The Big Thrill

10 of the Hottest Adventure Honeymoon Destinations

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Now that you’ve begun life’s greatest adventure together, why settle for a honeymoon that’s anything less than exhilarating? If you’ve flipped through brochures of the usual suspects only to be left less than inspired and with a “been there done that” malaise, we’ve just the remedy. Culled from some of the world’s greatest adventures, we’ve collected 10 coveted, off-the-beaten-path experiences that would make Indiana Jones green with envy. Ready to start your new life with a bang? Lights, camera, action!

Destination: “Glamping” in California
Best suited for: Savvy couples for whom “roughing-it” means cedar cabins, private decks, heated swimming pools and a quick jaunt to wine country. What you won’t find anywhere else: Nestled alongside El Capitan Creek in coastal Santa Barbara County, these “nature lodges” not only offer amenities such as fine linens and Jacuzzis, they provide access and guided hikes to winetasting. Don’t go home without: Indulging in an “en-cabin” foot massage and salt scrub after a day on the trails. Rest your tired feet here: El Capitan Canyon offers you the choice of cedar cabins (with king bed and kitchenette) and more laid-back safari tents (with screened windows and private firepit). Book it at: elcapitancanyon.com.

Destination: Whale-watching in Baja California
Best suited for: Soft adventure lovers who want to experience one of the natural wonders of the world without jetting halfway around the globe. What you won’t find anywhere else: A rich and diverse ecosystem that John Steinbeck called “Mexico’s Galapagos.” It’s in this region of Baja that more than 20 species of whales and dolphins congregate, including the largest in the world, the blue whale. Don’t go home without: Hitting the water in a local panga, or skiff, to photograph nature’s gentle giants. Rest your tired feet here: The Las Animas Wilderness Retreat, reachable only by boat and featuring just eight private beachside casitas with bathrooms, solar showers and covered decks. Book it at: bajaairventures.com/bajawhaletours.htm.

Destination: Adventure cruising in Ecuador
Best suited for: Those who were seduced by the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland when they were kids, and vowed to one day do the real thing. What you won’t find anywhere else: Freshwater pink dolphins, scarlet macaws and a textbook’s worth of other exotic flora and fauna in their element in a rarely seen part of the Amazon. Don’t go home without: Watching the sun rise over the Amazon before taking a skiff ride to the remote village of Puerto Miguel to meet the locals. Rest your tired feet here: Forget mega-ships and sit-down dinners for 3,000; the Aqua is an intimate, 130-foot vessel with just 12 suites. The tri-deck river cruiser also features en-suite bathrooms, expansive stateroom windows to take in the views and a top-level bar for those sundowner cocktails. Book it at: thetravellab.com.

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