Time was, honeymoons — or any romantic getaway, really — were about hitting the brakes after a hearty dose of sun, sand, and fruity cocktails. No longer. Blame it on our high octane, multitasking lives, but be it a Costa Rican canopy tour or a post-Olympic taste of Beijing, couples have been finding some pretty exciting ways to charge their shared battery. "My office is overrun with newlyweds in need of malaria pills and Tetnaeus shoots," says Marvin Cooper, MD, a Manhattan travel doctor whose clientele until recently mostly consisted of journalists and human rights workers.
Topping the twosomes' lists? South Africa, he says. Numbers seem to bear this out. Since 2002, the number of Americans, especially couples, booking trips there has been on a strong upswing (well outpacing competing destinations like Australia, Brazil, Kenya, and Morocco), according to data compiled by the South African Tourism Board. With its mix of culture, beach, wildlife, and adventure, the country's hitting all the right notes.
Check out what other honeymoon destinations are a hit with honeymooners.
1. Go on a Safari Adventure in Africa.
1. Go on a Safari Adventure in Africa.
Partially owned by the World Wildlife Fund and situated on the country's largest game reserve, the Ngala Safari and Tented Camp, Kruger National Park is an eco-conscious retreat offers twice-daily game drives, opportunities to track white rhino or cheetahs on foot, and area township tours. Guests can choose between two opulent settings: The safari lodge is more traditional (think Out of Africa), while the tented camp leans modern.
Photo: www.ccafrica.com
2. Relax at Pezula Resort.
2. Relax at Pezula Resort.
Commissioned by a billionaire international traveler intent on creating the "perfect" resort, Pezula Resort offers everything from world-class cuisine and award-winning spa treatments to opportunities to horseback ride, canoe, and golf between lush mountains and sandy beaches (Rodger Federer is a regular guest, thanks to the superior athletic facilities).
Image: www.pezularesorthotel.com
3. Go on an urban retreat in Cape Grace
3. Go on an urban retreat in Cape Grace.
Perched on the majestic V&A waterfront, Cape Grace, Cape Town, a classically designed hot spot (most recently featured in Blood Diamond), takes a "your wish is our command" approach. From arranging a picnic (replete with regional fare) seaside or atop famed Table Mountain, to offering high tea and regional wine tastings, a lexicon of neatly anticipated services are at your disposal.
Photo: www.capegrace.com
4. Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.
4. Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.
"More of an adventure/road trip. We aren't really beach bums and liked the idea of leisurely exploring the coast and seeing parts of Cali that we wouldn't normally see (Carmel, Cambria, Hearst Castle, etc)."
Photo: WeHeartIt
5. Snowboarding in Whistler BC.
5. Snowboarding in Whistler BC.
"We don't really like the heat. We're way more 'mountain people' than we are 'beach people'. Plus we could drive there and all the money we saved on airfare could be spent on delicious food and drinks. Also, we fell in love over snowboarding and since we got married in December it was perfect."
Photo: WeHeartIt
6. Wine Tasting in New Zealand.
6. Wine Tasting in New Zealand.
"New Zealand for wine tasting in the Marlborough region (my fave wines come from there) and the Cooks because we wanted the South Pacific but not a typical location that someone we knew had already been to (Tahiti, Fiji, etc)."
Photo: WeHeartIt
7. Explore Madeira.
7. Explore Madeira.
"It's an island that belongs to Portugal next to Africa. We wanted something different. It was like being in the movie Cocoon."
Photo: WeHeartIt
8. Hiking in Costa Rica.
8. Hiking in Costa Rica.
"We wanted a little bit of everything- adventure, beaches, and rainforests! We hiked Arenal Volcano and then enjoyed time in the hot springs, went on a 2 day Class IV white water trip and camped in a hut in the middle of the jungle where our guides made fantastic food and we saw poisonous coral snakes, got massages in the middle of the rain forest, and then spent time on the beach with lizards running around behind us and sloths in the trees. It was amazing!"
Photo: WeHeartIt
9. Go on adventures in the Galapagos Islands.
9. Go on adventures in the Galapagos Islands.
"Galapagos were perfect as it was the off-season in August and we practically had complete islands to ourselves. Not the place to be for a relaxing beach vacation, though. Everyday we had different adventures together from scuba-diving with friendly sharks to sea kayaking to cycling down volcanoes and snorkeling with sea lions and penguins. As you can imagine, we needed a second 'relaxing' honeymoon after this."
Photo: WeHeartIt
10. Go on a road trip in Italy.
10. Go on a road trip in Italy.
"We did a three week road trip through Italy. My big goal was to try the world's best pizza in Napoli, which I did, and it was the highlight of my life."
Photo: WeHeartIt
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Safari Adventure: Ngala Safari and Tented Camp, Kruger National Park: Partially owned by the World Wildlife Fund and situated on the country's largest game reserve, this eco-conscious retreat offers twice-daily game drives, opportunities to track white rhino or cheetahs on foot, and area township tours. Guests can choose between two opulent settings: The safari lodge is more traditional (think Out of Africa), while the tented camp leans modern. Both combine over-the-top luxury food and service with a true adventure-in-the bush feel. Book the Safari Suite and you’ll get your own pool and the use of a private car for your game drives. www.ccafrica.com
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Coastal Paradise: Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa, Knysna on the Garden Route: Commissioned by a billionaire international traveler intent on creating the "perfect" resort, Pezula offers everything from world-class cuisine and award-winning spa treatments to opportunities to horseback ride, canoe, and golf between lush mountains and sandy beaches (Rodger Federer is a regular guest, thanks to the superior athletic facilities). Tell them that you’re just married and you’ll find champagne and local oysters in your suite upon arrival, get daily in-room breakfasts, and receive a red-wine-and-truffles delivery during your stay. www.pezularesorthotel.com
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Urban Retreat: Cape Grace, Cape Town: Perched on the majestic V&A waterfront, this classically designed hot spot (most recently featured in Blood Diamond) takes a "your wish is our command" approach. From arranging a picnic (replete with regional fare) seaside or atop famed Table Mountain, to offering high tea and regional wine tastings, a lexicon of neatly anticipated services are at your disposal. Newlyweds get complimentary use of spa areas, as well as in-room champagne breakfast. Sign up for the registry (your friends can buy you lunch—or a facial) and you’ll also get a 30-minute massage. www.capegrace.com
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