The wedding’s over, the guests are back home, the parents are sifting through the bills and the newlyweds are on their way to (1) Hawaii, (2) the Caribbean, (3) the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya.
If the idea of wildebeest stampedes and giraffe spoor seem unlikely honeymoon sights to you, then stick with Nos. 1 and 2. But for the adventuresome, there are enough offbeat and even wild honeymoon possibilities to fulfill every fantasy, from Outward Bound-esque horse treks in the Rockies to ecologically minded kayak tours of Australia. There’s even a “See the Southwest by Motorcycle” trip for truly wild-at-heart newlyweds.
Certainly, beaches and cruises are maintaining their edge in post-wedding destination choices, but the shift toward non-traditional honeymoons is undeniable. Older brides and grooms, the prevalence of second and third marriages, a general yearning for unique experiences-it all translates into honeymoon packages that might specify “private tent” rather than “room with a view.”
“People nowadays seem to want a little more adventure in their travel, and honeymooners are no different,” says Sally Kilbridge, travel editor for Bride’s magazine. “They want something really special they’ll remember for a lifetime and not just another `Let’s go sit on the beach with a drink’ experience. But blending mad adventure with real comfort is important: Because wedding preparations can be so exhausting, couples might spend a few days on a beach to relax and then take off for something more exciting.”
This surf-‘n’-turf combination of tradition and adventure is exactly what appealed to Sharon and Ron Cain of Wheaton, although they opted for a four-day African safari before heading to a remote beach in the Seychelles Islands. “All our married friends had been on cruises or to Hawaii, and they thought this was a very weird choice for a honeymoon,” Ron admits. “But we wanted that sense of excitement and the unexpected, and seeing hippos, crocodiles and lions a few feet away was nothing if not memorable.” Sharon, who works in the travel industry, adds that “even though we camped out in tents, they were so comfortable it wasn’t exactly roughing it. And it was very, very romantic.”
A penchant for the unusual doesn’t necessarily mean trading in all the gift crystal for hard honeymoon cash, although a deluxe safari can cost several thousand dollars per person. But equally rustic, romantic and comfortable settings are available in our own back yards, so to speak. Western ranch trips and horse treks are offered by several tour packagers, including American Wilderness Experience, where “the `soft adventures’ have been particularly popular with honeymooners, like visiting one of our guest ranches in Montana, Wyoming or Arizona,” Dave Wiggins, company president, explains. “There’s a choice of 5-star resort-type ranches or more homespun cabin-in-the-woods accommodations, but they all offer great food, incredible scenery, hiking and riding.
Strangely, the idea of being entirely alone-once the core of all honeymoon fantasies-is not necessarily a top priority any longer, with couples frequently joining small tours and groups with similar interests. Sometimes, communal cabins are even an option. “Frankly, most honeymooners we see these days have little interest in sitting and staring at each other or sleeping in a heart-shaped bed,” muses Pat Halty, owner of Civilized Adventures. “They’re more active, a lot are second-timers, and they’re open to meeting other people and touring in small groups. Our bicycle tour of the California wine country is very popular with them, since it’s limited to 20 people, and it’s an athletic, outdoor experience in a gorgeous romantic setting, with deluxe meals and accommodations.”
Are adventure honeymooners more prone to horror-stories-for-memories than the more traditional-minded? That’s hard to say. Sure, there are reports of poison ivy, saddle sores and the occasional broken bone, but who hasn’t heard all about sunburn and cruise-caused seasickness? Besides, as Dave Wiggins suggests, there may be long-term positive effects from choosing a honeymoon adventure. “These kinds of trips are a lot more enriching and challenging to the mind, body and spirit. Isn’t that the right way to start a life together?”
