While the ultimate honeymoon was once an intimate tropical island getaway, modern-day newlyweds are throwing in their towels and departing for new and unique adventures. Stevie Newbegin discovers a variety of popular contemporary honeymoon ideas.

When you close your eyes and picture your perfect honeymoon, what do you envisage? If you say romantic settings like Paris or Italy, or a relaxing and exotic location like the Maldives, you would not be the only one – honeymoons have long been associated with these beautiful locations.

But, if you would prefer an adventure safari in Africa, a volunteer jaunt in South East Asia or a gap year abroad, you are just one of a growing number of modern-day couples who are choosing an alternative to the traditional resortstyle honeymoon.

These newly popular honeymoons are a result of the rise in the age and life experiences of newlyweds. The average age in Australia to get married is 30, and by this time it is common for couples to have already travelled far and wide together. For this reason, many couples want to get the most out of their time off, and are putting serious thought into their post-wedding travels.

So while many couples still choose relaxing and intimate honeymoons at tropical or romantic locations, a growing number are choosing a variation of this traditional escape and as a result, a new style of honeymoon has evolved, giving couples yet another reason to be excited about what comes after ‘I do’.

ADVENTURE-MOON
Skiing in the Swiss Alps, trekking through Nepal or bungee-jumping in New Zealand may not sound like everyone’s idea of heaven, but for many newlyweds who are well-travelled and in search of a honeymoon-with-a-kick, these are the perfect activities for their post-marital getaway, aka adventure-moon.

An adventure-moon is a honeymoon set in a breathtaking location that allows couples to experience a range of action-packed activities, and can come in a variety of forms. Couples can choose to depart on a jam-packed adventure getaway, or they can combine adventure into their relaxing, loved-up holiday. Either way, an adventure-moon will allow newlyweds to experience an amazing part of the world
together, and ensure they have the time of their life in the process.

There is a range of adventure-moon locations and activities, and it all comes down to each couple’s personal preference and physical ability. For those who would like to combine a tranquil resort with adventure, they can venture to places like Hawaii and spend time relaxing, combined with taking surfing lessons, riding jet skis and mountain biking to the volcanoes.

Locations like Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia allow couples to spend time in a beautiful exotic location while also setting out on amazing safaris and treks. Cambodia is home to the awe-inspiring sight of Angkor Wat, and South East Asia will provide a never-ending range of beautiful temples and coastal treasures.

For those who want the complete adrenalinepumping experience, popular locations include amazing snow-capped mountains in Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan and Canada, each of which is great for honeymoons as couples can participate in a range of snow sports, and cosy-up in front of a romantic fireplace at night.

Alternatively, visit South America and escape to a range of beautiful rainforests, deserts, coastlines, lost cities and mountains. Newlyweds can mountain bike or kayak around Peru, explore the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, uncover the natural wonders of Brazil, Rio de Janiero and Iguazu Falls, travel Venezuela’s lost world and embark on an Amazon jungle expedition.

VOLUNTEER-MOON
It has become more and more common for couples who are interested in the environment and/or different cultures to want to give something back, and to spend part of their honeymoon volunteering. Many newlyweds no longer want their honeymoon to be completely about them; instead they want to work together on something they both feel passionate about. Volunteering not only allows couples to learn more about another culture, but also to appreciate their relationship on a deeper level.

A volunteer-moon can be done in many ways, and couples can be assured they still get alone time. For example, couples can chose to spend part of their day volunteering, having the rest of their day free, or they can do one week of fulltime volunteering and one week of relaxing.

There are many volunteer organisations that will accommodate those on honeymoons, and they can organise separate accommodation for them, among other things.

There is a range of volunteer opportunities worldwide, but popular destinations include Africa, South America and South East Asia, and programs vary from helping small, underdeveloped communities to orphanages and animal shelters.

FAMILY-MOON
While a honeymoon is traditionally reserved for just the bride and groom, honeymooning with friends and family is becoming a lot more popular.

As more couples are marrying later in life, many with children or some in their second marriage, it is not uncommon to see more than two people embarking on a honeymoon.

Honeymoons of this kind come in a range of forms, and it is up to the couple how their time is shared. It is common for couples with young children to travel with their parents, who can share in babysitting duties, for example. This allows a couple to spend plenty of time alone, while not staying away from their children for a long period of time. There are also many resorts that are made for family honeymoons, offering nanny services and activities for older children.

The best places to venture for a family-moon are those that are family friendly and that cater to a range of activities and needs. This means a place that allows relaxing for the bride and groom and entertaining and fun for the whole family.

A popular family-moon location is Queensland, which has famous water parks as well as beautiful restaurants and beaches, and young children won’t have to travel far by plane. If travel isn’t an issue, many international resorts are also well suited and popular locations include Bali and Fiji. A cruise is also a fantastic idea, offering plenty of fun activities and stopping at beautiful locations.

MINI-MOON
For those couples who either don’t have the time or the money for a holiday, mini-moons are a popular option. As more and more couples are spending big on their wedding, mini-moons have become common for those couples who want to have a short honeymoon directly after their wedding, saving for a longer holiday in the future.

While a mini-moon has time and budget constraints, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be a lovely getaway. The most important thing is to choose a local destination so that excessive time isn’t spent travelling, which will also save on money. If the location is driving distance, even better!

There are many options for a mini-moon outside of Victoria, and they vary from a long weekend trip to a coastal part of Queensland, a short trip to the Barossa Valley in Adelaide, a romantic city escape to Sydney or even a retreat down to Tasmania. Victoria also has a range of romantic and stunning places to visit, from a bed and breakfast in the Yarra Valley, a secluded cabin at the snow near Dinner Plain or a secluded beachside apartment on the Mornington or Bellarine Peninsulas.

MAXI-MOON
Just as a mini-moon is perfect for those with time and budget constrains, a maxi-moon is popular among newlyweds who want to take time off and see the world together before starting a family.

Maxi-moons are also popular with couples who have married later in life, and once retired have plenty of time up their sleeves.

A maxi-moon can be anything from a round-the-world trip, to a gap year abroad or even a mix of travelling and living overseas. The main aim is to not just relax or ‘holiday’, but to sightsee and experience all that the world has to offer on an extended trip. Many couples who choose a maxi-moon stop off at a traditional honeymoon location to indulge in a romantic couple of weeks, before setting off on their worldly adventure.

While the options for this sort of honeymoon are endless – couples have the whole world at their feet – popular options include travelling through South America, Europe, the United States and Canada, Africa and South East Asia.

Some couples choose to go on tours through Contiki, Busabout or Intrepid Travel, some plan a strict itinerary and travel alone, and others fly by the seat of their pants and go wherever the wind takes them.

HONEYMOON
Despite the growing popularity of the alternative honeymoon, there are still a great amount of couples who choose to retreat to an exotic island getaway, and spend their days relaxing in a private and tropical paradise – and who can blame them? Traditional honeymoons are intimate, romantic and relaxing – the perfect way to start married life – and are suitable for couples of all ages and lifestyles.

For a romantic and loved-up getaway, there is no shortage of beautiful and stunning locations which boast a myriad of resorts and activities.

It is common for couples to choose secluded resorts with their own private pools and/or part of the coast, and to spend their days eating delicious local food, sipping cocktails, soaking up the sun and indulging in massages and other relaxing activities.

Popular locations include Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Mauritius, the Maldives, Fiji, Croatia, Italy, Paris, Thailand, the French Riviera, Bali and the Whitsundays, but the options are never-ending.

As long as there is lovely weather, a beautiful backdrop, a little privacy and a partner in hand, couples will be sure to have a romantic trip.

These new trends illustrate the diverse range of honeymoon options now available, so whether you choose an action-packed adventure, a beachside retreat, a family cruise or a local bed and breakfast, you can now enjoy your first days of married life just the way you have always dreamed.