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-  Make like a love-struck penguin in Antarctica –

- Taste paradise on the beaches of Sierra Leone -

- Discover the heart of Italy by bike –

From the moment the royal engagement was announced, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been thrust into the stress of wedding planning, attempting to create the perfect day for themselves, the world and the centuries of royal wedding tradition that precedes them. But from the off, William and Kate have gone against the tide of tradition, shunning wedding gifts in favour of charitable donations and making major announcements over facebook. Indeed, the middle class Kate is not a traditional bride for the royal, so who says their honeymoon should be any different? Exodus Travels (www.exodus.co.uk), the original adventure travel company, are stepping in to advise on the perfect alternative honeymoon.

Don’t be seduced by the (in)appropriate names of Romance in the USA or Lover in Wiltshire, they might sound like the perfect honeymoon destinations, but you’d be wrong… this year Exodus Travels rate Antarctica as the new romantic “hot” spot – despite the freezing weather!  This cool continent provides ample opportunities for the royal couple to cosy up to one another and honeymoon photographs couldn’t have a better backdrop than the dramatic blue icebergs and basking whales. The intimate ice-breaker ships are the best place to get away from press attention and the short nights are heralded by a wonderful twilight; what better way for Wills to woo Kate? And what better example of a relationship for life than the surrounding penguins who are renowned for their life-long loyalty to their love-birds?

Sierra Leone provides a largely untapped honey pot of relaxation and fun, just the right mix for an unforgettable honeymoon. The Exodus trip includes a romantic sunset boat trip, jungle trekking and a visit to Beach No. 2, the scene for the well known 80’s advert, ‘Taste of Paradise’, for the Bounty chocolate bar.

A visit to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which rehabilitates chimps who are either orphaned or rescued from captivity, will give Wills a chance to show Kate his softer side. The cherry on the top of the wedding cake is that there is no time difference from the UK so the couple won’t have any jet lag to delay the adventure of newly married life!

It’s often said that Italy is the most romantic country in the world so what better place to take a honeymoon? A self-guided cycle tour through the beautiful Veneto region to the famed city of Venice provides a stunning holiday and is kind on the royal purse strings after the lavish ceremony itself. The Exodus itinerary would see the newlyweds cycling through the soft hills of Monti Berici and the green riverbanks of Adige, passing ancient churches, impressive, rural landscapes and vineyards, travelling to many places that are virtually inaccessible to vehicles.

So do away with the traditional honeymoon, and start married life with an unforgettable bang. Go for an alternative adventure with Exodus, leading the way in adventure travel for over 35 years.

Antarctic Explorer: 12 days from £5,270. Next departure dates are 23 February and 11 November 2011.

An expedition which will appeal to every naturist, explorer, photographer or ornithologist. This is an adventure that takes passengers to the heart of the Peninsula, exploring the ice wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the channels of the Antarctic. From towering icebergs to emperor penguins and leopard seals, this trip offers every part of Antarctica that you would want to see. Highlights include Iceberg Alley and Deception Island the 19^th century refuge from icebergs and Polar storms.

Discover Sierra Leone: 9 days from £2,349 including flights and most meals. The inaugural trip is scheduled for 11 March 2011.

Join one of the very first group trips to experience Sierra Leone – a stunning and untouched paradise in West Africa that boasts everything from the beaches where they filmed the original bounty ads to monkey spotting in dense jungle on Tiwai Island.  Highlights of the trip include a visit to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a night on Banana Island Guest House (an old Portuguese slave port) and a tour of Freetown, the vibrant capital city.

Cycling Venice and Veneto: 8 days from just £689. The next departure dates are 16 and 23 April 2011.

This eight day self-guided cycling trip explores this stunning region with lush vegetation, ancient churches and sandy beaches. The cities are true delights, and a bike is the ideal way to explore their narrow streets. The trip ends in Venice, giving you the chance to explore more of this unforgettable city and relax in the highest and richest symbol of Venetian civilisation – Piazza San Marco.

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