What are the most romantic places to go to in the world?
Paris, France? Portofino? Rome? Athens? A case can be made for any of these cities, but that’s precisely the problem.
Movies, television shows, love songs, and Instagram posts have drilled carbon-copy fantasies into our heads. And they’re nice. Beautiful even. Who can deny the inherent romance of a kiss atop the Eiffel Tower or in front of the Colosseum? Who doesn’t lust after the seductive atmosphere of Italy or Greece?
But we’ve been force-fed these images since William Wyler’s Roman Holiday and Casablanca’s quintessential line, “we’ll always have Paris.” The same notions about the same European cities have become predictable, overwrought, and dare we say… trite?
If you’re looking for a romantic destination to visit with your loved one, skip all the expected spots and venture beyond those tourist traps. A key part of romance is the adventure of it, and travel is one of the biggest tests of a couple’s compatibility. If you’re looking to pass to expand your horizons, why not take the road less traveled?
Now’s the time to be daring. According to New York Times’ travel experts, romantic escapes are back and bigger than ever. Think of all those pandemic Zoom weddings and postponed trips. So many couples are scrambling to reschedule. And for many of them, two years without travel has maximized their travel budget. From honeymoons to anniversaries, bachelor parties, romance is in the air. And extravagant trips are on our itineraries.
“We absolutely can say that honeymoons are back with both a passion and a vengeance,” said Harlan DeBell, an owner of the Travel Siblings in the New York Times. Kara Bebell — also an owner — added: “Since many couples have had to postpone their wedding dates several times, they are splurging more on hotel upgrades and private romantic experiences.”
Some couples have redirected their vacation budgets elsewhere, rather than throw money at lavish getaways. Yet, the creative spirit is in the air. People are thirsting for something different, something exciting. Some have been vacation-snacking — taking modest forays, leaving room for unconventional adventure.
“While restrictions remain in place for farther-flung parts of the world, mini-moons have also been on the rise during the pandemic,” Ms. Bebell noted. “Or they’re sticking even closer to home with the so-called nanomoon, which is trending right now,” according to Ms. Bebell. “Vineyards, beaches, anything outdoorsy,” are typical backdrops for these trips. But many couples who’ve settled for a mini-moon or nanomoon — short road trips to explore local destinations — in the interim are also planning full-on honeymoons for next year.”
Travel is heating up, and if you’re looking for an offbeat extravagant vacation, here are a few of our favorite romantic places to visit:
Nairobi, Kenya
While Nairobi itself is a beautiful part of the world, the main attraction in Lang'ata is Giraffe Manor, a picturesque guest house surrounded by giraffes. The manor is built with specific windows that allow the giraffes to pop their heads in and greet the guests, and the hotel itself is unbelievably romantic.
▲The Chocolate Hills, Philippines
They say chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Well, The Chocolate Hills blend amore with adventure. Considered one of the most mysterious places in the Philippines, these majestic hills are fit for hiking, exploring, and soaking in the atmosphere.
▲Bath, England
Although London’s one of the most thrilling cities on the planet, there’s far more to England than its capital. Explore Bath’s sleepy, cobblestone streets. Opt for a country-style inn that has a huge, charming tub and spend those grey-skied days cozied up with your lover.
▲Sayulita, Mexico
Skip the usual tourist cities in Mexico and head to the vibrant beach town of Sayulita. Nestled on the coast, backed by the Sierra Madre Occidental, it’s a picturesque city with mountains, beaches, and spectacular marine life.
▲Duck, North Carolina
North Carolina is home to many small towns right on the water and known as the Outer Banks. Duck is the enchanting home to a variety of local cultures, celebrated seafood, and expansive beaches.
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