Looking for love in all the right places
Mr. TWS and I are complete romantics and we have felt love in the air together many times during our travels. In a previous Romantic Europe article, I selected 10 memorable places that brought romance to mind for us. These romantic travel destinations were Paris and Cassis in France; Lisbon, Portugal; Budapest, Hungary; Roses, Spain; Lake Maggiore, Asolo, Rome and Venice in Italy; and the Middle Rhine Valley of Germany (photos in collages below).
Middle Rhine Valley; Cassis, France; Lisbon, Portugal; Roses, Spain; Asolo, Italy
Lake Maggiore, Italy; Budapest, Hungary; Venice, Italy; Rome, Italy; Paris, France
Since that post, we have many new destinations to add, and I’ve selected 10 of them to feature here. If you’re a romantic, think about adding these places to your list of places to visit and feel the love. There are links to past articles for more inspiration about these romantic travel destinations.
Memories of romantic travel destinations
What makes a place and time romantic? Is it feeling an overall romantic vibe, sharing a luscious special dinner, gazing on stunning views and sunsets, or strolling a long, sandy beach? Maybe it’s also that you’re traveling with your special person, looking back on past romances, or envisioning a romantic future . It’s really whatever makes it romantic for you.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
Our time in the western Sahara was an exciting and romantic experience — sleeping in our luxury tents under the vast skies filled with bright stars, riding camels, taking 4 x 4s for miles over the dunes, visiting a nomad family, listening to Berbers perform their local music and songs around a blazing campfire, and watching sunrises and sunsets over the dunes. — Broadening Our Horizons in Morocco
Sahara Desert, Morocco
Of the many highlights during our Collette Colors of Morocco tour, our two nights at a Sahara Desert camp stands out as one of the best. Ever since I was very young, I dreamed of seeing the Sahara Desert which held a great deal of mystique for me. But somehow it always seemed out of reach until our Morocco guided tour gave us the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality. — An Enchanting Stay in the Sahara Desert
Magical Sahara Desert Camp at night
Lake Bled and Ljubljana, Slovenia
I found love in Slovenia — literally. Did you know that Slovenia is the only country in the world with the word “love” in its name? I didn’t know this until our Collette tour manager mentioned it when we visited this country in the Balkan region of Europe. And I’ve also learned since that Ljubljana (pronounced roughly loo·blee·aa·nuh), which is Slovenia’s largest city, sounds like ljubljena, which means “beloved” in Slovenian. — Finding Love in Slovenia on a Collette Guided Tour
Lake Bled, Slovenia
A day trip away from Ljubljana was to beautiful Lake Bled. On a sunny autumn day we boated across the lake on unique, traditional, gondola-like boats (pletna) and walked up the hill to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption of Mary for spectacular views of the Julian Alps and the surrounding area.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
I love cities and Ljubljana is a city to love. This capital of Slovenia is full of history yet has a contemporary and vibrant feel. It struck me quickly as a city I’d like to get to know better. Its setting on the Ljubljana River, its architecture, and its cobblestone streets and squares add to a very romantic feel. — Finding Love in Slovenia on a Collette Guided Tour
Prešeren Square in Ljubljana
Swiss Alps and Zurich, Switzerland
What could be more romantic than snuggling in the Swiss Alps! Many years ago, we enjoyed the pristine beauty and romance of Switzerland while based in Geneva and were excited to visit again. This time we made Zurich our base and took two day trips. One of those was to the top of Mt. Titlis in the stunning Swiss Alps.
Mt. Titlis, Swiss Alps
Whether the green rolling foothills in summer or the snow-covered peaks in winter, the Alps have always epitomized romance for me. This trip gave us our taste of winter to kick off the Christmas holidays. We enjoyed an exhilarating walk spanning the depths between cliff peaks and a hugged in the sunshine and cold wind, and then warmed up with a stunning view of sunny Alpine peaks against a bright blue sky during a quiet lunch together.
Panorama Restaurant atop Mt. Titlis
I loved strolling the lanes of Zurich’s Old Town whether bustling with people or at quiet times as we made our way back to the hotel late in the evening. Shops and restaurants were tastefully decorated with lights that glowed on the cobblestone streets, adding to the romantic ambiance of the area. — Six Days in Zurich for a Holiday Kickoff
Zurich at night
Santorini, Greece
Romantic sunset cruise in Santorini
Santorini is famous for picturesque whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches on the clifftops above the Aegean Sea. Its spectacular sunsets create an ambiance perfect for romance. — Three Days in Romantic Santorini
Sunset in Santorini
We enjoyed dinners overlooking the sea, a beautiful sunset cruise, white villages nestled in the hills, and seeing the many sights we had seen pictured. For these reasons, we were always enticed to visit, and Santorini lived up to its promise and deserves a place on any list of romantic spots.
Taormina, Sicily (Italy)
In Taormina, known for the White Lotus series setting and offering great views of the Ionian Sea, we said goodbye to Sicily after a wonderful trip. We enjoyed the romance of the wonderful restaurants and charming village with fantastic views everywhere.
Taormina is one of the most picturesque places in Sicily with its setting on a mountainside high above the Ionian Sea that provided profound literary inspiration for writers like D.H. Lawrence and Oscar Wilde. — A Farewell to Sicily in Taormina
Sunrise over the Ionian Sea
From Taormina, we took a lovely day trip to the wine country of Mt. Etna — another totally romantic way to spend some time. We visited Gambino Winery (where the photo below was taken) for a great tasting and hug in the vineyards.
Gambino Winery, Sicily
Antigua and Barbuda
The Caribbean islands with their beautiful beaches offer many spots for romance and Antigua, with 365 of those beaches, is one of them. Our week in Antigua let us enjoy romance on the beaches, amidst the island beauty, and on the water.
Mr. TWS and I are both romantics and often travel to places that are the epitome of romance. The island of Antigua fits that description well. — Lights, Camera, Action in Antigua
Boat ride on Antigua
Ffryes Beach on the west coast of Antigua is one of the most popular beaches on the island. We found it quiet and romantic on the afternoon we spent here. Dennis Beach Bar and Restaurant, located just above the far end of the beach, is a great spot for a drink or meal while enjoying the views.
Beach time in Antigua — Ffryes Beach
Nice, France
The South of France and especially the Côte d’Azur have always meant romance to me. Our brief stay in Nice enabled us to enjoy walks along the Mediterranean, strolls on palm-lined streets, and warm breezes during sunsets on the beach.
Mr. TWS taking photos of the palms and the sea
Our two days on the French Riviera in Nice were very nice (I couldn’t resist), but I could definitely go back for more. I loved the quintessential French Riviera ambiance and vibrant old town, squares, and parks. We really felt the romantic vibe of the city, especially as we walked along the seaside promenade, watched the sunset on the pebbly beach, and explored the colorful squares. — Indulging the Senses on the Mediterranean Coast of France
TWS duo in Nice, France
London, England
Many may not first think of romance when thinking of London, — Love, Actually aside. But we always love visiting London and maybe it’s just being together in one of the best cities of the world that makes it romantic for us. There was something especially romantic about our last visit kicking off the Christmas holidays. The simple things — walks along the Thames, warming up in festive pubs, romantic dinners at great restaurants, and many other things — made London come to my mind reflecting on romantic cities.
Tower Bridge, London
Decorations on the streets, storefronts, and iconic London attractions really put us in the holiday mood, and we especially enjoyed the festive vibe in the pubs where Christmas partiers filled the air with lively conversations, laughter, and songs. — 5 Days in London on a Holiday Getaway
London, England (notice the neon “love” sign on the Corinthia Hotel, center)
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Surrounded by the beautiful Adriatic, its stunning rugged coast, and beautiful medieval architecture earning it UNESCO World Heritage Site status, we loved our time there and would definitely return for more romance.
Our top Dubrovnik experience was walking the ancient city walls originally built in the 13th century. The views of the sea and the old city below are amazing. — — A Taste of Croatia from Dubrovnik to Zagreb
Dubrovnik, Croatia
When in Dubrovnik, don’t miss a chance to take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd (above). The ride is fun, the views are stunning, and you can enjoy lunch or a drink in the restaurant, too.
Atop Mt. Srd in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Crete, Greece
Crete was one of our favorite places with many romantic memories. Perhaps it was just deciding to enjoy the leisure of the resort and leaving the exploring to another time. We spent 5 days luxuriating at our resort in Plaka on the northeastern coast of Crete near Elounda.
View from resort near Elounda
We enjoyed the resort’s beautiful Aegean pebble beach while sunning on chairs, lunching under the umbrella, and swimming in the cool, clear water; exploring the nearby fishing village and enjoying Greek dishes and fresh seafood at its many seaside restaurants; sipping wine while watching the full moon over the sea from our room’s patio; and a day trip to beautiful wine country. It all oozed romance!
Waterfront restaurant in Plaka
Did you know that winemaking in Crete goes back to the Minoan times of 4,000 years ago? On our day trip from the resort in Plaka we sipped the white and red grape varieties of Crete — Vidiano, Vilana, Dafni, Plyto, Thrapsathiri, Muscat of Spina, Kotsifali, Mandilari, Liatiko, Romeiko. Even the names sound romantic.
Crete wine country — Lyrarakis Winery
The setting was stunning outside among the vineyards and olive trees with vistas of the Peza countryside and the Lassithi mountains. Warm breezes and the distinctive fragrances of the nature around added to the delightful experience. — Sipping and Savoring the Flavors of Crete
What places have met your definition of romantic destinations in your travels?
