One of the best parts of being in a relationship is
having a built-in travel buddy, and one of the best parts of traveling
with that built-in buddy is getting unobstructed one-on-one time while
exploring unfamiliar parts of the world. Whether domestic or
international, a trip with your significant other almost always
guarantees sharing unusual experiences and learning something new about
each other, like that your girlfriend gets a rush from cliff diving, or
your boyfriend can make friends with anyone despite only being able to
say “Where’s the bathroom?” in the local language.
[post_ads_2]It’s easy to uncover sides of your partner, and maybe even yourself, you haven’t seen before when you’re having many first-time experiences together, and travel allows couples to access a different kind of closeness than that of regular daily life.
When deciding where to venture with your significant other, you’ll want to consider which components of a romantic getaway matter most to you, from beautiful sites and adventurous activities to intimate settings and stunning views.
These 15 places should be on your radar for a mix of those elements.
[post_ads_2]It’s easy to uncover sides of your partner, and maybe even yourself, you haven’t seen before when you’re having many first-time experiences together, and travel allows couples to access a different kind of closeness than that of regular daily life.
Related: Half of Married Couples Have the Same Argument While on Vacation
When deciding where to venture with your significant other, you’ll want to consider which components of a romantic getaway matter most to you, from beautiful sites and adventurous activities to intimate settings and stunning views.
These 15 places should be on your radar for a mix of those elements.
Bali, Indonesia
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Bali, aka the Island of the Gods,
is a versatile haven with something to offer every type of couple. If
your version of romance is hiking through lush greenery, monkey
forests, and rolling rice paddies, you’re in luck. If you think romance
is dancing to DJ sets and light shows until the wee hours of morning,
Bali is also known for its nightclub scene. Want to feel spiritually
enlightened? Bali has countless temples and shrines to visit. And if
you’re all about beaches, the island’s bevy of beaches range from from
white-sanded shores on the south coast to the more unexpected black sand
you’ll see on the northern and western coasts.
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While some parts of the island have maintained a pre-modern look, the island is a popular tourist destination, so it’s well-equipped to accommodate international travelers looking for a romantic stay with comforts like high-end resorts, yoga classes, spas, and Australian-influenced cafes.
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While some parts of the island have maintained a pre-modern look, the island is a popular tourist destination, so it’s well-equipped to accommodate international travelers looking for a romantic stay with comforts like high-end resorts, yoga classes, spas, and Australian-influenced cafes.
Santorini, Greece
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Santorini
is definitely having a moment on Instagram these days: our feeds
are packed with newlyweds enjoying picture-perfect honeymoons. It makes
sense, though: Santorini is a cloud-like oasis
that envelops travelers in an ethereal fantasy. The romance of the
island pretty much sells itself; wandering the hilly, weathered streets,
you’re surrounded by bright white walls and blues roofs, and in the
evenings you have front-row seats to incredible sunsets. Once the sun is
down, the city lights up and the houses, churches, and restaurants glow
like stars.
Safari in Tanzania
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Aside
from traveling to Tanzania to hike the intimidating Mount Kilimanjaro,
many visit the country because of the incredible wildlife conservation
sites and national parks. Going on safari
opens your eyes to a completely unfamiliar part of the world, allowing
you and your significant other to share some firsts: the first time you
see a lion, the first time you drive across the African plains dotted
with baobab trees, the first time you meet someone from a local tribe.
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You’ll definitely want to visit Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive and intact volcanic caldera. The bowl-like shape makes a natural border for the animals, boosting the chances safari goers will be able to spot all of the Big Five — lion, cheetah, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — during a tour. Serengeti National Park is another popular safari destination because of the area’s mass seasonal migrations of wildebeest and zebra, large lion population, and diversity of habitats and animals.
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You’ll definitely want to visit Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive and intact volcanic caldera. The bowl-like shape makes a natural border for the animals, boosting the chances safari goers will be able to spot all of the Big Five — lion, cheetah, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — during a tour. Serengeti National Park is another popular safari destination because of the area’s mass seasonal migrations of wildebeest and zebra, large lion population, and diversity of habitats and animals.
Tulum, Mexico
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Two core pillars of many romantic vacations are intimate settings and exotic experiences, and Tulum has a lot of both.
You can rotate between lounging out on tropical beaches, snorkeling at
the nearby “aquatic theme park,” Xel-Ha Park, swimming in a natural
sinkhole (or cenote), and touring the Mayan ruins, which make
up one of the most intact sites of their kind. After a day packed with
leisure, adventure, or both, the cherry on top will be a drink at a bar that feels more like a jungle.
Whistler, Canada
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| Getty Images |
A
great way to bond as a couple is by getting active, and skiing on
Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is great for both veteran and beginner
skiers alike. You can take on the mountains, with numerous trails of
varying intensity, enjoy an overhead view of the snow-capped trees from
sprawling gondolas, break for lunch at the mid-mountain lodge, and top
off the day with an après ski at one of the slope-side bars. If one day
of skiing leaves you with wobbly legs and your fill of downhill action, there’s a lot more action
at the base of the peaks. Whistler Village is a lively, pedestrian-only
hub of bars, shops, and restaurants. The little winter wonderland is as
charming as the inside of a snow globe, and what’s better for a
romantic getaway than that?
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Oxford, England
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For a
fairy-tale vacation, there’s nothing more fitting than a landscape
dotted with literal “fairy chimneys.” In addition to fairy chimneys,
which are tall, thin rock cones dotting the rock sites of Cappadocia,
cave churches, underground cities, and homes carved into rocks create a
whimsical aura usually reserved for the fictional realm. Floating high above the rocky terrain in a brightly-designed hot air balloon,
you’ll feel like characters wandering the pages of a Dr. Seuss book or
like astronauts discovering a civilization on the moon — either way, the
other-worldly experience will have you recapturing childlike wonder and
awe together.
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Paris, France
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An
effective way to let the strength of a relationship shine is by
stripping away the comforts and conveniences of modern life. At Burning
Man, technology is eschewed for a more rough-and-tumble,
go-with-the-flow lifestyle, but it’s also much more than a regular
camping experience that offers bonding solely through waking up with
twigs in your hair and unbrushed teeth. No two couples will have the
exact same experience at Burning Man, allowing you to share memories and
connect in ways completely your own. Burning Man fosters an open
environment to explore yourself and your relationship with spiritual and
holistic workshops, events, and parties. Suspended from reality at
Burning Man, you’ll experience art in new ways, encounter people and
situations you never would in normal day-to-day life, and probably
discover some of your partner’s less obvious traits, thoughts, and
beliefs.
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Hakone, Japan
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While
not as romanticized for cherry-blossomed strolls as its nearby
neighbor, Kyoto, Hakone is a day trip away from Tokyo that offers an
intimate escape from city travel in the most relaxing way possible: hot
spring resorts. Aside from relaxing in onsen (hot springs) at a traditional ryokan
(Japanese inn), you can take advantage of the natural sites, like Lake
Ashi and the volcano Mount Fuji, or tour the fire-engine red Hakone
Shrine and the open-air sculpture museum. The many transportation
options also seem more like mini adventures than a straightforward means
of travel, from boats and cable cars to rolling train routes through
the mountains.
Northern Lights in Northern Norway
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If
you’ve ever considered stargazing a romantic experience, northern Norway
really ups the ante with its unbelievable events in the sky. The
region, which covers about one-third of Norway, is considered a top
destination to see the Northern Lights
from autumn to mid-April, while from May to July, the sun is still
visible at midnight in a phenomenon called the “midnight sun.” Venture
even farther north if you dare to Svalbard, the northernmost inhabited
region of Europe, to experience 24-hour daylight between April and
August. On the opposite end of the light spectrum, Svalbard’s January
and February months have “polar nights,” when night lasts for over 24
hours, making the aurora borealis particularly visible.
If you do decide to take this trip together, beware: Looking up at the stars in your backyard won’t be quite so romantic anymore.
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If you do decide to take this trip together, beware: Looking up at the stars in your backyard won’t be quite so romantic anymore.
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Porto, Portugal
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| In Pictures via Getty Images |
Porto
is a waterfront merchant city that transports you to an earlier time
with its cobble-stoned streets, ancient houses, baroque churches, and
prevalence of family-owned businesses and port factories, the region’s most famous export.
In the nearby Duoro Valley, you can visit the vineyards where the wine
has been produced for 2,000 years, sample the wine, and participate in
some harvesting practices like stomping on the grapes. In a city infused
with the culture of wine making and drinking, you and your significant
other can get tipsy on the energy alone.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
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Known for its natural and architectural beauty, the Amalfi Coast
is a prime choice for a romantic Mediterranean getaway. Travelers bask
in the natural scenery, hiking through small villages with picturesque
sea views, and visit famous sites like the “Emerald Grotto” (Grotta dello Smeraldo),
medieval churches, gardens, and museums. When you need some quiet time
for just the two of you, there are a number of secluded hotels that
offer ocean-front views and luxurious amenities.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
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In Argentina’s bustling capital,
you and your significant other will never run out of activities to try.
Every weekend, hundreds of plays and productions are put on throughout
the city, or you can go out for a sophisticated night at the
internationally-acclaimed opera house, Teatro Colón. The multitude of
restaurants and bars provide a lot of options for a pre-performance
dinner, making the perfect dinner-and-a-show date night easily
attainable. For a day-to-night date, La Boca is a vibrant neighborhood
known for Tango dancing and a pedestrian walkway lined with crafts and
houses and shops painted in bright primary colors.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
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At
the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, these 74 islands off the coast of
Queensland, Australia, will have you sailing into uncharted relationship
territory with unbelievable sites to discover together. Whitehaven
Beach is one of the most famous white-sanded beaches on the islands and
despite being a tourist hotspot, it stretches for over 4 miles, making
it easy to find your own space. In addition to having blissful beach
days, you can have some truly unforgettable and romantic excursions
while visiting these islands, like flying over Heart Reef in a
helicopter, staying aboard a boat for a few days, and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.
