Vacation Ideas for Couples

1. Head to the beach

Romantic beach destinations are often a favorite with couples and honeymooners and there is certainly much to choose from. Whether you are looking for white sandy beaches of Oahu, the world's best pink sand beaches or black sand beaches, there are amazing choices all around the world. Explore the beaches of Costa Rica, Michigan, Oregon, North Carolina and California.

2. Finland

It’s hard to find a more romantic autumn getaway than a trip to Finland. Watching the Northern Lights dancing in the night sky from an igloo, venturing out on an Aurora Borealis snowshoe or cross-country ski tour, or experiencing a husky safari along the Taiga forest gives travelers a taste of this remarkable destination. Named among top travel destinations worldwide, Finland excites year-round with its natural beauty, including the iconic nighttime summer sun. Visitors can explore everything from lakes and forests to peat lands and fells. In Helsinki, couples can experience urban spa complexes that soothe the senses, explore the Moomin Museum to tickle the fancy, and dine on the complex flavors of Finnish ‘wild’ food.

3. San Francisco

The compact city of San Francisco on California’s northern coast with its iconic hills and cable cars offers couples an array of possibilities for a fun getaway. Couples looking for a little romance should consider a sunset sail through San Francisco Bay, martinis at Top of the Mark, and admiring the Bay Lights on the western span of Bay Bridge. Traditional couples wanting the classic San Fran experience will want to visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Coit Tower, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Quirky couples may want to glide down the Seward Street Slides, catch a movie at the historic Castro Theater, and visit the Wave Organ, an acoustic sculpture.

4. Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has long been considered a premier Caribbean destination, especially for couples. Sun-kissed days on the island are filled with fun activities for two from beachside massages to horseback riding, four-wheeling, and zip lining. Adventurous couples will appreciate watersports like diving, snorkeling, sailing, and kite-surfing, to name a few. Known as one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands, couples will adore palm fringed, volcanic beaches, an interior of unspoiled rainforest, and the gorgeous peaks of the Piton Mountains. Northern St. Lucia is all about luxurious resorts, superb restaurants, award-winning spas, and lively night life. The southern part of the island is all about quiet romance, nature, and tranquility.

5. New York City

A couple’s getaway to New York City calls for focus. There are so many phenomenal things to see and do, that the savvy couple will need a plan. For striking views of the Big Apple, the obvious choice is the Empire State Building, but One World Observatory and Top of the Rock are equally impressive. A show on Broadway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the out-of-towner. A Taste of Harlem food and culture tour is a must-do before taking in a show at the Apollo Theater. Of course, a trip to New York City would be incomplete without a visit to Central Park for a romantic horse and carriage ride, or ice skating at Wollman Rink.

6. Seychelles

The couple who truly wants to get away will adore the Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, where they can book a stay on a private island, or rent a yacht for the ultimate in privacy. Luxury can be found at numerous five-star retreats and remote resorts. Anse Source D’argent is one of the most surreal and beautiful beaches in the world, perfect for lounging on the beach and snorkeling. Simple pleasures include a heritage tour of La Digue that includes traditional coconut oil processing and seeing 200-year-old giant tortoises. The “love nut” found on a guided walk through Praslin’s Vallée de Mai nature park is a quirky side note to the ethereal World Heritage Site.

7. Kauai

Kauai, also known as the Garden Island, is covered with tropical rainforests crisscrossed by rivers and dotted with mesmerizing waterfalls. This getaway will appeal to the independent couple looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path getaway. Nature takes center stage here with a variety of outdoor activities like zip lining, hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. Some parts of the island, especially along the dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast on the North Shore, can only be accessed by sea. All the action happens on the South Shore where couples can shop, golf, lounge around Poipu Beach Park, and watch the Spouting Horn blowhole. Koloa Heritage Trail that explores culture, history, and geology from Poipu to Old Koloa Town is a must-do.

Kauai, also known as the Garden Island, is covered with tropical rainforests crisscrossed by rivers and dotted with mesmerizing waterfalls. This getaway will appeal to the independent couple looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path getaway. Nature takes center stage here with a variety of outdoor activities like zip lining, hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. Some parts of the island, especially along the dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast on the North Shore, can only be accessed by sea. All the action happens on the South Shore where couples can shop, golf, lounge around Poipu Beach Park, and watch the Spouting Horn blowhole. Koloa Heritage Trail that explores culture, history, and geology from Poipu to Old Koloa Town is a must-do. Keep reading for more couples vacations.

8. San Diego

San Diego lives up to its moniker as America’s Finest City. California’s southernmost city has 70 miles of Pacific coastline, broad beaches, the largest urban park in the U.S., and 100 interesting neighborhoods. There are nearly 20 hotels and resorts that cater to adults for a romantic stay, including boutique 1906 Lodge on Coronado Island and swanky Andaz in East Village. Balboa Park with its museums, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Zoo, and Prado Restaurant could fill up an entire getaway itinerary. Renting a story-telling GoCar on a GPS-guided route is a fun way to explore the city together from a one-hour neighborhood tour to an all-day see it all tour.

9. Italy

From relaxing under the Tuscan sun in Piombino to the iconic gondola rides of Venice, Italy has no shortage of destinations perfect for a couple’s getaway. For couples who love classic Italian architecture and culture, there’s no better destination than Rome, beginning with the Pantheon. Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast provide a jaw-dropping views, exquisite dining, and colorful cliffside villages. Lake Como not only provides a relaxing and tranquil getaway, quaint villas, and beautiful vistas, but there’s also the chance of running into a European or Hollywood star, since many make their homes here. The Medieval towns in the charming hills of Umbria offer a fusion of nature and art.

10. Australia

Couples will fall in love with the only country in the world that’s also a continent. Australia is the perfect couple’s paradise situated between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns is its premier attraction. Couples can experience its wonders together snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring, and at the end of the day, retreat to Bedarra Island at one of eight private villas hidden in the rainforest. Trendy couples will thrill to the coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Adventurous types will be drawn to the mountains and savannahs of the red sand outback. Keep reading for more couples vacations.