Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, an anniversary trip or a much-needed getaway, couples vacations should be special. They give you a chance to reconnect and live in your own little world—even if it’s just for a weekend—so don’t settle. Here are nine of the world’s most romantic spots—from bucket list destinations like Bora Bora to quaint, low-key cities like Savannah, Georgia. (Permission granted to forward to your honey.)
9 Couples Vacations That Will Make You Fall in Love All Over Again
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Published Jan 6, 2022
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Four Seasons Bora Bora
1. Bora Bora
The most extraordinary of the French Polynesian islands, Bora Bora is exotic, extravagant and drop-dead gorgeous thanks to sweeping beaches, lush forests and blue lagoons. The entire island is only six miles long, but it’s home to two volcanic craters, a sandy-bottomed turquoise lagoon and Matira Beach, one of the most dazzling stretches of sand in the world. This vacation is a splurge, but it’s one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for good reason: Most of the island’s luxury hotels boast thatched-roof, glass-bottom bungalows built over the crystal-blue ocean. But even if you’re not staying at a five-star resort, the natural wonder is priceless.
Where to stay:
$$$: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (pictured)
TripAdvisor
2. Paris, France
They call it the City of Light, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s the City of Love. You’d be hard-pressed not to find couples smooching under the Eiffel Tower or along the banks of the Seine, and there’s no shortage of gorgeous high-end restaurants to celebrate a special evening over a bottle (or four) of wine. Even if you’re not down for the cliché PDA experience of Gay Paree, it’s a great city to explore as a duo (as opposed to a group or family). For instance, you can grab stools at the bar of a busy restaurant where it’s impossible to get a table; you can go to the Louvre...and leave whenever you feel like it (wild!); and you can meander slowly and aimlessly with a pastry in hand at your leisure. While hotels in Paris can be on the expensive side, there are lots of options for a couples vacation, from luxury hotels to a chic rentals ideal for two people.
Where to stay:
$$$: Relais Christine (pictured)
$$: Les Bains
TripAdvisor
3. Santorini, Greece
You can’t visit the most picturesque of the Greek islands and not fall in love over and over again. Shack up at one of the many private villas overlooking the sea or enjoy a candlelit dinner while watching the sky turn fiery orange and red. We highly recommend the hillside town of Oia, Santorini’s most famous (and most Instagrammed) spot, covered in whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches. There, besides eating all the feta cheese you can before you leave, you should hike the famous trail from Oia to Fira, a route that takes hikers along the caldera, that is, the moon-shaped volcanic crater filled by the Aegean Sea, on the coast of Santorini.
Where to stay:
$$$: Tsitouras Collection
$$: Iconic Santorini Boutique Cave Hotel (pictured)
Marriott/Perry Lane Hotel
4. Savannah, Georgia
It’s hard to imagine a city quainter than Savannah, with its adorable bed-and-breakfasts, oak-lined streets and Victorian architecture. Walk hand in hand through Parisian-inspired and Spanish moss–draped Forsyth Park, then stop in the beautiful beach town of Tybee Island, just 30 minutes from downtown. With one of the best food scenes in the South—Bowerbird for coffee, Collins Quarter for brunch and Husk for dinner—Savannah is really giving Charleston a run for its money when it comes to romantic weekend getaways.
Where to stay:
$$$: Perry Lane Hotel (pictured)
TripAdvisor/The Gritti Palace
5. Venice, Italy
Between the old-world charm, quaint canals and open-air cafés, Venice was basically made for lovers. Yes, Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco are striking architectural monuments, but a lot of the romance of Venice is found in its backstreets. Get lost in the floating city’s serpentine streets, sip Aperol spritzes, visit the opera. And don’t you dare leave without taking a gondola ride.
Where to stay:
$$$: The Gritti Palace (pictured)
$$: Hotel Danieli
$: Luxury Loft
TripAdvisor/Chateau Grand Barrail Hotel
6. Bordeaux
If you’re looking to wine and dine, there’s really no better place in the world. Many of the restaurants in French wine country are set in 18th-century chateaus, boasting Michelin stars, vast wine lists and rich regional dishes like steak in bordelaise sauce and fresh oysters with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. But there’s more to do in Bordeaux than just eat. Bicycle through the vineyards and charming streets of the city via guided bike tour, stroll the banks of the beautiful waterfront and visit the Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe, after which, of course, you can go back to eating and drinking wine.
Where to stay:
$$$: Chateau Pape Clement
$$: Chateau Grand Barrail Hotel (pictured)
grandriver/Getty Images
7. Quebec City, Canada
If you’re seeking a European feel without crossing the Atlantic, look no further than the Frenchiest place in Canada. It’s one of North America’s oldest settlements and a good choice for the history-buff couple. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do outside of gawking at historic landmarks, including the wild and fun Quebec Winter Carnival, an annual celebration with parades, fireworks and concerts that runs through much of February. As you walk through Old City’s stone buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll feel as if you’re in Paris. Go in winter for cozy moonlight carriage rides and the aforementioned carnival, or visit in summer to picnic on the Terrasse Dufferin, looking onto the fortified Château Frontenac. The best part? Lodging in this gorgeous city is fairly reasonable.
Where to stay:
$$$: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (pictured)
TripAdvisor/Anegada Beach Club
8. The British Virgin Islands
If you want a quiet and tropical beach getaway without traveling across the world, the BVIs are one of the best destinations for a couples vacation. The hotels are small and secluded, and the beaches are totally unspoiled. Take a private boat to hop around the chain of tiny islands, treat yourselves to dinner on the beach or just relax and take in the Caribbean sunshine.
Where to stay:
$: Anegada Beach Club (pictured)
9. zanzibar, Tanzania
Whisk the love of your life away on a once-in-lifetime getaway to gorgeous Zanzibar. Located in the Indian Ocean, 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, this island offers clear, turquoise-blue water, shallow sandbars, and many small, practically deserted islands so you two will feel like the only people in the world. Explore historic Stone Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—embark on a cooking class and spice tour (which might come in handy later) or head over to Cheetah’s Rock and rub elbows with some majestic jungle cats.
Where to stay:
$$$: Melia Zanzibar (pictured)
$: Luxury Villa
