Travel as a Couple: More Than Just Romance

Travelling with a partner is one of the richest ways to deepen a relationship. Navigating a new city together, sharing a meal you'll talk about for years, getting slightly lost and laughing about it — these experiences build connection in a way that everyday life rarely can. The best couple travel destinations offer a blend of shared discovery, intimacy, and the freedom to be spontaneous.

1. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto moves at a different pace to the rest of Japan. Its ancient temples, bamboo groves, tea ceremony culture, and quiet backstreets are made for slow, contemplative exploration. Staying in a traditional ryokan — a Japanese inn with tatami rooms, communal baths, and multi-course kaiseki meals — is one of the most immersive couple travel experiences in the world.

2. The Azores, Portugal

For couples who prefer dramatic natural landscapes over city breaks, the Azores delivers extraordinary scenery — volcanic crater lakes, thermal hot springs, whale watching, and lush green coastlines — with relatively few crowds. The islands feel genuinely off the beaten path without being difficult to reach from Europe or the US East Coast.

3. Verona, Italy

While the Shakespearean connection is romanticised, Verona's charm is entirely real. The city's well-preserved Roman arena, medieval lanes, and exceptional wine and food scene (it's the gateway to Valpolicella and Soave wine country) make it a wonderful alternative to the more tourist-heavy Venice or Florence. It's compact, walkable, and genuinely beautiful.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca has become one of the world's most exciting food destinations, and food — exploring it together — is one of the most intimate forms of couple travel. Beyond the extraordinary cuisine (mole, tlayudas, mezcal), the city offers remarkable Indigenous art and craft traditions, vibrant markets, and easy access to stunning archaeological sites like Monte Albán.

5. Bhutan

For couples who want a truly transformative experience, Bhutan — the Himalayan kingdom that measures success in Gross National Happiness — offers an extraordinary journey. The country's approach to sustainable tourism means visitor numbers are controlled, making it feel unspoiled. Trekking to ancient monasteries perched on cliffsides, encountering deeply held Buddhist culture, and experiencing pristine mountain landscapes is deeply meaningful travel.

6. The Greek Islands

The Greek Islands are a classic for a reason — but the key for couples is to look beyond Santorini and Mykonos (beautiful but crowded) to islands like Naxos, Milos, or Hydra. These offer the iconic white-and-blue scenery, crystal-clear water, and excellent taverna food, with a fraction of the crowds and considerably lower prices.

7. New Zealand's South Island

For adventurous couples, New Zealand's South Island is hard to beat. Milford Sound, the Queenstown lakes, the Otago Peninsula, and the Arthur's Pass mountain crossing offer extraordinary scenery at every turn. Road tripping together — stopping spontaneously, cooking at campsite kitchens, waking up to mountain views — creates a particular kind of closeness that resort-based travel rarely matches.

Making the Most of Couple Travel

  • Mix activity levels: Alternate active days (hiking, exploring) with slower ones (lingering over meals, reading by the water).
  • Build in alone time: Paradoxically, a little solo exploration within a shared trip — an hour reading in a café while your partner browses a market — can make the shared moments feel even better.
  • Try one new thing together: A cooking class, a snorkelling session, a language lesson — shared new experiences create shared memories.
  • Don't over-plan: Leave room for the unscripted moments. Those are usually the ones you'll remember most.