Taking part in adventures while traveling to destinations around the world is a great way to ignite or reignite the spark in any relationship. Are you the type of couple enticed by the idea of a more active getaway that includes some heart-pounding thrills along with opportunities for romance? These are some of the top spots to consider from the Americas and Europe to New Zealand and beyond.
South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand was perfectly designed for adventure, and while both islands have plenty to offer, the South Island is where bungy jumping was birthed. It offers many other high-adrenaline activities with a wilder feel, a spectacular coastline, glistening glaciers, and soaring mountain peaks. Queenstown makes an ideal base as the site of the first commercial bungy jumping operation. It’s also known for the Shotover jet boat ride where you’ll speed through narrow canyons, while the Shotover Canyon Swing provides the world’s highest cliff jump. You won’t want to miss the chance to hike in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to Mount Cook, the country’s highest peak with the Hooker Valley trek winding across suspension bridges to a glacier lake at the base of the mountain. The stargazing is incredible, providing the perfect way to end the day.
Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest island in Greece and offers very diverse topography with everything from rugged canyons and towering mountains to postcard-perfect white sandy beaches. There’s lots of history to explore, including archaeological sites like Knossos Palace, built around 1700 BC, and a ton of outdoor activities to take part in, including a hike on the trail that runs through spectacular Samaria Gorge. There are ample opportunities for hiking mountain biking, and horseback riding, while the area offers fantastic snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and more. Afterward, you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering Cretan cuisine to enjoy with a glass or two of tasty island-grown wine.
Argentina
Covering nearly 1.1 million square miles, Argentina is vast and diverse with everything from lush jungle and waterfalls to soaring mountains, idyllic beaches, and even desert terrain. Just a few of the outdoor adventure possibilities include hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, and skiing in the Lake District, with the alpine town of Bariloche the perfect base. After any activity, you’ll enjoy its Swiss-like atmosphere and fabulous food scene that includes lots of chocolate. The town of El Calafate near the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field is another great pick if you want to get face-to-face with a glacier, paddle lakes, and witness iceberg calving. If you want to see whales and penguins, head to Puerto Madryn near Patagonia’s Valdes Peninsula.
Iceland
Iceland offers all the essential ingredients for an adventurous escape with a splash of romance. With scenery that includes volcanic mountains, countless waterfalls, fjords, icebergs, majestic glaciers, geothermal features like geysers, black sand beaches, and hot springs, there are practically endless possibilities for romantic moments, including soaking in the naturally warm geothermal waters while stargazing or even marveling at the northern lights. The outdoor adventure possibilities are nearly endless in every season, from glacier hikes, 4X4 tours, and snorkeling between two continents to ice caving and riding Icelandic horses through the snow.
Kauai
Kauai is renowned for its breathtaking beaches, which include some fabulous hidden stretches for romantic moments, and it also boasts some 10,000 waterfalls and numerous colorful gardens that have given it the nickname the “Garden Isle.” There’s plenty of adventure to be had here, including a hike on the Na Pali coast which can only be reached on foot, boat, or a flight, stretching for 17 miles with emerald pinnacles and cascading waterfalls that plunge into narrow valleys. Horseback riding, ziplining, mountain biking, river kayaking, swimming, snorkeling , and surfing are just a short list of the other possibilities.
Morocco
With enchanting landscapes and exotic culture, Morocco is a place that love stories are made of while offering some extraordinary adventures like embarking on a camel trek in the vast Sahara Desert, riding through golden dunes, watching stunning sunsets, and spending the night in a traditional Berber camp where you can gaze up at the stars together under remarkably clear skies. Along the coast, Essaouira is a favorite for breezy seaside adventures that include windsurfing and kitesurfing. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to walk through a blue dream either. Chefchaouen is famous for its bright blue architecture tucked nestled in the country’s northwest hills with row after row of buildings in the center covered in blue paint with hues ranging from baby blue to aquamarine. Of course, you can’t visit Morocco as a couple and not enjoy a romantic meal at Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca inspired by the cafe in the classic 1942 film.
Turkey
Istanbul is an amazing city with its colorful Grand Bazaar and magnificent mosques, but go beyond and you’ll discover a wealth of outdoor adventure possibilities among incredible scenery like Cappadocia. It’s renowned for its surreal desert landscapes dotted with unworldly fairy chimneys and ancient underground cities. You can get a bird’s-eye view from a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise and then take a hike through the “Valley of Love,” Asiklar Vadisi, for a closer look. Afterward, spend the night in one of the luxury cave hotels. Along the country’s southwest coast, the resort town of Ölüdeniz is famous for its stunning blue lagoon and white sandy beach while offering tandem paragliding rides for a view of it all from above.
Finnish Lapland
It would be hard to find a more romantic setting than the wilds of Finnish Lapland where you’ll find accommodation in your own private glass igloo where you can cuddle up together enjoying the brilliant starry night’s sky and maybe even witness the aurora borealis. This stunning and vast subarctic region also offers unique adventures like dog sledding and reindeer sleigh rides that include hunting for the northern lights and a visit to the Sami camp where you’ll enjoy a traditional Sami meal while immersed in the unique culture. Ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are possible too.
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on the planet and one of the best places to gaze up at the stars with nearly always clear skies. It also boasts some out-of-this-world landscapes like Calle de la Luna, the “Valley of the Moon with rock formations mimicking the moon’s surface and towering sand dunes. There are even azure lagoons that attract all sorts of wildlife, including Chilean flamingos. Outdoor adventure possibilities include everything from hiking and mountain biking to sand surfing and floating in a lagoon with a backdrop of distant volcanoes and snow-capped mountains.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is ideal for a romantic tropical adventure with gorgeous stretches of sand, legendary surfing, and opportunities for snorkeling in calm, clear blue waters too. The Arenal Volcano is an outstanding place for hiking or mountain biking near the base. Along the way, watch for parrots, toucans, and tanagers. Afterward, enjoy soaks in natural hot springs. In the province of Guanacaste, you’ll find lush rainforest, electric blue lagoons, and waterfalls that spill into tranquil pools for refreshing dips. In UNESCO-listed Cocos Island National Park, the underwater world is famous among divers as one of the world’s top destinations for viewing rays, dolphins, and sharks. to view large pelagic species like dolphins, rays, and hammerhead sharks.
Ecuador
Ecuador is all about nature and the outdoors. It may be a small country but in just one day, you can surf beaches on the Pacific coast and then drive to the Amazon Rainforest, passing Andean volcanoes along the way. You might climb a volcano, hike through a tropical cloud forest, zipline, swim under a waterfall, or even try waterfall climbing. After a day of adventure, there are natural hot springs to relax in too. The Galapagos Islands lie 600 miles off the Ecuadoran mainland, provide a wealth of activities among some of the world’s most unique wildlife too.
South Africa
South Africa is an obvious choice for those who want to view the continent’s classic wildlife, from elephants and lions to giraffes and wildebeest. It also offers a long list of exciting outdoor adventures with diverse landscapes that include the subtropical coast of northern KwaZulu-Natal to a vast stretch of semiarid desert in Karoo. Kruger National Park, one of the most famous for safaris, sits at the northeast border. Couples can also mingle with African penguins in the water and on the sand, enjoy incredible whale-watching opportunities, embark on epic hikes, paddle sea kayaks, and even ride ostriches.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Your romantic adventure in Vancouver Island might start in the beautiful capital city of Victoria with its world-famous gardens, grand architecture, and rich British heritage that can be glimpsed in the horse-drawn carriages, double-decker busses, and elegant tearooms. Afterward, head to the island’s west coast with Tofino an especially ideal base. It provides access to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with three distinct units, the West Coast Trail, Long Beach, and the Broken Group Islands, each of which offers something unique of its own. You can hike the longest span of sandy beach on the West Coast, with Long Beach boasting a 10-mile stretch of coastline backed by mountains and rainforest. Surfing, kayaking, and beachcombing are all enjoyed here too. Between Tofino and Ucluelet, you’ll find Cathedral Grove, a must-visit with the tallest and oldest trees in Canada, many of which are 800 years old and soar over 262 feet.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The walled Old City of Dubrovnik and its polished limestone streets has become synonymous with romance and there are plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy, beyond walking atop the walls that encircle the historic center. Sea kayaking is a favorite activity offering the chance to paddle through brilliant aquamarine water. Not only does it provide a fabulous perspective of Dubrovnik’s walls, but you can visit unspoiled Lokrum Island where peacocks and bunnies roam, while an enchanting Dead Sea-like lake provides the perfect place to float. There are hidden caves to explore too, including some with beaches that are perfect for a picnic.
