Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?!

Setti89

My FI and I have both decided not to do the typical beach honeymoon, as we live in Florida and frequent the beach very often. We'd like some sort of adventure overseas instead. We originally wanted Ireland or Switzerland but with a March honeymoon, it would be a bit too cold for me. So I have been looking into warmer options. We'd like warmth, animals, culture, scenery, and nature. Preferably with a body of water nearby to snorkel or kayak.  I have it narrowed to a few options.

1. Zambia, Africa where we could do safaris, explore the local culture, and see Victoria Falls.
2. Galapagos Island/Machu Picchu, Peru. Everything combined into two places
3. Great Barrier Reef/Sydney-Australia. The abundance of underwater life would be amazing to see
4. Costa Rica. Most budget-friendly and we could zipline or take ATVs through the rain forest, as well as snorkel their coral reefs

Have any of you or your relatives been to any of these places? Which would you choose? Any opinions are aprreciated. Thanks

MrsGandthebeag

I've only been to Australia out of those options and it was amazing.  My dad and I swam in the Great Barrier Reef.  It's a once in a life time experience I feel like b/c it's so far.  I'd chose that option.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_oversears-non-beach-honeymoon-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:f50e2926-242f-4818-82f6-a093082f05cfPost:9bda3acd-5f4e-4ceb-9d27-573ddd3ea7bf">Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?!</a>:
[QUOTE]My FI and I have both decided not to do the typical beach honeymoon, as we live in Florida and frequent the beach very often. We'd like some sort of adventure overseas instead. We originally wanted Ireland or Switzerland but with a March honeymoon, it would be a bit too cold for me. So I have been looking into warmer options. We'd like warmth, animals, culture, scenery, and nature. Preferably with a body of water nearby to snorkel or kayak.  I have it narrowed to a few options. 1. Zambia, Africa where we could do safaris, explore the local culture, and see Victoria Falls. 2. Galapagos Island/Machu Picchu, Peru. Everything combined into two places 3. Great Barrier Reef/Sydney-Australia. The abundance of underwater life would be amazing to see 4. Costa Rica. Most budget-friendly and we could zipline or take ATVs through the rain forest, as well as snorkel their coral reefs Have any of you or your relatives been to any of these places? Which would you choose? Any opinions are aprreciated. Thanks
Posted by Setti89[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming money is not much of an issue and that you have at least close to 2 weeks off.  In which case I vote for Australia or Africa. I feel Costa Rica and Peru (minus Galapagos) you could do with a smaller budget with less time off needed so you could save it for a "regular" vacation.

hoffse

FI and I are probably going to costa rica, so that gets my vote

pneferist

I've been to Africa...

I went to Cape Town and then a safari in Botswana.  It was amazing and very romantic.  There were a lot of honeymoon couples while I was there, too.

dazyabbey

What is your total budget? And have you looked up prices on those places?

Setti89

Great opinions! Thank you. I had no idea 50% off the Great Barrier Reef was gone. II am leaning towards Australia after hearing that. I love the water world. We'd like to keep our budget at no more than $10,000 for the trip so I have been looking at all inclusive packages. They seem to be a better deal and they include airfair from major cities. We're looking for a 2 week vacation. Thank you guys for your input.

hz80408

We just vacationed in Ireland and it was amazing! Depending when in March; you may be okay for it.

Otherwise, of the options listed above, I'd choose the safari, just out of personal preference from whats on my bucket list

firewaterx

I vote Australia . beautiful and the people are so amazing and friendly. great barrier reef is unbelievable

Jells2dot0

I also vote for Australia. I was just married along the Great Barrier Reef in August. I stayed at Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Lizard Island. Lizard Island would probably push you a bit over budget and if you are looking for luxury, Heron is not a place I'd recommend. It's great for nature and diving, but the rooms are simplistic and the food is not up to par. Wilson is for those who really want to disconnect and be at one with nature. It has 6 luxury tents, no electricity, and you are surrounded by birds who are quite loud at night. That being said, it's where I chose to get married and could not imagine a more beautiful setting and better resort staff. I would recommend checking out the Whitsunday islands, which have resorts that are in between the simplicity of Heron or Wilson and Lizard Island, which for 4 nights, ran us about $8K including the room, all meals and beverages, and our flight transfers to the island. So, it didn't include our international flights, domestic flights, and any of our stays at the other resorts. I would not go all the way to Australia for only 4 nights

Setti89

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_oversears-non-beach-honeymoon-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:f50e2926-242f-4818-82f6-a093082f05cfPost:b53c2dd3-0e4f-4711-90b7-b66dbbd42ee0">Re:Oversears nonbeach honeymoon options?!</a>:
[QUOTE]In March, we're doing a 12 night Celebrity cruise stopping throughout New Zealand and Australia. We're doing extra days on the front and back end too. We got a midlevel suite on the ship and all expenses included anticipate spending about 12000, 4000 of which was airfare. I think 10000 is definitely doable!
Posted by Sleeper2013[/QUOTE]
 

<font color="#800000">That sounds lovely. Did you book directly via Celebrity Cruise lines or did you have a travel agent?</font>

Setti89

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_oversears-non-beach-honeymoon-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:f50e2926-242f-4818-82f6-a093082f05cfPost:3db86179-ee75-4cff-a30c-76db7669d6ea">Re: Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?!</a>:
[QUOTE]I also vote for Australia. I was just married along the Great Barrier Reef in August. I stayed at Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Lizard Island. Lizard Island would probably push you a bit over budget and if you are looking for luxury, Heron is not a place I'd recommend. It's great for nature and diving, but the rooms are simplistic and the food is not up to par. Wilson is for those who really want to disconnect and be at one with nature. It has 6 luxury tents, no electricity, and you are surrounded by birds who are quite loud at night. That being said, it's where I chose to get married and could not imagine a more beautiful setting and better resort staff. I would recommend checking out the Whitsunday islands, which have resorts that are in between the simplicity of Heron or Wilson and Lizard Island, which for 4 nights, ran us about $8K including the room, all meals and beverages, and our flight transfers to the island. So, it didn't include our international flights, domestic flights, and any of our stays at the other resorts. I would not go all the way to Australia for only 4 nights :)
Posted by Jells2dot0[/QUOTE]

<font color="#800000">Great picture. Lizard Island looks amazing but you're right that it would be over budget. Congrats on your recent wedding. Wilson sounds like something we would be into. I'll have to research that now. Thanks for the advice. </font>

Setti89

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_oversears-non-beach-honeymoon-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:f50e2926-242f-4818-82f6-a093082f05cfPost:4c03df4f-7dae-4d91-816a-33b270d64e4d">Re: Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?!</a>:
[QUOTE]We just vacationed in Ireland and it was amazing! Depending when in March; you may be okay for it. Otherwise, of the options listed above, I'd choose the safari, just out of personal preference from whats on my bucket list
Posted by hz80408[/QUOTE]

<font color="#800000">Nice. This was one of the first places we looked into. We would love to visit someday. Unfortunately the average temperature high in mid-late March is around 48 degrees. I'm looking for something a little warmer. A lot of us Floridians are big babies in cold weather lol. </font>

Jells2dot0

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_oversears-non-beach-honeymoon-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:f50e2926-242f-4818-82f6-a093082f05cfPost:11bfeb3a-c3f7-48e3-be6f-65fd2d888809">Re: Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Oversears non-beach honeymoon options?! : Great picture. Lizard Island looks amazing but you're right that it would be over budget. Congrats on your recent wedding. Wilson sounds like something we would be into. I'll have to research that now. Thanks for the advice.
Posted by Setti89[/QUOTE]

Lizard was amazing, but I guess it's why they can charge so much! LOL

As far as Wilson Island goes, you have to stop on Heron Island to catch the boat over to Wilson. So, I would recommend staying a night or two on Heron just to take advantage of the guided tours they do. I know I said not to stay there originally, but if you want to learn about the reef, it's the place to be and my point was more or less to not plan on spending 5 or 6 nights there. We really got a lot out of the island walk, research station tour, the semi submersible and the star gazing. I would not stay more than 2 nights, though. We did 3 nights and that was plenty to do everything we wanted to do except for the guided reef walk. that required tides to be at a certain time and we missed the tidal pattern by a day. Also, I highly recommend paying the extra money for the helicopter transfer to Heron/Wilson. I think it was around $700 for two each way. The views were incredible! Wilson is truly a special place and you will not be disappointed in the food or experience. Activities are limited (snorkeling, a 30 minute walk around the island, and laying on the beach), so 2-3 nights there is all you need. We did 4 nights there, as we needed a little extra time for the wedding and wedding prep.

Hope that helps!