The couple who spent their honeymoon riding an African iron ore train | CNN

<strong>Wedding train: </strong>Croatian newlyweds Kristijan and Andrea Ilicic hopped on a freight train carrying wagons of dirty iron ore across the baking hot deserts of Mauritania in northwest Africa to celebrate their marriage.

Wedding train: Croatian newlyweds Kristijan and Andrea Ilicic hopped on a freight train carrying wagons of dirty iron ore across the baking hot deserts of Mauritania in northwest Africa to celebrate their marriage.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>New horizons: </strong>The couple hit upon their unusual post-wedding experience having already visited scores of destinations around the world as travel influencers.

New horizons: The couple hit upon their unusual post-wedding experience having already visited scores of destinations around the world as travel influencers.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>Long rider: </strong>The Mauritian iron ore train can stretch up to about 200 wagons. It traverses a 700-kilometer route across the desert.

Long rider: The Mauritian iron ore train can stretch up to about 200 wagons. It traverses a 700-kilometer route across the desert.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>Hidden treasure: </strong>Kristijan says Mauritania exceeded expectations as a welcoming and "underestimated touristic destination," despite attracting few tourists.

Hidden treasure: Kristijan says Mauritania exceeded expectations as a welcoming and "underestimated touristic destination," despite attracting few tourists.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>Ore point: </strong>Riding the rail wagons is free but can be an uncomfortable experience. Desert winds can whip up the loose ore, which coats those who ride with it.

Ore point: Riding the rail wagons is free but can be an uncomfortable experience. Desert winds can whip up the loose ore, which coats those who ride with it.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>Double happiness:</strong> Kristijan says locals in Mauritania threw a second wedding party for the couple.

Double happiness: Kristijan says locals in Mauritania threw a second wedding party for the couple.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

<strong>Fun train: </strong>"It was really not a typical honeymoon, but it was also the trip of our lives!" Kristijan says.

Fun train: "It was really not a typical honeymoon, but it was also the trip of our lives!" Kristijan says.

Antonio Filipovic/Iluminol Digital

Couple rides the rails in unusual honeymoon in Mauritania (photos)

CNN —

When planning a honeymoon, many couples go for obvious destinations like Paris, the city of love, or the Maldives, with its stunning azure waters.

Few, unlike Croatian newlyweds Kristijan and Andrea Ilicic, opt for a freight train carrying wagons of dirty iron ore across the baking hot deserts of Mauritania in northwest Africa.

The couple hit upon their unusual post-wedding experi