Make your honeymoon extra memorable by booking something unusual. Think bucket list rather than bucket and spade
Words: Russell Cook
The Polar Express
Russia’s Golden Eagle train departs St Petersburg on New Year’s Eve for the Arctic Circle and newlyweds on board will start their trip with a gala dinner – caviar included. New Year’s Day will be spent taking in the wintery sights and enjoying afternoon tea, hosted by a Russian astronomer, who’ll talk guests through what to look out for when they reach the northern lights territory. On day three the train reaches the Norwegian border. We suggest you check into the Snow Hotel, which is made entirely of ice. While there, head out to see the lights by bus or husky dog sled, and go fishing for Arctic king crabs with expert fishermen. The next stop is Petrozavodsk to enjoy a ‘Russian Christmas’, before ending the trip in Moscow, where you’ll get the chance to see Lenin’s tomb and the Kremlin.
Hit the road, Jack
Hire a muscle car and hit America’s west coast during spring or summer. Your best bet is to start on Highway 1, just outside LA and head north. After a few hours driving along the coast, you’ll hit The Madonna Inn, one of the route’s most famous motels. Stay the night in one of its kitsch bedrooms. Next, it’s cameras at the ready for Big Sur, a dramatic mountain range that pops right out of the Pacific. When you get up to San Fran, take a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge and head north to the Napa Valley for a wine tour. Three hours east is the Yosemite Valley – a worthy next stop. Start with Lake Tahoe in the north for a little relaxation, then head south to Sequoia National Park to check out the huge redwoods. Oh, and don’t forget to prepare an Americana-inspired playlist: Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen at the ready.
Toasting & coasting
Chardonnay and pinot noir fans should hop on their bikes to explore Burgundy, just over an hour south of Paris. From Joigny in the west (where winemaking dates back to the 11th century) to Chablis in the south (which houses vineyards recognised as the first in the world to make white wine), there’s hectare upon hectare of vines to pedal past in France’s most famous wine region. After hours on a bike, burning all those calories, be sure to tuck into the region’s famous dish, beef bourguignon – with a bottle of red, of course. Should your co-ordination be lacking after a wine-filled gadabout, local guides are on hand to pick you up at the end of the day. Summer is the best time to visit of course, with plenty of opportunities to lap up the sun and relax.
Skye's the limit
The Isle of Skye is a hiker’s paradise that regularly features at the business end of lists about the world’s best islands. It’s not all rugged mountains and forests either – there’s plenty of luxury available for honeymooners. Kinloch Lodge in Sleat has a Michelin-starred restaurant and does cookery classes for those who fancy brushing up their kitchen skills. Fancy a bit of walking afterwards? You can clock up some miles in the dramatic peaks of the Cuillin mountain range, only an hour away by car. Those who like a drop of peaty single malt shouldn’t miss the famous Talisker distillery on the way. In the north of the island, the historic Dunvegan Castle has three cosy cottages available for hire.
Epic sail
Between April and October, couples can head to the Med and board a privately chartered gulet (that’s a traditional Turkish sailing boat, just between us). Each is manned by its own captain and chef, and guests will have their own quarters to sleep in. Tours of Turkey, Italy and Greece can be arranged, taking in anywhere from the Amalfi coast to Kusadasi on the Aegean, depending on the schedule agreed. Sailing for around three hours a day, the cruises can uncover hidden bays, secret beaches and bustling harbour towns. All guests have to do is relax. Swimming, snorkelling and kayaking are easily facilitated, and guided tours of historic sights can be organised too.
This article was first published in Square Meal Weddings 2015