The 3 alternative honeymoon trends you need to know about

The actimoon in Italy

If you’re the type of person who can’t bear the thought of doing nothing, a honeymoon spent lying on a beach might not be your idea of heaven. So why not keep yourself busy – and sane – with an active honeymoon, or actimoon?

With a setting that captures all the romance of Italy, Robinson Club Apulia sits on a golden sandy beach and is surrounded by a fragrant pine forest. Not that you’ll have time to notice it with all the activities on offer here. With nine tennis courts to choose from, you’re guaranteed to get in a round either with your other half or as part of one of the tournaments run here. Tennis not your game? There is volleyball, basketball and football tournaments on offer here, too.

When it comes to watersports, this is the place to try your hand at something new. Have a go at windsurfing and catamaran sailing in a free 30-minute taster session, or hire one of the resident experts to show you the ropes. There’s also scuba diving as well as stand-up paddle boarding to try – perfect for paddling off together into the sunset.

Back on dry land, hire a bike and head into the shady pine forest to explore the local area alone together or recreate some historical romance with a spot of archery. In the evenings, channel your inner foodie with a cookery lesson, where you can learn a few new dishes to rustle up back home as you start your married life together.

Fancy having an active honeymoon? Book a Robinson trip.

The adventuremoon in Costa Rica

Volcano-filled valleys, dense jungles and glorious beaches – Costa Rica has them all, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous than your normal beach honeymoon.

Start with a trip to Costa Rica’s star attraction – the Monteverde Cloud Forest – which lies hidden in mist at the peak of a mountain-top jungle. Depending on how daring you feel, you can either walk hand-in-hand through the cloudy canopy on hanging bridges, or whizz one after another through the treetops on a zip wire. If you aren’t fixated on the ground racing by beneath you, look around and you’ll spot loads of wildlife, from brightly coloured birds to swinging monkeys.

If that’s not enough to get the adrenaline pumping, then a white water rafting experience will be. Costa Rica is known for being one of the best places in the world for rafting, so if you’re after a dare-devil bonding experience to cement your vows, this is the place to do it.

There’s also the chance to hike up Rincón de la Vieja, an active volcano (don’t worry, it hasn’t erupted since the eighties), passing hot springs, steaming vents and bubbling mud pools along the way. Or catch a wave surfing in Tamarindo, where the palm tree-lined beach is waiting if all that adventure becomes a little bit too much…

Like the look of an adventure honeymoon? Check out our Costa Rica holidays.

The familymoon in Thailand

As more of us get married abroad, having children or extended family there with you is becoming increasingly common. Keep the situation stress-free by making sure that your end destination has something for everyone, and mark it as a special occasion by taking a trip to Thailand, home to white-sand beaches, lush green jungle and thousands of years’ worth of ancient Buddhist temples. To see it for yourself, stay at the Family Life Mai Khao Lak – a hotel set on its own unspoilt beach and veiled by the surrounding jungle.

There’s something here to keep each member of the family happy, from the colourful kids’ clubs to the family-friendly live entertainment at night. While mum can try her hand at a Thai Cookery Class, dad can practise his strokes as he paddles up to the pool’s swim-up bar. There are also Thai Boxing classes to keep teenagers busy, and fun-filled fruit and veg carving classes to keep the budding chef in the family entertained.

Another great thing about having all the family around is that there’s someone to keep an eye on the kids while you escape off on your own to explore Thailand’s stunning scenery. From here, you can head to Khao Lak’s national parks to take a romantic dip together in the pool at the pretty Chong Fah waterfalls. Or board a boat trip around Cheow Lan Lake, where the still waters are framed by limestone cliffs and traditional stilted bungalows – ideal for a private night together.

Think a familymoon might be for you? Book one of our Family Life holidays.

Feeling inspired?

Why not have a look at all of our holidays.

Author: Georgie Lane-Godfrey