9 Alternative Honeymoon Destinations for Non-Traditional Couples

After spending months planning a one-of-a-kind wedding celebration, planning a honeymoon can fall on the back burner. Exhausted from bargaining with caterers and picking out floral arrangement, you’ll settle for a generic island getaway crawling with other tourists and full of unoriginal activities.

With that in mind it’s time to plan a honeymoon that’s just as one-of-a-kind as your big day! The same craving for unique experiences that you had while planning your wedding should be brought to your honeymoon planning, because this is the trip that will set the precedent for your future adventures as husband and wife. Looking for an alternative honeymoon destination and don’t know where to start? We did the leg work so you don’t have to. Here, our favorite little-known, non-traditional honeymoon destinations, ranging from luxury treks through Peruvian ruins to playing in a cage with tigers in Thailand.

North America
Austin, Texas
Austin is quickly becoming one of the trendiest cities in Texas, especially with hard core foodies. This city is the perfect combination of historic, trendy, and outdoors-y, so each day of your honeymoon can be vastly different than the day before. Go on a romantic moonlight cruise through Lady Bird Lake, visit one of the many art or history museums, or take a tour and tasting at a nearby winery. When you need a break from sight seeing and exploring the local nightlife, that’s the time to go on a food crawl through the city. You certainly won’t regret fully immersing yourself in Texas culture at one of Austin’s incredible barbecue and Tex-Mex restaurants, because you will not be able to find food like this anywhere else.

Memphis, Tennessee
Known as the Las Vegas of the south, Memphis is a great location for couples looking for an adventurous honeymoon location with plenty of nightlife that hasn’t already been done to death. We highly recommend checking into the Madison Hotel before venturing through the city streets, for their gorgeous luxury suites, some even include in-room Jacuzzi tubs! If you ever leave your room, there are plenty of places to explore throughout Memphis, like visiting Graceland or taking one of the city’s many themed bus tours. When the sun goes down and the city comes alive, stop by Beale Street to bar crawl and listen to live Blues music or board one of the famed Memphis Riverboats for dinner and dancing on the Mississippi River.

South America
Machu Picchu, Peru
This Peruvian destination may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about a romantic honeymoon, but hear us out. Besides hiking and exploring Machu Picchu’s gorgeous and infamous ruins, you can spend some couple time in Aguas Calientes, a town near the ruins that is known known for its thermal pools (aka natural hot tubs). If you’re too overwhelmed with wedding planning to look too much into your Peruvian honeymoon, you’re in luck. Peru Honeymoon Tours has various luxury Machu Picchu tour packages you can buy, so that someone else can help you plan the perfect excursions, day trips, and romantic dinners throughout Peru.

Europe
Seville, Spain
Barcelona may be the current hot spot in Spain, but Seville is the place for newlywed couples to escape the crowds and still enjoy everything that Spain has to offer. Start your honeymoon with a stroll — or even horse-drawn carriage ride — through Plaza de España, Seville’s gorgeous and historic town square, or a romantic boat ride through the Guadalquivir River. After a relaxing day of exploring, embrace the nightlife by seeing some authentic flamenco dancing or eating and drinking your way through the city’s rich restaurant and bar scene.

Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is the ideal destination for couples looking to enjoy a European winter wonderland, and the gorgeous natural landscape is definitely the main draw to this city. Grab your skis and hit the slops at Patscherkofel mountain, or wander through the streets of Innsbruck to see ruins, museums, gardens, and gorgeous old castles. Your honeymoon photo albums will be almost more gorgeous than your wedding album…almost.

Africa
Cape Winelands, South Africa
Any couple would be lucky to spend their first vacation as husband and wife on a real African safari, but what about those couples who don’t want animal adventures to be their entire trip? Spend part of your trip in Cape Town visiting the Cape Winelands, the scenic district of South Africa focused on wine and wildlife. First, there are plenty of gorgeous luxury accommodations to choose from. Check out SA-Venues and you’ll feel like you’re booking a reservation in the pages of your favorite high-end travel and home decor magazines. After that, your time will be split between sipping your way through local vineyards, and craft markets and finding ways to explore mountains and nature reserves that surround you.

Belo Sur Mer, Madagascar
Get the tropical island experience you’ve always dreamed for your honeymoon without the crowds of tourists at Belo Sur Mer, a small fishing village on Madagascar’s western coast. Here you can enjoy complete serenity and seclusion thanks to the town’s naturally laid back vibe, as well as beautiful beaches and fresh, delicious seafood. When you feel like having a day that is more up beat and active, take time to venture through the rest of Madagascar by car or schedule a day excursion with a tour group.

Asia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Adventure-seeking couples will love honeymooning in Chiang Mai. Immerse yourselves in the city’s rich culture by visiting the golden temple Wat Phrathat, or wake up early to catch Alms procession, a daily spiritual ritual performed by monks. Quest your thirst for adventure by visiting the Elephant Training Center Chiang Dao, where you can ride through the jungle on an elephant’s back, or play with tigers at Tiger Kingdom. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, check out the honeymoon package at Four Season Chiang Mai, where you can enjoy romantic dinners and beautiful views from your room’s balcony.

Luang Prabang, Laos
Become a part of the rich culture of Laos by spending time in Luang Prabang, a city on the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers that is known for it’s many Buddhist temples. Walk through the city and explore the temples and natural scenery before booking a hiking or kayaking excursion. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Selective Asia has a variety of luxury Luang Prabang honeymoon packages that will allow you experience the culture of the city, explore it’s wildlife, and retire to your high-end lodge suite at the end of the night.

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