HONEYMOON SERIES I - EUROPE
At the start of 2020 after we got married, I had high hopes for a European summer holiday. I wanted nothing more than to bask in the mediterranean sun whilst gorging myself on feta, pasta and rosé. However it was not meant to be with that dreaded ‘C’ floating around. I still dream of the day I can set foot on European soil but until then I thought the next best thing would be helping my beautiful couples with their own honeymoon planning.
These are true and tried experiences straight from couples so enjoy!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Portugal & Spain
What was your favourite destination and why?
Portugal - The Algarve & Lisbon areas! The most beautiful beaches and water! We loved hiring a car and being able to road trip between each of the beach towns which are all so close together.
Spain – Tossa de Mar in Costa Brava. A small coastal town right on the beach with the cutest old town area. All within walking distance!
Must do activities there?
Hire a car and explore the endless beaches!
Must Stay at:
Our #1 stay was at an old converted fort (now 5 star boutique accommodation) in Cascais which is right next to the most amazing beach - Fortaleza do Guincho.
How long would you recommend staying?
Forever! Haha we had 9 days in The Algarve/Lisbon area and 9 days in Spain, with 2 bonus nights in Paris to start… we felt like it was a great amount of time but can always have longer!
For a touch of romance, go to:
Fortaleza do Guincho! You can even just go there for dinner in the restaurant overlooking the ocean.
And make sure you pack:
Quick dry beach towel.
The Algarve - Portugal
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Greece - The Greek Islands
What was your favourite destination and why?
Milos - picturesque coastline and so relaxing with cute towns, great restaurants and pockets of style.
Must do activities there?
Swim at the fishing villages, hire a little boat to see the south, visit Plaka old town, and climb down to Sarakiniko beach at sunset!
Must Stay at:
Anywhere in Pollonia! The hotels are all gorgeously Greek and you get the best sunsets over the water.
How long would you recommend staying?
5 nights was the perfect amount of time to see the coast and the towns, and most importantly to relax.
For a touch of romance, go to:
Klima or Plaka for a sunset dinner.
And make sure you pack:
Sarong, a nice dress and some pretty earrings. (And leave some space in the suitcase for shopping!)
Milos
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Italy (Florence and Rome), France (Paris) and Greece (Athens and Naxos)
What was your favourite destination and why?
Each place is so special and beautiful in its own right. I would have to say it’s equal between Paris and Florence - Don’t make me pick! Florence is so rich in culture and absolutely stunning, but then Paris truly is the city of love! We loved getting lost in Paris just walking around admiring all it has to offer.
Must do activities there?
Make sure to eat a Florentine Steak at Trattoria Dall'Oste! Make a booking if you can, or wait if you have to… it’s worth it!
In Naxos, hire a car and go to all the local little villages. Each one offers something different. You'll never eat fresh food like what they offer!
Must Stay at:
In Paris, we stayed at the MGallery by Sofitel, it was such a lovely hotel. It’s a bit of a walk away from the touristy areas, but the area has everything you need to experience the true Parisian lifestyle!
How long would you recommend staying?
We made sure we did 3 nights in each spot just to make sure we had enough time to really get a feel of each destination!
For a touch of romance, go to:
This is going to sound odd given that we also went to Paris, but the most romantic place we experienced was in Naxos. There’s this little hideaway restaurant up in the mountains called Rotonda Restaurant and wow. The food was incredible, and with the view it was just spectacular. They knew we were on our honeymoon so they set up a cute little private balcony for us. It was truly a memory I’ll cherish.
And make sure you pack:
You’ll need comfortable shoes! We didn’t want to waste a minute. From the moment we woke up we would walk as much as we could. There is amazing public transport options but we chose to walk to each spot so we could see and feel as much of the sights and sounds as we could.
FOR A TOUCH OF EUROPEAN WINTER…
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Italy, France, Scotland & Iceland
What was your favourite destination and why?
While I LOVE Italy and France for obvious reasons I can’t go past Iceland! The landscape was out of this world, every location was breathtaking and truly made you appreciate where I was and that I was lucky enough to share it with my partner.
Must do activities there?
Sightseeing, hiking and pottering around cute accommodation and wine & dining.
Must Stay at:
A must is booking accommodation in the countryside to maximise the chance of viewing the northern lights. We stayed in a beautiful cottage off the beaten track that had a huge skylight above the bed. The windy, dirt track to the accommodation took us past beautiful farmland that had Icelandic horses. When we arrived we were surrounded by autumn colors, the weather shifts so quickly in Iceland and we woke up on the second morning after a large snow fall to winter. Magic!
How long would you recommend staying?
We travelled for sometime but a week stay at a minimum in Iceland.
For a touch of romance, go to:
Take a walk through the snow capped valley to the Reykjadalur hot spring thermal river and take a dip. It's as natural as a hot spring experience gets!
And make sure you pack:
A range of clothes, you are likely to experience it all!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Getting married in December in Melbourne, we decided we didn't want to wait for our honeymoon and wanted to leave soon after our nuptials. When else do you get to throw a party with your loved ones and then go on a holiday with your best friend! (A dream combination). We headed to Austria, Iceland & Sweden and enjoyed a white Christmas!
What was your favourite destination and why?
We completely fell in love with Austria; the beauty of the architecture in Vienna, the romance of the Christmas markets in Salzburg, and the drama of the Austrian alps. Schnitzel & strudel were plenty, and there was nothing better than curling up by the fire, with a mulled wine, (or hot chocolate) watching the snowfall outside after a day on the slopes.
Must do activities there?
Perusing the Christmas markets, skiing in the alps (emphasis on the apres-ski part of the day), chasing the Northern Lights across Iceland, and ice skating under a starry sky, before partaking in the Swedish tradition of Fika, complete with a campfire and lake views.
Must Stay at:
Our accommodation in Innsbruck was the most gorgeous boutique hotel in the old town; Weisses Rössl. Family run, and oh so cosy. We loved chatting with the owners each morning at breakfast.
How long would you recommend staying?
Our new rule is to never stay anywhere for less than 4 nights before moving on. Enough time to settle in and really explore all the location has to offer, whilst taking your time to enjoy the simple art of being.
For a touch of romance, go to:
St Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, Europe's oldest restaurant (since 803 AD!) Tucked away within the walls of St Peter's Abbey, it was like stepping into a secret, and very festive, winter wonderland. The tried and tested combination of champagne, whipped brown butter and fresh bread on the menu did not disappoint.
And make sure you pack:
Cute accessories to rotate; beanie, gloves, scarf, a staple bag and shoes. (Don't forget wool socks!) The right accessories can elevate, and freshen up even the most well worn combination of jeans and a knit on repeat.
