The best vacation spots for couples are steeped in timeless romance. Whether it’s a cruise on the Nile or a stroll through sultry Buenos Aires, some places have simply mastered the art of seduction.
Yet no vacation is unique, and while some couples want to escape to the golden sands of the Caribbean, others’ idea of romance can feel like a getaway to South Africa’s wine country. or watching the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Then how plan a romantic getaway tailor-made for two? “My favorite piece of advice is to leave room for spontaneity,” says Amina Dearmon, luxury travel consultant, founder and owner of Travel outlook. “Our lives are already so overloaded that it’s important to have the freedom to do nothing and enjoy each other’s company, no matter which destination you choose.”
For inner journeysshe loves wellness-focused resorts in Arizona like Canyon Ranch Tucson and the next reopening mii-amo. As for international destinations, she recommends the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, Dominica and St. Lucia, as well as Venice, Italy. And if you’re going to splurge, Dearmon suggests throwing yourself on your accommodation (“It’s your home away from home”) and opt for extras like VIP airport reception (“It’s a service that represents a small percentage of the total cost of your trip, but it can be the biggest difference in your travel day.”).
To get your planning started, here are the 27 best vacation spots for couples, whether you fancy a spa getaway, a culinary vacation, or an adventure-packed itinerary.
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To lie on the sand
Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
For beach bliss, cookbook author and “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons recommends a romantic getaway to Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel on Anguilla. “Cap Juluca beach is as pristine as it gets, with its long strip of powdery white sand, crystal clear water and views of St. Maarten in the distance,” she says. “Plus, you never have to fight for a beach chair or show up super early because there’s plenty of room and the staff always have an umbrella set up before you even arrive.” When Simmons and her hubby aren’t lounging on the golden sands, they’re paddleboarding, hitting the tennis court, enjoying massages at the spa, and even going on a snorkeling excursion. The highlight was all the quality time the couple spent together: “I loved how private and distant Cap Juluca felt,” Simmons says. “Sometimes we felt like we were on our own island.”
La Co(o)orniche, Pyla-Sur-Mer
What could be more romantic than waking up to the view of the largest sand dune in Europe? In this place designed by Philippe Starck Hotel In the seaside resort of Pyla-sur-Mer, couples enjoy a panoramic view of the Arcachon basin and the spellbinding Dune of Pilat from their chic seaside rooms. Most visitors flock to the area to climb the magnificent dune, which rises 110 meters above sea level, but we wouldn’t blame you for lounging on the sandy beach, breathing in the smell of the pine forest.
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