Honeymoon Mishaps: Real Post-Wedding Travel Stories from Lonely Planet Experts
Even with meticulous planning and research into dream honeymoon destinations, newlyweds can face unexpected challenges. Honeymoons, like any trip, are prone to mishaps.
Lonely Planet staff envisioned perfect romantic getaways, but encountered everything from baboon invasions and mistaken senior citizen status to dubious duck casseroles.
Chasing Sunshine in Vain on the Italian Riviera
We boarded the train south with high hopes, swimsuits packed, and tans primed for golden hues. What could be more romantically classic than a sun-drenched honeymoon on the Italian Riviera? We dreamed of savoring spaghetti alle vongole like Lady and the Tramp and splashing in the Bay of Poets, echoing Shelley and Byron over crystal-clear waters.
But April brought dense fog, shuttered eateries, somber beaches, and regret. Shivering on loungers—the groom's suit priced higher than our comfort—we wrapped in coats, using books as windbreaks. Our sunny vision faded; the weather wasn't cooperating.
Dora Ball – Commissioning Editor. Follow her tweets @DoraWhit.
Australia: Honeymoon Bliss or Nightmare?
On our Australian honeymoon's Outback leg, we joined a Darwin-to-Red-Centre tour, peaking at Uluru. Camping near 'the Rock' in swag bags under the stars seemed idyllic—until ravenous mosquitoes targeted our faces, the only exposed skin.
Switching to basic bunk sheds (metal shelves sans mattresses) trapped 36°C daytime heat, with mozzies infiltrating. We endured sweat-slicked nights, endless bites, and dingoes' howls. Romance? Not quite.
James Kay – Editor, lonelyplanet.com. Follow his tweets @JamesKay123.
Solo Healing in South Africa
My honeymoon never launched: two months pre-wedding, my fiancé bailed. Heartbroken, I turned heartbreak into a 'solomoon,' pursuing a lifelong dream I'd lacked courage for.
I flew to South Africa for a lion-tracking conservation volunteer gig. Basic conditions and long hours immersed me in nature, reframing my pain. My first big trip beyond the Canaries ignited wanderlust, landing me at Lonely Planet. Mishap? What mishap?
Gemma Graham – Destination Editor, Northern Europe. Follow her tweets @oh_gg.
Idyllic Madagascar Trip Ends in Disaster
As travel pros, we splurged on a Tsiribihina River canoe expedition in Madagascar. Three days of serene floating, lemur-spotting, and riverside camping—pure magic. Until the final night.
Our quick-serve duck casserole returned relentlessly for days, sidelining me but sparing the baobab finale. Lighter but wiser, I treasure the adventure, minus its gut-wrenching finale.
Imogen Hall – Lonely Planet’s family travel expert. Follow her tweets @ImogenMaryHall.
Mistaken for Seniors in Australia
Our minimoon post-wedding on Australia's New South Wales north coast veered into an unlikely retirement retreat. At a rainforest mountain hideaway, staff fussed over the 'complex' keycards and 4pm tea-and-cheese with 'everyone'—revealing its elderly focus, complete with horse-race betting at dinner.
Abandoning it for hikes, I survived a snake bite (no harm done), and we navigated misty mountains amid spectral wallabies. A quirky, unforgettable escape.
Heather Champion – Product Editor. Follow her on Instagram @heathesaurus.
Pregnancy Derails Costa Rica Adventure
We wed in June, honeymooning in October Costa Rica: ziplines, 4WDs, hot springs in La Fortuna, then beachside all-inclusive bliss.
Four months later, pregnancy axed the thrills and cocktails. We pivoted to kayak floats and rainforest treks—still magical. Round two awaits for the adrenaline.
Ben Buckner – Destination Editor, USA (West) & Canada. Follow his tweets @BuckPacking.
Baboon Terror in Tanzania
Monkeys chased me from Malaysian jungles once—lesson learned: they're sneaky. Serengeti safari years later, I eyed them warily while my husband photographed.
Balcony relaxation shattered as a huge baboon leaped down, commandeering our table and nuts. I fled screaming; he explained to staff amid primate chaos.
Claire Naylor – Senior Editor. Follow her tweets @RoadTripJones.
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