10 of the most romantic holiday destinations

If you’re searching for anniversary trip ideas, you’ve got plenty of options (islands) to choose from when it comes to the Maldives. This country is a great getaway that allows couples to connect and share amazing experiences from enjoying a seaside lunch, snorkelling and seeing amazing marine life, catamaran rides, and taking island-hopping excursions to nearby islands. Because many of the islands aren’t packed with tourists, the Maldives make a top romantic vacation idea for honeymoons.

What makes Maldives perfect for couples, are the secluded resorts ranging from 3 to 5 star properties that offer private love nests exclusively designed for the romantic.  These villas are secluded in lush vegetation or isolated above a lagoon for couples to have maximum privacy.

This Catalan capital rivals Paris as the city of love. The city of Barcelona is perfect for couples to stroll hand in hand through the Gothic Quarter and to dine at the lively tapas bars. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the city as a couple, and it makes for a top choice as a romantic vacation idea.

Watch the Magic Fountains at Montjuic which provide a stunning spectacle of lights, music and water acrobatics for couples to marvel at. Additionally, beautiful parks like Parc Guell and Parc de la Ciutadella with their mesmerising scenery and architecture are ideal places for love birds to spend quality time together.

Exploring attractions like Mattupetty Dam and Devikulam with your significant other are sure to make Munnar a memorable romantic vacation. Take a stroll together through lush forests, enjoy the cool breeze and birdsong that will surely bring you closer together.

If you and your partner enjoy wildlife spotting and exploring off the beaten track, Munnar is an excellent choice as just outside the town there are many romantic vacation packages to choose from. Or, if you both love hiking in nature, take a bus from Munnar to Anamudi located just 10.5 kms away. To enjoy a breathtaking view of the picturesque topography here, travel to the Pothamedu View Point, which is barely 5 kms from the town.

Beautiful rice terraces, waterfalls, art market for trinkets, beach villas and temples- Bali makes for a perfect romantic holiday with its laidback and pleasant atmosphere. Enjoy privacy, peace and quiet whilst admiring the picturesque sceneries here with your loved one. Have a romantic dinner on a boat with your partner or, if you love adventure, go for a snorkelling session together and behold the exquisite marine life holding hands under water. You can also go for a couple’s massage and spa, or enjoy the sunset at Dream Beach with your partner.

Get cosy in Iceland with your partner and witness the magic of the Northern Lights. This stunningly beautiful natural event is best seen during the colder months between November and January and is a must-plan romantic getaway at least once in a lifetime. Planning a romantic trip to this spectacular event can be a great idea for an anniversary or to celebrate a special milestone in your relationship.

The picturesque cobbled streets and canals make Bruges look like a fairy-tale medieval town. The lovely topography here makes Bruges one of the most romantic getaway vacations in Europe. Referred to as the “Venice of the North”, Bruges is perfect for couples looking to get lost in the city and finding each other sharing incredible sights and scenes. You can take a page out of the fairytales, and go on a romantic carriage ride through the city, cruise in the beautiful canals and feed the swans in the Lake of Love with your partner here.

Coastal scenery, picturesque fishing villages and breathtaking vantage points on high-rise mountains, the Isle of Skye provides plenty of opportunities for couples to share some quality time together. On this romantic holiday, explore the Dunvegan Castle, hike the majestic Quiraing- one of the highest rated couple activities on TripAdvisor, or head out for a cosy picnic lunch with your partner to Trotternish Loop- the peninsula that contains the most iconic, and popular scenery on the Isle of Skye. Come evening, stroll along the shore and catch the evening sky to set eyes on the most fantastic sunset you’re sure to remember for a lifetime.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany looks like a fairytale illustration brought to life with its towers, turrets and frescoes. In winter, the snow-covered evergreen trees and mountain backdrop enhance the romantic atmosphere. If your significant other is a Disney fan, please him/her by bringing them to see the real-life inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle and make your romantic holiday dreamier.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, Nara is a romantic getaway that offers a slow pace of life. Take a stroll around town after dark and drink a cup of hot cocoa to keep you warm as you take in the lantern-lit forest paths and temples that illuminate as if you were in a dream. Around the week of Valentine’s Day, Nara Rurie lights up as well as the main temples each night around Nara Park. Make sure to buy some crackers and feed the deer that roam freely in the park. Nara gives a festive feeling year-round making it a perfect romantic getaway option.

When it comes to romantic getaway vacations, we’d be remiss not to add Paris. It’s a pretty obvious choice and for a good reason. Popularly known as the City of Love, Paris has much to offer. When in Paris with a loved one, you cannot miss visiting Le Mur Des Je t’aime- tucked away in Montmartre’s petite Jehan Rictus garden square. Created by artists Fédéric Baron and Claire Kito in 2000, the mural adorns hundreds of variations of the magical words “I Love You” in over 250 different languages and dialects, and is a great romantic vacation idea.

Couples can enjoy romantic sunsets, spend nights at boutique hotels and bask in the artistic atmosphere. Some bars provide shelves of books for customers to read whilst sipping wine in candlelit splendour. Plan a couples’ picnic at the romantic gardens of the Versailles Palace.  Paris is truly a magical place that feels like an escape from reality, and hence a perfect romantic getaway.