While their welcome party was more tropical and bright, with bold orange and fuchsia flowers and matching signage, the couple created a more pared back aesthetic for their wedding day by sticking with white florals and greenery. “The beach club location was so beautiful already that I just wanted to complement the space,” Bri says. To mark off the space for their nondenominational ceremony, which was officiated by the groom’s father, she researched atypical altar pieces. “How do I create a focal point for the eyes to go to?” she wondered. Their florist Art Flower ultimately constructed a swirling floral installation all in white dahlias, which seemed to swirl around the couple as they said their vows.

Another key decision was renting tableware and furniture from Costa Mesa, instead of using the hotel’s standard event materials, maintaining the color scheme and elegance through specialty deep green glassware and gold chiavari chairs, to align with the landscape. “Practically speaking, that glassware was heavier, and we didn’t want anyone, or the wind, knocking over and breaking glass.” It was their planner’s idea to have twinkly lights raining down vertically over guests’ heads, and swaying in the sea breeze, rather than stringing them in the more traditional horizontal manner.

Learn how to pause (for a leisurely response time)

A key aspect of Costa Rican culture is the motto of pura vida, or pure life, which is a way of capturing the positive, grateful mindset of locals, with an emphasis on the simple things in life. While it’s an essential aspect of the country’s pathos, and a key part of what makes Costa Rica so special for visitors and locals alike, in wedding planning it could translate to a relaxed response time from vendors that sometimes made the couple sweat. “If we did not have our planner spearheading and making people move, I think there would’ve been a lot of heartburn for us, because people just do move slower,” says Bri, “which is what we love about the culture!”

While Bri and Don tried to go with the flow whenever possible, they couldn’t help but be themselves with regard to organization, particularly when it came to tracking their guests’ travel and accommodations. “We had a room block for our guests at the Andaz, and I created a spreadsheet to mark as each made their booking,” says Don. “As we got closer to the wedding, I’d follow up with people who hadn’t reserved their rooms yet.” All but two families stayed on site of the large property, with the others opting to stay in Airbnbs/rental homes nearby.

Curaçao

There’s nowhere quite like this Dutch-Caribbean island, which has a uniquely cosmopolitan culture that’s part African and part European, yet authentically Caribbean. While there are more than 30 beaches to welcome your bum, visitors shouldn’t miss a trip to the Punda district in the capital of Willemstad, where the island’s iconic pastel-painted buildings line the waterfront, and the 19^th-century Queen Emma swinging bridge connects Punda with the Otrobanda neighborhood. You and yours will need at least a day to explore the more than 4,000 cacti-studded acres of Christoffel National Park, where you can hike to the summit of Christoffel Mountain and cross your fingers for a sighting of one of only about 200 remaining Curacao White-Tailed deer. In late September, Curacao Pride Week is an inclusive celebration of love with beach parties, cultural events, and a joyful parade through the streets of the capital.

Where to stay: Baoase Luxury Resort has 23 Bali-inspired villas, suites and rooms (some with outdoor tubs and showers) designed and built by the couple who owns it.

The 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is one of the most romantic hotels in Grand Cayman.

Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa

Grand Cayman

Just an hour’s flight from Miami, Grand Cayman is the perfect long weekend getaway for time-pressed, sand-seeking twosomes. Recreational scuba diving was popularized here back in the 1950s, but now there are plenty of other reasons to visit the largest of the trio of Cayman Islands. Lively Seven-Mile Beach is a well-deserved fixture on best beach lists, and nearby petite Smith’s Cove is an oasis for swimmers who prefer a more secluded experience. On the island’s northern tip, Rum Point Beach Club is where the Mudslide was created, so belly up and sample one (or three!) of the more than 400 signature vodka-based drinks they serve each day. And no visit is complete without a trip to Stingray City, a sandbar where you can plunge into chest-deep water to pet and hand-feed Southern Atlantic rays. (Local lore says that if you’re brave enough to kiss one, you’ll always return.)

Where to stay: Smack on Seven-Mile sands, the 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa has a literary-themed lounge that’s perfect for late-night cocktails.

The day after his first date with his now-wife Emily Austin, in 2019, Robert Lipman set off for a trip to the Maldives. “I tried to text her throughout in the hope that she was still interested in me,” says Robert, who works in growth marketing for a credit-card company. “But I made a promise, because I already knew she was the one: I’m taking her back here someday.”

Six and a half years later, he made good on that promise—the Seattle-based couple flew together to the stunning archipelago in January 2026 to get married. Their beachside elopement in the South Asian paradise was handled by resort staff and bounced off a typical event package, but that’s where any sense of convention ends: Robert and Emily plotted and paid for their wedding and four-country, three-week-long honeymoon (not counting meals and activities) by using credit cards points. Ahead, the newlyweds explain why such a celebration was the right fit for them, what type of research and planning it required, and how other couples can pull off such a feat.

Emily Austin and Robert Lipman married at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. “Just the two of us getting married somewhere beautiful, with less pressure,” said Austin.

Decide ahead on the travel plan

Robert proposed at the acclaimed northern California restaurant Harbor House Inn in 2024. Within weeks of their engagement, they agreed that a traditional celebration wasn’t quite right for them. “Honestly, the thought of planning a big wedding with all of our friends and family, with me as the center of attention, seemed a bit daunting,” says Emily. “Early on, I brought up the idea of just the two of us getting married somewhere beautiful, with less pressure.”

Robert had spent the last few years accruing credit card points—more on that below—in the hopes of planning a blowout honeymoon experience for the wanderlusting couple, who had previously traveled together to romantic destinations like Japan and the south of France. They knew they wanted part of that trip to involve a good stretch in the Maldives, fulfilling Robert’s early vision, but amid their wedding venue research, he says, “There was just this light bulb moment of, What if we just did it there? I reached out to the resorts and asked, ‘Is this something you do?’”

The response blew his mind. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands sent over their event packages, and the couple couldn’t believe their eyes. The ceremony, officiant, dinner, production on the beach or a resort location of their choosing, flowers, cake, champagne, and photography were all included for less than what economy flights themselves might cost (just $3,500 to start). “There was this moment of, Wait, what? You’re telling me you can do all this for that amount of money in one of the most spectacular places on earth?” Robert says. After assurance that they could of course personalize the package to their personalities—and that their loved ones were cool with the plan, as long as another party would happen at home one day—the couple was all in.

They say those who travel well together, stay together. So if travel is the ultimate test of a relationship, how can you rig the conditions to score well? You want a stress-free environment, yes, but then what do you talk about at dinner? Increase the stakes with too packed an itinerary, and you’re bound to have a public quarrel. Lucky for you and your sweetheart, the editors at Condé Nast Traveler have compiled a list of places around the world that strike that perfect balance, whether you’re after an intimate adventure or some much-needed downtime.

The vacation spots on this list are romantic, but they’re also designed for duo travel—whether that looks like pairing up with a partner to rappel down canyons in Dominica, trying twice as many dishes on a pintxo crawl in San Sebastian, or co-marveling at South African sunsets. Below are the best vacation spots for couples—just don’t forget it’s ultimately about the company, not the destination.

Romantic vineyard hopping awaits in California’s Napa Valley

Getty

For wine lovers: Napa Valley, California

California’s wine country has everything you need for a successful couple’s trip: rolling hills, luxury hotels, and enough Cab Sauv to keep things light. It’s a destination worth exploring at any time of year, whether you want to hop on a hot air balloon or cozy up at a wine tasting downtown. “Napa Valley is one of the most romantic regions in the world,” says senior commerce editor Hannah Chubb. “My husband and I spent a long weekend there last spring, and between the sunny weather, scenic vineyards, and incredible dining scene (don’t skip Bistro Jeanty or a classic stop at Gott’s Roadside), we’re already desperate to go back and imbibe. Meadowood Napa was the perfect cozy home base for our trip (the spa! the tennis courts!), but I’d also love to stay at Auberge du Soleil during a future visit.”

Where to stay in Napa Valley, California:

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is home to the only natural hot spring flowing directly from Arenal Volcano.

Courtesy Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

For wellness seekers: La Fortuna, Costa Rica

On one hand, La Fortuna is a gateway to all kinds of jungle adventures, from exploring hanging bridges and hiking waterfalls to ziplining and whitewater rafting. But its proximity to the Arenal Volcano also means plenty of mineral-rich hot springs to laze around in. With the rainforest as a backdrop, many hotels in the area specialize in spa treatments embedded in nature, whether that’s a volcanic mud wrap or coffee body scrub. Senior creative producer Katie Matthews recommends a stay at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa: “Step out into the jungle from your room, hop between different natural hot springs, hang out in private cabanas with delicious food and drinks delivered to you…I honestly have never had such a luxurious, romantic experience.”

Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia on their wedding day in ManhattanNewlyweds Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia, both principal dancers at the New York City Ballet, wanted their honeymoon to feel unhurried, in contrast to their strenuous journeys as they perform on stages around the world. So for their 11-day itinerary in the Pacific, Mejia says, “we wanted to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience together.” He assembled a multistop tour that first took them to Maui, where they stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and then on to French Polynesia. For their five nights at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Peck says, “We did excursions every single day but still had the most relaxing, pampering time.” Here the couple, who married in Manhattan in June, recount their South Pacific escape so memorable that they just may make it twice in a lifetime: “We were like, ‘Maybe in 10 years, we can go back,’” Peck says. “Now we’re like, ‘Maybe for our fifth anniversary!’”

Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia on their wedding day in Manhattan

Sasithon Photography

The ocean blue

“I love the beach, but I don’t get to be in the water often in New York. I mean, I wouldn’t swim in the Hudson. But the water in Bora Bora is unreal. Even in the open ocean, you can see down to the bottom. We did every excursion: jet-skiing, snorkeling, swimming with sharks. We had so much fun that we didn’t have time to worry about having to go back to work.” –Roman

For couples seeking a mix of adventure, relaxation, and undisturbed moments together at sea, a romantic cruise offers a natural setting to reconnect. Whether marking a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply prioritizing quality time, cruising blends comfort and connection through private balcony sunsets, thoughtfully prepared dinners, and destinations that encourage shared discovery.

The experience can vary widely depending on your travel style, from exploring Antarctic coastlines with Quark Expeditions to sailing historic European ports with Viking, or enjoying sun-soaked Caribbean harbors with Princess Cruises. While each itinerary brings its own personality, the heart of a romantic cruise remains consistent: meaningful destinations, unrushed moments, and experiences best enjoyed side by side. With that in mind, here is our list of the most romantic couples cruises of the year.

Princess Cruises

Itinerary: 7-day Mediterranean with Italy & Turkey
Departure: June 30, 2026

Experience: This Mediterranean itinerary visits Santorini and Mykonos, Greece, and Kusadasi, Turkey, among other ports, giving couples a mix of scenic island stops and historic coastal cities. In Santorini, excursions focus on caldera viewpoints, winery visits, and time in Oia, while Mykonos offers beach clubs, coastal walks, and small-group sailing tours. Kusadasi provides access to Ephesus, where guided walks through ancient ruins are both manageable and engaging. Onboard, Princess supports downtime between ports with balcony dining, a full-service spa offering couples treatments, evening movies on deck, and The Sanctuary, an adults-only space that offers a quieter alternative to the main pool areas.

Sunset Bar – Deck 15 AftCelebrity Ascent – Celebrity CruisesMichel Verdure

Celebrity Cruises

Itinerary: 10-night Ultimate Southern Caribbean
Departure: March 6, 2026

What’s to love: The pinnacle of US romantic retreats, this history-steeped, 550-acre hideaway overlooking the scenic coast of Montecito has hosted the who’s who of high society, world politics, and Hollywood over the decades, including honeymooners John and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1953. Today, San Ysidro Ranch stands as a comprehensive study in ultra-luxury—past and present—where cascading gardens, bucolic vine-cloaked cottages, and detail-focused staff set the stage for timeless love stories. Each of the 38 accommodations is individually decorated, featuring hand-selected antique furnishings, original artwork, handmade four-poster canopy beds, and sublime soaking tubs (all cottages also flaunt private patios with outdoor rain showers, oversized sunken spas, and dining areas.) Manicured grounds are strewn with olive and oak groves, lavender fields, lemon pergolas, and rose gardens, framing pathways that reach coveted creature comforts like a heated hillside pool, a full-service spa, award-winning restaurant, The Stonehouse, and under-the-radar celeb hangout, The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel. Complimentary dining is included in the nightly rate.

Romance factor: Enjoy a private, candle-lit dinner in the property’s most historic space, a bona fide old adobe cottage dating to 1825, choosing from the same sublime farm-and ocean-to-table menu of The Stonehouse (The Santa Barbara diver-caught sea urchin, pan-seared Santa Barbara abalone with housemade squid ink capellini, and line-caught English Channel Dover sole are three must-tries.) Organize a tasting in the Secret Cellar, tucked behind the 15,500+ bottles of the Ranch’s principal underground wine cellar, and sip away as a designated sommelier guides you through flights of fine international and local wines. Venture off-property for rewarding hikes and pursuits in Santa Barbara wine country.

Get there: A 90-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.