Heimdall

Sorry, but if you want to go to Europe in winter, instead of looking for the least cold place, why not look for somewhere that has lots to do whatever the weather. Europeans go to the Canaries like Americans and Canadians go to Florida because it is the closest place to where they live that has mild winter weather. That doesn’t mean I would consider travelling to the Canaries from North America — I wouldn’t.

You’ve already rejected Cape Town, so why look at a remote African desert island such as Cape Verde? I’d rather go to Zanzibar or one of the other islands on the Kenya or Tanzania coast. Have you thought of Israel? It’s not in Europe but I hear Tel Aviv has nice beaches and great night life. Or go to Eilat and swim in the Red Sea.

Gardyloo

I also thought of Israel. You can get there easily enough from Doha (plane change in Amman or Dubai) and the weather in the south (Eilat and the Negev) ought to be plenty warm enough. Tel Aviv does have great beaches, but a little chilly for swimming, but there's great nightlife. The Galilee (in the north) is gorgeous at that time of year, and of course if you want historic sites or outdoors activities... well, it's Israel.

Sassafrass

Sorry, but don’t put Israel into the mix for consideration of beaches. It is mild, but way too cold for a beach vacation in winter. Also, hope it is not true all over, and perhaps in Summer they are cleaned up, but the beaches I saw, while beautiful, were littered with trash.
I think you need to accept that a winter vacation in Europe will be more a cultural and sightseeing experience, choose a different destination or delay your honeymoon for a few months.

LunaBella

Hi Keegan - I have been to Europe about 50 times now. Probably 10 of those trips were around my birthday at the start of February, so I have some experience with Europe in the cold!

I haven't been to Europe since Covid hit...but will be going back myself this December. (I like Europe in the winter. And that will put me there to see the Christmas lights, etc.) So with 10 days, trying to consider the Covid situation and also trying to consider honeymoon romance, here's what I would do:

I would choose Rome for the first 5 days. I would consider staying at a romantic Airbnb with a view of the Trevi Fountain, like these:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1098118...sts=1&adults=1
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1949402...sts=1&adults=1

In fact I have one of those reserved myself in December! That way you could get delicious food to go (da portar via) if you don't want to dine in a typically small Roman restaurant, and eat wonderful Italian dinners by candlelight with that spectacular view! So romantic.

And the indoor options for sightseeing in Rome go on and on and on. For starters, you could visit:
- Palazzo Massimo (the Villa Livia frescoes are magnificent!)
- Palazzo Barberini
- Palazzo Colonna
- Galleria Doria Pamphilj
- Villa Farnesina (Raphael frescoes!)
- Galleria Borghese (Ohe word: Bernini. He is the master.)
- Capitoline Museums/Campidoglio

And then there is the evening passegiata. All bundled up, walking from the Spanish Steps to the Pantheon to the Trevi Founfain to Piazza Navona in the evening in the beautifully lit, evocative streets of romantic Roma...si per favore!

Then from there, take the train to Venice for the last 5 nights. I've been there twice in February (but not during Carnevale) and it's a different atmosphere altogether than you find there at other times of the year. I have pictures of Saint Mark's Square relatively empty. And now with Covid and the stories I hear coming out of Venice, it's supposedly even quieter these days. I will be there also this December so will see for myself.

But based on my past experience and if it falls in your budget, I would suggest staying at Palazzo Stern. It is wonderful, a really beautiful palazzo right on the Grand Canal, decorated perfectly to my taste with mosaics and Fortuny lamps everywhere. Most of the year it is WAY beyond my budget, but they have some crazy low winter rates that I take advantage of.

Venice is the most beautiful city I have ever seen, and I can't imagine how romantic it could be for a honeymoon. Start by thinking gondola ride in the mist. And there are of course so many beautiful churches and museums and palaces to visit. Staying inside isn't a problem there either.

Hope this helps!

LunaBella

Also I know I didn't address your desire to "relax on an island," but does Venice count? I think it might be technically seen as an island, haha! And if not, you could always take a daytrip to Murano or Burano.

I really think like others have said already, trying to make a winter holiday at a summer destination (if that makes sense), is not a good approach for Europe. If you embrace the winter options, I think you could potentially have a really magical honeymoon!

keegan2022

Thanks LunaBella for your suggestion. We had considered Italy but dropped the idea thinking the weather in Spain is more favourable - if we are taking the weather risk, we might as well minimize our chances of bad weather. I also read that Rome/Venice is damper than Southern Spain.

What do you think of the above? If you agree, do you have any suggestions for a Spain honeymoon?

LunaBella

I think Spain would be a wonderful winter honeymoon destination. I have very much enjoyed some of the places in Spain that I have visitied in the past (Madrid, Barcelona, Pamplona, Toledo, San Sebastian), but I am absolutely in LOVE with Andalucia. I've been to that particular region four times now in the last decade, once in late spring and the other times in the middle of winter. The winter weather was mild...I would love to return there every winter! So I second what Gardyloo and HelenFatima said above.

For starters, in Andalucia I have been to Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Tarifa, Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz (and Gibraltar). The first three places a few times, and those are the places I would suggest you put at the top of your list as well: Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. These three are each wonderful in their own way but Sevilla really is one of my favorite places on earth! So beautiful and charming. The streets are magical. So fun to take a carriage ride over to the Plaza de Espana, the alcazar is amazing as is the cathedral. And while I would never want to see a bullfight, the bull ring is the most beautiful sports arena I have ever seen.

Also one of my VERY favorite things to do in the world is to visit the Arab baths. I have done this in Barcelona, Granada and Sevilla, but the ones in Sevilla --- called Aire de Sevilla --- are my all-time favorite: https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-sevilla#
They are located in an ancient Mudejar structure. Dim lights, Moroccan candles everywhere, Arab music playing softly in the background, a limited number of people admitted for each session. Hot baths, cold baths, saunas, jets, massages, aromatherapy, all in an absolutely beautiful structure. Blissful, and helps so much with the circulation. By the time I am done I feel like I have to practically pour myself back out onto the streets of the city. The perfect start to a romantic evening.

And then of course for the other two cities, there is so much written about the Alhambra of Granada and the Mezquita of Cordoba...but they are all that and more! I could easily spend 10 days in these three romantic cities and be very happy, they are all so full of history, charm, and beautiful architecture. And I have found the prices to be very good in Andalucia as well.

BritishCaicos

What’s your budget per per night ?

just book here.

https://el-fenn.com

The weather in February is perfect, summer is silly hot.

if you can’t justify the cost I’ll pay half the bill. The hotel is owned by Vanessa Branson , Richard’s sister. The whole place is the most ridiculous understated, cool and stylish hotel in the world. you will recognise some of the guests there but it’s very small and private.

Marrakesh is a little crazy but the hotel is tranquil and there are
excellent short trips out to the stunning Atlas Mountains or to the coastal towns.

you’ll laze around on the huge roof top terraces over looking the snow covered mountains not wanting to move.

keegan2022

Thanks very much LunaBella . You sound very passionate about Spain and Europe in general and hopefully this will not be my last visit Andalucia is definitely at the top of my list.

keegan2022

Europe has been my dream honeymoon destination and the winter will make it more magical The reason I am struggling to decide on a location is to minimize the chances of the weather becoming a barrier for us to enjoy the honeymoon. We are fine with the cold but not the rain.

keegan2022

This looks like a really nice honeymoon hotel and we will definitely consider it if we choose Morocco. The cost per night is definitely a stretch for us (we are mainly looking for mid-range hotels) so thanks for offering to help with the bill

BritishCaicos

The only advice I would EVER give anyone and it really is based on much experience, is ….for a special occasion and this is special …forget the budget. In the years to come you will remember the memories not the horrific credit card bill you returned home to - our top three missed opportunities because we “ couldn’t justify the cost” in our twenties (25 years ago) were -
1. Not taking a balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings
2. Not taking a helicopter ride round the Twin Towers
3. Not paying for a day trip to the then undiscovered Koh Phi Phi Leh

Biggest mistakes we ever made, we now have the money but not the memories ..,,what’s the point?

yorkshire

Have you considered postponing the honeymoon a bit? I realize not everyone can do that, but it worked well for us. We had time to decompress from the festivities, unpack, send all the thank yous, etc. We also waited until there would be better weather in our destination. If you are more interested in a trip with an outdoor component, then that is a much safer course. If you must go in Jan/Feb, I would either go all in on a winter focused destination (skiing?) OR choose somewhere with plenty of indoor attractions. I think Andalucia would be a great choice because you might luck out and get sunny days, plus there are so many cultural attractions to enjoy indoors. I do not think it would be a great use of money to go to an island, except maybe Sicily--which would have the same pros as Analucia (but perhaps a longer flight and you should maximize your time).

BritishCaicos

Great advice Yorkshire

nonconformist2

What about Madeira or the Azores?

keegan2022

Thanks for the advice! I agree, we should make the most of our honeymoon. However, the wedding expenses are already mounting up and the last thing I want is to get deep into debt because of overspending on the wedding + honeymoon. We will try stick to budget on this one and revisit for a minimoon on one of our anniversaries

keegan2022

Thanks for your input yorkshire. Do you not think one of the Canary Islands would be a good destination considering there is a high likelihood of sunshine in the daytime? We do not want to swim on the beach but just have a relaxation time around the beach. We are also considering a beach in Andalusia (perhaps by Malaga) and then move our way upwards to Seville and Cordoba. There is also a skiing opportunity in Sierra Nevada. Does this sound like a better option and more value for money?

Unfortunately, we cannot delay our honeymoon so this is the only time we can go :/

keegan2022

We read that the temperatures in those islands are not as favorable as Canary Islands in winter. Not sure if there is another side to this.

travelerjan

You have to look at the globe ... the closer to the equator, the warmer the temps in winter. I think that spells Canary. Keegan, we have seen new contributors like this before. Often they are from Southeast Asia, because Dec & Jan are such popular wedding months there... so people want a warm honeymoon when it is midwinter in the northern hemisphere. They keep asking and asking, even tho Europeans explain that it will be WINTER ... they keep thinking if they ask enough, they will get the answer they want. If you want beach weather... go to the Canaries, or go to South Africa or South America, or Australia, or maybe Thailand. do not keep fantaszing about Spain turning warmer. We wnt you to have a lovely honeymoon, so plan according to climate realities. Our very best wishes to you!

Traveler_Nick

Even the Canaries won't be hot. They'll be warmer than Berlin or London and a lot sunnier but it won't be August on a Greek island HOT. OTOH some people think that's a good thing