When the wedding is over, and guests have left, the newlyweds have one more thing to do – the first and most special escape as a couple, their honeymoon. Whether you choose to celebrate your love in an exotic place, you prefer a road trip through your own lands, or you plan to have a peaceful and unusual honeymoon, this escapade should be all about enjoying time together and honouring your brand new marriage secluded in each other’s company.
We all want to have a spectacular wedding, but if you also want to have an outstanding honeymoon, we’ve created a list of beautiful yet unusual honeymoon destinations for you. So, continue reading this article and find the perfect one for you and your significant other.
To the End of the World: El Hierro, Spain
Located closer to Africa than to the Iberian Peninsula, Spain’s superb Canary Islands are an oasis of tranquility and peace perfectly combined with tropical vibes and good weather all year round.
The smallest and most remote of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is a fantastic destination for newlyweds looking for a hidden piece of heaven where they can celebrate their love far from crowds of loud tourists. And El Hierro only has around 20,000 tourists every year.
Until Columbus sailed beyond its shores and out into the unknown, this tiny piece of land was thought to be the end of the world. Now, the island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it’s not difficult to see why. Its high, craggy cliffs dashed by Atlantic swell, its lush pine forests, and the incredible volcanic rock formations almost pale in comparison to the kindness of the inhabitants.
If you want a tranquil, laid-back escapade, with spectacular views, romantic sunsets on unspoiled beaches, long, thrilling hikes, simple and delicious dishes, and friendly, happy locals, El Hierro makes a great honeymoon destination.
Gluwein and Skiing in Summer: Zermatt, Switzerland
If you love summers, but you are also big skiing enthusiasts, breathtaking Switzerland promises you the unusual honeymoon you want, in the longest summer skiing region in the Alps.
Zermatt offers, without a doubt, an idyllic honeymoon destination. The peaceful vibe, quaint sights of cobblestone paths and Swiss chalets, and imposing snowy mountains, all welcome you to the mountain village of Zermatt, a place where you can celebrate your love in seclusion while sipping gluwein around the hotel fireplace.
A Spiritual Adventure: El Camino de Santiago
Leading to Spain’s beautiful Santiago de Compostela, more exactly to the cathedral, where the remains of St. James were allegedly buried, El Camino de Santiago is a very popular pilgrimage, and it can be the best honeymoon experience for a spiritual and adventurous couple.
There are several El Camino routes, but the most popular is El Camino Frances starting at St. Jean Pied de Port. If you want something easier, choose the second most popular pilgrimage route on the Iberian Peninsula, El Camino Portugues. And, if time doesn’t permit you to walk the whole route, begin in Porto instead of Lisbon.
Though in the past pilgrims had more religious reasons to venture into the long walk towards Santiago de Compostela, nowadays each pilgrim has its very personal motives.
Whether you decide to spend your honeymoon on the road because of spiritual reasons, you want to overcome physical challenges, or you believe such a thrilling trip will get you even closer to each other, El Camino de Santiago promises an unusual but exciting honeymoon, filled with adventure.
World’s Northernmost Capital: Reykjavik, Iceland
If you love city breaks and you want to spend your honeymoon in a great city, we suggest Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world. Though not a big destination, the gorgeous capital of Iceland is bustling with life and interesting things to do. Whether you are passionate about art, history, concerts, shopping, whale watching, or you are a foodie, Reykjavik promises you a honeymoon filled with compelling things to do.
After strolling the streets of the beautiful city, you can relax like Icelanders do, sitting in a hot tub or pool. And, to enhance your honeymoon, make sure you don’t miss visiting the Blue Lagoon. It’s only 40 minutes away from Reykjavik by bus.
Reykjavik is also the starting point for many hunters of the famous Northern Lights. Though you might not see them in a light-polluted area like a capital-city, you only need a short drive to reach a point from where you can admire the sensational Aurora Borealis. You can even book one of the many Northern Lights tours available.
These are our four peaceful and unusual honeymoon travels ideas. But with so much natural beauty to see and fantastic things to do, there are plenty of other peculiar places where you can celebrate your new beginning together. So, if you want to have a less usual honeymoon, don’t settle for the tropical romance most choose, dig deeper, and take your time to plan your ideal escapade.
I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.