Calling All Couples: We Found 16 Romantic Vacation Ideas for Your Travel Bucket List
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I'm a firm believer that there's no greater way to strengthen your relationship with your partner than by traveling the world with them. Sure, it sounds a little cheesy, but experiencing new places helps you grow as an individual and as a pair—and if you can love each other through long-haul flights and jetlag, you can love each other through anything.
So, let me be the first to say that you and your lover should go ahead and take that PTO. You deserve a little trip. And lucky for you, I rounded up 16 of the best vacation ideas for couples, below. These are all one-of-a-kind hotels that will make the perfect home base for a romantic getaway, with picks from every corner of the world.
You down? Thought so. First things first, make sure your passport isn't expired. After that, all you have to do is scroll down, find a spot that tickles your fancy, and book that flight, baby. Also...maybe consider letting me third wheel?
Nothing screams "once-in-a-lifetime romantic getaway" quite like sipping crisp Croatian wine over panoramic Adriatic Sea views at sunset, but thankfully, Hotel Excelsior does exist in this lifetime. The hotel is equal parts old charm and new luxury, perched right over Dubrovnik's Old Town (which is UNESCO-protected itself) and equipped with a robust spa. Stopping in Hotel Excelsior's Abakus Piano Bar for a taste of live music is a must, as is the fine dining experience at Sensus for Mediterranean food made fresh with local ingredients. End your stay with a beachfront meal for two at the hotel's Prora Restaurant for a chic taste of seaside paradise.
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The Swiss are good at many things—chocolate, cheese, and chic chalets being a few of them—and you can get a taste of all of their talents at Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a mountainside retreat on the east side of the country. The property has a private railway exclusive to guests that'll bring you up the mountain for skiing, hiking, or just general eye candy. When you've soaked in the views, you can head to their award-winning spa—literally carved into the mountain—which has four floors of pools, saunas, treatment rooms, fitness classes, and more. I can't think of a better way to spend a day, can you?
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Stuck in a vacation rut? Always visiting the same two spots? Take it way, way overseas with a trip to Dubai, one of the hottest cities on the map—literally and figuratively. Atlantis The Royal will be hard to miss when you get there, because it's (a) a massive part of the skyline, and (b) one of the most popular hotels in the buzzing city. It's basically a luxury resort on steroids—like, anything you can think of, you can find inside this property, including a spa, shopping, a beach club, nightclubs, and so much more. (Vegas megahotels wish.) The food options are also out of this world, with 17 restaurants on-site—eight of which are helmed by celebrity chefs, and one of which is Michelin-starred. Long story short, once you touch down here, you'll never need to leave. (And you'll certainly never get bored...or hungry.)
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If Marrakech, Morocco, isn't on your romantic travel radar, allow me to put you on. The enchanting city is known for its stunning architecture (those riads, though), bustling souks (aka traditional markets, where you'll find handmade goods and spices), and unique cultural activities (like hot air balloon rides!). You should experience all these things on any trip to Marrakech, but you should also do so while staying at The Oberoi, which feels like an attraction in and of itself. The entire place feels (and looks!) like a palace, nestled in the Atlas Mountains amid fruit trees and olive groves. Most of the rooms and villas have private pools and gardens, so you and your partner will feel like royalty while you're there, too.
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If you love animals just as much as you love each other, a safari-centered stay should go on your joint bucket list right this second. Singita Lebombo Lodge is one of the chicest resorts in South Africa, located in a private section of the renowned Kruger National Park. The fact that it's in a private area is a major game-changer, because it means you won't have to deal with dozens of other tourists when you go out on safari walks or drives (and yeah, you're gonna want to do those). The hotel itself is built into the side of a cliff beside the N'wanetsi River, and all the rooms have an indoor/outdoor setup so you can truly appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The suites are massive, FYI, but there are also great shared spaces on the property—like a rooftop lounge, wine studio, library, pool, and interactive kitchen—if you're interested in meeting some new friends along the way.
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Romantic sleepover in a treehouse, but make it really, really chic. That's what you'll get at Buahan, a Banyan Tree property in the middle of the Balinese jungle. The adults-only property has a 'no walls, no doors' concept that allows you to feel like you're truly one with nature, waking up to birds chirping and the sun pouring into your room. (If you're curious, there is indeed high-quality netting to keep out...other things.) The views from the rooms are also ridiculously beautiful—think: glimpses of Bali's iconic rice fields and seven different mountain peaks—and I highly recommend taking a (joint?) bubble bath while taking them in. You should also try out some of their immersive experience programs, which honor Balinese culture and allow you to connect with local communities.
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Italy? For couples? Groundbreaking. It's a honeymoon hotspot for a reason, though, and Lake Como, in the north, is one of the most romantic areas within the loved-up country. Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a five-star, 18th-century estate, is one of the most iconic resorts on the lake, garnering visits from celebrities, world leaders, noble families, and travel aficionados alike throughout the years (George and Amal are big fans). Book your own stay for a taste of la dolce vita, taking advantage of the hotel's three pools, lush gardens, private speedboats, world-class spa, and well-stocked wine bar. It'll be a bit of a splurge, yes, but after one spritz at Da Giacomo Al Lago, their lakeside seafood restaurant, you'll forget about your bank account—and all your responsibilities.
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You know the hotel is beautiful when it has over a million followers on IG. And Calilo, a five-star stunner on the island of Ios in Greece (right between Mykonos and Santorini), certainly deserves its following. Designed to be as sustainable as possible and embrace the natural beauty of the island, Calilo is perfect for couples who wanna see Greece at its best and avoid tourist-saturated hotspots. If you really wanna get romantic, I recommend picking one of the suites with a heart-shaped pool overlooking the ocean (it's tasteful, trust), and indulging in some luxe activities. You can do a wine-tasting dinner under the stars, get in-room spa treatments, take a private boat tour, or try your hand at sunrise yoga.
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Couples that hike together, stay together, right? Right. Strengthen your relationship (and calf muscles) with an awe-inspiring trip to the Great Wall of China, and stay just steps away at Commune by the Great Wall. It's a Hyatt property, so you can use those World of Hyatt points, and located right smack dab in the middle of the Shuiguan Mountains, so you can enjoy crowd-free access to the centuries-old landmark. After long days of hiking, you can retreat to one of the property's 36 super-aesthetic villas (each with mountain views!), take a dip in the outdoor pool, and chow down at Commune Kitchen, their on-site restaurant serving delicious northern Chinese cuisine.
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Turkey has been gaining more and more popularity as a travel destination over the past few years, and one look at Bodrum will show you why. The country's landscapes are incredibly diverse, but Bodrum—a small city on the South Aegean coast—is heaven on earth for fans of the sun and sea. If that's you and your partner, I'm here to introduce you to The Bodrum EDITION, aka one of the most popular hotels on the Turkish Riviera. Minutes from some of the city's top attractions (15th-century ruins, anyone?) and steps from the glittering bay, you can get your fill of history and relaxation all on the same day. If you'd rather get a little rowdy, there's an exclusive beach club located right inside the resort—ideal for those who hate the long crawl home after a long night of partying.
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Canada doesn't get enough credit for how freaking beautiful it is, and Tofino—a small surfing town on the west coast of Vancouver Island—is one of the prettiest places I've ever laid eyes on. Nature-loving couples will thrive here, with mountains, beaches, and temperate rainforest all packed into one gorgeous landscape. Pacific Sands Beach Resort is one of the most luxe places to soak up all the stunning sights, located on 41 acres of oceanfront property on Cox Bay and directly adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park. Forget ski-in/ski-out rooms, this property is all about surf-in/surf-out accommodations, with several private beach houses and hot-tub suites just steps from the sand. With activities like beach yoga and forest bathing, it doesn't get more unplugged than this.
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Yes, New Zealand is a long plane ride away from the U.S. But one trip to Wharekauhau Country Estate, a luxury lodge across from stunning Ocean Beach, and you'll be wishing you could make a monthly pilgrimage. But this isn't an everyday sort of place: A helicopter will pick you up at the airport and whisk you away to the hotel, which is set on 3,000 acres in the foothills of the Remutaka Mountain Range. It's basically a really, really fancy farm stay, with plenty of gardens throughout the property. You can participate in 'back to nature' activities like fishing, hiking, and cycling, but if you like a New Zealand Sauvy B, you should know that the property is also close to a lot of wineries, and you can get to them by ATV.
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📍Washington, Connecticut
If you'd prefer to stay a little closer to home (or just haven't gotten around to renewing your passport), may I suggest this little East Coast icon? Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection quite literally inspired the set of Gilmore Girls (read more about that here), and everything about it is so Stars Hollow-coded in the loveliest way possible. The interior design is to die for, but highlights include their dreamy THE WELL spa, and an incredible in-house restaurant with a veggie-forward menu that you'll dream of for years to come (trust me). Plus, there's a campfire with s'mores every night, and who doesn't want more of that nostalgic joy?
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If you think you've experienced luxury before, there's a good chance the Rosewood Mayakoba will redefine the term for you. Right smack dab in the middle of the jungle of Mexico's Riviera Maya, everything about this waterfront resort is elevated as hell—from the gorgeous decor (beachy, but make it modern) to the butler service that comes with every stay. Also, if you and/or your partner are into golf, there's a championship course right inside the gates of the property with incredible views that'll make you a lot less mad about hitting the ball in the water.
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Sometimes, the best vacations are those where you do nothing else besides eat, sleep, and spend time in the sun. You know, the ones where you don't need a vacation from your vacation at the end? The Four Seasons Anguilla is one of the most luxurious places to make all those dreams come true, located on the northwest shore of the swanky island nation (a RHONY favorite!). Settle into a room, suite, or villa (if you're feeling like balling out), and prepare to be pampered in style while your stress melts away. There are plenty of beach bars where you can relax while enjoying views of the water, and water sports galore if you need to remember what adrenaline feels like. It's all up to you!
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Calling all oenophiles, this one's for you! Sure, you could go to Napa and do some tastings, but wouldn't it be cooler to tell people you went to Chilean wine country and tried some of the best Cabernet Sauvignons and Sauvignon Blancs in the world? Vik Chile is where you'll want to stay when you're there—located at the top of a hill and surrounded by mountains and 13,000 acres of vineyards. There are only 29 rooms on the property, so it definitely feels exclusive, but the common areas leave plenty of space for guests to hang out and get to know each other. (The infinity pool! The wine cellar! The game room! Oh my!) You can tour your way through the winery by foot, but you can also go through the vineyards by horseback, which, let's be real, is way more romantic.
TK
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
BEIRUT (AP) — Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. 'Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted,' said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read 'a new era for Lebanon.' In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. Tourism as a diplomatic and economic bridge As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. 'It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now,' said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. 'I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years,' he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. 'We are happy, and everyone here is happy,' said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. 'After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full.' Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a 'morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain" rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. "But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before,' she said. 'And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again.' Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Associated Press
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
BEIRUT (AP) — Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. 'Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted,' said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read 'a new era for Lebanon.' In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. Tourism as a diplomatic and economic bridge As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. 'It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now,' said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. 'I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years,' he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. 'We are happy, and everyone here is happy,' said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. 'After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full.' Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a 'morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain' rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. 'But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before,' she said. 'And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again.'
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- Washington Post
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
BEIRUT — Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round.
