Honeymoon ideas (4 nights, short haul / Europe)

[steve7612]

Looking for a bit of destination or hotel advice for a honeymoon next May, we’re looking to go on this shorter trip before a long haul trip later in the year.

Main criteria are
– £4-600 per night
– Can fly direct from Scotland
– In a location that has good views, either coastal or lakes etc, we would also like to be walking distance to a small town with bars / restaurants but not a big city
– A hotel that feels quite romantic and luxurious, ideally adult free!

If anyone has stayed anywhere recently that ticks these boxes please do share!

[Lula]

An adult free hotel??

[BJ]

Plenty of those in Scotland so why bother with airport, flights etc?

[NorthernLass]

Indeed, plenty of those in Scotland unless weather is important (I have photos of a visit to Perthshire one early May bank holiday week where we are bundled up in coats, hats and gloves against the elements and we are very hardy northern English folk!) There are some very, very nice lodges near Loch Tay, can’t recall the name but they would be romantic and luxurious and both adult AND child free lol. Otherwise, Switzerland for lakes, or Italy for lovely coastal views, and, er lakes.

[Colin MacKinnon]

Perhaps Jersey? Rob has done a review of a posh hotel there. Weather should be OK in May. If not, a day in the spa and great food!

If BA start Guernsey from EDI again, I wouldn’t bother – bit of a time warp to 1960s run-down seaside, I felt.

We had a week in Cornwall this year in May – a couple of days of rain, but perhaps look at EDI to Exeter or Newquay, if still operating. Hire a car. If it is raining on one side, it’ll be dry on the other!

Or the Isle of Wight – meant to be the sunniest place in the UK. Flight to Southampton, 2 min walk to the train and then the hovercraft to Ryde! (OK, so with the hovercraft that’s two flights!)

Finally – just don’t decide. Wait until a few days before and see what the weather forecasts are. Have had a couple of fabulous holidays that way. If you are risk averse, book refundable hotels (cash or points) and maybe cheap, throwaway flights – that’s where Ryanair comes in very handy. Basic ticket for about £15 each – maybe Ireland? – only add luggage if/when you actually are going to travel.

[steve7612]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, hadn’t even considered Jersey but always think it looks really nice. We will probably look to escape Scotland, especially as we will want somewhere with a bit of sunshine!

Looking at flight schedules I forgot how limited we are, especially when you have specific dates in mind.

[SteveJ]

Few suggestions:

Lausanne, Switzerland. Train ride from Geneva. Beau Rivage Palace a great option.

Lake Garda, Italy. Drive from Verona or Milan, or even train from Venice. Ideally you’d hire a car. Check out Lefay Resort.

Not Mountains, but I’d also recommend Tuscany as a beautiful honeymoon destination in May. Drive from Pisa or Florence. Check out Borgo Pignano Hilltop.

[marshy11]

Cornwall. Scarlet hotel.

Although if I could go anywhere, even for four days, it would the St Lucia (Eastwinds Inn). https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g147344-d149074-Reviews-East_Winds-Gros_Islet_Gros_Islet_Quarter_St_Lucia.html Take the helicopter from the airport and have a wonderful few days. You only live once.

[The Savage Squirrel]

+1 for Lake Garda. Easy train journey from any of Verona, Venice or Milan so not difficult to get to. Small towns at the southern end: Desenzano is more convenient for the train if you want to day trip to Verona etc, but Sirmione is nicer and better for ferries around the lake. Villa Cortine Palace in Sirmione is special enough for a honeymoon so might be what you are after.

[can]

+1 for Italian lakes, even Como.
Mandarin Oriental @ Como would even fit in your budget with very careful planning.

[Tracey]

Gibraltar, stay at the sunburn Yacht hotel. It isn’t really a yacht it just looks like one.

Madeira, Funchal. Lots of modern hotels to choose from or go for the iconic Reids hotel.

[MilesOnPoint]

+1 for Madeira, absolutely stunning scenery, so varied across the island. Incredible views out to see. Reid’s is of course the iconic hotel (book through a virtuoso agent like Emyr for $100 credit/breakfast/room upgrades etc..). As an alternative for something a little more modern, check out “Les Suites” which is part of the wonderful Cliff Bay hotel next door (home to the island’s only Michelin star restaurant).

[masaccio]

RyanAir fly to Bergamo from Edinburgh which is a stunning Italian hill town. Great if you are a foodie and not far from the lakes. If you don’t want to stay in a town the lakes are still a good bet and EasyJet fly to Malpensa.

For your long haul, if you were looking at high-end and were eyeing a beach destination, Jade Mountain is worth the hype.

[steve7612]

Thank you all for the suggestions, lots to think about!