Of course there are the integral bits (like the vows and the commitment thing) but a wedding these days has morphed into many more things than the day that celebrates your union. For some, your wedding will be the best party you ever throw. For others, you’ll never again spend that kind of money on a dress; its your moment to be a couture queen. And then there are people like me, who live with the happy disease called wanderlust. Planning the perfect honeymoon might just overshadow planning the perfect wedding. Plenty of you will probably be thinking that as long as the thread count is high and the room service is great, I’m sorted. But as more of us are living and vacationing with our partners-to-be before the wedding date, having an amazing honeymoon has superseded having a gorgeous hotel room in which to have the newlywed sexytime.

Just like there are all types of brides, there are all types of honeymoons. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look into several different styles of that ultimate romantic holiday. For each style of honeymoon, we’ll be outlining both sides of the coin; a modest option (for those who blew the budget on your special day), and the luxury idea; a no holds bar dream destination. There’s the beach, the romantic city destination and the explorer vacation to name a few. First up though is the adventure honeymoon for all the trekkers, adrenalin junkies and outdoorsy couples. Here are just a few suggestions to get your started.

The Budget Adventure – Camping in Algonquin Park

For those not afraid to pitch a tent and become one with nature; have a think about bunking down on the East Campground at the Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park. Enjoy Ontario’s first provincial park in its most secluded form; go backwoods baby. Think about a starlit stroll in the forest, picking up a gourmet picnic basket and a dawn dual kayak on the mirrored lake. Quiet romance. Small pleasures. You can then take a pause from roughing it and check in at the Algonquin Spa. And for those who feed off a good buzz, you can get all stirred up before stirring things up by going white-water canoeing. So pack your two person sleeping bag and consider a quiet punctuation mark to your hectic wedding day; just you and your sweetie in the woods.

The Luxe Option – Trekking to Machu Picchu

Marriage might be a long road, so how about starting the walk by hiking together through Amazonian Peru, heading to Machu Picchu, one of the ancient wonders of the world? Traditionally a four day trek and not for the faint of heart, the couple that sweats together will be rewarded with stunning shared memories of the mountainscapes of the Andes, the sites of the Incas and exploring one of the seven wonders of the ancient world together. Since 2001, you must do this hike as part of an organized tour (such as this one or the ones recommended here). The blessing in this is that your qualified travel company or hiking group will worry about the little details (and have porters carry your bags) while you make goggley newlywed eyes at one another along this ancient royal highway.  If all the walking makes you weary or you fancy a more diverse sex life than that which a tent can offer; think about checking into a luxury lodge resort and design your own mini hikes or see the Incan ruins from horseback.

If you need a bit of time with sea and sun after your sojourn in the mountains, you’re just a hop, skip and a flight away from the Galapagos Islands. Take a dive or board or board a cruise ship or yacht, to enjoy one of the most sensational wildlife experiences in the world.  And do it like they did on the discovery channel.

~ Zoe Shapiro