\

	Brides & Grooms Deciding the Day The Day Before The Day The Day After Home
	Honeymoon options abound for adventurous newlyweds By Marla Caceres Sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat and butterflies in the stomach. These are not the symptoms of the moments before a bride and groom say, 'I do.' They are what many newlywed couples are feeling while on their adventure honeymoon, trips that include thrill-inducing activities like hiking to the top of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, or sea kayaking in the Galapagos Islands. Thrill-seeking couples today are seeking something more from their honeymoons than lazy days on the beach or sleepy stays at tropical resorts. They are looking to adventure honeymoons in exotic locations throughout Africa, South and Central America, Australia and even the United States for post-wedding day excitement. 'These couples do not want to do the traditional Caribbean honeymoon; they want something out of the ordinary,' says Beth Knobe, a honeymoon consultant based in Charleston, S.C. 'Many of them like the outdoors, or want to do something more exciting than just sitting in a hotel and lying around a pool.' Knobe, who is currently planning an African safari honeymoon for her brother and future sister-in-law, says a honeymoon is of the adventure sort when the couple eschews resorts for roughing it, luxury for off-the-beaten-path action. This is not to say, however, that there is no room for pampering in the itinerary of an adventure honeymoon. 'You definitely can be pampered and relax. You can top off a day of hiking with a spa treatment,' Knobe says. Joyce Small, president of Adventures Unlimited, a travel agency based in San Francisco that organizes adventure honeymoons, says the blend of action and relaxation appeals to many newlyweds who are seeking a vacation and adventure in one. She says one of the newest and most popular activities she's arranged is a day of jungle survival with the Royal Thai Army. The newlywed couple spends a full day with four soldiers learning jungle-specific survival skills, such as how to break open a coconut and how to distinguish edible plants from their poisonous neighbors. The trip ends with a refreshing dip in a waterfall and a hike back home. 'And, after it's over, you can head to a resort to get a massage,' Small says. Couples also are attracted to the variety of athletic activities available during an adventure honeymoon, from mountain biking, white water rafting and rock climbing to horseback riding and ice climbing. 'Adventure honeymoons provide a good mix of things to do,' says Lou Harbrecht, sales director for The World Outdoors, a travel company based in Boulder, Colo., that helps couples nationwide pick their dream adventure honeymoon. Many companies, including The World Outdoors and Mountain Travel Sobek in El Cerrito, Calif., offer a bridal registry option that lets couples register for an adventure honeymoon like they would silverware or china. Friends and relatives cover portions of cost of the honeymoon as their wedding gift to the couple. The average price of an adventure honeymoon booked through The Great Outdoors is $1,900 per person for a six-day and five-night trip. The price includes all amenities, but not airfare. Harbecht recommends that brides- and grooms-to-be shop around for good deals on their adventure honeymoon of choice. Harbrecht also recommends couples let their tour guides, hotel staff and all others involved in their trip know it's their honeymoon. 'There are special things they can do for you - like arrange for flowers for your room - if you tell them it's your honeymoon,' he says. 'Because if you have gotten married, that's pretty adventurous right there.' © - Tribune Media Services
> GO TO WEDDING OF YOUR DREAMS > GO TO KING5.com © 2003 KING5.com & Tribune Media Services