Not so long ago we rounded up some of the best places for a far flung family honeymoon with everything from theme park fun in Florida to wildlife adventures in Kenya but if you’ve young kids and don’t want to travel too far, Europe is an equally attractive option with lots of fab places to visit right on our doorstep! We chatted to the travel experts over at GoHop.ie who suggested these 5 fab destinations for a family honeymoon in Europe…
Italy
Italy boasts the highest number of UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world. Whether you’re looking to chill on the beaches of Puglia, take the kids to the Tuscan countryside, or get a real-life history lesson in Rome, with Italy you get choice.
Ice cream, pizza and pasta should be enough to keep the kids satisfied, whereas grown-ups might be happier to know Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world. With incredible cities like Milan and Venice just a few hours away from peaceful spots like lakes Garda and Como, it’s quite easy to get through everyone’s bucket list. Check out some great Italian getaways here!
Photo via Family Breakfinder
Malta
The smallest country in the European Union, Malta is about as action packed a country you could hope to find. Despite being less than half the size of county Louth, you can explore everything from hidden beaches and caves to medieval castles surrounded by lush countryside.
The Mediterranean water of Malta is ideal for kids still coming to grips with swimming, and plenty of fish to entertain any future deep-sea divers. The temperature can reach 20°C as early as March if you want to avoid the hottest days, making it a great destination for some early sun. Check out some great offers for honeymooning in Malta here!
Photo via GoHop.ie
Bulgaria
With cities older than Rome and beaches that could match some of the best in Europe, Bulgaria is an excellent alternative to the more trodden paths of Italy and Spain. Located along the Black Sea, the appropriately named Sunny Beach is becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers, as it doesn’t usually get as scorching hot as Mediterranean.
On top of all the summertime attractions, some parts of Bulgaria are perfect to take the kids on a ski trip come winter. Bansko resort in the Pirin Mountains is amongst the most modern in Europe, and put a lot of effort into making it a family-friendly destination. With over 65km of ski slopes to test out, it would make for an exciting family honeymoon that is slightly off the beaten path. Check out some fab offers for holidays to Bulgaria here.
Photo via Ski Club
Portugal
With world class cities and beachside resorts that rival those of neighbouring Spain, Portugal ticks a lot of the right boxes for an easy-going family honeymoon. Only a short plane trip away, Portugal’s stretching coastline of 800km is a gorgeous mixture of sandy shores and hidden coves ideal for little explorers.
The iconic Algarve is blessed with hot and dry weather for most of the year, with next to no rainfall annually. The colourful orange cliffs that dot the coastline are a sight to behold, and the best way to take it all in is to hire a car and tour this magical country. Take a peek at some holidays in Portugal here!
Photo via Owners Direct
Iceland
Don’t worry about having to buy the kids expensive winter gear, Iceland’s name is a bit misleading when it comes to summertime. Average temperatures of 13°C in the capital city of Reykjavik between July and August make it comparable to an Irish summer.
If you’re trying to get the kids to better appreciate the outdoors whilst exploring somewhere new yourself, you’d be hard set to do better than Iceland. The Blue Lagoon Thermal Spa is one of the trendiest attractions around, and kids might appreciate the mythical (and sometimes terrifying) culture of Iceland. Find out more about holidaying in Iceland here!
Photo via Iceland24