Planning your honeymoon can be almost as big of a job as planning your wedding! Searching the internet for an amazing place to go it can very easily get overwhelming!

The world is a huge place, and if you are wanting to do something a little bit more off the beaten path, sifting through all the options can be a bit of a challenge.

As a photographer I have been obsessed with travel since I was a pre-teen. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have traveled to dozens and dozens of countries and have had the luxury of having enough time in many places to explore a bit into the lesser-known areas of the world.

I recently photographed an elopement and while chatting with the Bride and Groom found out that they were planning their honeymoon at a tiny island that I had worked at as a SCUBA diving instructor. They were avid travelers and were surprised to find someone who had even heard of this island before, let alone lived on it for a time. We laughed as we spoke excitedly about all the amazing things they had planned to do and they kept saying over and over how every time they tell someone about their trip that no one had heard of where they were going.

It got me thinking, there are so many places I’d been which would be perfect as honeymoon destinations simply because of their uniqueness in being unknown as a honeymoon destination! This means better prices on "honeymoon suites” and less crowds, something I think all of us travelers are looking for!

So, I’ve put together this list of 5 relatively unknown places that if you are looking for a unique place to honeymoon you should consider!

Location #1

Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Does the chance of seeing wild orangutans excite you? How about the chance to SCUBA dive or snorkel in one of the top diving destinations in the world? How about tasting some of the most delicious milky tea (Tea Tarik) and fried bread (Roti) you’ve ever had? Or what about a jungle cruise where you can see over 10 different species of monkey (including the hilarious proboscis monkey!) and hundreds of different types of tropical birds?

If any of the above excites you then Borneo might be the place for you!

Sabah, Borneo is actually a part of Western Malaysia although it is located in the northern part of the giant island of Borneo in SE Asia. Borneo isn’t a country in itself, but is a 287,000 square mile large island shared by three countries- Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Sabah is a jungle-laden province of extreme biological diversity. It’s home to some of the richest ecosystems — both on land and undersea — in the world.

Because of this, Sabah has a well-developed ecotourism that includes birding tours, animal sanctuaries, canopy walks, zip lines, river-boat excursions, SCUBA diving, snorkeling and other low-impact high-enjoyment ways to explore the exotic natural surroundings.

Dom and I lived in Sabah for about 6 months and we worked off of an island called Mabul. Although for a honeymoon I wouldn’t necessarily suggest staying on Mabul as it is a bit better suited to the low-budget backpacker scene, there is an incredible resort, Sipidan Kapalai Dive Resort which is absolutely stunning nearby which would be the perfect tropical get-away spot to enjoy the sun, water and incredible underwater life.

From this amazing resort you can enjoy a private beach which rises out of the ocean during low tide. You also can snorkel or dive the local “house reef” which has hundreds of species of fish, colorful corals, man-made structures which house friendly eels, and gorgeous macro life.

The true gem of staying in this area is the the permits to Sipidan which are included in their diving or snorkeling packages.

Sipidan is an island off the coast of Borneo which is one of the only military protected marine parks in this part of the world.

Malaysia is serious about protecting this ecotourism gem and they only allow 120 tourists and guides to visit each day which are monitored by a permit system. Sipidan-Kapali resort has a limited allotment of these permits so make sure to reserve yours when you book your trip!

On a dive or snorkel trip to Sipidan you can immerse yourself in enormous schools of giant green parrotfish, hundreds of turtles, giant schools of jackfish, small friendly and sleepy white-tip reef sharks snoozing on the top of the reef, eels, and even the occasional manta ray. It is rated as one of the top dive sites in the world and is Dominic’s absolute favorite dive site that he’s ever been to (and he’s dove all over the world!)

You can also take little day-trips from Kapalai to other tiny islands in the area where it’s not uncommon to have an entire beach all to yourself or to visit stilt villages where you can purchase delicious coconuts and play some beach soccer with some of the friendliest kids you’ve ever met!

The underwater world isn’t the only place to explore however as Sabah is home to some of the only precious wild jungle we have left on this planet. Staying in a jungle lodge and exploring the rainforest is a wonderful way to spend your honeymoon and support ecotourism in a place which is under threat of de-forestation.

For those who are seeking even more of an adventure, there are also amazing cave systems to explore in eastern Sabah. Start by checking out Gaomantong Cave which is one of the biggest and most beautiful caves I’ve ever been to!

Getting to Sabah is a bit of a trek, as you have to fly into Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia, and a really cool city to explore all in itself!) then you fly to Tawau (50 minutes), and then if you are headed to the the islands, continue by minivan or taxi to the port town of Semporna (1-2 hours) and from there you’ll take a boat-taxi to Kapalai.

To get to the jungles you can take a taxi to your jungle lodge near the Kinabatangan River in Sabah by flying to Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur if you are flying from mainland Malaysia or from Kota Kinabalu if you are doing your jungle adventures after your island ones.

If you end up in Borneo for your vacation I would love love love to see some photos from your adventures, so be sure to leave them in the comments below!

Location #2

Isle of Skye, Scotland

If the heat and humidity of the tropics isn’t quite your style, heading to Scotland might just be the ticket for you!

Honeymooning in Europe is growing in popularity, but one relatively unknown place, at least to us Americans, is the Isle of Skye.

The Isle is located in the very north of Scotland and while it is a popular tourist destination for locals (especially in the Summer so book ahead!), it is not usually a place that is on the top of most international tourist’s trip itinerary to the UK.

The beauty of the Isle of Skye is hard to overstate. It has this wildness to it that is very Scotland, and these stunning mountains that if you go in the right season can be sprinkled with a touch of snow setting them off in true majesty.

Since it is an island, you can expect some beautiful sunrises and sunsets and I can think of nothing more romantic than packing a picnic evening snack to the green grassy hill by the lighthouse on Neist Point and toasting your marriage with flutes of champaign or a thermos of spiced hot chocolate as the sun sets.

Food on the Isle of Skye is also phenomenal! You do have to make reservations each evening however as there are not an abundance of places to go and the meals are so wonderful that people tend to stay longer to enjoy a full course meal!

There are a bunch of really unique natural formations all over the Isle of Skye that make for perfect day-trips in a rental car. Don’t miss out on exploring the grounds around Old Man of Storr, Quirang, Fair Glen, and taking a boat tour to Loch Coruisk with whale watching along the way.

Getting to the Isle of Skye you can fly into Glasgow and take the 5-hour drive to the Isle, or you can take a bus from the highland capital of Inverness which has great bus links to the Isle, however I do highly suggest having a rental car to be able to explore all parts of Skye.

Location #3

Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Are you a fan of waterfalls? Then Plitvice is the place for you!

Plitvice is a gorgeous national park located in central Croatia that is a sprawl of pools, lakes and waterfalls interlinked by boardwalks and park trails which weave in and out of the over 100 square miles of forest which makes the park up.

I visited this park in the winter which was a special treat as the waterfalls are so huge that even in the dead of winter, the water flows over or behind the icicles that have built up and gives the whole park a true magical winter wonderland feel.

For those of you who aren’t afraid of the cold, cuddling up by the fireplace in the evening after wandering through the romantic natural ice sculptures that are the Plitvice waterfalls in winter sounds absolutely amazing!

You can of course visit this park in the summer when it has a much more tropical feel. The pools of water turn a stunning tourquoise and you can even take an electric boat ride which links up to the upper lakes.

Croatia is, I feel, an underrated country that is often overlooked when people travel to Europe, but it was one of my favorite places I went while I did a 3-month backpacking trek through the continent.

I found the people of Croatia so welcoming to tourists and the food was out of this world!

If you are going in the summer, consider adding a few days of luxury on Hvar Island off the Dalmatian Coast - it is a must! This island has it all: rolling lavender hills, a historic medieval town with cobbled streets, tropical green forests, ritzy nightclubs and the most beautiful beaches!

Hvar combined with Plitvice would be the most perfect combination of glitz and adventure for your unique honeymoon!

Location #4

South Tyrol Region, Italy

Does mountain village architecture, green rolling hills, epic mountain views and delicious Italian wine give you all the romantic feels? If so, visiting the Tyrol region of Italy might be the perfect fit for you!

Italy isn’t an “unknown” destination by any means, but most of us Americans think of Rome, Florence, Pisa or Venice when we think of a classic Italian itinerary.

The Tyrol region however is in the very north of Italy and thus has quite a mix of the best parts of German architecture and engineering (cable cars all the way to the highest peeks!) and Italian romance, food and drink.

Exploring this region is best done by rental car which allows you plenty of time to drive through many of the small towns, pulling over by the side of the road to take in all the mountain beauty whenever you like.

Starting in Bolzano, you can be sure to have an incredible honeymoon experience!

Surrounded by small mountain villages, seemingly endless vineyards, several castles, and of course the ever-impressive Italian Dolomites, Bolzano is an Italian city like no other. Bolzano owes its unique atmosphere and hospitality to other factors too: the lively streets and squares, the footpaths for those who like walking and three cable cars for those seeking the thrill of heights and panoramic views.

Green surroundings and lovely mountains frame the city square and the space of the town is closely interwoven with that of nature. Bolzano is the ideal place for those who enjoy peaceful and tranquil surroundings with footpaths off into the green where newlyweds can enjoy a romantic cheese and wine picnic with a stunning mountainous view.

From Bolzano you can drive along the SS241 road toward Lago di Carezza and several other adorable mountain villages. (For a fabulous 7-day Itinerary for checking out the villages along the Dolomites, check out this fantastic blog here)

Planning a road trip in the Tyrol region would be ideal in the autumn, after the height of tourism in the summer and just before these villages become packed with local ski tourists.

Location #5

Southwest Thailand

Okay, so I may be a little bias with this location, as I Dom and I did fall in love in Thailand so nothing quite says romance to me like the beaches of Thailand!

As a location however, for Americans it tends not to be as popular of a beach destination when compared to Hawaii or Mexico, but I think as a tropical and fairly economic honeymoon option, Thailand should be at the top of your list to consider!

The beaches in Thailand are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen. Pure white sands meet limestone cliffs with a gorgeous blue ocean splitting the two provide the perfect location for a romantic honeymoon getaway!

Since the exchange rate of the USD to the Thai Bhat is so great it also means that once you get there, you can really make the most of every penny you’ve put in your honeymoon fund and live like kings and queens in luxury hotels for under $100/night.

If adventure seeking is up your ally, try the rock climbing in Railey Beach, which is where Dom got the rock climbing bug that has lasted through to today! Railay is a peninsula surrounded by oceans and mountains, which means that it is primarily accessible by boat, and catching one of these water taxis is half the fun of the adventure! You’ll also have the chance to explore caves in Railay which are a must-see!

If you are SCUBA divers I highly recommend booking a multi-day SCUBA trip on a live-aboard diving boat that travels to the Similan Islands from the coastal town of Khao Lak. This is where Dom and I worked for several months and the diving here is amazing! In the right season you can spend an entire dive with giant friendly Manta Rays, take in the changing colors of a beautiful cuttlefish, and even have the lucky chance of seeing a Whale Shark at one of the top diving destinations in the world, Richelieu Rock.

One destination in this area I would avoid is Phuket. When researching SW Thailand you’ll see numerous travel blogs suggesting staying in Phuket for the nightlife, but take it from me, it is worth skipping over for some of the more stunning and less crowded places like Kaho Sok National Park.

A honeymoon in Thailand will be amazing and make sure to take advantage of the wonderful beach-side thai massage and delicious food!

I hope these destinations have you itching to travel! Even if these amazing places don’t make the final cut for your honeymoon, be sure to add them to your travel bucket list and feel free to reach out to me for any travel tips!