When we were planning our honeymoon earlier this year, we faced a crucial decision. Do we pick a destination because of its history and quality of food while exploring in relatively comfortable accommodations, or do we pick a destination that is full of adventure and put ourselves out of our comfort zone for the sake of the experience?As you are aware, we picked the former with our 2 week trip to Spain loaded with so much food and history that we barely had a moment to sit down and relax. But what about the adventure side? As it turns out, we looked at a number of possible adventure destinations for our honeymoon and highly recommend each and every one of them for couples looking to get off the beaten track to celebrate one of life's most important milestones. Pull out your honeymoon registry adventure seekers, this one's for you!
Morocco
Out of all the destinations featured on this list, Morocco may come as a shock for what we call an adventure destination. It is true, you can visit Morocco purely for its culture, food scene, and amazing cities like Chefchaouen and Marrakesh while still having a wonderful honeymoon. But when you start to look at the adventure side of things, Morocco truly begins to shine.
The number one adventure destination spot in Morocco? That is debatable, but for us it is none other than the Sahara desert. Sure the Saraha desert spans the entire Northern segment of Africa, but in many places getting into the heart of it takes time. Distances take a considerable period of time longer to travel as the infrastructure becomes sparse. Even though getting into the true Sahara in Morocco requires a bit of effort or even a guided tour, you'll know it when you get there. Why? Space. Wide open spaces full of only dunes, camels, and other travelers (of course).
What else could define the word 'adventure' more appropriately than going into the worlds largest desert? There is only a few things we can think, of one of which is true for this destination - crossing it entirely. But that must be left to the most adventurous couples.
Why we didn't go: Logistics. On our honeymoon we wanted to spend as little time in our room planning out our trip logistics as possible and spend more of it actually exploring the destination. Maybe this is mostly due to the long layovers in Europe that are required to get there talking, but there is also the day-to-day logistics that were a factor. Getting around from city to city on buses rather than trains that can be booked months in advance, booking more elaborate day trips like a trip to the Sahara and back, and others of similar theme. Not a major downside by any means, but not something we wanted to do while on our honeymoon either. (Photo "Desert" by Piknik1977)
Galapagos
Is there any destination that could claim the title "world's best adventure," it would probably be the Galapagos. Where else can you share the beach with sea lions, see one of the most diverse animal populations known to man (on both land and sea), snorkel with tropical fish, scuba with sharks, all while enjoying luxurious yachts and relaxing in style? The answer, of course, is nowhere but here.
The variety of adventures that can be had from these yacht tours are perfect for couples that want to explore adventure, but may not necessarily want do the same activity together all the time. One could scuba while another snorkels (like Angie and I would have to do) yet experience the same scenery at the exact same moment from different angles and perspectives. There are very few destinations that allow this kind of dual experience with the same end goal, perfect for shared reflection at the end of each adventurous day.
But there is way more to the Galapagos than just the nature and scenery, we cannot talk about this amazing island destination without briefly mentioning the stopping point all travelers must cross through before reaching the destination - Ecuador. Throw in a stop to the true equator or Amazon rainforest along your way to the Galapagos and you have one unique honeymoon experience worthy of the adventure title.
Why we didn't go: Time. We were taking a good number of days off work in preparation for our wedding, that we did not feel that we had enough time to allocate for everything we wanted to see in both the Galapagos and Ecuador. It is true, you can have an amazing itinerary at these two destinations with under two weeks of vacation, we just want a little bit more than that when we decide to go. (Photo "Sea Lions" by hollyereid)
African Safari
Much like the Galapagos, the theme of an African Safari often revolves around seeing the Big Five - Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhino. Of course, we do not condone hunting these animals, except only with your camera. Only a few select destinations in Africa still exist where these five can be spotted in a single trip, including Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and just a few more.
But what else is there in Africa other than the animal safari? Well for one, the coastal countries of Tanzania and Mozambique have world famous beaches and islands off of their coasts. Looking to get away from the wildlife for a few days? Head over to Dar es Salaam or Ilha de Mozambique for a relaxing break just a short hop away from all the action!
Why we didn't go: Guided Tours. You do not have to go on a guided tour when going on safari in Africa. In fact, some of the best excursions into Africa's wildlife are on solo trips with just two people and the guide. We fancy a guided tour for these itineraries to hit more parks over a wider area without all of the planning, and it was very hard for us to consider spending our honeymoon with other travelers. (Photo "Elephants" by dinxster)
South East Asia
A broad category, South East Asia offers something for every type of traveler; most of which much cheaper than you can get at other destinations featured in this list. Crave adventure? Angkor Wat is waiting for you. Want paradise? The islands of Thailand are your go to spot. Want the world's best food? Singapore is able to cram all of South East Asia in one hawker center. Want it all? You literally can do it and won't break the bank in the process.
While we recommend exploring one destination as much as possible, especially on an active honeymoon, South East Asia is the perfect part of the world to put in as many different styles as you want in a short period of time. When one way plane tickets cost just a bit more than long-distance train passes, why not hop from place to place? After all, it is only in this part of the world can you say that you spend a few days in Vietnam, then play with elephants in Thailand the next day, eat amazing food in Singapore a few days later, and wind up on the beaches of Bali all while staying within your planned honeymoon budget.
The biggest hurdle for a South East Asian honeymoon? The initial airfare. But if you can get past that first sticker shock, you just may end up finding a South East Asian honeymoon costs no different than the rest of the destinations featured in this list. For that reason, we love it.
Why we didn't go: Been There. Angie and I got engaged on Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. A number of friends and family members asked us why we didn't go back as our honeymoon, but it is quite simple in that we had already been there before. A few weeks for Angie, and several months for myself. We were looking for something different. Maybe our 5 year anniversary?
New Zealand
Middle Earth itself. Is there any more of a reason for why we considered New Zealand for our honeymoon? If you've seen Lord of the Rings, or any pictures of New Zealand, you know that the landscape is sure to impress even the most picky outdoors couple.
For a trip that begs you to be outside and active almost every day, New Zealand has a lot to see. Want to explore the water some? Kayaking in Milford Sound is for you. Want extreme adventure? Skydiving over the mountains and open spaces has no rival. Looking for a little less action? The hiking trails and driving tours on all corners of New Zealand could keep outdoorsy couples active for every single second of the trip. Not bad for what is often considered to be the youngest country on the planet (by geology standards).
As most weddings occur during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, New Zealand may be a tough sell for many active travelers. Due to their far southern location, the months of May, June, and July, popular for weddings in the Norther, are the coldest months in the country. But many adventurers can rejoice, this period of time is also perfect for another adventure hobby not featured anywhere else on this list - skiing and snowboarding! For the right couple, this honeymoon destination would be the world's most perfect paradise.
Why we didn't go: Weather. We got married in May this past year, right at the beginning of the winter season in New Zealand as was mentioned above. While we like to ski, our ideal New Zealand vacation is for outdoor hiking and warm weather. Although the weather is still fairly good this time of year for all visitors and outdoor activities, it stopped us. If we are going to make the trek to one of the world's most scenic countries, we want prime weather and no substitutions. (Photo "Milford Sound" by petercaulf)
While we did not go to these destinations on our recent honeymoon, they were all close contenders. Each destination is amazing in its own right for both honeymooners and regular travelers alike. In fact, you could say that these destinations are still in our top spots to visit, and we are planning on hitting them all in the near future. But that is for another post! Plan away, seek adventure wherever you go, and remember that your number one reason for the trip is not the destinations or activities, but the person who is sharing it with you.
