Selfoss, Iceland
Where else in the world besides Iceland can you scuba dive at the fault line between two tectonic plates? Nowhere. That unique activity is far from the only exciting reason to visit the Nordic nation of fire and ice. The former comes in the way of secret hot springs (found while hiking Reykjadalur Valley) and trekking through lava fields, tubes, caves and a desert of black ash. The latter is experienced via snowmobile or riverjet, ice cave exploration or glacier hiking. The otherworldly possibilities are endless, especially wintertime grand finale: the Northern Lights spectacle.
Queenstown, New Zealand
This destination holds the crown for its sheer volume of high-energy activities. From fast-paced jet-boating and bungee jumping to canyon swinging and ice climbing, the South Island alpine town’s dozens of excursions will bring your wedding-day grins back to your faces. Check into a boutique lodge, which make the perfect home base for parasailing on the bright blue Lake Wakatipu and whitewater rafting on winding braided rivers. Get an eagle-eye view by leaping from a plane or soaring alongside glaciers in a tiny 8-person plane. Here, thrills are served alongside a heady dose of natural beauty.
Paracas, Peru
Stray from the beaten path in the country best known for Machu Picchu to Paracas, kind of like Peru’s Hamptons. Three hours south of Lima, on the Pacific Coast, it’s also the jumping-off point for a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands to spot penguins and sea lions, a scenic — and potentially stomach-flipping — flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines geoglyphs, and a rollercoaster-like drive over gigantic sand dunes, followed by sandboarding down shockingly steep slopes. It’s also a famous spot for kitesurfing — lessons available.
Cape Town, South Africa
There’s no better place to mix daring feats — cage diving with great white sharks, anyone? — with luxurious tranquility (via endless incredible wine) than Cape Town. The first order of business should be scaling the iconic Table Mountain, which dominates most city views. On a full-moon evening, hike the steep Lion’s Head with a bottle of bubbly, and enjoy the simultaneous sunset and moonrise. You can also paraglide from its peak. Don’t skip a big five safari. Lions, elephants, leopards, oh my!
Galapagos Islands
The ultimate honeymoon for lovers who also love Darwin and exotic wildlife, is the Galapagos, where on excursions across land and sea you’ll seek a “big five” that includes massive tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Base yourself at an intimate, sustainable area lodge which is secluded atop an extinct volcano crater. Venture out to swim with Galapagos penguins, kayak alongside sea lions and golden rays, and bike through a giant tortoise reserve. It’s a naturalist’s dream.
Inle Lake, Myanmar
Explore a new part of the world with a journey to 
Myanmar (also referred to as Burma), where simply experiencing the way locals live is fascinating. Inle Lake is famous for its floating gardens and houses perched on stilts, and a boat tour is the best way to see them, along with the fishermen who steer and paddle their wooden canoes with one foot. A more high-energy way to see the landscape is via mountain bike, which you can also ride to hot springs. After a several-day trek, horseback ride or canoodle with elephants at a nearby camp, watch the sunset with some local wine.
Medellín, Colombia
The former drug capital of the world might seem an unlikely place to honeymoon, but that’s because few people know the beauty of the city known for its eternal spring temperatures, to the vibrant town of Guatapé to climb 740 steps up the El Peñol monolith, and perhaps base-jump off the top; see Pablo Escobar’s bombed-out lake house or try out jet boots. Windy mountain roads are enticing for cyclists, and thermals are just right for paragliding high above the valley. A day at Parque Arví, a Metrocable ride away, is a must for hiking, zip-lining and ropes-course fun.
For more information or to book your next trip, contact Joyce at 503-655-4850 or www.sunconnections.com.
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