Honeymoon Adventure

When Shannon and Matt Walker began planning their honeymoon, they were deluged with brochures on tropical spas and cruise ships, and soon discovered that many of the packages were alike, and the glossy shots of couples on a beach could be transferred from one brochure to another without loss of context. They decided to rebel against the image of themselves lounging on deck chairs, holding hands and sipping frothy, umbrella-laden drinks.

"We wanted to start a family right away," Shannon said, "and we both have demanding jobs, so we knew that this honeymoon would be our last vacation for awhile. We decided to make it an adventure."

After a traditional wedding, the happy couple shed their formal shoes, bought hiking boots, and spent two weeks tracing Marco Polo's route through China on the Silk Road.

"We read poetry about Kublai Khan to each other while sailing across Lake Tai," Shannon said. "It was an amazing way to start our life together."

Although sunny islands and European capitals remain popular for honeymooners, increasing numbers of couples are seeking similar adventures to kick-start married life, and travel companies are expanding their selection of packages to accommodate venturesome newlyweds.

Abercrombie & Kent, creators of the Marco Polo tour, also offers a "Temples and Tigers" sojourn in India, where you not only can see romance's most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, but also end your trip by riding elephants in Bandhavgarh National Park.

If the temptation to view wildlife is stronger for you, Micato Safaris can take you across Africa, whether your taste runs to roughing it or regal accommodations. Why go to Niagara Falls when you can see the sunset over Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, indulging your aesthetic side after a day of communing with hippos and leopards? In Kenya, choices abound from taking a balloon ride over migrating herds to playing golf beneath a clear African sky. For the latter, just remember that local rules apply: If an elephant steps on your ball, you still have to play it.

You might also decide to go a different route. Through word-of-mouth publicity, Green Tortoise Adventure Travel has become the epitome of the celebrated road trip excursion. With destinations from Alaska to Costa Rica, the distinctive and rather cozy buses (redesigned to resemble RVs inside) are recognizable all along the West Coast. Explore the Quirigua and Copan ruins before soaking in the hot springs at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. If you don't mind bumpy roads and itinerary changes, Green Tortoise provides a trip that's economical, unique and packed with memories. Also, if you share those memories in the form of printable photos, they'll give you free miles and maybe even control of the cassette player for a few hours.

For those who like an even more active vacation, you don't have to sacrifice the adrenaline of exercise for the heady rush of post-wedding love. Guides For All Seasons provides experienced trekkers for all manner of travel. One popular trip is climbing Mount Fuji in Japan and enjoying the rustic appeal of sleeping on a tatamai mat at 4,500 feet. If you and your honey adore a predawn departure and the smell of propane on your food, then you're meant to be together. Other climbs include the Himalayas, Mount Everest and the Eiger in Switzerland.

Closer to home, Otter Bar Lodge in Forks of Salmon, Calif., offers instruction on mountain biking and white water kayaking. Nothing will help you relax after all that wedding planning more than finding out if you can successfully navigate a class three rapid on the Presidio run of the Klamath River. To balance the intense with the serene, Otter Bar Lodge is located 2-1/2 hours from the nearest town, guaranteeing seclusion for those more romantic moments.

For those who don't like the idea of a "package tour," complete with preprinted itinerary and specific meal times, don't fret. Most tour companies are more than willing to help you tailor a trip to your interests, whether you want to swim at the foot of a volcano or dance at a Costa Rican festival. It's a common misconception that individualized tours can be more costly. With careful planning you can customize your honeymoon plans and not have to mortgage your future to do it.

Both preplanned and self-planned packages can run anywhere from about $1,200 to $12,000. So shed those stuffy wedding clothes, grab your camera, and get ready for an amazing start to your lives together.