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Capitalise on the trend for adventure-moons by pushing honeymoons where lazing on a beach is not an option. Katherine Lawrey asks operators for beach-free suggestions
Funway Holidays is seeing a definite trend for couples choosing more adventurous ways to start their married life together. “Demand has increased by more than 17% year-on-year for adventure moons,” says Laura Smith, sales and marketing executive. “One good example is a ranching honeymoon. Active twosomes can get in touch with their inner cowgirl or boy and experience a full-on activity break from cattle driving and horseback riding to taking in a rodeo and sleeping out under the stars.”
She adds: “Ranches are embracing this trend and offering more of a upmarket experience for honeymooners with the finest in local food, cabins and suites, and there’s usually a spa to relax in at the end of the day.”
Book it: Funway Holidays offers seven nights at Zion Mountain Ranch in Zion National Park for £1,499pp, departing June 6, 2016. This includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick to Las Vegas and accommodation in a Buffalo Vista Champagne Suite – the cabin features a large champagne-style jetted tub.
If your honeymooners travel through their tastebuds, a culinary adventure around three of South Australia’s premier wine regions could be for them. Gold Medal’s self-drive A taste of the Epicurean Way includes a Jacob's Creek Wine masterclass and two-course lunch in Barossa, vineyard visits in Clare Valley, and a Central Market tour, craft beer tasting and four-wheel-drive tour in Adelaide.
Rebecca Turner, senior product manager Asia & Oceania: “This self-drive itinerary puts the travellers firmly in the driving seat, with flexibility to come and go as they please. The activities included in this package would create memories to last a lifetime; quaffing and scoffing local wine and gourmet produce, all in incredible surroundings.”
Book it: Gold Medal offers A taste of the Epicurean Way from £1,339pp for eight nights [Crowne Plaza Adelaide; Novotel Barossa Valley; Clare Country Club; Oaks Plaza Pier, Glenelg Adelaide] Price includes flights with Emirates/Qantas from Gatwick, car hire for the duration (pick-up and drop-off in Adelaide) and is valid for departures in June 2016.
For couples who want to get away from it all and embrace their wild sides, a luxury safari in Botswana could be the answer. Michael Creighton, product manager, Travel 2, says: “Botswana has become popular for honeymooners looking for a different experience aside for a traditional beach holiday. It’s the quintessential African safari.” There’s no need to sacrifice comfort either, he says. “The camps are of a high standard. The feeling of being in a pure wilderness environment is outstanding.”
Book it: Travel 2 offers the eight-day Chobe & Okavango Experience escorted tour for £3,999pp. Price includes return flights from London, full-board including game drives, all transfers and is valid from January-March next year.
For couples who want to avoid the seaside crowds and baking on the beach, suggest a walking holiday in Cyprus. “The wine-producing village of Omodhos, among the foothills of Cyprus’s Troodos Mountains, makes an excellent honeymoon retreat,” says Olympic Holidays’ commercial director Photis Lambrianides.
Newlyweds can stay in a traditional village house close to the cobbled village square. He adds: “Couples can enjoy hikes in the mountains and trips by car to explore local villages. In the evenings they can relax in their courtyard or verandah with a bottle of wine, or enjoy the atmosphere of local tavernas.”
Book it: Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ self-catering in an Omodhos village house in Cyprus in early May 2016 for £550pp, the honeymooners occupying the entire property. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, free car hire and free wine on arrival.
Newlyweds can feast their eyes on dazzling scenery in New Zealand’s South Island, before toasting their match made in heaven in some of the region’s famous wineries.
Austravel destination manager, Katie Warburton, says: “As well as dramatic landscapes, there’s a huge range of activities on offer in New Zealand. A South Island itinerary combines it all; from sampling wines to kayaking with seals in the scenic Abel Tasman National Park. For real thrill seekers, there’s also the chance to heli-hike up Fox Glacier. New Zealand is certainly a honeymoon to remember.”
Book it: Austravel offers a 10-day self-drive tour taking in Marlborough, Abel Tasman, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, and Twizel, the gateway to Mt Cook National Park. Prices start from £1,449pp including 10 days’ car hire and return flights with Air New Zealand from Heathrow. Departing in March 2016.
