Honey-I-can’t-believe-we-just-did-that-moon – beach, sun, sand and a fancy cocktail in hand – sounds nice right? Sure, for some of us that’s all we want in a honeymoon, but sometimes it’s good to spice things up a bit, especially when it comes to marriage. With your companionship looking forward to new exciting adventures together, why not start off with one of your biggest adventures spent together on your honeymoon; a honeymoon so unique it will be impossible to forget.
Up in the wild Nordic Laplands of Finland and deep in the lushest rainforest valleys of Australia are two ‘remember-moons’ for the more adventurous of hearts.
Travelling up so far north you’d think you’ve found the stars, is a place where you can relax in a very different way. Have you ever slept in an igloo? Probably not, and why would you, that sounds far too cold right? Well, in the Finnish Laplands, there is one place where you can sleep under a blanket of stars so close you could almost reach out and touch them; all from your own thermal, glass igloo.
Igloo Village Kakslauttanen houses one of the most modernized outdoor, thermal relaxation experiences. Based on a groundbreaking idea and years of research and development, glass igloos are a marvel of modern technology. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the igloo always stays at a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Every igloo is private and equipped with a personal toilet and luxury beds.
Thermal glass igloos provide a unique opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal-clear, Finnish Lapland sky. If you make it to the Laplands during the Northern Lights, as it is located 250 km above the Arctic Circle where there is very light pollution, you will be able to witness one of the world’s most beautiful wonders. The unique solar occurrence, better know as the Aurora Borealis, is visible from late August until late April.
In winter, Igloo Village Kakslauttanen also offers a range of unique winter recreation activities like dining in a snow restaurant and admiring ice marvels in the Ice Gallery. A hot sauna and a refreshing ice hole are available for use on the grounds, and should it snow, makes for a real life snow-globe experience. Igloo Village is open each year between December and January depending on the weather conditions and stays open until the end of April.
Over in another part of the world, oceanic Australia is home to jumping kangaroos and some of the best beaches in the world. It is also one of the few places in the world where nature and luxury coalesce. Here, high in the canopy rainforest is where you can hang out in your own boutique tree house. Don’t be mistaken, there are no kids running around swinging from ropes in this tree house – this is your own luxurious relaxation house.
Set amongst one of the rarest and untouched valleys of the Cairns Highland of Australia, ‘Canopy Rainforest Tree Houses’ offer accommodation with a perfect balance of luxury, wilderness and privacy. Wake to the melody of singing birds that nest in the tree tops and spot Cassowaries, rare Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos and endangered Green Possums that call the forest home. Pademelon Wallabies abound and Coppery Brushtail Possums will visit your balcony.
Tree houses are perched on the banks of the Ithaca River and set in 100 acres of a rare, old growth, high country tropical rainforest. Amongst some of the most exotic wildlife and terrain, each luxury timber and glass tree house is perched high in the rainforest canopy on the banks of the flowing Ithaca River in Australia. Each tree offers complete privacy, has king beds, a double spa, a wood fireplace, fully self-contained kitchen and a balcony with a barbecue and hammock. All are totally secluded and offer a spectacular retreat from the everyday. For an extra treat, the Rainforest Romance package is full of wine, massages and three-course meals specially designed with honeymooners in mind.
The magnificent Cairns Highland’s region is better known for its stunning waterfalls and crystal clear lakes, ancient national parks, majestic trees and walking trails, and local crafts, artisans and markets. Ecotourism Australia raves “Canopy Rainforest Tree Houses & Wildlife Sanctuary as one of the best examples of high quality tourism in Australia and they are a leader in Green Travel.”
Whether your adventurous honeymoon hearts have you hanging out in the tree houses of a rare Australian rainforest or star gazing in your own heated igloo, ‘adventure-mooners’ you’ll be. Both adventures giving you memories that are sure to have you ‘remember-mooning’ for many moons to come.
For honeymooners who prefer a more traditional escape, here are three honeymoon destinations topping the ranks for 2013.
Travel Specialist Aerin Chauncey of Flight Centre says that “Croatia, the Amalfi Coast and Africa are big favourites.”
Amalfi Coast – Italy
Home to some of the most amazing food, architecture and ancient history, Italy has been on most travellers’ radars for centuries. Rome, Venice, Tuscany – Italian names we are most familiar with; but down in the south, where there is life suspended from jagged cliffs amidst stunning beauty lives the Amalfi Coast.
This Italian town captures your heart with its captivating views, cute alleyways home to shops and some of the best Italian food from family-run restaurants. Walk through Villa Cimbrone, skip over to a nearby town or dangle your feet from the highest bluffs while watching an endless oceanic landscape.
Dubrovnik – Croatia
Beautiful beaches, unique culture, magnificent national parks with waterfalls couples can hike to. Stroll through the beauty of a historic medieval city on the coast called Dubrovnik. Cozy up to history with a walk along old castle walls and get lost in the ruins of a modern day town built into old buildings. Hop to one of many islands nearby for a new daily adventure or take a trip out to the Plitvice Lakes to catch a glimpse of the rare colour-changing waters you will ever see set against a forest backdrop.
Africa – Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Tanzania
There are few places more romantic than Africa. Wide open skies, endless vistas, a thrilling safari, white beaches and an always stunning African sunset.
Botswana, Kenya and Zambia are popular locations for safari camps and rich in wildlife. Imagine spending your day spotting wild lions and then sitting on a warm sandy beach watching a glowing sunset. Zanzibar and Tanzania are popular African destinations that offer both safaris and some of the world’s best beaches.
By Lindsay Williams
