau, said the trip also includes everything from meals at Carrol's Creek and McCormick and Schmick's to a folk rock concert at Rams Head Tavern and a $100 gift certificate to Gallery 1683.

Ms. Steckman said her organization was contacted in July by Yankee Trails World Travel, a travel agency lining up the honeymoon options for the race course promotion.

The company had been working with Southwest Airlines and the airline mentioned Annapolis as an option, she said.

"Of course I said we were interested," she said.

Ms. Steckman said the bureau had a three-day turnaround time to come up with an Annapolis honeymoon package. Local businesses responded with a number of options that were posted on the promotion Web site, she said.

When it came time to vote on the best honeymoon, 58 percent of voters chose a five-day stay in Annapolis as the No. 1 pick. The cruise received 36 percent of the votes while Las Vegas garnered 6 percent.

Mr. and Mrs. Barbetta said they think the reason Annapolis was picked was because it had more to offer than the other two choices.

"It was the ultimate pampering package," Ms. Barbetta said.

And of course it saved thousands of dollars on what can be an expensive milestone.

"It's great timing because we just got our kitchen remodeled," Mr. Barbetta said.