As most people know, the honeymoon is a traditional vacation taken by a newlywed couple immediately after their wedding celebration is over. Generally, it can last anywhere from a week to a month, though it is sometimes of a shorter or longer duration.
No one can say for certain what the origins of the word "honeymoon" are, though various theories exist. Many historians agree that the "moon" part of the word refers to the "Full Moon" of the wedding; in ancient times, Teutonic weddings were only held under full moons. Some people believe that the "honey" part of the word refers to the tradition in some European countries of a newly married couple drinking honey mead for a month.
Some other theorists believe that the word is merely a corruption of "hymeneal," which refers to a wedding song. Whatever the case, the event itself has been a tradition ever since ancient times, though its function has changed somewhat.
The first uses of the word appeared in the 16th century, though it did not refer to a vacation at that time. As couples were expected to remain chaste until marriage, the honeymoon was simply a time for them to get acquainted in a more physical sense. The inclusion of a vacation became part of the tradition much later, first appearing in the 1800s, though it did not become a common practice for the general public until around 1930.
One of the most popular destinations for a honeymoon 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 another tropical island; still others decide to spend it on a cruise ship. There has also been a rise in the untraditional honeymoon, where couples will travel to Alaska or another remote destination and take part in adventure sports.
Though the honeymoon is still seen as a time for the newly-married couple to be intimate without interruptions, it is now also a chance for couples to explore unique parts of the world and enjoy the outdoors. For couples who need help deciding what sort of trip is right for them, a travel agent can provide a range of possibilities to find the perfect vacation.