Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations Within Five Hours Flight from the UK

It’s no secret that a wedding is both the best and most exhausting day of most peoples’ lives. During the day, you will no doubt be running on a heady combination of Champagne and adrenalin, so when it comes to the honeymoon it’s hardly surprising that many couples look for a destination within quick, easy reach. If a long haul flight just doesn’t appeal, there is a whole array of romantic, vibrant and exhilarating spots roughly within a short five hour flight from most major U.K. airports. So, here are my top five honeymoon favourites within easy reach of our shores.

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

A short jump across the Mediterranean and you could wind up in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Spend a couple of days getting under the skin of the pulsating capital, Marrakech and the artistic colony of Fez, before retreating to the mountains together for some untouched rural downtime. I recommend choosing a truly authentic stay in a Kasbah or private riad that has views of snow-capped peaks or the ancient Berber settlements of Telouet or Tacheddirt.

Florence, Italy

In just a couple of hours, you could be in enchanting Florence and what feels like a million miles away from home. This is the spot for couples who enjoy the finer things in life – namely food and wine. Make the romantic Romanesque city your base for exploring Tuscany. Visit as many museums, art galleries and palaces as your stamina allows and be sure to climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to see the most awesome view of Florence.

Santorini, Greece

This is the island for hipster honeymooners. The volcanic island of Santorini, flung out into the Aegean Sea can be reached in just under four hours. With a wide array of exclusive nightspots, hip cafes and excellent restaurants to choose from – enjoy a glass of local Santorini Assyrtiko wine on the terrace of somewhere like Ambrosia Restaurant in Oia, where you can sit and watch the evening sun melt over the black cliffs and bleach white villas.

Cesme, Turkey

Cesme is the beach hotspot for the ‘in’ crowd. It truly is an up and coming little gem of a place, roughly accessed within four hours flight from the U.K. Think clear blue sea and quiet sandy bays dotted with fig and gum trees. Great for him and her, the area offers world-class windsurfing, dining and a vibrant nightlife. There’s a wide array of boutique hotels perched on the shores which would make an ideal base, one of our favourites is the ultra-chic 7800 Cesme. If you can, it’s really worth hiring a yacht to explore the stunning peninsula.

Sahara Desert, Egypt

If you’re willing to go that little bit further afield, Egypt is all yours in around five hours. A captivating country, a visit to the Pyramids and a few nights in Cairo are must-dos. But don’t just stop there – continue the journey to the Sahara Desert and the fantastic luxe eco-lodges of Adrère Amellal located next to a natural Saharan oasis. This is the honeymoon for couples looking to disappear off to a remote spot free of buzzing phones and shiny laptops. If you’re craving the simple life after a hectic wedding, this is for you.

Article by Travel Expert Tom Marchant of Black Tomato

Images Courtesy of Black Tomato

Read more Honeymoon Advice articles

Read other Wedding Advice articles