There are around 300,000 marriages in the UK each year and about 90% of those couples will take a traditional style honeymoon: lazing on a beach beneath clear blue skies and a shining sun. Of course, living in a country notorious for its wet weather, it’s easy to understand why so many of us flock to the sun-dappled shoreline every opportunity we get, but if you’d like to shirk the expected honeymoon duties, here’s how to honeymoon off the beaten track.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
If you’ve got a sense of wanderlust and a passion for hitting the open road, head to America! With over 6.4 million km of roads, our neighbours across the pond offer unprecedented opportunities for adventure and exploration. Simply choose a state at random by pointing to a place on a map or make a more methodical decision–no matter how you end up in the States, you’re sure to love your time there! Road tripping around the United States of America is one of the best ways to experience the country’s vast expanse of culture, its many ethnicities and its flavourful, albeit at times downright shocking, food.
If you’re toying with the idea of navigating around the USA, consider these favourite tourist routes:
- Route 66 –take in the sights from sunny California to urban cool Chicago
- Appalachian Trail –stick to the East Coast for some of the country’s best beaches and beautiful mountain vistas
- US-93 –visit America’s neighbours in Canada and down in Mexico for a cultural explosion
- Southern Pacific –travel through the Deep South toward southern California, taking in all the region has to offer
If you’re looking for a completely unique American honeymoon experience, Tinggly’s Stargazing Jeep Tour in California caught our eye!
Head Off on a Himalayan Hike
The Himalayas are some of the most remote mountains in the world. With hundreds of villages dotting their expanse, towering pine forests and majestic mountain streams, the Himalayas are one of the most breathtaking regions of India. Book an 8 day tour for yourself and your soon-to-be spouse and let the experts show you the wonder and beauty of these unbridled mountains. A typical Combadi Himalayan excursion includes a foray into India’s metropolis, Delhi and a week of trekking through remote villages, rhododendron forests and beautiful steep valleys.
Walk on the Wild-side in Africa
From your base camp at the stunning Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, go on safari and explore Africa’s finest wildlife and plants. With guided nature drives and walks available daily including organic garden tours and bird watching, you’re certain to find enough activities to keep you and your spouse entertained. Bushmans Kloof offers more cultural activities too including exploring the rich heritage of South Africa by studying rock art, traditional jewellery and priceless artifacts.
Reinvigorate Your Mind, Body and Soul
Health retreats don’t mean strict rules, strange chanting and feeling uncomfortable. Health and Fitness Travel offers a range of exciting adrenaline-packed activities as well as relaxing options meant to help revitalise you. From zip wires through forests to archery lessons, put your wellbeing first on an unforgettable honeymoon designed to promote your and your partner’s health. Choose from destinations around the world from the tranquil planes of New Zealand to the red rock mountains of Utah. No matter where you go, you’ll find a range of activities to suit.
Escape to a European City
A multitude of bridges, a legacy of writers and a reputation for producing of some of the finest stout known to man, Dublin is a European city with a thriving cultural scene and a lively nightlife. If you’re after a city break with a difference for your honeymoon, Dublin is the destination for you! Wander through its quaint city streets, cycle across canals and explore Old Town Dublin with its Georgian architecture and rich Irish heritage. Alternatively, dive into Dun Laoghaire, a popular Victorian holiday destination with a mile-long pier. From your base at the stunning Conrad Dublin, you’ll be close to all of the best attractions the city has to offer.
Get Cosy in a Country Cottage
Cornwall is an area of the country with beautiful crystalline beaches and lush rolling hills. Here, you’ll enjoy the delights of a cosy country cottage in one of England’s stunning rural landscapes. Just a few minutes drive from Wooldown Holiday Cottages, you’ll find charming fishing villages and some of the country’s most popular coastal walks. Better yet, if you’re looking to stay close to home, a Cornish honeymoon will offer variety, excitement and adventure just as well as any honeymoon abroad.
