By Jane Anderson
A stretch of powder white sand will always have its attractions for newlyweds, but there are so many mind-blowing experiential honeymoons out there, why not venture beyond the beach and discover something new. Jane Anderson, Editor of 101 Honeymoons, selects some of the best options.

Road trip junkies

Take the road less travelled with a self-drive honeymoon around Namibia’s otherworldly landscapes. Memorable highlights include the cheetah conservation project at Okonjima, game viewing around the watering holes of Etosha, climbing the world’s highest sand dunes in Sossusvlei at sunrise, and discovering the haunting shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast.

How to do it: Rainbow Tours has a 14-night Classic Namibia Self-Drive Holiday from £4,095 per person.

Estonia is one of those countries once discovered, you wonder why everyone doesn’t venture to this Nordic gem. Start as everyone does with Tallinn, but head out to the countryside for ancient bogs and pristine forests, woodsmoke saunas and the thriving culture of Tartu, this year’s European City of Culture, plus the tastiest foraged food around.

How to do it: Regent Holidays has an 11-night Estonia On The Road tour from £1,295 per person.

Treat yourselves to an epic road trip on the other side of the world with a 21-night adventure around New Zealand. Highlights include the rolling landscapes of the Bay of Islands on the North Island and a guided walk through the Franz Josef valley right up to the glacier terminus.

How to do it: Inspiring Travel has a Grand New Zealand self-drive adventure from £9,500 per person.

City slickers

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon has been flying high as a romantic city getaway for years now with its vibrant culture, top-rated food scene and access to gorgeous coastal spots like Sintra when you fancy a breath of sea air. For the perfect love nest, book a stylish bijou apartment at The Lumiares Hotel & Spa, a restored 18th-Century palace in the buzzing Barrio Alto with its own rooftop restaurant and dinky spa.

How to do it: i-escape has rooms at The Lumiares Hotel & Spa from £277 per night.

The Tuscan city of Florence remains a steadfast winner when it comes to romantic escapes. From the banks of the Arno River to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Gallery, this ancient and very walkable city embraces honeymooners in a warm glow of tried and tested charm. The food is off the scale too with restaurants like Cibreo Caffé. Stay in a Florentine classic such as the five-star deluxe Lungarno.

How to do it: Kirker Holidays has three nights at the Lungarno from £986 per person in low season including flights.

There’s no city in the world like Marrakech with its romantic riads, labyrinthine souks and Medina walls, not to mention dazzling sights such as the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Marjorelle. Indulge in a ride by sidecar and a street food experience to get beneath the skin of the ancient Red City.

How to do it: Fleewinter has the best choice of riads in Marrakech including Riad Darhani and Riad El Zohar.

Wilderness seekers

Iceland’s Capital of the North, Akureyri, is now the hot ticket for this land of fire and ice with a new direct flight launching this winter. With an intoxicating blend of lakes, lagoons and local culture, there will be so many honeymoon highlights from whale watching on Eyjafjorour, the longest fjord in Iceland, to a Northern Lights hunt and Forest Lagoon geothermal spa.

How to do it: The Aurora Zone has a five-day trip, Akureyri – Northern Iceland Adventure, from £1,465 per person excluding flights.

Rwanda is rich in natural wonders from the lush greenery of the Nyungwe Forest to the stark beauty of the Volcanoes National Park, and that’s before you’ve encountered the majestic mountain gorillas and playful chimpanzees. You won’t be roughing it in Rwanda - there are some amazing luxury resorts to make your honeymoon extra special.

How to do it: Affordable Luxury Travel has a five-night Rwanda Luxury Escapade from £9,649 including flights.

For an immersive honeymoon experience, the wildlife of Malaysian Borneo is hard to beat. Take a trip down the Kinabatangan River and through the Danum Valley Conservation Area, exploring jungle trails and canopy walkways in search of elephants, orangutans and the elusive Clouded Leopard. Relax and reflect on it all with a few nights in a luxury resort in Bali before flying home.

How to do it: Experience Travel Group has a 14-day Borneo Adventure and Luxury Bali honeymoon with prices on application.

Lakes and mountains lovers

The shores of Lake Como can’t be beat for old school romance. There’s none of the brash beach front bravado of some honeymoon hotels, just unadulterated class when you check into a lavish suite at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Enjoy alfresco dining with lake views and an indulgent spa and wellness centre – just the ticket after a hectic wedding.

How to do it: Classic Collection has rooms at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni with prices on application.

The Patagonian Lake District is one of South America’s most celebrated landscapes for adventure lovers with its snowcapped mountains, lush forest, lakes, waterfalls and crystalline rivers. Honeymooners seeking hiking, biking, horse riding, climbing and kayaking South American-style should put it top of their list.

How to do it: the expert team at Dehouche can tailor-make your perfection Patagonian honeymoon.

You don’t need to go to the ends of the earth to experience an awesome lakeland honeymoon. Our very own Lake District remains one of Britain’s most treasured natural wonders infused with lculture from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter. Stay in luxury at The Gilpin Hotel and Lake House. Book an expansive spa suite with bedrooms floating over a pond with mountain views and an indulgent private spa room and huge outdoor hot tub.

How to do it: Stay at Gilpin Lake House.

Foodies galore

Head to the heart of Sonoma, California where, tucked away amongst boutique wineries, rolling valleys and sun-dappled rivers, Farmhouse Inn is a dreamy retreat created by brother and sister duo, Joe and Catherine Bartolomei. Honeymooners will fall in love with the local charm, the indoor-outdoor fireplaces and private outdoor terraces. And, of course, the local wine.

How to do it: Turquoise Holiday features Farmhouse Inn in its 50 Rooms or Less list.

From steamy bowls of Bun Bo Hue (a hearty noodle soup) to Bahn Mi, a spicy breakfast sandwich, Vietnam is a cornucopia of taste sensations and a must-visit for foodie honeymooners. Eating your way around this Southeast Asian hotspot will lead you to the heart of the culture and people, from humble street food and Vespa-led food tours to intimate picnics by rice fields and fine dining in the dark.

How to do it: the specialist tour operator Selective Asia has a selection of holiday ideas based around food.

Prepare your tastebuds for some of the tastiest and most romantic food experiences of your life on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. A self-drive tour of this celebrated coastal route includes a food trail in historic Cork, a visit to Ireland’s foremost black pudding factory, a gin school distillery tour, and a seaweed stroll at Derrynane.

How to do it: McKinlay Kidd has a seven-night tour Wild Atlantic Way – Cork & Kerry Food Trail from £2,175 per person.