10 tips for a honeymoon in Europe

In the old days, people used to go on their honeymoon for a whole month. However long you’re away, your honeymoon will be a memory to last a lifetime. The Maldives are all very well, but there are wonderful places closer to home. Bröllopsguiden recommends little gems, both well-known and off the beaten track, all across Europe.

Corsica / France

Sea views. Balconies framed by flowers. A garden with a swimming pool lined with orange and lemon trees… Pietracap is a three-star hotel on the hillside above Bastia in Corsica. Corsica is considered by many to be the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean. Inside the citadel in Bastia, there are small, cosy restaurants overlooking Bastia’s harbour and the sparkling sea
.» www.pietracap.com

Funäsdalen / Sweden

At Fjällnäs in Funäsdalen, you live with the unspoilt wilderness right on your doorstep. Fjällnäs is Sweden’s first mountain hotel. The first guests arrived as early as 1881, and ever since then the beautiful, unspoilt mountain landscape has attracted visitors. Mii Gullo, the hotel’s beautiful spa situated right on the shore of Lake Malmagen, is also a major draw
.” www.fjallnas.se

Sorrento / Italy

Few places can rival Sorrento for romance. Here you’ll find cosy alleyways lined with delicatessens, cafés and historic hotels offering marvellous views over the Bay of Naples. Spend your honeymoon, for example, at the charming Imperial Tramontano, perched high on a cliff with a terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples. For a dip in the sea, you can take the lift down to the jetties…
» www.sorrentotourism.com

Skopelos / Greece

There are countless Greek islands to recommend, but when it comes to romance, one’s thoughts naturally turn to Skopelos with its lush olive groves, pine trees and beautiful beaches – and, of course, because the film ‘Mamma Mia!’ is partly set here.

If you’re looking for a bit of film-inspired romance, check out the view from the Agios Ioannis monastery in Kastri or sunbathe on the beautiful Kastani beach, which also features in the film. You can stay, for example, in Skopelos town, with its winding alleyways, or in the smaller village of Glossa, which is largely car-free. Skopelos is located in the Sporades
.» www.greeka.com/sporades/skopelos/

Troia Peninsula / Portugal

The beautiful Troia Peninsula is home to some of Portugal’s very best and relatively undiscovered beaches, as well as magnificent natural scenery that makes it hard to believe you’re just a few mil south of the metropolis of Lisbon. Here you’ll find the Aqualuz hotel, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic and – believe it or not – dolphins.

Wooden walkways wind their way down to the sea to protect the flora and fauna. From the port city of Setúbal, about half an hour’s drive from Lisbon, you take a ferry across to the peninsula. A route which, incidentally, has been adapted so as not to disturb the dolphins
.” www.visitportugal.com

Deia / Mallorca

Anyone who wants to – and can afford to – treat themselves to a bit of luxury should definitely choose Belmond La Residencia in the bohemian artists’ village of Deia on Mallorca. This romantic and charming hotel comprises two older buildings that have been renovated to preserve their original Mallorcan character.

The hotel boasts an award-winning à la carte restaurant, considered one of the best in the whole of Spain. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden and features a sun terrace with swimming pools and breathtaking views. La Residencia attracts celebrities
.” Belmond La Residencia

Turquoise Coast / Turkey

The Turquoise Coast is a more exclusive part of Turkey, set apart from the well-known tourist resorts. Kalkan, for example, is truly, truly enchanting: an old fishing village of Greek origin, tucked away in a cove where the houses seem to climb up the mountainside. Charming and sophisticated all at once.

The view of the turquoise-blue sea is magnificent. Here you can truly enjoy both a beautiful landscape and a fascinating history, with remains from the Roman Empire and the ancient Greeks. Villa Mahal is a sophisticated boutique hotel with a fantastic view over Kalkan Bay, which has been recognised as one of Europe’s most romantic destinations
.» www.villamahal.com

Béziers / France

The Clos de Maussanne, near Béziers in southern France, is an old monastery converted into a luxury bed and breakfast. Beautiful rooms, good food and a garden with a swimming pool for lazy, romantic days in the sun – perfect for a honeymoon.

The town itself is steeped in a rich history linked to wine-growing and the famous Canal du Midi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfect for exploring aboard a riverboat or on foot, by bike or on horseback along the paths beside the canal
.” www.leclosdemaussanne.com

Heidelberg / Germany

Romantic and idyllic, cosmopolitan and dynamic – Heidelberg is truly special. Here you’ll find the romantic old town beside the River Neckar, the grand and world-famous castle, and Germany’s oldest university. And Queen Silvia hails from here.

Hotel tips:
Der Europäische Hof is considered the best hotel in the city, www.europaeischerhof.com
Heidelberg Suites Boutique Hotel with views of the Old Town, www.heidelbergsuites.com
Hotel Hirschgasse, Heidelberg’s oldest hotel, www.hirschgasse.de
‘Visit Heidelberg’

Taormina / Sicily

Beautiful squares with cosy restaurants and fantastic views of the Gulf of Naxos, as well as ice-cream parlours. Taormina in Sicily is a sure-fire choice for your honeymoon. Stay, for example, at Villa Diodoro, which is situated next to the city park and close to the English Garden in Taormina. Here you’ll find a well-tended garden, a pool area with a bar and a sun terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naxos and Mount Etna.

If you’d like to explore one of the most popular destinations in more depth, don’t miss our dedicated guide to honeymoons in Italy. There you’ll find everything from tips on the Amalfi Coast to the most romantic vineyards in Tuscany.