Further Afield is offering a free bottle of bubbles to the first five couples who book their honeymoon via its website on 29 March 2015, the first anniversary of gay marriage in England and Wales.

The fastest five to book a honeymoon direct with one of the small boutique hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes featured in the hand-picked, gay-friendly online collection, and then to email simon@furtherafield.com to confirm, will receive a complimentary bottle of fizz.

All bookers will benefit from Further Afield's discerning recommendations, which attract no fees and guarantee best-price because guests book direct with property owners. For inspiration about how best to get hitched – from proposal to honeymoon – Further Afield is offering three top suggestions from the collection to suit different tastes.

Best of British

Pop the question: Shepherd's Cottage in Cumbria, a cosy, 16th-century cottage for two, with views across of the surrounding wilderness.

The big day: Elvey Farm in Kent (pictured above, centre right), a medieval farmstead offering a peaceful rural setting for ceremonies, from 25 to 90 guests, in the 16th-century barn or main house.

Just married: Dipper at Boathouses in Perthshire, an architect-designed boathouse-style studio apartment on the banks of tranquil Loch Tay, with just a family of red squirrels for company.

City to City

Pop the question: Zetter Townhouse in London, trendy Clerkenwell's quirkiest vintage-modern address.

The big day: The Old Rectory in Hastings, a chic seaside B&B just a pebble's throw from the beach, which hosts ceremonies of 45 to 80 guests in the garden and the main house.

Just married: Duane Street in New York, for loft living in the heart of the action, TriBeCa, the Hollywood of Manhattan.

The Luxury Gap

Pop the question: Ett Hem Hotel in Stockholm (pictured above, centre left), where romance and sharp design meet in one of the top gay-friendly cities in the world.

The big day: The Rectory in the Cotswolds, a quintessential country-house hotel, with award-winning pub, which can be taken over completely for ceremonies of between 65 and 120 guests.

Just married: Above Blue Suites in Santorini (pictured above, far right), 10 elegant suites scattered across a slope of the island's volcano, with to-die-for views of the Aegean from the private Jacuzzi.

Further Afield has also done a snap survey of its regular website users to find out if the new law is helping to change attitudes. It asked whether gay couples feel more able to be romantic in public on a honeymoon in the UK. More than 90 per cent of respondents said they would still feel uncomfortable, revealing that while gay marriage is a big step forward, social attitudes continue to lag behind. On a more positive note, Further Afield reports that gay honeymooners are becoming more vocal when booking about their desire to honeymoon in a country where gay marriage is possible.

Follow Further Afield on Twitter @gofurtherafield and Facebook.com/FurtherAfieldEscapes

To request images or further information, to enquire about press trips, and to arrange interviews with Simon Forrester and Andrew Craven, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

Further Afield was launched in the UK in 2010 by Simon Forrester and Andrew Craven during the furore around gay couples being turned away from B&Bs. They saw the need to respond to the growing demand for places to unwind and relax without fear of prejudice. The collection has grown from 30 places in the UK to more than 270 in 23 countries, including Britain, France, Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, Further Afield has found favour not only with the LGBT community but also many straight travellers in search of discerning and honest recommendations.

The website champions accommodation with personality and flair and a welcome for everyone – gay, lesbian and straight. The owners of the properties featured are trailblazers – the first to open in a new neighbourhood, break the moulds of design and hospitality, or simply breathe new life into a familiar destination. Founders Simon Forrester and Andrew Craven and their small team of trusted reviewers carefully select every hotel, B&B and holiday home in the collection to ensure quality, comfort and a friendly and professional service for everyone. Tight quality control is key to Further Afield, which turns away many more establishments than it takes on.

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