Adventure is Romantic

By Marlene R. Fedin

A new breed of honeymoon travelers -- couples whose lust for travel and new experiences isn't sated by the tried-and-true, classic honeymoon destinations -- are opting for more active, rigorous, and exotic options.

Instead of lolling around on beaches and doing the "resort" thing, these folks are mingling with the native treehouse people of Irian Jaya (New Guinea), trading sushi secrets with Japanese chefs, and trekking and climbing their way across the world's most famous mountain ranges. In between, they're sampling the cultures, cuisines, and history of places that some of us still can't find on an atlas.

Forget the predictable and the passive jaunts. Whether they're indulging a shared passion, exploring a lifelong fantasy, or simply looking for the newest and most unusual destination, these duos are turning to adventure travel specialists to help them create a memorable experience.

If you're considering an adventure honeymoon, here's a mini-sampling of the smorgasbord of global trips. The only limits? Your budget, available travel time, overall health, and your appetite for exploration.

Note: Prices are per person and may change based on total number of participants; do not include airfare to/from departure points or optional add-ons or extensions; and are subject to change. Contact travel providers directly for specific trip details, pricing, and reservations.

Digest the Culture - and Cuisine - of Japan

Sushi lovers and devotees of The Iron Chef can mix and mingle with the local culinary elite on Immersia's nine-day custom "Zen of the Palate" trip, which kicks-off in Tokyo and moves on to the seaside city of Kanazawa and Kyoto. For owner and anthropologist Russell Power-Kronick, "food is culture." His InFocus tours, which include "Culinary Secrets of the Bajio (Mexico)" and "From Bahia to Bouillabaisse (Brazil)," allow travelers to "experience a culture by focusing on ingredients, recipes, and gourmet meals" and visiting local families and experts to share meals and more.

Foodies, who get to go behind the scenes of local venues, will revel in a heady mix of tastings, cooking classes with native chefs, and field trips to local food and kitchenware markets. A pre-dawn jaunt to the Tsukiji fish market reveals the diversity of edible seafood and an intimate view of the toro (tuna) auctions.

Visits to Japanese gardens, art and craft museums, Zen temples, tea houses, and local craftsman are interwoven with food-making demonstrations, conversations with master chefs, and a smorgasbord of all-day dining options. Guests sample and savor seasonal delicacies such as sweet rice cooked with cherry blossoms as well as favorites such as prized Kobe beef, "appallingly fresh" sushi, and home-brewed saki. Meals (rustled up from street vendors or served up at contemporary and traditional restaurants) cover the full spectrum, from Japanese breakfasts to bento box lunches and a 10-course kaiseki dinner. Guests gather strength for the next day's menus at luxury inns and boutique hotel accommodations.

From $7,995; 800-207-5454; www.immersiatravel.com

Make Like a Sheik

Fascinated by desert lore? Experience the Bedouin lifestyle -- and act out your royal fantasies -- at Al Maha, a modern-day, eco-friendly oasis. Located in the heart of the desert, about an hour's drive from Dubai, the luxury resort offers traditional Bedouin activities such as falconry, archery, and camel trekking.

Your  home base, one of 30 private suites, is a landscaped "encampment" that houses authentic artifacts and antiques - and your own sun deck (or patio) and chilled swimming pool.

You can alternate historical and cultural programs with guided desert safaris and walks in Al Maha's private, 25-square-kilometer nature reserve, which includes rare and recently re-introduced wildlife species.

Throw on your abba, kick back on the dunes, and enjoy a sunset cocktail and gourmet dinner with a view of the Hajar Mountains.

Suites start at $1200/night per couple, not including any package discounts; www.al-maha.com; 800-223-6800.

Rough it, With Perks

Couples who've dreamed of getting up-close and personal with the native wildlife - without sacrificing end-of-day comforts - can have it all with the "Zambezi Adventure" from Wilderness Travel. Zimbabwe is considered one of the best vantage points for observing elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos.

Participants in the six-person (max) walking/riding/canoeing safari relax in a mix of private tented camps and luxury lodges.

The 15-day trip begins in Kariba and includes a three-day canoe trip down the Zambezi River that brings you within whispering distance of bull elephants on the shoreline. The exploration of the bush continues on land with excursions through three game parks. The journey ends with two days at Victoria Falls.

Tour options include flying over the falls and a day-long whitewater rafting trip-considered one of the best in the world.

Land prices start at $4,395; www.wildernesstravel.com or 800-368-2794