15 Bucket List Destinations for Romantic Getaways: Botswana to Thailand!
Whether it’s a break over Valentine’s Day or a special celebration, what better way is there to show our love than a romantic getaway? Never mind what time of year you go – these destinations cover every month!
Check out some of our favourite dreamy destinations for romantic getaways. All places on our planet we’ve visited to celebrate the magic of love – whether with a partner, sister, family get-togethers, or with the best of friends!
Botswana, Africa
A safari in the wilderness of waterways of the Okavango Delta ranks up there in our dreamy destinations for Romantic Getaways.
Imagine being with that special person surrounded only by wildlife and nature, but at the end of a long day resting in the luxury of a modern lodge.
There are itineraries for all ages and budgets. If you travel during what is called ‘green season’, you will have to deal with a rain shower now and again but it is cheaper and the landscape will be alive with new growth. It’s also when the little animals come into the world in mass.
Peak season is from May to October. We combined Botswana with Zambia and Zimbabwe for a blend of safaris and Victoria Falls.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is no longer a transit stop between continents. With Emirates the state airline’s expansive routes, it’s easier than ever to whisk yourselves off to Dubai for a weekend of high living.
STK Restaurant is a highly recommended steakhouse on a Wednesday! The food is absolutely to die for. Buy one get one free on the whole menu! The fillet steak rare was incredible! They usually have live entertainment whilst you dine, definitely a must-visit in Dubai for you and your loved one.
Time-out markets – Another great part of Dubai is the “time out” markets located right beside the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. This is a huge space filled with food shacks and bars where you can try tapas dishes of almost every cuisine. Treat yourself to a few plates and some cocktails and grab a seat to watch the water show, a perfect chilled evening in Dubai.
Five Palm – If you are looking for a party hotspot look no further than the “Five Palm” resort and the penthouse brunch which includes sushi and unlimited drinks! This event comes with top-class entertainment and a fantastic outside seating location perfect for getting that Dubai Instagram picture!
Don’t miss Dubai’s Aura Skypool! For an incredibly breathtaking experience head to the “Aura” sky pool enough. This is a 360-degree infinity pool located on the highest floor of the Palm Tower. 100% book in advance (30 days prior) and you can pick from 3 rows all with different facing views.
Prices vary, usually £80 per person for 4 hours and a front row lounger, food and drink extra.
Cornwall, England
Cornwall is one of the most beautiful counties in England. It is one of the best Dreamy Destinations for Romantic Getaways for those of us who live in Southern England.
If you travel through it as far as you can go, it leads to Land’s End. On the journey there, you’ll pass through stunning coastlines and beautiful landscapes, quirky towns and fishermen’s villages, but also rich history.
Summers are busy so think about travelling late Spring or into Autumn to avoid the crowds. For accommodation, try Cornish Gems who specialize in smaller properties, perfect for couples.
Whilst it’s particularly popular with families because of the wonderful sweeping beaches, it’s a destination for all ages.
There are certainly lots of romantic spots to be found in this region – stroll with your loved one along the cliff paths that hug the coastline; watch and listen to the wild waves crash against the rocks, take in magnificent sunsets, share a Cornish Cream Tea, and stay in cozy cottages.
One favourite spot I discovered in Cornwall, was the enchanting village of Mousehole. Once a busy port, it is now much quieter. Yet it has retained much of its old-world charm with its narrow streets filled with small shops, galleries, and cafes. It’s a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon – pack a picnic to share on the beach.
And if you’re up for romance, you can declare your love at Land’s End in words on the famous landmark sign!
Greece and her Islands
If you’ve seen The movie Mamma Mia, you will know how beautiful and romantic Greece and its islands are. This country has all the ingredients you need for a great couples holiday.
Warm weather, stunning beaches, authentic tavernas with delicious food, and friendly people. What’s not to love? There are so many islands to choose from so you won’t be disappointed.
More recently, we spent a Week in Halkidiki on the mainland but I’ve also had fabulous stays on the islands of Kos, Kefalonia. Skiathos, Rhodes and Corfu. I think what is so lovely about the Greek islands is the sense of relaxation.
Visit Rhodes and its capital, Rhodes Town, which is rich in history. Try Skiathos for its wonderful harbourfront, and restaurants galore.
Or maybe Corfu for lush landscapes and a taste of Italy! Kefalonia is where the romantic movie ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ was filmed. Kos might suit you if you’re looking for abundant sandy beaches.
Consider Lefkada, Greece for a super relaxing break for a week and why not combine it with a few nights in Athens?
A week in Greece in the words of Mamma Mia…will be …..!
Krabi, Thailand
Imagine … you’ve spent the morning strolling around a local market and returned to the beach for the afternoon to relax and read a book. You end your day watching the glorious rich sunset and enjoy a cocktail or two watching the sunset.
Doing all that as somewhere as beautiful as Krabi in Thailand is perfect. The setting is spectacular: a colourful backdrop of longboats and dramatic rock formations.
Krabi is on Thailand’s southern coast. From Bangkok, it’s a short flight- 90 minutes.
Aside from the beaches, island hopping is particularly popular. Hire a boat or join an organised tour and seek out superb snorkeling in the pure turquoise waters.
Paddle down rivers through rich jungles and mangroves in a double canoe. Sharing stories about your day after an adventure is always a lovely thing to do. Book a Thai massage – quite an experience and definitely a must.
We’ve both visited Thailand. It’s known as the land of smiles and the people are so welcoming and yes smiley!
The Maldives, Indian Ocean
With so many awards, The Maldives are one of those places where photographs don’t do it justice. It’s a paradise in the Indian Ocean and having visited a couple of times, I guarantee it’s worth splurging on.
In fact, you can easily combine visiting here with time in Sri Lanka! We have all you need to know to Plan 9 Days in Sri Lanka + Time in The Maldives.
Most of the country is underwater (99%). 200 of 1192 islands are inhabited, but that gives us more than enough choice.
We stayed close to the main airport (30-minute jet boat ride) for our first stay but for our second visit, we jumped onto an internal flight over the equator to the very southern atolls for a different experience.
Snorkel & dive, relax together in your villa over the water, dine on the beach, go night-fishing, or do absolutely nothing – just be happy together on this Dreamy Destination for Romantic Getaways
The Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Award Winning Beaches 40 miles (65km) from the Scottish mainland? The Sunday Times and countless ‘travel’ experts consistently rate these remote beaches on Scotland’s Outer Hebrides as some of the best.
We agree these are some of the most beautiful and romantic coastlines. Of course, it can rain and blow a gale, but when the sun’s out and the wind calm, it’s stunning.
We cycled the 130-mile Island chain with only 20 minutes of rain and no bugs (honest!). If you want to be immersed in raw beauty and don’t mind a 5-hour ferry from Oban (West Coast mainland), this is a perfect romantic destination.
Summer brings the magic of machair – a protected carpet of wildflowers and grasses adjacent to the beaches.
We visited in June and would recommend May/June for the best weather. Once peak summer holidays start, it gets busier but you will never compete for space on any beach.
When you’re ready, head into a small pub in one of the many small towns along the island chain. If this feels a little too far, try the islands of Oban and Mull for a shorter ferry adventure.
Scotlands Isles of Colonsay, Islay, and Jura are a combination of different experiences for all romantics. Imagine sandy beaches to yourself, beautiful picnic spots, beautiful small hotels, and local foods.
Cappadocia, Turkey
A stay in an ancient cave might not sound very romantic or fun. But, don’t dismiss this central Anatolian beauty spot in Goerme, Turkey with fairy chimney hotels tucked into ancient rocks.
Hold hands as you navigate the dim well-preserved passages of the medieval town of Goerme. If you love carpets, you will find plenty of choice but be prepared to bargain.
Top off your getaway with romantic Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride over the peaks. It’s silent as you float across the peaks and valleys. After you land, have a breakfast picnic with a few bubbles.
Try some local shopping and sightseeing, then find a local restaurant to sample some delicious local cuisine. You will likely be treated to local musicians playing traditional tunes over dinner – have a cup of tea with them – everyone is so friendly.
It’s a short flight from Istanbul, another magical destination. Or hire a car and drive from Ankara.
The Golden Triangle, India
We have a full trip guide to explore this magical part of India with an easy road trip itinerary. By combining the cities of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur you will find a perfect blend of things to do and sights to discover. Here’s our full India’s Golden Triangle Itinerary Guide.
The Taj Mahal. This incredible structure was built between 1631 and 1648 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in honour of his wife. Until you physically stand here, as a new day is breaking, it’s hard to understand what all the fuss is about in the small town of Agra.
Combine this visit with Jaipur, and explore more incredibly beautiful spots within India’s Golden Triangle.
Try a cooking class together to explore how to create simple delicious Indian dishes!
Or if you want more action, Jaipur’s markets are street versions of Aladdin’s Cave. Beware the monkey thieves! They snatch fruit especially bananas in seconds 🙂
Reykjavik, Iceland
It may be cool outside for some of us in these winter months so why not head to Iceland? This is the perfect destination to warm up with your loved one in the world-famous spectacular Blue Lagoon.
We have a great 4 days in Iceland to help you plan things to do here. From the perfect city Blue Lagoon hot springs to remote pools you will find plenty of pampering if that’s your chosen romantic combination. There are some lovely places to stay and eat around the Old Harbour. Oh, and the locals love their coffee – it’s everywhere.
Outside the capital, try hiking or drive yourself along quiet roads to watch exploding geysers, thunderous waterfalls, and acres of black lava fields. A favourite spot of ours was Vatnajokull Glacial Park.
If you are here between September and March, you might be lucky and see the aurora borealis. Book an evening Iceland Aurora Sightings Tour for a small group as this means much more flexibility to ‘follow the lights’.
We visited in June and the weather was amazing. Just watch out for mosquitos – they’re a bit of a nuisance when you’re out in the country.
A tip – Icelandic Airlines routes encourage travelers to think about coming for an extended stopover. So if you’re in the USA or Canada, why not stop off for a few days before that trip to Europe?
Zagreb, Croatia
Our last featured romantic spot is in the heart of Croatia. Zagreb is an eclectic vibrant mix of history, culture, city, and markets and we think go now before its popularity booms.
The city’s parks have quirky fun decor as you’ll see from our photos. Little trucks under the trees offer bubbles and as you stroll, suddenly music starts playing and everyone is dancing!
A sense of humour permeates -look no further than the Museum of Broken Relationships. This small museum may feel a little ironic for a romantic post, but just the place to ‘get over someone’ and move on!!
During the summer, government buildings in the historic Old Upper Town open their doors to the public, creating glorious outdoor patio bars overlooking the city below.
And Paris, Rome, Venice, CapeTown
These cities are perennial dream destinations for romantic getaways. Favourites at any time of year and they continue to draw millions of romantics. Check out our posts for fun ideas of what to do to create a special break with that special person in your life.
As CS Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream”.
Time and life fly by. Of course, we have day-to-day commitments and financial limits. But if any of our romantic spots inspire you, figure out how to get there. Life is too short not to share these amazing places with those you love.
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