“What if we went somewhere that felt like ours?” I remember asking, fingers tracing a map and a dream at once. Europe has its icons, but for something quieter—more personal—I sought places that wrapped around us gently: cliffs and coastlines, converted manor houses, modern hideaways stitched into old stone. These were the kind of honeymoons that didn’t need flash. Just moments. And maybe a pastry or two.
What I Loved Most: The sense of privacy—not in being hidden, but in being fully seen by a place. Each of these destinations felt like they had been waiting, patiently, just for us.
Unique European Honeymoon Vacations:
Barbialla Nuova, Italy: Olive Groves & Golden Quiet
“This is what stillness tastes like,” I thought as I leaned against a sun-warmed stone wall, watching the hills roll out in soft waves of green and gold. Barbialla Nuova wasn’t a town—it was a pause. A working organic farm tucked into Tuscany, with dirt roads, honeybees, and time measured by light and appetite.
What I Loved Most: Waking up to birdsong and mist over the olive trees. Mornings moved slowly here—espresso, sunlight, the clink of breakfast plates, and no rush to be anywhere else.
My highlights? Dinner made onsite—fresh tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, garlic, and olive oil pressed just steps away. The pasta was tender and earthy, the mushrooms meaty and fragrant, and the oil green and peppery. I sat at a long wooden table outdoors, the scent of rosemary and woodsmoke in the air, and the stars just starting to gather overhead.
Plan your stay:
- Nearest City: ~1 hour southwest of Florence
- Vibe: Rustic, secluded, farm-to-table magic
- Highlights: Organic farming, foraging walks, horseback riding, wood-fired dinners
- Best Time to Visit: May–June or September–October for temperate weather and harvest seasons
- Cost: Farm stays typically €100–€150/night per room; meals available onsite
- Hours: Check-in by afternoon; meals on a set daily rhythm
Boskerris Hotel in Cornwall, England
Perched above the turquoise sweep of Carbis Bay, Boskerris Hotel felt like staying inside a cloud: soft grays, pale woods, and that hush only sea air can bring. I watched fishing boats drift in the distance and thought, “There’s no need to fill the silence here.” Breakfast on the terrace was warm scones and Cornish butter, the kind that melts before you finish your first sentence.
Iconic Santorini in Greece
Waking up in Santorini felt like waking inside a postcard. Whitewashed domes, blue that didn’t stop at the sea, and air that shimmered like glass. At Iconic Santorini, our room carved into the cliffside stayed cool even as the sun climbed high. We shared a dish of roasted eggplant with feta and honey on the terrace, and I remember thinking, “If time stopped right now, I’d be okay with that.”
Barcelo La Bobadilla in Andalusia, Spain
This wasn’t just a hotel—it was a Moorish palace surrounded by olive groves and golden hills. La Bobadilla gave us slow walks under arches, a spa that smelled of eucalyptus, and long afternoons beside a fountain courtyard. One evening, we had paella on the veranda—saffron and charred lemon in the air—and I whispered, “Let’s never eat fast again.”
Hotel Gotthard in Lech, Austria
Hotel Gotthard welcomed us like an alpine fairy tale. Window boxes spilled with geraniums. The mornings smelled of firewood and fresh rye bread from the family bakery next door. We hiked quiet trails, snow still clinging to high edges, and warmed up with apple strudel dusted with sugar so fine it vanished on the tongue. “This is the kind of cozy that stays with you,” I thought, curled beneath a wool blanket at dusk.
Bellinter House in County Meath, Ireland
We arrived under a slate sky, and Bellinter House looked like a poem with a chimney. Inside, it was velvet armchairs, mismatched tea cups, and laughter that echoed up the stairs. I had the roasted leek soup at the Nannery Dining Room—it tasted like the kitchen was hugged by herbs. After dinner, we walked through mist toward the River Boyne. “Some places let you be soft,” I thought. “This is one of them.”
The Cromlix in Dunblane, Scotland
Owned by a tennis legend, but feeling more like a country reverie, The Cromlix gave us golden light through stained glass and the creak of old floors beneath our feet. Our room overlooked ancient trees, and breakfast was eggs laid that morning and porridge with a swirl of cream that tasted like it came from poetry. “We could write a novel here,” I thought, but we didn’t need to. Just being was enough.
Miramonti Boutique Hotel in South Tyrol, Italy
The air was thin and sweet at Miramonti, tucked into the Dolomites like a secret. Our suite had floor-to-ceiling windows that framed mountains like art. In the spa, steam blurred the view until all that remained was stillness. Dinner was truffle tagliatelle and warm bread, crusty outside and pillowy within. “I feel lighter here,” I thought—not just from the altitude.
Tamuntana Hotel, Mallorca
Set in a quiet alley lined with orange trees, Tamuntana was minimalist but full of soul. The walls were thick with history, the bedsheets crisp and white, the scent of citrus in every breeze. We cycled down to the port and came back sun-drowsy. Breakfast was Mallorca-style toast with tomato and garlic, olive oil pooling at the edges. “This is what a slow morning should feel like,” I thought, toes brushing cool tile.
Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal
Bairro Alto Hotel sat where old meets bold—vintage tiles underfoot, sleek design overhead. Our window overlooked a plaza where musicians played and espresso cups clinked on stone. We explored nearby bookstores, took the Elevador da Bica at sunset, and came back for codfish fritters with a squeeze of lemon that smelled like the beginning of summer. “Lisbon has layers,” I thought. “And I want to peel them slowly.”
Dinner at Casinha das Flores (Lisbon)
We ended our European string of getaways with one last dinner at Casinha das Flores, tucked into a side street. I ordered grilled octopus with sweet potato mash—the air full of char and rosemary. Each bite was a contrast of smoky and soft, and I closed my eyes for a moment, holding it all in place. “This isn’t the end,” I thought. “It’s just a pause.”
Plan your getaway:
- Perfect For: Couples who want charm, culture, and a little solitude away from the standard honeymoon crowds
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall for fewer crowds, lush landscapes, and ideal temperatures
- Budget Range: Varies widely; expect €150–€450 per night for boutique luxury with breakfast
- Travel Tip: Book train or ferry transfers between destinations for a slower, scenic journey
- Don’t Miss: Breakfast in Cornwall, sunset in Santorini, a foggy river walk in Ireland, and anything served with citrus in Mallorca
Jump to a Spot...
- • Barbialla Nuova, Italy: Olive Groves & Golden Quiet
- • Boskerris Hotel in Cornwall, England
- • Iconic Santorini in Greece
- • Barcelo La Bobadilla in Andalusia, Spain
- • Hotel Gotthard in Lech, Austria
- • Bellinter House in County Meath, Ireland
- • The Cromlix in Dunblane, Scotland
- • Miramonti Boutique Hotel in South Tyrol, Italy
- • Tamuntana Hotel, Mallorca
- • Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal