THE PATIENTS

James Middleton and Lucie Banford are suffering from a mild case of the jitters. They’ve brought forward their wedding by eight months to September this year, and they still haven’t a clue where to go on honeymoon.

The couple had originally planned to book a week at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean. “We thought we’d like something tropical and exotic,” says James, “but now we’re a bit worried because September is the hurricane season.” The all-inclusive concept appealed because it seemed “hassle-free”, says James.

“We don’t want anything too complicated. Basically, we want to crash out at a nice hotel by the sea, with good food.” The couple’s previous holidays together have won mixed reviews. In Cyprus they liked the old harbour at Paphos, but in southern Turkey they were not impressed by their hotel, a huge all-inclusive. “We couldn’t relax there,” says James. “And the food was a huge disappointment.”

Their combined budget for a week is between £2,000 and £2,500.

LUCIE AND JAMES

Lucie, 24, is a nursery nurse. James, 27, is a chartered accountant. They live in Biddulph, Staffordshire

Last CD bought
Lucie: Mind Body & Soul by Joss Stone
James: X&Y by Coldplay

Last book read
Lucie: And God Created the Au Pair by Bénédicte Newland and Pascale Smets
James: Last Light by Andy McNab

Favourite food
Lucie: Indian
James: Italian

Favourite tipple
Lucie: a good rum cocktail
James: Leffe beer

THE DOCTOR SAYS

James and Lucie are right to have second thoughts about the Caribbean and Mexico — and not just because they would be travelling in the middle of the hurricane season. Even with a budget of £2,500, if they go all-inclusive, they run a big risk of finding themselves in a bog-standard resort hotel, eating bland food from the same buffet three times a day. They would also be surrounded by other Brits, all on the same 11-hour charter flight. Exotic, perhaps, but hardly glamorous.

On the other hand, September is the perfect month to be in the Mediterranean. The weather is still glorious, the crowds have thinned out and prices have tumbled. Rather than blow a large chunk of their budget on expensive, uncomfortable flights, James and Lucie could spend it instead on a genuinely classy hotel.

Believe me, after they’ve been through all the excitement and exhaustion of the wedding, the last thing they’ll want to do is be intrepid. Forget long-haul and go short-posh — here are three splendid Mediterranean honeymoon treats from which to choose.

(Memo to James: don’t forget to tell the tour operator you’re on honeymoon — there may be free champagne or even a room upgrade in it for you.)


PRESCRIPTION ONE
Sardinia

This Italian island has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean and a languid charm that makes it ideal for a relaxing honeymoon. Yes, it has swanky five-star hotels where a week for two can cost £10,000, but there are also some undiscovered treats that are distinctly more affordable.

One of the most charming of these is Cala Caterina, a stylish little hotel on the southeast coast, set amid pine trees and lawned gardens and with a path leading down to a secluded beach. It’s a relaxing place with a large pool, a mostly Italian clientele and frescoed walls, tastefully decorated with antiques and local fabrics.

James and Lucie could easily spend a week there, sunning themselves, lazing around and eating fine food (the half-board option includes a delicious buffet breakfast and waiter service in the evenings). But if they get itchy feet, the attractive resort of Villasimius is just three miles away. Or they could rent a car for a couple of days and explore some more of the island.

A week’s half-board at Cala Caterina, including flights from Manchester, would cost £1,042pp with Just Sardinia (01202 484858, www.justsardinia.co.uk).

PRESCRIPTION TWO
Santorini

Santorini is Greece at its most stylish and seductive. Whitewashed houses hang off the sides of volcanic cliffs overlooking impossibly inky-blue seas. It’s an image seen on a thousand postcards — only the reality is even more beguiling.

One of the island’s most dazzling hotels is Katikies, a romantic bolt hole with white minimalist interiors, a huge infinity pool overlooking the Aegean and five-star service. Breakfast is delivered each morning to guests’ private balconies and there are secluded terraces where couples can cuddle up on double sun loungers.

A week’s B&B, including flights from Manchester, costs £1,235pp with Harlequin (01708 850300, www.harlequinholidays.com). Though dinner is not included, it’s only a short walk from the hotel to the charming village of Oia, which has a great choice of restaurants with sunset views.

PRESCRIPTION THREE
Sorrento

Romantics have been heading to Sorrento for more than two centuries. It’s a buzzy, stylish little town with some extremely elegant clifftop hotels overlooking the Gulf of Naples — in short, it couldn’t be better for a honeymoon.

One of the most unusual and exclusive places to stay is the Palazzo Marziale, a handsome five-bedroom villa hidden down a side street in the old town. Not a whiff of the all-inclusive here. Built in the 15th century for a family of aristocrats, it has been stylishly renovated with sumptuous bedrooms and a pretty garden terrace where drinks and candlelit dinners are served.

Service is personal: the manager, Paola Ravenna, would make James and Lucie feel at home and take care of their every whim. As guests of the palazzo, they would also have access to a pool and a private lift that descends to a nearby beach.

A week’s half-board costs £1,206pp, including flights from Manchester, with Magic of Italy (0870 888 0222, www.magicofitaly.co.uk).

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