I was speaking to a bride to be who was asking if I had written any posts on minimoons. Not having covered this topic just yet but having considered writing about great honeymoon destinations I thought I would assist especially as it is wedding season.
Firstly, what is a minimoon?
It’s a short holiday taken by newlyweds prior to a longer generally long haul holiday that is to be taken a year or a few years down the line when finances are a little healthier. Having had a quick look online I discovered that although having been covered by others all those covered are luxury minimoons costing £2000 plus for the couple. My intention is to take a look at possible locations for minimoons and general great holiday destinations that don’t cost an arm and a leg but are also of a good quality (I shall be looking at trip advisor reviews to help me).
So whether you need to arrange a minimoon or simply want to book a last minute holiday for this month this is the blog post to read.
My posts will focus on warm locations and will feature all-inclusive holiday packages making life much easier for all.
The Family Life Aegean Blue in Kolymbia, Rhodes can be found on the Thompson website. Hurry if you want to go as its departing on the 11th May and returning on the 19th of May this looks like a great choice of hotel. Located next to a sand and shingle beach you have your choice of beach or pool. I should mention there’s a lagoon-style swimming pool a waterpark with tube slides, racers and a whole splash area just for little ones. Apparently the premium rooms with pool entry are the best ones. I love the fact these guys do a late breakfast for anyone that wants to lie in and they also provide picnic baskets if you are going out for the day, how lovely of them. It costs £414 per person to visit this lovely 5T hotel which has been given 4.5 out of 5 by Trip Advisor users. Parents will be pleased to hear they also have 3 age specific kids clubs!!!! This is a perfect location for those wanting a relaxing holiday as it isn’t that close to shops etc. For those with children look for an entertainer called Chris as apparently he is very good with little ones. Evi and Sashia in the reception are apparently very patient and helpful, Alevizos who is a bartender working at the pool bar and is a pro at cocktail making so make sure you go find him for some great drinks!
Tasia Maris Gardens in Nissi Beach, Larnaca, Cyprus is near a very popular sandy beach that I have actually visited a few times myself. This is also near Ayia Napa which is full of restaurants, clubs and bars should you chose not to eat the hotel food one day or night. Found on the First Choice website this is a 4* premier hotel voted as a 4.5 out of 5 by Trip Advisor users. With poolside activities for children and adults and a children’s club there is plenty to keep all busy here not bad for £410 per person. The flight departs on the 18th of May and returns on the 25th of May. Walkways allow easy disabled access to the beach, a handy tip for the disabled and those with pushchairs. Look out for Netta, Diana and Yianna on reception who are very helpful I hear. Karen who does the daytime entertainment is very good and great fun, the barmaids Tamara and Nicolletta and waiters Andreas, Sobos and Christopher are all great so look out for them.
Louis Phaethon Beach Club in Paphos Cyprus is a 4* according to First Choice and was voted 4.5 out of 5 by Trip Advisor users. They have just about everything covered activity wise. There’s a large pool, another with 6 slides which is open from May to October and an indoor pool with a big Jacuzzi (that’s where you’ll find me). There’s also a kids’ splash pool with tipping buckets and mushroom fountains. As well as a buffet they have a restaurant that serves Chinese food and a Viennese café. This price is for a holiday on the week beginning 18th of May the hotel is located in a quiet area by a small beach and it’s only 10 minutes by bus to Paphos harbour. The cost for a week £438 per person. The general manager Paraskevas is very welcoming, Nadia on reception is very smiley and friendly. The entertainment team Carlie, Jax, and Chloe come highly recommended.
SENTIDO Gran Canaria Princess in the Canary Islands (Thomas Cook) is an adults only hotel that has been given 4 out of 5 from Trip Advisor users. Flying out from Birmingham on the 9th of May if you fancy going you had better get a wiggle on! It’s a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner and at £493 per person seems like a great place to explore. It isn’t far from the local beach and those that have visited have said that the hotel is lovely and clean, always a good sign and that the food was not only good but there was also a nice variety. The hotel looks stunning and the perfect place for adults to unwind. The higher floors that are south facing apparently have the best seaviews. The hotel is approx. a 10 minute walk to the beach and the Yumbo centre. I would love to go along sometime myself, who wants 3 children for the week?
Hotel Barceló Santiago in Tenerife is built into a cliff giving guests panoramic views over the island of La Gomera and Los Gigantes. It’s just 5 minutes from a sandy beach and a 15 minute walk from Playa de Arena. With 3 large pools and a range of activities for big and small including ride-on toys to mini-football nets for children (I know some adults that would love to play on those to) there is plenty to do. I loved that the à la carte restaurant becomes a Tapas bar on certain days giving a bit more variety and beautiful views of Mount Teide. They do of course have a kid’s club, handy for parents to take a break from the “mummy mummy are we there yet” scenarios if you fancy popping out for a spot of shopping. At £447 per person you can visit this 4 T (Thompson) 4 out of 5 rated on Trip Advisor hotel from the 18th of May for a week. Guests have reported spotting dolphins swimming in the ocean from the hotel and there are some great costal walking paths for those feeling a little adventurous. There are also bars and restaurants nearby if you decide you something to eat on your travels.
I hope you all love my selections and that they are useful for those planning a last minute trip this May.
Are you planning on going away this summer and if so have you decided where to go yet?