Top 5 European Mini-Moon Destinations
The dream combination of a beautiful summer wedding and a blissfully tropical honeymoon can sometimes be hard to achieve. Typically when the sun is shining in the UK, on the other side of the world those picture perfect destinations are getting the much needed tropical downpour that keeps them looking lush and well, tropical. A rising number of our newly-weds getting hitched this summer are choosing to delay the ‘big trip’ to a far-flung destination for when their schedules (and weather) allow, opting instead for the ‘mini-moon’; a bite size trip that marks the occasion and provides well-earned respite in the wake of wedding planning. With an ever-expanding network of short haul flights connecting up central European hubs to the continents quieter nooks and crannies, I’ve selected my favourite destinations to disappear off to for a short post-wedding break.
- Basilicata
Lovers of romantic landscapes and Italian cuisine can explore the medieval castles and secret hillside villages of this little known region on a bespoke road trip through the ‘sole’ of Italy’s boot. The best bit? The unspoilt beaches and turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea... - Andalucía
Andalucía’s enduring charm has to lie in its unpretentious attention to earthy details. The whitewashed villages that cling to the hillsides outside Granada ooze sun-drenched old-world Spanish style and pared-down glamour. A visit to the Moorish Alhambra Palace in the cooler hours of the day is my definitive tip for newlyweds seeking escapism only a 2 hour plane ride away. - Turkey
The rich greenery of Turkey’s Cappadocian region probably isn’t what first comes to mind when you think of the Ottoman empire, but with a surreal desert landscape and unique cave-dwellings, this short-haul destination is sure to satisfy anyone looking for a truly unique mini-moon with a mild climate as standard. - Morocco
Marrakech may be well known for its cultural cacophony, but I prefer the more leisurely pace of Morocco’s northern wilds – in particular the powdery-blue tinted and Aragon-scented city of Chefchaouen for a sensory and culinary explosion. - Croatia
Ideal for the impatient and beach-hungry, the Dalmatian Coast is the short-hop ticket to Adriatic chic. Pair up a sojourn on the idyllic islands of Vis and Korcula exploring untouched craggy coves and excellent wines, with a night’s stay in cobbled Venetian-esq Dubrovnik for a measure of cosmopolitan cafe culture.
Article by Travel Expert Tom Marchant of Black Tomato
Image of Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey, Courtesy of Black Tomato
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