Ask Lonely Planet: what’s a non-beachy honeymoon idea?

Apr 15, 2011 12:08:46 AM

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Here at Lonely Planet, we have travel experts on tap. In this excerpt from Lonely Planet Magazine, they help out a reader looking for a summer honeymoon that doesn’t involve beaches.

‘We are trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon this summer (Northern Hemisphere). We’re not beach lovers and don’t want to go anywhere too touristy, but would like a culturally rich experience. We also want to avoid any monsoons. Have you any ideas?’ – Lavinia Pinto, USA.

Here’s what Lonely Planet insiders suggest:

Honeymoon 1: Kaliningrad, recommended by UK travel editor Tom Hall:

It’s hard to find corners of Europe that aren’t overrun with visitors in the summer, but Kaliningrad fits the bill. The Russian region on the shores of the Baltic is cut off geographically from the rest of the country, with Lithuania to the north and Poland to the south. It makes for an excellent introduction to Russia: small, easy to get to and a touch friendlier than the Motherland.

Start in Kaliningrad city, with its red-brick cathedral, medieval fortifications and neighourhoods, such as Amalienau. Cherepakha Hotel is a great place to stay (rooms from £86). Stand-out excursions include the Curonian Spit, a strip of sand that splits the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon, which is perfect for boating and fishing. Nearby are huge sand dune and pine forests full of deer and bird life. Flying is the best way to reach Kaliningrad, with Aeroflot, Air Baltic (via Riga) or LOT (via Warsaw, from £265). Remember, you’ll need a visa, so get guidance from Way to Russia.

Honeymoon 2: Chiapas, Mexico, recommended by US travel editor Robert Reid:

Mexico’s southern-most state is wonderful, particularly San Cristóbal de Las Casas, a colonial town that’s remote enough to miss the Yucatán tourist hordes, but gets you close to traditional Mayan villages and ruins, like Toniná or Palenque.

Stay at 17th-century Parador San Juan de Dios (from £85), then spend your week browsing the crafts market, taking a Spanish course, visiting the Mayan Medicine Museum, enjoying local coffee and watching live bands in Plaza 31 de Marzo. Worthy day trips include San Juan Chamula, a Mayan village whose church floor is covered with pine needles and worshippers burping out evil spirits! Another classic is to take a boat trip past crocodiles in the Sumidero Canyon.

Stay in colonial Comitán, 60 miles away, and visit the El Chiflón waterfalls and the Chinkultic ruins, or picnic beside the emerald Lakes of Montebello.

Honeymoon 3: Uzbekistan, recommended by Lonely Planet Publisher Jane Thompson:

With more than 2000 years of central Asian culture, but no beaches and being off the beaten track, it has to be Uzbekistan. Fly to Tashkent from Heathrow (from £420). Wander the Old Town, explore Chorsu Bazaar and visit the excellent museums. You can eat well here, too; try National Food (dishes less than £2; Gafar Gulom 1) for local colour and cuisine.

Catch a flight to Nukus and visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum, which houses Central Asia’s greatest art collection. South of Nukus is frozen-in-time Khiva; walk through the outer walls and savour the sight of the famous inner-walled city. Hire a driver from the day (£35) and visit the ancient ruined forts of Elliq-Qala, then spend a night in a yurt beside Lake Aidarkul with Sputnik Camel Camp (£35; sputnik-navoi@yandex.ru).

Go to Samarkand, a magical place of domes, minarets and monuments. For a cultural stay, try the family-run Antica b&b (from £35; anticasamarkand@hotmail.com).

If you found this article handy, there is plenty more advice and inspiration in the Lonely Planet Magazine – subscribe and get your travel info delivered straight to your door. (Currently only available for delivery to UK addresses.)

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Comments

29 July 2010 12:10AM mensan Report this comment
wonderfull working. turkuaz blue is my favorite colour. I have been samarkand for 5 years ago
29 July 2010 3:54AM alexis_salvador Report this comment
I would recommend Iceland - beautiful scenery, fantastic food, wonderful B&Bs to stay in, you can see the entire island in a week, and once you get away from the Golden Circle, you've got the whole place to yourself!
7 August 2010 6:16AM krystalkivc Report this comment
I'd suggest the Yukon in the summer, too. Check out Dawson City and their can-can shows as the town tries to keep the goldrush era feel.
8 August 2010 9:07AM gingerflowers Report this comment
I TOTALLY agree on Iceland. The scenery was overwhelming! My husband and I just winged it and stopped when we were tired. Although it left us gambling we were able to see so many places we might not normally have been able to. The cars were few and the people even fewer. The beauty surrounded you. It was impossible to take it all in because from minute to minute it would change in front of you. I have over a thousand pictures. I can send some to anyone that askes :)
8 August 2010 9:24AM gingerflowers Report this comment
To rephrase. The country is not touristy per say. You will not notice and over abundance like you I saw here in the "Americas". Because the country is so unpopulated outise the major cities you have "free realm" you might say. As far as culture. It is full of it. My husband went in June of 2009. We traveled for 8 days on and off the ring road. We ventured thru abondoned villages and churches, spoke with locales and ate magnificant food. We traveled to see the puffins and ate at the only Vikings restaurant in the world (whale and shark..hmm. There were wild horses, black sand beaches, a lone Eagle and one black wolf (?). I think Ive said enough. Get me going and I wont stop. By FAR this was the best experience of my life! Will go back? Yes! Its still a good time to go as far as weather is concerned, check it out.
3 May 2011 11:33AM vasenka Report this comment
Almost any European Capital can offer an elegant and non "beachy" experience... Most are full of museums, concerts, parks, cafes and bookstores..
There is something about a nation's capital that is always a little special...