I was going to mention Costa Rica.
While I have never been there, several friends have been there and had a wonderful time.
Given the time you have I would think Costa Rica is your “best option” between options, change of culture, transit time, etc…
(note: August might be the worth time to visit Costa Rica!)
Fred.
Me and Wife would like to bike from san diego to san francisco next near, with some exploration of napa valley
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what are the logistics on getting to Valle Nevado? Endless winter is definitely on my life list.
we flew chicago to miami, miami to santiago. then had a private car drive us from the airport to valle nevado…about a 1hr drive, maybe a bit longer.
valle nevado is pretty remote, you cant really walk anywhere beyond the resort. but if the snow is decent you can ski the backcountry to two other resorts/towns; el colorado and la parva.
it was a really fun trip with zero stress. i wrote up a long email w/ recommendations and tips to a friend who was considering going there or portillo. if you are interested in it just DM me w/ your email and i’ll send it your way.
1.5 hour drive from the airport in Santiago, although when we went to check out to leave the following conversation took place:
Them: “Sorry, you can’t leave…the road is closed by an avalanche.”
Us: “Um…for how long?”
Them: “Maybe a week.”
Us: “Uhhh…that’s not exactly in the budget…”
Them:“You could take the heli-ski helicopter.”
Us: “How much would that be?”
Them: “$900”
Us: “What?!”
Them:“Hold on…sit right there.”
Them:“We found 4 other people, so it will only be $150 each”
Us: “Now we’re talking”
Them: “Hold on…sit right there.”
We found 6 people in Santiago who want to come up here, so it will be $75 each."
Us: “Yeah!”
I think it took 7 minutes…went from 10,000 ft to sea level, 25F to 70F.
596 of this forum operates a nice joint in Sedona, AZ. “Casa Sedona” I believe.
August? You want the ultimate adventure honeymoon that will also be memorable and classy?
Zermatt, Switzerland.
I could tell you a whole lot about the town, but it is REALLY cool. And during the summer, you can ski the glacier, but the valley is going to be nice and warm; tons of hiking, mountain biking, climbing, mountaineering if you’re up for it… it is, afterall, at the base of the Matterhorn. It’s an epic setting.
My wife and I went there for ours December of 08. The skiing (we did have the whole mountain, of course) was EPIC. And the european ski resort/food lifestyle is unbelievable.
From the West coast, Kauai. Stay in Hanalei. Right around the point from Hanalei is a rainforest valley with no roads in. You can hike a tunnel under the mountain in. You can hike around the point in. You can traverse it backpacking in a week. You can kayak in. If you get bored with tropical, the other side of the island has a desert park like the Grand Canyon in the middle of the Pacific. You can mix up day hikes, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, surfing. The beach is there, should you or your wife need some R&R in the midst of all of these activities. From the East coast, check out St. Johns. It’s a big nature preserve in the Caribbean. Congrats on your wedding. Have a wonderful time!
I second Zermatt, as a preference I’d choose Cham, but both would rock for a week in the summer!
I did a month in Kashmir the year before last, I know its the wrong time of year but that is simply epic skiing!
x2 on the Kauai recommendation. Luxury, beach, water activities, hiking, drinking at sunsets, good food, romantic … can’t go wrong. We stayed at the St. Regis on the north side of the island and at the Koa Kea on the south side (dry side, close to the Waimea Canyon). Would recommend both hotels.
Costa Rica - Tamarindo, there’s a quaint boutique hotel called “Los Eros…” (translates to “The Hills of Love”) up in the hills. But double check to make sure it is not the rainy season there. Again, luxury and romance please beaches, water activities, jungle hikes, sunsets, great food, and this place has a small spa onsite (would highly recommend one of the all day packages).
On a side note, you mentioned something about only having a week because of your jobs. Just remember, this is your HONEYMOON - for some, it only happens once so (in my humble opinion) it should be a priority. No other vacation together (regardless of the location) will feel quite like the HONEYMOON. Some might come really close, but never the same.