Honeymoon in Patagonia?

[Haven]

So, FI and I are really active people, we rarely take vacations that don''t center around some sort of activity--hiking, biking, climbing, wine-tasting

, sight-seeing, etc. What I mean is, we are not lie on the beach and soak up the rays vacationers.

However, I imagined our honeymoon would be a relaxing, romantic, slow-paced three or four weeks traveling through Europe and hitting the major sights, but taking it easy for the most part.

Then FI suggested we go to Patagonia and do some winter sporting for our honeymoon.

I am really excited about the idea, but it sounds like the anti-honeymoon. Did (or will) anyone have a similar non-traditional honeymoon like this? If so, did you regret it? What do you ladies think?

I suppose my real question is: Does honeymooning feel different for couples even if they''ve already traveled together quite a bit? Will we be missing out on some sort of blissed out period that only happens right after a wedding if we choose a Patagonia honeymoon?

Our other option is to (hopefully) start out by catching some Wimbledon matches and traveling around Europe from there. We''ve both been several times, so we wouldn''t have to cram in a lot of must-see sightseeing or anything. I imagine it would be a lot of strolling around, meeting new people, and eating at the most interesting restaurants we can find.

Okay, now that I write this out it sounds like a ridiculous question--but I''m still going to ask.

 

[Harleigh]

Well, Haven, since I have yet to go on my honeymoon, I first must say I''m envious of your plan to cuise around Europe for 3-4 weeks! What a treat that would be!

I personally think of a honeymoon as doing whatever it is you both LOVE to do...if that is lazing around and doing nothing, then that''s great, but if you''re both more active and would treasure a trip to Patagonia together for some freezing your hiney''s off and warming each other back up, well, then that sounds terrific! Whatever you think might be a once in a lifetime event could be the most important, or doing something comfortable that you could go back and do year after year, like Wimbledon, or every few years would also be fantastic...I wish I had those options to choose from!

On my end with all that, FI initially suggested going on a cruise around the HI islands after our wedding in Maui...since I''ve never been on a cruise and he apparently hates them, he thought maybe a smaller cruise w/less than 100 people on it would be all right. I was ecstatic...THAT is my idea of a honeymoon...plug in "Love Boat" music and "Fantasy Island" flashbacks..."da plane, da plane!" and tropical drinks flowing like crazy...ahhh, I can''t wait!

He got me all excited about that, but then suggested that we jet over to New Zealand instead... Mind you, I have always wanted to go there, but not in the middle of their WINTER!!! I tried to point out to FI that I was going to be lugging WAY too much stuff over to HI for the wedding alone, and that would be with BIKINIS not taking up much room in the ''ol suitcase if you know what I mean! I reminded him of how I HATE to be cold, and the last thing I wanted to do on my honeymoon was freeze my little tush off! Can you tell I''m not a "winter sport" fan? I do, however, make a great addition to a ski lodge with a hot drink and my book by a fireplace...give me that and I''m happy as a clam most times, but to be cold on my honeymoon when I could be out lounging on a cruise ship??? I don''t think so... I really don''t think we''ve come to a conclusion about all that, but now I''m the one keeping in touch with the travel agent friend, so we''ll see what I can come up with!

Let us know what you decide...each one sounds totally unique and memorable, but go with your gut and choose what would make you the happiest each time you think back to your honeymoon. Sorry to go on so long...hope that helps!

 

[Hera]

My own experience after my husband and I got married was that being married felt so different than being in a relationship. I think you''ll enjoy anything you do because you''ll be with your husband

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, we also aren''t lie-on-the-beach types. I spent two days on a beach in Cuba once. It was great, but by Day 3 I got bored. I''ve also been to Hawai''i, but ended up hiking and shopping more than lying on the beach... and when I did lie on the beach, I was reading. FI has never taken a beach holiday and it interests him even less. So, we are either going to Mexico, to hike in Oaxaca, explore Mayan ruins on the riviera, and then have a few beach days, or (our STRONG preference) we''ll go to Indonesia to visit Borobudur and explore Java and maybe some smaller islands. Maybe a few beach days too. I''m thinking of taking Gamelan lessons this fall to get into the groove!

One thing to keep in mind is that the southern part of Patagonia in the winter is SERIOUSLY cold. Yer gettin'' close to Antarctica there. I had suggested a trek to the north pole for our h/m, and FI nixed it on the grounds that being freezing was not something he associated with a h/m, even a non-traditional one.

Another thing to consider is not to do anything that''s going to be too stressful or planning intensive after the craziness of the wedding. ...Unless he wants to plan that while you''re plannign wedding stuff!... If you''re generally ''go with the flow'' travelers, you''re good, but if you''re a planner, you may make yourself nuts. Climbing in Patagonia may take some preparation so just keep that in mind! You could always hire a guide, but then you won''t have much alone time.

That said, I have friends who''ve climbed in Patagonia and lerved it.

OK, those are the possible negative factors I can think of: weather and intensity of planning. But overall, I think it''s a great idea!

But then, I''m going to Peru for Christmas, so I may be the wrong person to ask!

 

[Skippy123]

Wow, if you go I want to hear all about it. I love to hear about interesting trips or places!!! You can always go to Kauai for the best hiking, snorkeling and just soaking in the scenary. Yes, being on your honeymoom is very excited as a married couple. We went to Italy for almost 3 weeks and wished we picked something a little more laid back because we were up at 6 each morning and went to bed late. We didn't want to miss a thing on our honeymoom; we needed a vacation from the vacation because your wedding will be busy and also right before it.

Very exciting!!

 

[CrookedRock]

I personally think that you should bo whatever floats your boat! Forget traditional if it''s not you!

Patagonia!!! So cool. The BF took me to Argentina for my BDay in May, and we had an amazing time! We loved it so much that we just bought a lot to build on down there. He''s actually heading down there in mid November to show his family around and also make his first visit to Patagonia. He''s considering buying an already built home in San Martin de los Andes. People compare it to a smaller quaint version of Lake Tahoe, and that''s kinda our thing... Espicially for a vacation home b/c we line in FL.

We spent about 2 weeks going all around Argentina and I really enjoyed it, but just to throw out another thought... New Zealand! I was there for 18 days last year and did both islands and totally fell in love with the country! If I were to go back I would be happy just staying on the South Island, because of all it has to offer.
Both were fabulous trips! If you end up in Patagoina and need some advice on guides, feel free to ask away! Our guide was amazing, and she is actually originaly from Patagonia, so she knows it like the back of her hand! We really liked her! She''s actually woking hard right now planning the BF''s trip back down there...

P.S. We are not engaged yet (very colse...I hope) but we have alrady decided on our honeymoon and it''s very untraditional too! We''re going to go to Africa for 3 weeks, and split up the time between safari, Beach, and wine country! That might even be our weding, b/c we are eloping, that way we can kill 2 birds with one stone...lol

 

[portia]

DH and I are like you two in that our hobbies are a bit more extreme: hiking, climbing, kayaking, skiing/snowboarding and car racing. I must say that none of these ''vacations'' leave me feeling refreshed and relaxed. I''m usually completely exhausted! However, it''s so exhiliarating and adventurous - I come home with such a sense of accomplishment and a huge smile on my face.

A beach vacation doesn''t necessarily mean you have to lay around on the beach. DH and I starting going down to Mexico a few years ago each spring. There''s actually quite a bit do to besides hit the beach. Zip-lining through the jungle, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, plus there are a lot of interesting tours you can take. It''s nice to have the option of laying on the beach (especially right after a wedding where you''ll likely be tired and want to unwind), however there always something more to do.

Patagonia sounds really interesting. Maybe you could combine it with something else if you have the time. Your touring europe idea also sounds great! Lots to see and do there! I really wanted to go to Machu Piccu for our honeymoon, but then DH''s idea of Bora Bora sounded pretty good to me, too. I was thinking if there was a way to do both - something adventurous and then a beach vacation - that would be the perfect honeymoon!

I think it''s important to do what reflects both of your interests... I think you''ve got some great ideas already. Keep up posted on what other ideas you have or what you decide!

 

[Haven]

Ladies, thank you for all of the great ideas. Now my mind is swarming with more and more alternatives to the two choices we already came up with!

Is it bad that one of my hangups about Patagonia is that I was really excited to put together a honeymoon wardrobe when we were thinking about Europe?

Seriously, though, Patagonia sounds incredible but it''s such an extreme vacation, I''m going to have to weigh the pros and cons for a while. I think if we do get a good draw for the Wimbledon tickets we might have to put off Patagonia for a while, because we''re huge tennis fans and we''ve always wanted to go to Wimbledon. Especially if we can sit center court for some good matches!

The other thing is that I''ll be in Greece for two weeks (June 5 - 17) chaperoning a high school trip, then I''m going to come home and get married two weeks later--perhaps I''ll be needing a seriously relaxing vacation by the time we get to the honeymoon! I will, however, have until the middle of August before I have to go back to work, so even if we do a crazy honeymoon I''ll have time to rest up once we get back.

Aaaah, what a fun problem to have!

Harleigh--I think you two should do the cruise and you can wear a different eBay dress for each formal dinner!

New Zealand does sound great, but if you''re not a winter gal, you might seriously be jonesing for that cruise ship once you''re there.

Hera--Awwww, I hope I have a similar feeling!

IndyGal--I''m glad you brought up the stress of planning, because that''s something that I hadn''t even considered yet. (Can you tell I''m new at this wedding planning thing?) FI and I are not planners, we''re more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants types, not sure if this would be a bad thing for a Patagonia trip, we may need a travel agent or something.

Skippy--Italy! I want to go to Italy! If we end up in Europe we will be spending at least a week in Italy. I''ve never been, which is strange because I''ve been on a lot of trips. I bet you have incredible pictures from your honeymoon!

CrookedRock--Wow, how wonderful that you purchased a lot in Argentina! FI loves Argentina, I think he''s been there at least four times. It really is beautiful, and the home in San Martin de los Andes sounds incredible!

Portia--I know what you mean about needing a vacation from your vacation, that''s how we usually feel when we get back, but it is always worth it. Your Mexico trip sounds like so much fun, I''ve never been zip-lining but I''d be up for it if the opportunity presented itself!

Well, ladies, now I have some serious wanderlust, thanks a lot. If anyone has any suggestions for unusual vacations, I''m all ears!

 

[Independent Gal]

Hiya Haven,

The only reason it would be necessarily stressful is if you were planning to hike or trek or climb. Then you need to make sure you have the right equipment, that what you''re doing is safe at that time of year, that you have maps, routes, shelter, food, first aid, etc. all planned out.

But if you''re only going to do day trips, and want to just wander around the region, very little planning would be required! Usually when I go somewhere if I''m not planning to hike or do anything else potentially risky, I book accomodation for the first two nights, and then go wherever the first train happens to take me, or whatever looks neat in the guidebook. Why plan when you can float?

But that won''t, uh, fly, if you need crampons for your boots or you get caught on a mountain in a blizard, see?

Get yourself a ''Rough Guide'' to Argentina (or Patagonia?) and just poke around in it... read up... see what''s what!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 9/28/2007 11:22:12 AM
Author: Haven

Harleigh--I think you two should do the cruise and you can wear a different eBay dress for each formal dinner!

New Zealand does sound great, but if you''re not a winter gal, you might seriously be jonesing for that cruise ship once you''re there.

LMAO Haven! That was too funny...I told Indy I was going to change during Intermission at my wedding so I could fit them all in! Just think, I could be like Cher at a concert! Not!

And yeah, I am boycotting winter in New Zealand for our honeymoon...I am a SUN lover!!!

Hope you let us know where you end up deciding to go!