Bucket List Travel
There aren’t many things more romantic in the world than traveling the globe. For Gregg and I, it’s an escape from the daily stresses of work and life. Just the two of us, taking on the world is obviously one of our favorite hobbies. We have developed a couples’ travel bucket list that we think all adventure seekers should indulge in. Fill your love life with excitement and beauty by experiencing some of the best attributes our planet has to offer!
Stay in an Overwater Bungalow
Undoubtedly, the coolest place we have ever stayed was in the Maldives at the Six Senses Laamu. It was the most luxurious suite we’ve ever seen. The overwater bungalows in the middle of the Indian Ocean is unlike anything you’ll ever see. This was one of the most romantic trips we’ve been on. It was the perfect honeymoon destination and we would go back in a heartbeat. Obviously, for those who don’t live close to Asia, the trip is long, but worth it. The five star hotel is expensive, but also worth every penny. This is probably a trip most people won’t go on for a normal vacation. Take advantage of celebrating an anniversary or birthday and add this to your travel bucket list!
Now, other resorts worldwide are starting to offer overwater bungalows. French Polynesia and Maldives used to be the main locations to find these beauties. Nowadays, you can find these bungalows in South Coast Jamaica, at Sandals, other Caribbean destinations, and more. Here is a list of some of the top ranked overwater bungalows across the globe.
Other than the fact that this ridiculous bungalow is over the turquoise atoll water, the suite itself was incredible. You are provided with two cruiser bikes that have your initials on them. The foot pedals are covered, so you can experience barefoot bliss during your stay. The resort has a “no shoes” suggested policy. We appreciated the foot protection so that we could indulge in the barefoot lifestyle.
The bungalow interior is uniquely designed with unobstructed ocean views. The large windows and doors allow for privacy or a completely open-to-air experience. The bathrooms even had glass floors so you could see fish swim by. The outdoor rain shower was by far my favorite! Not to mention, the glass floor bath tub where you felt like you were floating on top of the ocean.
The exterior had an infinity plunge pool, a star gazing rooftop, and a breakfast nook with glass floors. We ate breakfast almost every morning here. The best part was that breakfast was all-inclusive with no limits and free of chargeroom service.
We highly recommend this resort, but there are other amazing villas that may be more reasonable for your goals. Be sure to add this to you and your significant other’s travel bucket list! For a more detailed review on Six Senses Laamu and their overwater bungalows, click here.
Kiss Under the Eiffel Tower
Naturally, we are biased due to our engagement in Paris being the most fairytale-like, romantic day of our lives. That being said, we cannot say enough amazing things about this lovely city. With more than just the Eiffel Tower, Paris has hundreds of gardens where you can have a picnic with your loved one. Grab some bread and fresh meats and cheeses from a local bakery and hit the green! The creperies, cafes, and wineries are also quaint, romantic spots. For the frisky lovers, check out the Moulin Rouge show 😉 Paris has it all.
There’s a reason it’s called the city of love. Disregard all cliches and negativity about the city and get your romance on! Be sure to watch the Eiffel Tower light up at sundown. Every hour the tower turns into a glitter show. For front row views, stay at the Pullman hotel. Check out our review of the hotel and city here.
Go on an African Safari
One of our most heartfelt adventures was our African safari honeymoon. We stayed at the Lion Sands resorts, which borders Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. The all-inclusive safari experience was wonderful. It was one of the most intimate trips we’ve had. There were only about 10 villas in each lodge on the premises. The staff were the same through out our stay, so we got to get to know everyone very well. The safari itself was wonderful. Our guides were so talented and knowledgeable. You had the opportunity to pay extra for a private safari, but we were lucky to have an awesome couple partnered with us.
It’s hard to describe our feelings during this trip, but being out in nature with these beautiful wild animals was surreal. Experiencing this with a partner makes it even more special. Add some extra romance by booking a massage, staying in their secluded treehouse villas, or lounge by the plunge pool overlooking the grasslands. Regardless, an African safari is an absolute travel bucket list item.
For a review on Lion Sands and our safari experience, read our post here.
Climb a Mountain Together
There’s something powerful about successfully climbing a mountain with your significant other. Going through the uphill battle together is a challenge in itself. It will strengthen your bond, test your limits, and bring you both closer together. The hurdle is worth it once you make it to the summit. You’ll be rewarded with unimaginable panoramic views. There’s nothing quiet like it. Embrace Mother Nature and take on this challenge with you partner.
We actually blew up this photo and put it on our wall to remind ourselves of the most spectacular memory we created. That moment of being the first ones to reach the peak will never be forgotten. This is a must do for adventurous couples. Read more about hiking Roy’s Peak in Wanaka, New Zealand here.
Sail along the Amalfi Coast
By far one of the most romantic towns we’ve ever visited was Positano and Capri on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The built-in cliffside towns overlook the Gulf of Tyrrhenian Sea. There are endless romantic activities: Enjoy limoncello at the famous La Sirenuse while staring at the beautiful Positano coastline. Kiss as you cruise under the Faraglioni rock formations in Capri. Ride a gozzo through the blue grotto. All are enticing options while staying on the Amalfi coast. Splurge and stay in Positano and Capri. Indulge in the atmosphere and take a million photos!
Read all about visiting the Amalfi coast here.
Take a Road Trip
Originally not something we ever thought we would enjoy, but our road trip through the South Island of New Zealand was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. We prefer scenic drives, so this was the perfect country to explore! There’s something special about just the two of you roaming around the middle of nowhere. Cruising through valleys, mountains, and terrifying turns (at points) was such a blast. Just you, your lover, and the wide open road.
Gregg and I rented a Maui motorhome for the week. Our voyage started in Queenstown and ended in Christchurch. In our opinion, it was the best itinerary for our needs. See our entire itinerary and stunning photos here.
When it’s just the two of you, you’re on your own timeline. This was so nice because we could stop whenever we wanted for photos and to take in the view. We cooked in the RV, played card games, and jammed out during the drive. Plus, if you visit somewhere in the winter, you get extra cuddles to keep warm! All the more reason this is a great addition for your travel bucket list.
Visit a Vineyard
This is probably an obvious romantic getaway, but nevertheless, a great addition to this bucket list! Any vineyard will do, but there’s something unique about visiting an international vineyard. We chose to visit Chianti in the Tuscany region. It was even more spectacular than we imagined. Testing wine samples among the rolling Tuscany hills is a memory we will cherish forever. Absolutely a perfect romantic trip for those adventure seekers looking to wind down at some point. Get more Chianti vineyard suggestions here.
Take a Helicopter Ride
Definitely for the adventurous souls, a helicopter ride is a must add to the bucket list! Gregg surprised me for my birthday with a helicopter ride over Whitehaven beach in the Whitsundays, Australia. It was the most amazing gift, I wasn’t even scared. The heli landed on the beach and our pilot set up a picnic lunch with champagne for us. We were the only ones on the strip of beach. It was one of the most romantic things we’ve ever done. We truly felt like celebrities that day. Fly away with your lover somewhere magical. Check out our amazing time in the Whitsundays here!
Hike a National Park
Similar to climbing a mountain, hiking a national park is a challenge. However, it also provides those bond strengthening activities for you and your partner. You’ll push each other the whole way, tell funny stories, and enjoy some of the most beautiful landscape views in the world. You will really get to know each other during these long days, but in a wonderful way.
Our trekking journey was in Patagonia on the W trek in Torres del Paine. It was one of the most spectacular places we’ve ever seen. Every day was new terrain and even more jaw-dropping views. Yet, each day was better than the next. Follow our Patagonia itinerary here.
Go Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is not something we normally do during our vacations, but it sounded like the thing to do in Patagonia. We did not expect it to be as fun as it was! Riding through the Chilean mountains on our gorgeous creatures was very romantic. Enjoying the views together while our horses trotted along was worth every minute! Whether on a beach or in the mountains, this is definitely a must-do bucket list item for couples. After our ride, we got to wine and dine with the local gauchos. It was a wonderful experience.
We highly recommend a scenic horseback ride with your loved one. It will be a memory you won’t ever forget. Learn about riding on a Patagonian farm here.
Get Dive Certified
There’s nothing quite like trusting your partner and putting yourselves in an uncomfortable situation together. For years we had been interested in diving, but were nervous to learn. We cannot express enough how much getting dive certified has impacted our vacationing. Almost every trip we’ve taken since has added an extra activity for us to experience. We absolutely love to dive together! You look out for each other underwater, take tons of photos, and get to bond down in the deep blue sea. Sharing this love for diving has made for some pretty spectacular memories during our travels. It made our honeymoon even more exhilarating and epic.
For our adventure couples out there, get over that fear and try something new! Just make sure both individuals are up for the challenge. Below are some of our favorite dive spots:
In our opinion, travel brings couples closer together. There are obstacles that couples may face during the stresses of getting to that dream destination. However, learning to cope with these hurdles is key to enjoying your time with one another. We believe that couples who travel together, stay together. Make sure to include some exciting activities in your vacay plans. Hopefully, some of our ideas will be added to your travel bucket list. Remember to enjoy the trip together and take advantage of gaining that stronger bond. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the journey. Bon voyage!
