KVB Images
The honeymoon is just the first of many big adventures you'll share as Mr. and Mrs., and while there's nothing wrong with lounging on the beach sipping frilly drinks for days, some newlyweds crave a cocktail of thrills and adventure instead.
In recent years — perhaps since the dawn of Pinterest? — it seems as though weddings have been veering from tradition in the most unique ways, especially when it comes to the ceremony. Couples are taking the destination to entirely new levels, tying the knot with a backdrop of stalactites, walking down the aisle of a Boeing 737, and exchanging rings 13 feet underwater in the South Pacific. And when it comes to where to go and what to do after saying, "I do," there’s no shortage of ideas just as cool.
Sure, you can have the most blissful week of your lives without ever stepping foot outside of your romantic all-inclusive resort. With private beach-side butler service, who could blame you? But if you find it just as swoon-worthy a prospect to hike to the top of an active volcano and roast marshmallows over lava smoke, these far-less-frequented honeymoon destinations and excursions are for you.
As a duo with a shared sense of adventure, you know by now where the two of you fall on the risk spectrum, and that can help to determine location and just how much daring you'll do. Your romantic getaway can include a thrilling day trip to break up the R&R or be a full-on expedition, like the road trip this adorable New Zealand couple set off on in 1961, and again for their anniversary 55 years later.
From a "bait to plate" fishing experience off the coast of Barbados to a hot air balloon ride in the Italian countryside, Here are 10 exciting alternatives to the average honeymoon experience.
Couples who really like to live on the edge might want to take the most fearsome path up Volcan Pacaya, the most active volcano in Guatemala, which would be to climb straight up into its mouth. The less risky route would be to hike an hour around the sides of the volcano with the assistance of a certified guide. The entire expanse of Pacaya is covered in ash; some of it is black from a recent explosion in March 2014, and other areas are light gray from the eruption of 2010. Activities on the volcano include roasting marshmallows over lava smoke, shopping at the National Geographic award-winning Volcano Store (which supports the Guatemalan craftswomen whose homes were destroyed in the eruptions), and savoring the sliding descent while ankle-deep in ash.
Rent a classic car, like an Aston Martin dbs or Porsche 356 Speedster, and set off on a dreamy tour through the south of France. A must-see along the way is the Quai des Pêcheurs fish market and the colorful Cours Massena spice market in the bustling marina of Antibes. The next stop, St. Paul de Vence, is located high in the lush mountains of the Mediterranean. (Its isolated location made it a favorite hideaway of artists like James Baldwin and Bernard Hassell.) In Villefrance, a vigorous walk around the Citadel, an impressive stone fortress built in 1554, may inspire you to add films that were shot in the destination, like the 1955 movie To Catch A Thief starring Cary Grant, to your Netflix queue.
Couples that gravitate towards a secluded, laid-back vibe should visit the remote area of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, where verdant hillsides surround the peaceful Carraizo Lake. The destination is only a 30-minute drive from the busy capital of San Juan. Here, Paddle Paradise hosts kayaking, paddle-boarding, and zip-line excursions for nature lovers. The trip to the lake is made all the better by Wilson, a Labrador mix who serves as a playful companion to visitors.
