You love travelling and you’ve found a partner that loves it, too. That’s great! But where do you go if it’s your first time travelling together? Or where do you go when you’ve seen it all? Check these ideas for romantic holidays and get inspired to plan that getaway you’ve both been craving.
Don’t just survive but come back stronger! Read our 7 useful tips for travelling with your partner.
For the first-timers – Fez, Morocco
If the Madrasa Bou Inania walls had ears …
Travelling for the first time with a new beau can make or break a relationship. Luckily, we’ve chosen just the right place to thrill the stress away: Fez, Morocco. Keep your senses alert in Fes el Bali (or Medina of Fez), the oldest walled part of the city; the myriad of spices, local crafts, and interesting people will give your nose, eyes, and ears a real show. The scaffolding covering the decrepit buildings will quickly be forgotten after you stumble upon the Madrasa Bou Inania, one of the few religious places in Morocco accessible to non-islamic visitors, founded in the 1350s and recently renovated.
The real sensory overload happens at the Chouara leather tannery. The overpowering smell and vivid colours of honeycombed dye vats sprawled over rooftops will be that picture you’ll keep in your wallet to remember the time when you fell in love in Morocco.
For the freaks of nature – Big Sky, Montana
A single bison looking for love in Big Sky, Montana
Take your big dreams of big adventures and make them real in Big Sky, Montana. In an hour’s drive, the vast landscapes of West Yellowstone Park will give you a humbling feeling, especially if you stumble upon bison, bighorn sheep, wolves, or even bears. Depending on the season, master the wilderness with a dog-sledding expedition or go rafting in Gallatin Canyon for extra thrills. Romantic accommodation options range from “glamping” in fancy tents to picturesque lodges, ranches, or other hotels near Yellowstone.
After hiking up and down Lone Mountain, treat your feet to his and hers cowboy boots at Carter’s Boots in Bozeman city and prance into the closest bar for a local brew.
For adrenaline seekers – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Love is a game in Rio de Janeiro
If you consider your partner as more of a team-mate, print your names on a green and yellow football jersey and catch the next plane to Rio de Janeiro. Olympians and beginners alike can find a sports activity to get their adrenaline flowing whether it be stand-up paddle on the Barra Canal by the perfectly named Praia dos Amores or hang-gliding off the Pedra Bonita mountain.
The beach of Copacabana is a great place to challenge your partner to a friendly match of futevolei (beach volleyball using hands and feet), and reconcile over a muscle-pumping session alongside buff Cariocas on the outdoor gym sets. AtivoRio lets you sign up for football games with locals, as well as join a SightRunning group, a sports and travelling combo perfect for the (hyper)active couple.
Craving more Rio inspiration? Download our free Rio city guide app.
For the couple with kids – Saint Lucia
For kids (at heart), choose Gros Islet
Even if you’re all grown-up and are a proud parent, you’re still a kid at heart. The whole family will find exactly what they need in Gros Islet. Younger children will love the beaches, and can also keep busy at the kids’ clubs proposed by resorts in Saint Lucia, or you can enjoy family fun at adventure parks zip-lining through the treetops. Snorkelling in Rodney Bay is both an educational and fun way to discover the underwater creatures. And for a short day trip, perhaps while the kids are at their clubs, take a well-deserved romantic break smothering mud on each other at Soufriere’s Sulphur Springs or smooching under the Toraille Waterfall.
For a gay-friendly getaway – Sitges, Spain
Romance is sunbathing in Sitges
If you and your partner are the life of the party, Sitges is waiting for you! This party central spot – just 40 minutes away from Barcelona by car – was once known for its bohemian and artist subcultures. Today, it’s one of Spain’s loudest, proudest, and sunniest destinations for LGBTQ travellers world over. When you’re not at a pool party, you might be at one of the gay-friendly bars on the Dos de Mayo street, or even lying on the superb nudist beach. There’s a festival for every season – Carnival in February, Gay Pride in June, Festa Mayor in August, and a film festival in October. If throbbing bass beats and all-day summer parties aren’t your thing, plan your trip during off-season. The sun always shines on Sitges, so visit in the late autumn and winter to enjoy nearly empty beaches and take endless strolls on the sea-front promenade, ogling the lovely 20th century Indiano mansions while catching some rays of sunshine.
For the couple with small budget, but big hearts – Brasov, Romania
Lovers in Brasov
One way ticket to Brasov for two, please! Once you’ve discovered this romantic little ditty in Romania, you may not be too eager to go back home. Like a fairy-tale, the cobblestone streets have you meandering through rows of café-lined alleys and multicoloured shopfronts. Enjoy the simple pleasures of the city for less than 2 euros (9 Romanian lei) for a cup of Joe. If your curiosity leads you on a 40-minutes drive out of the city centre, use your imagination to fill in the cracks in the walls of Bran Castle, often called Dracula’s Castle.
After an inevitable visit of the Black Church, blackened by the great fire of 1689, head to the hills by Telecabina (cable car) or by foot through romantic wooded alleys and enjoy the view atop Mount Tâmpa. A silly photo-op awaits by the Hollywood-esque Brasov sign in big white letters.
For romantic city soul-mates – Seoul, South Korea
Selfies in Seoul at the Wall of Love
If taking cute selfies with your babe seems like a perfect date, then Seoul could be your dream destination. On your first day out, you (and many other couples) will want to take a snapshot at the Namsan Seoul Tower – atop the hill, special heart shaped chairs are placed for lovers to canoodle, and the overflow of locks on the Wall of Love is impossible to miss.
Calling Seoul romantic is an understatement, especially if you visit Namiseom Island. Although a 60km drive outside of Seoul city, the chestnut and poplar trees all aligned are a stunning picture-perfect backdrop at any season. A perfect way to end the day: go to the DIY Ring Café in the trendy neighbourhood of Hongdae to make your own matching souvenir jewellery.
For beach-loving honeymooners – Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Sunset and romance on the beaches of Puerto Plata
The cake was cut, the ‘Just married’ sign paint is still fresh, and your bags are packed for a love-filled escapade in Puerto Plata, one of the Dominican Republic’s less touristy and more paradisical beach cities. When you’re not ensuring an heir to the throne in your seafront hotel, perhaps roam about the historic town or sunbathe on Playa Bergantín. Anglophone tourism being a budding economy, the local commerce is eager to please, often offering service in English with a smile. The creole culture of African and Caribbean origins will put the rhythm in your night with bars playing ‘merengue’ you won’t resist dancing to. A quick break to sip on Mamajuana (local rum cocktail known to be aphrodisiac), and you’re ready to get back on that dance floor, or to the hotel room!
For hungry hearts – Istria, Croatia
Rovinj romance at the local market
Some say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Istrian Croatia will have you neck deep in plates of white truffle and fresh fish, and that’s only the beginning. Proud producers of gourmet Croatian olive oil, their liquid gold is the punctuation to the Mediterranean and Continental influenced dishes like buzara (scampi or mussels stew) or pljukanci (hand-rolled pasta).
Irresistible blue waters and green landscapes will give you endless things to talk about over dessert, if you can manage to speak through a mouthful of fritule pastries (the Croatian donut). Bring home an armful of local products purchased at the market by the harbour in Rovinj, just down the hill from the Church of Saint Euphemia and its 60 metre bell tower. For the complete romantic package, grab a bottle of Istrian wine and take a ferry from Rovinj to Venice (they run during the summer season).
For a romantic holiday without limits – French Polynesia
Fall in love in Bora Bora
The term DINK describes a couple with double income, no kids. If you fit in this category, chances are that when it comes to planning your holidays, you’re less concerned about hotel babysitting services and more concerned about having the time of your life. Just grab your sundress and boat shoes and whisk yourselves off to the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora. Numerous luxury hotels with bungalows and private views line the shores of white sand.
In terms of romantic holidays, Bora Bora is an expert – picnics on private beaches, swimming with colourful fish, sipping on Tahitian vanilla mojitos, and feasting on ahi tuna (a local yellow-fin tuna delicacy) And when you’re done pampering yourself, a helicopter tour above Mount Otemanu or a day trip shopping around the municipal market in Pape’ete, Tahiti, are great excursion options.
