Ah, the honeymoon. An event that’s arguably as exciting, if not more so, than your wedding day.
For many, honeymoons involve relaxation, a sunnier climate, and spending some quality one-on-one time with your new partner. But what if that doesn’t float your boat?
If a week on a beach isn’t how you see yourself spending the start of your married life with your partner, we have some alternative honeymoon ideas for you.
For nature-lovers: explore the great British countryside
Traditionally, honeymoons entail a trip abroad. But with more people seeing the beauty of staycations in 2021, why not take the opportunity to explore some of the delights the great British countryside has to offer?
Only 8.8% of England is considered built-on, which covers buildings and roads. That means over 90% of the country is green – including farmland and natural spaces such as lakes and forests. Green urban areas like parks, football pitches, and golf courses are also included in this group. So there’s a lot of green space to explore!
One of the most stunning rural areas in England is undoubtedly the Lake District. If you chose a wedding venue in the Lake District, why not extend your stay a while in this stunning rural area? Home to acres of rolling hills, England’s largest lake, and bustling market towns, you won’t get bored on your honeymoon in the Lake District if you adore the countryside.
For animal lovers: ethical safaris in Rwanda
For many of us, the appeal of a warmer climate is just too tempting to resist. But that doesn’t mean we need to be limited to beach holidays. If you’re an adventurous animal lover, why not try out a safari retreat with your partner?
We know, however, that not all zoos, safaris, and other animal-related attractions are ethical or good for wildlife. If you’re considering a trip like this, it’s important to do your research. Safari parks that offer up-close-and-personal experiences with animals may be sedating them to keep them docile. Companies like Volcanoes Safaris offer an ethical alternative and have been established in Uganda, Rwanda, and other African countries. These companies aim to find the balance between generating an economic boost and protecting wildlife.
In these countries, you’ll need a gorilla permit to be able to see giant apes in their natural habitat. The money from this contributes, in part, to the conservation of these animals’ habitats, as well as providing vital funds for local communities. This means that a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see some of nature’s most wonderful creatures can help to protect their livelihoods too.
For cold weather lovers: visit the Northern Lights
Not interested in a hot-weather honeymoon at all? Why not go in the other direction and take a gorgeously romantic trip to see the Northern Lights? The options are endless, whether you want to spend your nights in a cosy log cabin or a glass igloo.
By day, you can go husky sledging, get up close and personal with a real-life Rudolph (red nose may not be included), and take a dip in gloriously warm saunas. By night, you’ll be able to see Aurora Borealis light up the sky – something that features on many of our bucket lists!
This is the perfect alternative to a beach holiday if warmer climates aren’t your thing. Plus, what’s more romantic than snuggling up with your partner on an icy night in front of one of nature’s most stunning phenomena?
Along with our wedding days, our honeymoons are one of the biggest events that many of us look forward to in our lifetimes. Traditionally, many of us will spend our post-wedding vacation lying on a beach or by a pool with our newlywed partner. But, if that’s not your cup of tea, maybe one of these ideas will create memories to last a lifetime.
