There is no wrong way to celebrate romance. Maybe you’re celebrating love for a special person in your life or maybe you’re celebrating love for yourself. Maybe you’re celebrating your love for life and travel. Either way, make sure you’re planning for somewhere romantic. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered: these are 9 of the most romantic places I’ve been that I recommend for couple travel.
Aruba
If there’s one place in the world you won’t find a bunch of single partiers, it’s Aruba. Aruba is full of couples honeymooning, baby mooning, celebrating engagements, or visiting for Valentine’s Day. You can find some of the most romantic restaurants in Aruba, where you can eat with your feet in the sand, Caribbean waters, or even while laying in bed! Aruba is definitely one of the most romantic places I’ve been. When we got off the plane, they asked us if we were on our honeymoon. If that doesn’t scream “this is a romantic island,” I don’t know what does.
Sevilla, Spain
Sevilla was voted most romantic city in Spain, and it’s no wonder why. Rooftop pools, acres of gardens, seductive flamenco dances, and horse drawn carriages are just a few things that draw couples on a romantic getaway to Sevilla. It’s impossible to visit this cultural capital and not be drawn into the history and mystery. You can find locals breaking into dance or song any time of day. Visit the Real Alcazar, the summer home of kings and queens. Take a stroll through the Plaza de Espana and rent a paddleboat for a romantic paddle. Ice skate in the park during the winter months. Sevilla is charming, magical, and sultry day or night.
Florence, Italy
Italy is known for wine, sunsets, and steamy romantic nights. And Florence is more of a museum than a city, full of architecture, sculptures, and artwork everywhere you look. Walking through a city of living history with a beautiful backdrop of red roofs, bridges, and the sun glistening off the river is enough to make you want to visit with a special someone. If you’re not visiting with someone special, there are plenty of sexy Italian men and naked statues of David around the city! Check out some great romantic places for couples in Florence from The Blonde Abroad.
Venice, Italy
Venice is perhaps the most romantic city on earth. It’s a city where you’ll see each phase of marriage: proposals, weddings, and honeymoons. There are so many romantic places in Venice, whether it’s in a gondola with the gondolier singing to you and your partner or strolling hand in hand through the windy alleyways that sometimes end abruptly in canals. My tip for couple travel in Venice: plan ahead. You’re not the only ones thinking about celebrating your love in beautiful and romantic Venezia!
Cartagena, Colombia
One of the top destinations for weddings in the Caribbean is Cartagena, Colombia. When James and I were there, we even saw a wedding in one of the plazas of the old historic district! One of my Colombian friends can’t wait to marry her American boyfriend…in beautiful and romantic Cartagena. Even though Colombia isn’t quite ready for 5 star American tourists, it’s perfect for couples with an open mind who can overlook minor inconveniences and who really want a romantic location for couple travel. Cartagena is gorgeous; just make sure you’re ready for it!
Niagara Falls
Back in the days of chivalry and gallantry, my grandparents got married and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Things have changed a little since those days of old school romance, but Niagara Falls is not one of them. After all, it’s pretty difficult to change a waterfall! I recommend visiting Niagara Falls on the Canadian side as you’ll get a much closer view from your hotel room of Horseshoe Falls, the most famous part of Niagara Falls. There is a strange little Ripley’s Believe It Or Not/haunted houses section of downtown Niagara Falls you may want to avoid if you’re on a special “romantic places” vacation with your loved one, but you’ll definitely want to join in all of the waterfall tourist attractions like Lady of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, the Whirlpool Aero Car, and Skyline Tower.
Cape May, New Jersey
Visiting this small historic underrated New Jersey town at the very southern tip of the state is like time traveling to the setting of a Charlotte Bronte novel. The seaside town is full of Victorian houses, shops, romantic restaurants, and a pedestrian-only walkway that inspires walking through town hand in hand. While Cape May nightlife in summer has been known to pull in some singles, the town is mostly full of wedding parties year round looking for a fun way to end the night.
Just outside the historic district are wineries, breweries, a lighthouse, and Diamond Beach. Diamond Beach, where the rocks have been washed by the salt water for so long they look clear, is at the tip of New Jersey. It’s a great place to watch the sunset surrounded by water.
Wine Country, California
Theknot.com lists Sonoma, California as one of their top 10 honeymoon destinations in the world, so it’s no doubt that I also found it as one of my top most romantic places I’ve been. Wine country is spacious, peaceful, and quiet. There’s nothing like a bike ride through Yountville’s vineyards, wine tasting in Sonoma, and visiting Chateau Montelena Winery in Napa, made famous by the movie Bottle Shock. Hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train or visit The French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, which earned three Michelin stars for six years in a row and counting. Get back to nature in California’s romantic wine country.
Newport, Rhode Island
Last but not least, Newport, Rhode Island is a must for couple travel. Newport is one of the most romantic places I’ve been to in the United States and in the world. Newport is proud to hold the title “playground for the rich and famous.” It’s full of enormous mansions living cliffs overlooking the ocean. Previous mansion owners have since donated or sold their houses and the mansions are now available for tours or wedding rentals. I was lucky enough to attend a friend’s wedding at one of these gorgeous mansions. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your love, look into renting one of these fairytale mansions!
Where are some places you’ve celebrated special occasions with your partner? Are there any places you’ve been that are so romantic you’d like to go back? Share them with me in the comments below so I can add them to my list!
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P.S. You might also enjoy Someday I Will… (A Travel Bucket List) or 50 Shades of Blue in Travel