As A Travel Writer Who Has Visited More Than 50 Countries, I Can Confidently Say These 8 Are Best For Couples
I've traveled a fair amount alone, but most of the time, I'm with my husband. Travel has become our mutual happy place — the moment we board a plane, we feel alive.
We joke that we're not always great at the day-to-day stuff, but that we're pros at keeping our cool when travel inevitably throws us a curveball. We love traveling so much, we actually took a trip around the world in lieu of a wedding and spent time living in Martinique, Bali, Cambodia, and France together.
After visiting more than 50 countries over the years, there are certain destinations that have stood out as particularly romantic and perfect for couples.
These are the destinations that IMO just ooze romance. From Caribbean beaches with powder-fine sand (and delicious cocktails) to European cities with medieval castles, each of these countries offers that extra dose of romance.
1.Czech Republic
Everything in the Czech Republic feels straight out of a fairytale. The entire country has a medieval feel that makes you want to cozy up in a castle tower and gaze out over the countryside. Luckily, this is actually attainable thanks to chateau-turned-hotels like EA Zámecký Hotel Hrubá Skála.
My sister lives in Prague, so I've visited the Czech Republic many times both with and without my partner. But this city feels like it's meant to be explored with your special someone. And while spring and summer is hands down the best time to visit, there is nothing more romantic than walking through Prague's Old Town in the winter, warming your hands on a mug of svařák (mulled wine), and watching the medieval astronomical clock do its hourly procession.
2.Bali
Bali has it all — beaches, jungle, culture, fresh food, and affordable bungalows with private pools (!!!). While people tend to flock to the coast (Kuta and Nusa Dua) to stay in fancy resorts and beach hotels, my favorite place on the island is Ubud.
Located inland, Ubud boasts a wealth of wellness offerings for the perfect couple's spa day like daily yoga classes at The Yoga Barn and super cheap massages. The island is also known for fresh local foods (Fair Warung Bale is a personal favorite for date night), and beautiful, open-air bungalows with outdoor showers (swoon).
We loved it so much, we ended up staying for three months.
3.Guatemala
Guatemala is the kind of place where you can't help but feel really, really happy, especially if you get to experience this magical country with a special someone. Everything from the buildings of Antigua to the markets of Chichicastenango are full of color and life.
If you're looking for romance, make sure you spend a few nights at La Casa Del Mundo. It's a tiny cliffside hotel that's only accessible by foot or by boat. The lakefront property also offers views of the volcano, a hot tub hanging over the lake, hammocks spread across sun-drenched patios, and hiking trails that lead to nearby villages. It is incredibly special.
4.Laos
My husband visited Laos on our around-the-world wedding trip and fell head-over-heels in love with it. The food is phenomenal (don't miss the purple sticky rice), and the prices are so affordable. I also found the people to be super friendly, which made traveling around feel easy and safe.
We stayed in Luang Prabang, which is near the Kuang Si Waterfall, a series of terraced, milky blue swimming holes below a waterfall. We spent the day there, swimming, eating, lounging, and swimming some more — everything about it felt romantic and idyllic (we were already married, but I remember thinking it would be a perfect engagement spot). We also booked an overnight hiking and kayak trip with Green Discovery Laos and became regulars at Joma Bakery (their pumpkin bread is out of this world).
5.Saint Lucia
There's a reason why Saint Lucia is a top destination for honeymooners: This Caribbean island caters to couples thanks to unique couples experiences and charming hotels. Rodney Bay on the northern part of the island is full of luxury resorts and long, white-sand beaches. Then there's Soufrière on the southwestern coast, which is home to the iconic Gros Piton and Petit Piton, two neighboring volcanic spires that make for a pretty spectacular view.
I've spent time in both parts of the island, and while Rodney Bay has more of a beachy, resort feel (which can be super romantic), I prefer Soufrière. It feels more like a real community, and from there, you can climb the Gros Piton or visit the sulphur hot springs and mud baths.
6.Japan
Japan might feel like an odd country to include on a roundup of romantic destinations, but there is nothing like visiting a country that feels extremely foreign to help nourish a relationship. Together, my husband and I learned how to navigate what is arguably the most complicated metro system in the world and how to order ramen via a vending machine (it was much easier than you might expect).
In addition to challenging and enchanting us, Japan is also filled with endless hidden gems. One of the best weekends of my life was spent at Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku, a traditional Japanese hotel with natural hot springs on the river. I'd argue there is nothing more romantic than lounging in a hot spring in the Japanese Alps in the winter.
If you happen to head to Japan in the spring, I recommend at least a few nights in Kyoto, which has a super romantic feel and beautiful cherry blossom viewing along the Philosopher's Walk (also known for its cat sightings — a double win in my book).
7.France
I'd argue that no list of romantic destinations is complete without a mention of France. The country screams romance — from the café-lined streets of Paris to the glamorous beaches of the Côte d'Azur. It sounds cliché, but Paris truly is the city of love: It's full of beautiful people and places, enough museums to entertain you for days, and amazing food.
And while Paris is always at the top of my list, for a more subdued romantic getaway, head to the coast. You can rent a car and drive along the Côte d'Azur (Nice and Cassis are two towns I love) or post up in the surf town of Biarritz.
8.Trinidad and Tobago
Perhaps because it's so far south, people tend to overlook Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to planning a Caribbean getaway. But this dual-island country is one of those places I dream of returning to. Trinidad, the larger, more developed island, is well known for its carnival celebration — a giant, costume-fueled party on the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. And because calypso and soca were born there, it also has an iconic music scene.
If you're not visiting during carnival, I recommend spending most of your time on Tobago. The tiny island to the northeast of Trinidad is known for its beaches, surf, and open space, particularly the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve, which shelters rare hummingbirds.
My husband and I hitchhiked around the island in search of surf and sand. Our top finds were Mount Irvine Beach for surf and Pigeon Point Beach for white beaches and clear waters.
