thePULSEBy Julia Grady
Your courtship wasn’t run-of-the-mill. Your wedding wasn’t run-of-the-mill. Neither was your dress. So your honeymoon shouldn’t be, either. Here are a few daring destinations that just might inspire you to book your trip the second you’re done reading…
Tropical Island Antics
If Croatia alone has over 1,000 islands of its coast, how on earth can any couple be expected to narrow the choices down to the perfect isle for their honeymoon? It’s quite the task, sure, but there are a few key factors to keep in mind: adventure, luxe-ness, and cost ~ not all of us can afford the rent on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
If you and your newly official better half are looking for just such an isle, say, “Bon bini” to Bonaire. Located in the Dutch Caribbean, just above Costa Rica, this island boasts some of the most beautiful vistas and of course, some of the most exciting marine adventures ~ escapades in snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing and kayaking. But don’t fret if you don’t have sea legs ~ Bonaire also has some fierce cycling, caving, mountain biking, and blockart land sailing. And, since we are talking about a honeymoon here, there are always romantic horseback rides through the jungle trails.
Bonaire is also known for its dedication to preservation. This tropical paradise has yet to get trendy, so crowds are few and the wildlife is truly wild. Ever wanted to see a non-plastic flamingo close-up? The island has a preserve dedicated to the well-being of these proverbial lawn ornaments. Seeing them in their natural habitat is truly breathtaking. You can scope out a spot on the rocks by the lighthouse, or spread a towel out on the island’s pink sand beaches and watch from afar.
Other options? A butterfly farm, 400 square meters of garden-like exhibit that lets you walk amongst these fluttering creatures from around the world. If you’re a night owl, Bonaire is perfect. The island turns up the heat when the sun goes down. You can dance all night if you head out to the center of Kralendjk. And to wrap up your night with some quiet alone time, star gaze under Bonaire’s night sky ~ it is absolutely breathtaking.
X-tremist X-ing
New Zealand. The home of Frodo Baggins is also the place to visit if you’re into…well, anything. Despite its status as the youngest country on Earth, this island of legendary proportions truly does have it all.
Much larger than Bonaire, NZ is located just southeast of Australia, and while the accents may seem similar, the Kiwis are one of kind.
The landscape is a panorama of the natural world: snowcapped mountains, active volcanoes, braided rivers, crater lakes, fiords, forests, and wild beaches. With such a diverse landscape, you can just imagine the range of activities NZ has to offer.
If you want to fly like the birds, you can get plenty of air skydiving, hot air ballooning, and paragliding. As a biped, you might be more comfortable on land, and NZ is prepared. Some unordinary activities for you and your beau ~ or belle ~ include canyoning, off-roading, heliskiing, hunting, snowboarding, and trekking.
NZ is considered the unofficial home of extreme sports. If paragliding is pushing it, you may consider these next “sports” to be utter madness. NZ’s official website (www.newzealand.com) even states, “These adventures trick your mind into an extreme state of fright, but they’re generally completely safe.”
First and foremost, NZ allows you to roll down some rather steep hills while encased in a plastic, blown-up bubble. Or, you could opt for the fastest adventure flight on the planet. Fly by wire consists of a plane that is hanging from an overhead suspension point. Of course, you’ll be harnessed in, but then hoisted into a near vertical position. Then you’ll dive towards the earth at a thrilling speed and fly back up the other side. The entire flight lasts about five minutes. You can even control the speed and direction of the plane.
So whether it’s whitewater riversurfing in Queenstown or sand surfing the highest, oldest sand wave in Regina, NZ is a magnificent destination for daring newlyweds.
All-inclusive Arabia
Now, not every couple wants to dive in head-first. If you’re the type that just wants to relax and enjoy a mellow all-inclusive stay in a more refined locale, One & Only Luxury Resorts (OneandOnlyResorts.com) comes highly recommended and their Dubai destination fits the bill perfectly.
Dubai is a coastal city located in the Middle East and is part of the United Arab Emirates. The country itself is slightly smaller than Maine, but this opulent desert oasis attracts the most affluent guests. It is paradise beyond imagination, and the Royal Mirage Resort on Jumeria Beach is a jewel in that paradise.
Classic Arabian architecture welcomes guests ~ along with an incomparably hospitable crew who are there to ensure not just your satisfaction, but that your every need is met in spades. If you’ve always wanted to be treated like the royalty you are, this extremely stylish resort will entertain your every whim on a regal scale.
Everything is haute at this hedonistic haven. You can choose to stay in the intimate villas, the prestigious palace, or the Arabian Court, an homage to the orient. There’s even an onsite spa, with an overabundance of indulgent services, and four restaurants that cater to all of your possible cravings.
Arabic is the official language in Dubai, but you’ll find that English is widely spoken. Despite typical notions of Islamic culture, the city is considerably tolerant: alcohol is served in hotels and the dress code is liberal, so don’t worry about dressing to the nines.
In Dubai, the extravagance of the East meets the panache of the West, which creates a range of unbelievable activities. You’ll be able to see some dhow sailing on a river taxi ~ abra ~ as you’re on your way to hit up the indoor snowskiing facilities. Or you can take in some horse racing at the Dubai Racing Club at the Nad Al Sheba racecourse, host of the Dubai World Cup, one of the most prestigious horse races on the planet.
If steeds and riches bore you, try out some falconry or camel racing ~ or treat yourself to some great sightseeing. Check out the Dubai Museum, Sheikh Saeed’s House, The Bastakiya cultural walk, and Jumeira Mosque.
At the end of the day, the staff at the Royal Mirage knows exactly what a new couple truly desires: privacy. And, in the spectaculat setting of the Arabian Desert, your most romantic imaginings can come to life when the last thing on the itinerary includes a night of dancing under the stars.
