The island of Corfu (sometimes called Korfu or Kerkyra) continues to draw weary tourists wishing to escape the rush and bustle of everyday life, having served as the background for epic tales by both Homer and Shakespeare. The sight of its beautiful green terrain, along with the aroma of olives and citrus from neighboring orchards, is enough to melt away any worry. And the sensation of the wide, pebbly beaches beneath your feet, or the glimpse of the Ionian Sea's cerulean waves, is enough to make you feel as if you've discovered heaven.

Corfu's kilometers of coastline and stunning beaches are what bring people here year after year. Corfu has everything, whether you like peaceful dunes with calm waves or pebbly beaches with plenty of local facilities. After a few days of sunbathing, make time to explore the island's distinctive historical and religious sites. Many of the must-see attractions, including the Palaio Frourio (Old Fortress) and the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, are concentrated in Corfu Town. When you're ready to journey to the western side of the island, you'll find one-of-a-kind sights like the Paleokastritsa Monastery and the Corfu Donkey Rescue.

Slovenia is a beautiful country. Just look at how the Julian Alps swirl across the country's north end, a symphony of dagger-like heights clothed in pine trees and sliced through by blue rivers. Now, if it seems like a great destination for honeymooners, that's because it is. And in the middle of it all is Lake Bled.

The advertisement appears to have been plucked from the pages of fantasy fiction. A medieval cathedral rises on an island in the midst of the ocean, silhouetted against snow-capped hills and surrounded by clear alpine water. There are fir, chestnut, and oak woodlands all around, as well as the delightful tiny hamlet of Bled itself, where Slavic pubs serve lemon tea and dumplings.

Aix-en-Provence is a charming Provençal town with lovely cafés and colorful marketplaces at its heart. However, tens of thousands of university students maintain this southern French metropolis as young, lively, and multicultural. Although there are 18th-century mansions along the streets, the French boulevards are teeming with fashionable Paris migrants. The still-popular Aquae Sextiae thermal baths were found in Roman times, but these medicinal waters are supplemented with the most exquisite treatments available at the on-site spa.

You come to Aix for all of these reasons, but also for the French-Mediterranean cuisine, fashionable shops, the artistic impact of Paul Cézanne, and the city's general easygoing and cheerful mood. Its closeness to the lavender fields, wineries, and mountains of Provence, as well as the Côte d'Azur, is an extra bonus.

If you're searching for a laid-back Italian holiday, head to Tuscany or Sicily. Milan, like New York or London, is a fast-paced city. Milan, Italy's stock market and Fashion Week, as well as vibrant nightlife, is similar to many other major international cities. However, there are several distinctions: For one thing, Calcio (soccer) is huge in the city, notably at the San Siro stadium. Milan also has some breathtaking examples of Italian art and architecture, such as the fresco depicting "The Last Supper" and the beautiful Duomo.

It also possesses creative brilliance, from imaginative furniture manufacturers to fashion designers. So, if you want to shop and party till you drop, see some cultural masterpieces, and taste Italian goodies ranging from coffee and biscotti to sparkling wines and risottos, Milano is the place to be.

Prague, a thriving and vibrant city, currently attracts more visitors than ever before. However, the city's gorgeous center hides a tragic history as well as a resilient past. Its historic churches, tiny lanes, intimidating hilltop castles, and statue-lined bridges now offer the setting for an urban fairy tale. Even the most jaded tourist would find it difficult to resist the allure of this metropolis.

Prague used to be a hidden treasure, overlooked by its more flashy western neighbors. But the city's wonders couldn't be kept hidden for long, and it's today a sanctuary for tourists looking for awe-inspiring experiences at reasonable costs. Top attractions, such as the famed Charles Bridge and the ancient Prague Castle, are still free to enter, and many hotels offer rooms at a fraction of the price of other European cities. However, this bargain-hunting tradition has a time limit, so if you're looking for a great deal, now is the time.

Vienna is a city steeped in history, both physically and metaphorically. The Innere Stadt's small lanes snake between historic buildings, creating an ambiance so genuine that you almost expect a Vienna resident like composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or psychologist Sigmund Freud to welcome you with "guten tag" as you turn a cobblestone corner. The city is dominated by extravagant baroque mansions from the Habsburg Monarchy, while Mozart's classical arias may be heard from modern cafés. If you're looking for culture, this is the place to go.

But this city is about more than just music and kings. Independent bookstores compete for business alongside haute couture in Vienna, making it a terrific spot to spend money. There are also a surprising amount of kid-friendly activities, such as an amusement park and a world-class zoo. Even while many Viennese retire early, it doesn't mean you have to; slip out to one of the city's Bermuda Triangle pubs or visit one of the wine taverns that edge the Vienna Woods.

Crete, sun-drenched and bathed in the bath-warm waters of the Libyan Sea at Europe's southernmost point, is a haven for newlyweds seeking a dose of Vitamin D after the big day. For starters, it's enormous; it's the country's biggest island. That means there are plenty of chances to get away from the masses and be alone. For another thing, it's rather inexpensive, especially when compared to Mykonos or Santorini.

Western Crete is most likely where you'll want to concentrate your efforts. When you arrive in Chania, you'll be met with a picturesque Venetian city with a port lined with quaint tavernas serving Cretan cuisine. Beyond there, there are rising mountains with elevations of above 2,400 meters. On the outskirts of stunning gorges like Samaria, they hide time-stood-still hamlets where you may settle in old boltholes with wood fireplaces. If you travel any farther south, the pink-tinged beaches of Elafonisi will make you feel as if you've swapped Europe for the Caribbean.

Athens is Greece's capital and biggest city. Athens is the capital of Attica and one of the world's oldest cities, having a known history of over 3,400 years and the first human presence dating from the 11th to 7th century BC.

When it comes to historical significance, few cities can match Athens. The citizens of Athens emerge from their houses as the sun rises above the flawless marble monuments of the Acropolis and fills the cobblestone streets around its base, heading to local markets or sidewalk chess games. Life goes more slowly as if the entire city is reminiscing about its heyday as a political and cultural force. The air thickens with the perfume of spiced lamb and music from a local taverna as the sun sets, dance clubs blast rock music amidst antique columns, and the dazzling lights of Omonia Square reflect the gleaming columns of the Parthenon, which are lighted for all to see.

Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium. The Brussels-Capital Region is located in the central portion of the country and is a part of both the French Community of Belgium and the Flemish Community, but is separate from the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region.

For decades, Brussels has served as the de facto capital of the European Community (and now the European Union), and with good cause. International politicians and daring visitors alike use the city's Gothic and Baroque-style squares, which are nestled amid historic lanes. Genuine Belgian cuisine provides rich comfort food, and daily dosages of chocolate and beer are well worth the money. Brussels is cosmopolitan in a manner that few other cities are — it genuinely is multilingual (French, German and Dutch). The city's ethnic influences have resulted in a boom of museums, markets, restaurants, and shops, making it far more than simply a tranquil alternative to livelier neighbors like Paris or Amsterdam.

The city of Cannes is located on the French Riviera. It is the home of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and is located in the department of Alpes-Maritimes. The city is noted for its ties to the wealthy and famous, as well as its high-end hotels and restaurants, as well as various conferences. It held the 2011 G20 meeting on November 3, 2011.

This sun-drenched resort town on the French Riviera is all about unwinding in style: strolling along La Croisette, sunbathing on the beaches, sipping French wines on the patios of en plein air (open-air) cafes, shopping the side streets, and hitting the casinos and clubs – or your luxury hotel's pillows – at night. Most people spend a high price to visit Cannes because of its pleasant, sunny atmosphere and attractive location on France's southern coast.

The Cannes Film Festival, which takes place every May, has only grown in popularity. But don't let the exclusivity put you off visiting: Cannes is a genuinely worldwide destination that caters to a wide variety of tourists seeking everything from excellent dining and high-end shopping to brilliant films and beautiful beaches.

The glittering glitterati unwind at Antibes, a much-loved vacation resort of everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to the Kennedys. This resort town, located on the Mediterranean Sea approximately midway between eastern neighbor Nice and western neighbor Cannes, is one of the most laid-back cities on the Cote d'Azur. By day, the flashy yachting population likes dashing around the seas, and by night, they moor their sleek boats at the harbor. In adjacent Juan-les-Pins, partygoers go to the clubs and casinos; serious sunbathers, gallery hoppers, and boutique shoppers also flock here.

Another lure is the sandy (or stony, depending on where you go) beaches that edge the cerulean Mediterranean. Those who just want to get away book a room in a pine-clad house like the magnificent Hôtel du Cap-Eden Roc and spend their days sunbathing and snorkeling on the cape, followed by great French cuisine in the evening.

If you haven't visited Budapest yet, now is the time to do so. Many people like the city because they can walk out of a hot spa and into a nightclub (and then back into the bath). History aficionados may choose among Roman, neo-Gothic, Renaissance, and Ottoman architecture at places like Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion in a city that goes back to the Old Stone Age.

Budapest is more than Hungary's political capital; it's also the country's business and cultural hub. Culture pervades practically every inch of the Pearl of the Danube, from its diverse culinary scene to its strong Jewish legacy. Budapest, which is divided by the Danube River into three main sections – Pest, Buda, and Buda – combines modern amenities with old architecture and verdant parks. Whether you're looking for gastronomy, shopping, or museums, Budapest has plenty to offer. And the rates are reasonable enough that you won't have to pick between them; you'll be able to enjoy them all.

Portugal defies European convention in that it is located in the westernmost edge of the continent but is far less expensive than many of its neighbors. Within the country, Porto is the most cost-effective of the two big cities. A normal mid-to-luxury vacation in these regions should cost roughly $100 per day, with food and alcohol being reasonably priced.

Porto is a city in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border. It's sandwiched between the Green Coast (or Costa Verde) to the north and the Silver Coast to the south. It's simple to travel to either of them for some sand (or surf), but you might choose to drive inland, where the Douro River valley's famed vineyards mean you can sample rich red wines to your heart's delight.

If you just have a few of days to spend on your honeymoon, Porto is ideal for a city getaway. The town's core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with lovely vantage spots overlooking the river mouth. The river's south bank is home to centuries-old port cellars where you may drink fortified wine. Then there's Vitória, which is home to a variety of melancholy cafés, jazz bars, and cosmopolitan cuisine.

The UNESCO-designated core of Krakow has an undeniably romantic feel about it. The high spires of Gothic churches hover over the metropolis, castles adorn the banks of the Vistula River, and tiny Slavic dumpling restaurants now inhabit the residences of the erstwhile royal family in here, Poland's cultural capital.

Okay, so Poland won't provide much in the way of sun and sea — the closest saltwater is 13 hours north on the Baltic. However, the city's charming Old Town more than makes up for it. It's completely pedestrianized, with jazz bars and subterranean beer halls where you may raise a glass to the big day. It also shouldn't be prohibitively expensive.

For couples considering a winter wedding, Krakow is also one of the best budget honeymoon locations in Europe. The jagged Tatra Mountains, usually regarded to be one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe, are only 1.5 hours distant from the town. Yes, you could celebrate your marriage by zooming down the slopes together, and the ski pass won't set you back more than $29 apiece!

While Tuscany and Umbria are making headlines, small Marche is satisfied to stick to its rustic beat in the country's central-eastern corner. It occupies the area of The Boot between the summits of the Apennine Mountains and the glittering Adriatic Sea, a place of undulating hills and cloud-swirled settlements that – in some cases at least – stretch back thousands of years.

For newlyweds wishing to do things nice and inexpensively, this uncharted territory is a gem in the rough. With more pizzerias on the piazzas than you can shake a bottle of local Trebbiano wine at, it still has that touch of Italian romanticism. It does, however, cost a fraction of what it would if you traveled closer to Rome or Florence.

There are several ways to pass the time. Take, for example, the plethora of agriturismo clinging to the Sibillini Mountains' slopes, where you may eat on hand-plucked truffle pastas. The honey-tinged walls of beautiful Macerata, a city founded by the Romans and now home to Italy's main opera festival, are another option. The town of Rimini, which is closer to the seaside, has simple flight access (even on low-cost carriers) and plenty of culture, especially for fans of Federico Fellini's films!