The honeymoon is a traditional vacation taken by newlyweds after the wedding celebration. The origins of the word are unclear, but it likely refers to the full moon of marriage or drinking honey mead. Originally, it was a time for couples to get to know each other physically, but it later became a holiday. Niagara Falls has been a popular destination since the 1800s, but now couples travel to tropical islands or remote destinations for adventure sports. The honeymoon is still seen as a time for intimacy, but also an opportunity to explore unique parts of the world.
As most people know, honeymoon is a traditional vacation taken by a newly wed couple right after the end of the wedding celebration. Generally, it can last from a week to a month, although sometimes it lasts longer or shorter.
No one can say for sure what the origins of the word “honeymoon” are, although various theories exist. Most historians agree that the “moon” part of the word refers to the “Full Moon” of marriage; in ancient times, Teutonic weddings were only celebrated on a full moon. Some people believe that the “honey” part of the word refers to the tradition in some European countries of a newly wed couple drinking honey mead for a month.
Some other theorists believe the word is simply a corruption of “hymeneal,” referring to a wedding song. In any case, the event itself has been a tradition since ancient times, even if its function has changed somewhat.
The first uses of the word appeared in the 16th century, although it did not refer to a holiday at the time. Since couples were expected to remain chaste until marriage, the honeymoon was simply a time for them to get to know each other in a more physical sense. The inclusion of a holiday became part of the tradition much later, first appearing in the 16th century, although it did not become common practice for the general public until about 1800.
One of the most popular honeymoon destinations since the 1800s has been Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada. Today, however, many other couples decide to spend their time on a beach in the Bahamas or on another tropical island; still others decide to spend it on a cruise ship. There has also been a rise in the non-traditional honeymoon, where couples will travel to Alaska or another remote destination and partake in adventure sports.
While the honeymoon is still seen as a time for the newly wed couple to be intimate without interruption, it is now also an opportunity for couples to explore unique parts of the world and enjoy the outdoors. For couples who need help deciding which type of travel is right for them, a travel agent can provide a number of possibilities for finding the perfect vacation.
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