Going on a honeymoon is the first real opportunity to spend time alone as man and wife, but how did this tradition come to be?
Where Did The Idea of Honeymoons Come From?
As all couples know, planning the perfect honeymoon is just as important as planning the wedding day itself. Traditionally the first vacation that you will take as a married couple (and presumably when the couple will consummate the union), a honeymoon has become the period of time where a couple can rest and recharge after going through the stress and excitement of the wedding ceremony. But why do we take these trips? The idea of a honeymoon originates far back in time, and did not originate as the vacation trip we take now.
There are many variations on the story of where the honeymoon began. As far as the word itself goes, the first regular usage in the English language can be dated back to the 16th century. Many stories of how honeymoons came to be report that the idea of a honeymoon started much earlier than that date, but it is hard to tell whether these are fact or fiction.
One idea that is repeated by most people is that the word “honeymoon” was used to describe an ancient Babylonian tradition where the father of the bride would give the groom all the mead (honey wine) he could drink for the first month (moon) of marriage. This was supposed to give the couple a boost to their fertility. While this idea is widely accepted as fact, since the word honeymoon was not used at this time (Babylon fell far before the 16th century), historians cannot be sure that this is where the custom and word honeymoon came from.
Another version comes from Norse beginnings. It is said to loosely be rooted in the word “hjunottsmanathr”. This is not a happy tradition, rather it was said to be necessary as many brides of the time were abducted from other tribes and the groom was required to hide his bride until her family stopped looking for her. Thus, the honeymoon was more of a kidnapping than anything else.
A third idea is that in Northern European cultures, a “moon” was representative of the monthly cycle of the body – and honey was said to represent how sweet the first one of these months was for a married couple. The word was a caution, that future “moons” in the marriage may not be as sweet as the honeymoon.
Although these ancient traditions don’t involve sweet candies, exclusive beaches, exotic foods and wines, and romantic resort suites, we believe in the twenty-first century that some of these things are must haves for every honeymoon couple. Just like everything else in the world, honeymoons have evolved a great deal to become the great romantic getaway of a lifetime in which they are known to be today.
No matter which tradition you choose to believe, one thing is clear: the honeymoon is here to stay. In current times, honeymoons rarely last a full month, and most couples are well aware that the sweet and calming romance of their first married month will have struggles and disputes in the future. Their content to enjoy their honeymoon and married life as it comes.
Taken in part from an article by: Richard Rspad, July 2, 2007
Visit AskAboutHoneymoons to discover your dream honeymoon.
Alaskan Glacier Cruises: Everyone goes on a cruise to the Caribbean but a cruise along the Alaskan coast on a glacier tour is unique and different. Cruises start in Vancouver and ends in Anchorage. You will go by the Glacier Bay National Park where you will see wildlife, gigantic glaciers and beautiful mountain scenery. The ideal time to go would be in May where the average high temperature is 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
Road Trip in the Himalayas: Drive from Tibet to Nepal for a once-in-a lifetime experience. Along the way you can check out the Dalai Lama's winter and summer home, stop by some ancient monasteries, and get a great view of Mt. Everest. This honeymoon idea would not be ideal for those who are prone to altitude sickness.
Costa Rican Fishing Adventure: Costa Rica has got it all. You can hike the nature trails at the Monteverde cloud forest, relax on the beach, and even windsurf at the Lake Arenal, which is at the base of an active volcano! In the Guanacaste province you can test your skills by chartering a boat and going deep-sea-fishing for a day.
Diving in St. Croix: Check out what's underneath the crystal clear blue water of the Caribbean by spending your honeymoon scuba diving in St. Croix. You can explore the underwater canyons filled with exotic marine life and the largest living coral reef in the Caribbean.
Volcano Bike Ride: Head to Maui and for an amazing bike ride down the 10,000 ft. high Haleakala volcano. On the 38 mile ride down you'll be able to see old lava flows, wildlife, and incredible views of the island. The park is open 24 hours so head back to the summit at night and get blown away by gazing at the stars.
Climb Mt. Fuji : Tokyo is the perfect place for a mix of urban excitement and Japanese culture. After exploring the city take a night hike to the summit of Mt. Fuji. If you take the Fujikyu bus to the 5th station on the mountain and start at midnight you'll get to the summit just in time to see the sunrise. This climb is not for the faint of heart. 
Starting here you will have plenty to do to fill your days and nights. We suggest taking a tour of the breath taking Blue Mountains. You will head west to discover a piece of Australia that never entered your dreams. You will see unusual plants and wildlife, enjoy luscious barbecue, and observe kangaroos in their natural habitat in hidden valleys and much more. When in the mountains stay at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa. The resort is located on two acres of English-style gardens on the cliff tops adjacent to The Three Sisters. The breathtaking Lilianfels is perfect for your celebration. If you want to take a day to wine and dine we suggest a tour of Hunter Valley's Resort, Wine School, and Brewery. The resort has wine tasting, private 2-bedroom cottages, a massage center, biking and walking paths, and access to tennis courts and pool and Jacuzzi units. Stays include breakfast and dinner daily, wine school and one additional activity.
A stay in Sydney would not be complete without a visit to the Aquarium and even a VIP Aquarium Tour. It is open from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with tours lasting approximately 90 minutes. This is a perfect private tour, specially designed for you and your partner. You will have a behind the scenes look at the shark tanks, the Great Barrier Reef Exhibit, feed tropical fish from above the tank, and have an educational explanation of the platypus, crocodile, touch pool, seal sanctuary, oceanarium, and the Great Reef exhibits.
If you like to be swept off your feet you can pass up this next experience. Board a twin engine petite aircraft and fly low over the Blue Mountains to your first landing point. Spend half the day exploring and experiencing life on an Australian sheep ranch. After your barbecue lunch, board again to fly to the picturesque Hunter Valley for wine tasting and sightseeing. The finale is low-level flight down the coastline, over the beaches and spectacular harbor, or over the city of lights.
Any and all of these are experiences that will be unique and special for you on your special occasion. They will put you to your limits as you reach across the limits of the country, flying over mountains and observing wildlife in the valley. You have plenty of time and leverage to relax and unwind with romantic trails and smoothing spas. You will instantly fall in love and insist on returning every year to remember this special time in the beginning of your lives together.
