Thank you so much. Okay, so there is a budget of $3000, something for 7–14 days, a place that has nature and the ability to walk or hike, and available interesting sights to see in case boredom sets in. Y’all have done the beach scene, so while not ruled out, it wouldn’t be a first priority. Does that sound about right?
I don’t know of any place where you can get all of these at once. It may take prioritizing in order to make a decision. For example, let’s say that staying within the budget is the most important. It may require less traveling, but time could still be taken off during the honeymoon and spent at home or just visiting places within driving distance of home.
If a cruise is appealing, then it is just a matter of doing the research. There are plenty that cater to various needs. My parents used the Clipper Cruise line. They are smaller-sized cruise ships where the staff are also the nature guides. They often include plenty of stops and hikes.
Three places in the US worth considering are the San Francisco area, Arizona, and New England.
San Francisco isn’t cheap, but it has a wonderful mix of nature and sights. The bulk of the time can be spent just walking around the huge city. To venture outside, there are tours, and a car can always be rented for part of the trip.
Arizona blew me away. I spent two weeks there on a business trip traveling around. Tucson is sand, cactus and tumbleweeds. Phoenix, while also flat and sandy, is more metropolitan with plenty to see. Continue north, and there is Sedona, which seems to cater to the artsy type. Further north is Flagstaff. It is at a higher elevation with a cooler climate. North of that is Native American country and a landscape so beautiful that it made me weep. Just north of that is the Grand Canyon.
New England is filled with an incredible mix of history, culture and nature. You could start out in Boston, then rent a car for a couple of days and head up into Maine before returning.