Top 8 International Vacation Spots For Couples (2023)

With summer on the horizon and vacation days stored up, lock in a trip with your loved one in tow. Whether you’re keen to explore a big city, full of culture, food, and entertainment, or you’re more interested in an adventure in the outdoors, far away from other tourists, here are the top eight worldwide vacation spots for couples.

Explore one of Spain’s Balearic Islands

If a restful vacation is just what you’re aiming for, visit the island of Menorca, also called Minorca, one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain. While the nearby islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are more energetic and humming, Menorca, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, has a laid-back vibe with attractive crescent-shaped beaches, aquamarine water, and rugged rock formations and caves that are best seen by boat.

The capital city, Mahon, located on the eastern side of the island, is where you can marvel at the bay of Mahon and the harbor from the historic center.

The former capital, Ciutadella, is a port city on the west coast of the island, full of serpentine medieval narrow streets, boutiques that sell the famous Menorcan sandals, restaurants like Ulisses Bar, and historical sites like the Maria of Ciutadella Cathedral and the Gothic-style City Hall.

Where to Stay: Villa Le Blanc Gran Melia, Menorca’s first luxury property, is idyllic for couples who want to delight in stunning Mediterranean Sea views, delectable Menorcan cuisine, or a refreshing swim in a rooftop pool with a signature cocktail in hand.

Discover Big Adventures in New Zealand

Anyone who loves adventures and big thrills would be happy with a visit to New Zealand’s North Island, home of Rotorua where you’ll find lakes and rivers, fern-filled forests, and geothermal activity. Whether you love mountain biking—Crankworx Rotorua was just held here, zip lining, kayaking, whitewater rafting, or hiking, it’s all here.

• Velocity Valley: A one-stop-shop for multiple adventures, spend the day here screaming your head off on the Agrojet, Swoop, Freefall Xtreme, Shweeb Racer, Rotorua Bungy, and Freestyle Airbag.
• ZORB: Quite possibly the most unique and ridiculous adventure that anyone can sign up for, ZORB is an experience where you jump into a massive inflatable ball that has a few inches of water inside, and then rocket down Mt. Ngongotaha on one of four tracks.
• Redwoods Treewalk: More romantic than thrilling, unless you have a fear of heights, for this activity you’ll walk across suspended bridges, from one massive redwood tree to another, and marvel at the nighttime light display.
• Rotorua Canopy Tours: Not only will you zipline over an ancient fern-filled forest on this beautifully exciting guided adventure, but also, you’ll learn about the native environment, feed a local bird from your hand, walk across a swing bridge, and experience a cliff walk—safely, of course.
• Skyline Rotorua: Carve out a day of your trip for visiting this wild adventure park, home to the Rotorua Luge, Mountain Bike Park, Zoom Ziplines, and Skyswing Rotorua. Afterwards, enjoy a glass of wine at Volcanic Hills Winery to celebrate your thrill-seeking prowess.

See Street Art in Rhode Island

The capital city of Rhode Island, Providence, is the perfect getaway for couples with limited time. Spend the weekend in this city, home of Brown University, and visit the RISD Museum, College Hill, Waterplace Park, Roger Williams Park Zoo, The John Brown House Museum, and the Federal Hill neighborhood full of great restaurants, Italian markets, and boutique shopping.

As you’re walking around, hand-in-hand, you’ll notice plenty of large-scale street artworks commissioned by The Avenue Concept, a public art organization. See “Still Here”, “Salt Water”, “She Never Came”, and “Misty Blue” as well as many others on a self-guided tour throughout Downtown, the South Side, and the West End.

Where to Stay: Well-located hotels include The Beatrice, a luxury hotel located in the 1887 Exchange Building; Graduate Providence, full of colorful art and décor; and The Dean Hotel, a minimalist, funky, and comfy boutique hotel within walking distance to the Downtown district.

Dine like the Italians in Tuscany

Quite possibly the most romantic destination in Italy, Tuscany not only offers wide expanses of nature-filled beauty, rest, and leisure, but also, delicious wine and pasta. In the heart of Tuscany, seemingly remote and far away from the hustle and bustle of any major metropolis, yet, in reality, not far from Florence, Tenuta di Artimino, part of the Melia Collection, is a dream.

Set in the rolling hills of the Carmignano area, this property is the ancient estate of Medici origins—it’s every bit as lovely as that sounds. Spend your days relaxing by the swimming pool, experiencing an informative vineyard tour, and dining in the restaurant, Biagio Pignatta—don’t miss sampling the extra virgin olive oil, produced from cold extraction, as well as the wine produced on the estate, namely the Carmignano Docg, a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet. A number of events and special happenings include Classic Wine Tasting, Carmignano Vertical Wine Tasting, Pasta Making, and an Exclusive Picnic.

You’ll also want to explore the small nearby village, where you can sample gelato, eat pizza alfresco at Circolo di Artimino Da Mario, and enjoy a spa treatment at Tenuta Di Artimino Wellness & Spa.

Live Out Your Wild West Dreams in Montana

Few places out west match the beauty and serenity found along Montana’s Blackfoot River. It’s here, on The Resort at Paws Up’s 37,000 acres, where you can experience a wilderness retreat with a stay in a private luxury home, a chic tree house—the green o—designed just for adults, or a safari-style glamping tent.

While on property, you can delve into a myriad of year-round adventures to suit your interests, from cattle drives to fly fishing, ATV tours, sport clay shooting, boating, kayaking, mountain biking, rappelling, hiking, and more.

More than anything, you and your loved one can expect to deeply connect with nature and the outdoors, from the food created with local and seasonal ingredients to the access to a tree-filled landscape and a night sky full of stars.

Duos can connect with a glass of wine on the deck of Pomp, at an award-winning luxury fine dining restaurant; while horseback riding in the pristine wilderness; at an authentic chuck wagon dinner; or while enjoying a couples massage in a tent overlooking a meadow.

Immerse Yourself in the World of Vienna

Plenty of sites and treasures will keep you and your partner busy on a tour of Vienna, the City of Music and Austria’s most populous metropolis at nearly two million people. From visits to museums to dining experiences near the Danube Canal to guided walking tours where you can fill your water bottle from one of the many fountains in the historic city center, romance is in the air.

Learn about this capital city’s musical legacy and famous sons Beethoven and Mozart as well as why Vienna is also called the City of Dreams. Hint: Sigmund Freud lived here as well. Visit the Vienna State Opera, the Museum of Art History, the Museum of Natural History, the Parliament, the Burgtheater, City Hall, the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedra, Belvedere Palace, Spanish Riding School, and Hofburg Palace. Also, enjoy the easily accessible green spaces throughout the city and beyond—parks, woods, and vineyards.

You’ll also want to spend some time in one or two of Vienna’s famed coffeehouses. These community-based locales are dominant throughout the city and vary in size and ambiance. Notably, there’s a generational cafe that offers a space for meaningful connections between young people and seniors. Vollpension, considered “Granny’s Public Living Room”, has a baking school where elderly employees teach younger patrons how to bake cakes. Sip coffee, listen to music, and enjoy dessert while also supporting seniors who are often at risk for loneliness and old-age poverty (over half of the workforce at Vollpension are over 60 years of age).

Catch a Lobster on a Boat in Maine

One of the most down-to-earth New England destinations can be found in the greater Portland region of Maine. Known for not only its active marine industry, but also, its 19^th-century architecture and burgeoning culinary culture, Portland has much to offer couples. See the Portland Museum of Art, the oldest public art institution in the U.S.; Allagash Brewing Company; Portland Head Light, the oldest light house in Maine; and the Eastern Promenade, a public park with paramount views of the harbor and Casco Bay.

Spend time wandering the Old Port, a lovely historic district with cobblestone streets and old brick buildings full of boutiques, restaurants, and cocktail bars. In the warmer months, one of the top tourist attractions is a sailing adventure with Portland Schooner Co., a delightful way to see the city from the water and experience seafaring culture.

Of course, the entire state of Maine is well known for its lobster and whether you like it steamed, baked, or inside a bun, you should not only try this crustacean firsthand, but also, learn about how lobster fishing is an important part of the economy. Join a 90-minute tour with Lucky Catch Cruises for an immersive all-hands-on-deck experience where you’ll help set traps with fish and pull crabs and lobster straight out of the sea.

Where to Stay: Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Inn by the Sea, located in Cape Elizabeth, is an oceanfront escape like no other. From delectable dining in the Sea Glass Restaurant to swimming in the heated outdoor pool to practicing yoga on the lawn to walking on the boardwalk to Crescent Beach to indulging in a reposeful spa treatment, couples can enjoy the peace and serenity of this Beyond Green property, located only 15 minutes from Portland.

Cuddle on a Chicago Rooftop

The Windy City is the perfect locale for a weekend getaway for couples. From world-class museums to well-rated restaurants to comedy clubs to rooftops perfect for clinking cocktail glasses, Chicago has it all—in spades.

For elevated Indian cuisine, with rich traditional flavors that pair well with signature cocktails, dine at Rooh Chicago, located on Randolph in the popular West Loop dining district. Michelin-rated, this contemporary eatery has a romantic atmosphere, with a stunning mural created by Jenny Vyas.

Celebrate warmer weather with your loved one in tow while drinking cocktails on one of Chicago’s most impressive rooftops. The Robey Chicago, located at the popular intersection of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Avenues, is an Art Deco building with an incredible 13^th floor lounge called The Up Room. The city views are magic here, especially at night.

With your sweetie, visit AIRE Ancient Baths, situated in a restored River West paint factory from 1902. Inside, you’ll soak in multiple baths or relax in the therapeutic steam rooms, while candles flicker all around you. The exposed brick, wooden beams, and iron work all add to the elegant yet contemporary allure. Add a massage treatment to get the full experience. You’ll leave feeling calm and recharged.

Where to Stay: Book a room at the extraordinary Viceroy Chicago, a luxury hotel in the Windy City’s sought-after Gold Coast. Near the Magnificent Mile, as well as many of the attractions and sites Chicago is well-known for, this top hotel has a fantastic rooftop lounge called Devereaux, complete with a swimming pool and excellent city views.