After putting a lot of blood, sweat and tears into your wedding planning – not to mention the money – you deserve a decent and luxurious honeymoon. All many couples want is to lie on a beach on the golden sands somewhere exotic, cocktail in hand.
Others need to feel some adrenaline pumping through their veins, which means seeking out the perfect location for an adventure. We’ve done the job of finding some of these locations – now you just need to pick which one floats your boat!
Photo by Jimmy Conover on Unsplash
Go swimming with sharks in Australia
You’ll struggle to find anything more exciting – and magical – than getting up close and personal with these majestic creatures. You probably don’t want to come face to face with one when you are having a paddle in the sea, but when done with a suitably qualified guide, it can be an incredible experience. You can do it in many places across the world, but more often than not, these are not done sustainably. The Ningaloo Reef, in Western Australia, is one of the most pristine and intact coral reefs on the planet and is very tightly regulated by the government, meaning that if you go with an operator, you can enjoy this remarkable landscape safely and without guilt. Time it right and you may even find yourself in the middle of a humpback whale migration!
Swing and scream in Singapore
You’ve heard of the Singapore Sling drink, right? Well, this is a whole different ball game. Head to Siloso Beach, where you are strapped into a swing, facing down, before being lifted 40m above the ground. Make the most of those beautiful views because once you have pulled the cord, they become nothing more than a blur! You’ll probably want to head to a bar for a drink or two after that, before heading back to your property for rent in Singapore.
Trek through a jungle in Africa
For a wholly life-changing and memorable experience, head to Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park. Here, you have the chance to hike with experienced guides through miles of humid, dense forest filled with all sorts of wildlife and plant life. If you are lucky, you may even spot a carefully protected family of endangered African gorillas.
Wade through ancient caves in Belize
From high up in swings to down low in the caves; now we move down below. For something very different, try visiting Actun Tunichil Muknal and take a wade through this incredible Mayan cave system in Western Belize. It is thought to be the portal between the living and the dead, giving you the chance to get up close to artefacts, skeletons and burial sites from the ancient Mayans. If you are keen to stay above ground, visit the Mayflower Bocawina National Forest. As well as the forest being home to some incredible unexcavated Mayan ruins and waterfalls, it also is home to a colossal zip wiring course, stretching almost 2,500 feet across the forest, meaning it really is somewhere for everyone!
Go ice climbing in Iceland.
If there is one place that every adventure seeker should have on their bucket list, it is Iceland. It is not known as the land of fire and ice for nothing! As well as boasting some of the most active volcanoes in the world, it is full of spectacular lava fields, geothermal pools, ice glaciers and waterfalls which are all crying out to be explored. The south coast of the country gives you the opportunity to walk along the ice at the Sólheimajökull Glacier, which is a unique terrain full of fissures, sinkholes and ice ridges for you to climb across with the help of an experienced tour guide.
Take a swim in the Devil’s Pool in Zambia
The Devil’s Pool is located right at the edge of the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls – the world’s highest waterfall. This natural infinity pool will get your heart racing like no other pool will. It forms between August and January every year, and as the water pulls you towards the very edge of the falls (355 feet high!), it almost feels like you will be carried over the side. Fear not though, as there are rock walls to stop that. If you need even more excitement, you could try your hand at bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge, one of the highest bungee drops in the world. Here, you will find yourself free-falling for four seconds in front of the spectacular falls.
White water raft in Sri Lanka
Between December and May, some of the best rapids in the world can be experienced at Kelani Ganga river, which has become a bit of a mecca for white water rafting enthusiasts. The river escapes from the hilly areas, creating some thrilling grade five rapids. For more giant waves, head to Arugam Bay, which is thought to be one of the best places in the world for surfing.
Visit the world-famous Machu Picchu
Last, but certainly not least, consider a trip up to the Machu Picchu in Peru? This incredible Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains continues to tease us with secrets about the mysterious Incan way of life. It is usually shrouded in thick mist and hidden by lush vegetation but is an archaeological site full of wonder. It is not easy to – you will need to hike through the Inca trail in Sacred Valley for around four days to get to it, but once you are there, you will soon realise that it was all worth it for the breathtaking views alone.
What are your top destinations and activities for an adventure packed honeymoon?