Weddings are beautiful, but they are a pain to plan. Ask the thousands of couples who are undergoing pre-wedding stress. But while the weeks immediately preceding your special day are usually full of nervous anticipation, the days following the celebration can be dismally anticlimactic.
Yes, post-wedding blues are a fact. In fact, every newlywed feels some disappointment after the nuptials. The excitement of choosing an outfit, meeting vendors, and inviting guests are replaced with the reality of settling down.
Whoever invented honeymoons knew that newlyweds need time to unwind from the stress and drama of a tumultuous wedding process. But if you’re pressed for time or trying to save money for funds, the most sensible recourse is to schedule the honeymoon a while later.
Why not go for a minimoon instead? A minimoon works like a honeymoon but nothing too fancy, just a long weekend of luxury, relaxation, or adventure somewhere close to home for accessibility. Here is our list of stunning minimoon destinations and exciting things to do so you and your lover can reconnect and re-solidify your relationship.
- Seaside Minimoon in Devon
Perhaps nothing is more romantic than an unhurried stroll along a sugar-white beach, finding a sandy cove for a cosy tête-à-tête, then sleeping to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
From sandy beaches and towering cliffs to fascinating rock formations and picturesque harbour towns, the beautiful county of Devon is the ideal destination for newlyweds with a taste for the ocean. If you want to add culture and history to the mix, Devon does not disappoint. After all, the town is credited for having the oldest working steam engine in the world, the longest-standing commercial bakery, and for inventing cream tea over 1000 years ago.
You will never lack for breathtaking scenery to explore in Exmouth, one of the loveliest and liveliest port towns in Devon, with its untamed coastline and secluded sandy golden coves. The idyllic village features quiet cycling routes and spectacular hiking trails peppered with a cacophony of colours, particularly in summer and spring, when wildflowers are in bloom.
Adventurous couples can experience a variety of water sports, such as kayaking, kite surfing, sailing, paddle boarding, and surfing. For a more serene retreat with an incredible view of the ocean, stay in independent cottages a beach or a garden bungalow in the seaside towns of Salcombe or Torquay.
- Ski Minimoon in Scotland
If you think ski minimoons aren’t romantic, imagine this: snow outside, a fire-lit log cabin, glasses of wine, and lots of cuddles to keep one another warm. Besides, skiing together is an enjoyable and unique way to bond as a couple. You don’t have to travel out of the UK to enjoy the luxuries of a ski minimoon. Scotland is home to no fewer than five ski resorts, each distinct in appeal and features a unique range of slopes fit for skiers of all levels, whether amateur or advanced.
For the best natural landscape that has ungroomed runs, your top option is Glencoe Mountain. The area may not be big, but it comes with stunning views and a laidback vibe. For the largest ski area, choose Glenshee, a vast wilderness covering three valleys.
Here, you can hike to discover endless beguiling sceneries when you are not skiing. Other resorts to explore include Lecht, perfect for beginners, Nevis Range, from where you can see Ben Nevis and Loch Eil, and Cairngorm Mountain.
- Glamping Minimoon in Yorkshire
The great outdoors can be exceptionally romantic — long walks along picturesque trails, mesmerizing sunset views, stargazing, open-air dining. It could also be inconvenient – bad weather, insects, and mud. With Yorkshire glamping, however, you enjoy the amenities of a five-star hotel room without being constrained to four walls with additional panoramic stunning scenic views. You can luxuriate in an outdoor hot bath, sleep in a snug king bed, stay warm by the fireplace, or enjoy a sumptuous meal from homegrown produce.
The best place to have your glamping minimoon is Yorkshire, with its long stretches of rugged coasts, hidden sandy coves, and immense windswept moorlands, combined with medieval castles, scenic villages, and historic cathedrals. The beaches and valleys of East Yorkshire offer fascinating woodland pods, quirky tree houses, and colourful bell tents.
You will find various yurts, safari tents, and canvas domes in the exquisite North Yorkshire countryside. In West Yorkshire, you could get lost in the dramatic scenery of the Pennine Trails before going back to your cosy wigwam or shepherd’s hut to relax for the night.
- Surfing Minimoon in Cornwall
Famous for its incredibly breathtaking coastline, quaint seaside villages, and vibrant culture, Cornwall has all the ingredients of an ideal minimoon destination. Because of its strategic location, favourable climate, and a plethora of beaches, Cornwall is the surf capital of the UK. Here, you can take your beachside getaway to the next level with a surfing minimoon.
Ride the waves in Fistral Beach in Newquay, arguably the most popular surfing site in the region. Porthleven, in southwest Cornwall, has some of the most challenging reef breaks, but may not be suited for beginners. If you want to polish your wave-riding skills, join a private lesson at Gwithian Beach.
Cornwall isn’t just about surfing, though. Explore the vibrant cultural heritage of the region by watching a performance at the Minack Theater, crossing the causeway to St. Michel Mount at low tide, cycling the Camel trail through quiet woods and old towns, and indulging in the renowned Cornish pasty.
- Adventure Minimoon in Wales
Wales may be the last place to cross people’s minds when they think of a romantic getaway. But for thrill-seeking couples, it is one of the best places to pursue an adventure-filled minimoon, one that will positively make their bond stronger.
Wales is home to one of the most scenic coastlines in the UK and the birthplace of coasteering – a mixture of cliff-jumping, rock-hopping, and cave-exploring. If water is your element, go paddle boarding or kayaking in the calm waters of West Wales, ride the roaring rapids in Bala, or spot a dolphin in Cardigan Bay. Craving for an adrenaline rush? Whiz down the fastest zip line in the world at Zip World, try the underground trampolines in Gwynedd or skydive over Gower in Swansea.
Be sure to wander the coastline of Pembrokeshire, scale the peak of Snowdonia, sleep at a haunted castle, and eat lots of local seafood and the famous Welsh cake.
Comments are closed.