Perhaps you’re a young couple starting out in life and looking for a romantic getaway. Or maybe a retired couple who have packed of the last of your offspring to college and looking to distract yourselves from empty nest syndrome. Kids are precious and wonderful, but admit it – it’s much better to travel with your significant other without the stress of tetchy toddlers or sulky teens. Plus, you’ll have the advantage of splurging on yourselves – first class plane tickets, suites, that rolling briefcase or luggage you’ve had you’re eye on and gourmet restaurants. The best part of course, is all the alone time you’ll have, without being interrupted by the little ones.
So now you and your partner have decided to head off into the sunset, where should you go? Depending on what type of couple you are, there are limitless options all over the world:
High Flying Adventures
If you both enjoy nothing more than an adrenaline rush, then New Zealand may have everything you want in a single destination. While you can travel all over the world and find separate places to go skydiving, mountaineering and white water rafting, but you can have the best of these experiences all in one place! Not only can you experience climbing the New Zealand Alps (with over 30 mountains, the highest being Mt. Cook, measuring at 6,600 ft), but within a few hours drive, you’ll be able to head to any of the 6,000 kilometers of coastline to go surfing in less than a day! Aside from awe-inspiring geothermal parks of Rotarua, you can also explore the jungles of Gondwanaland. If the wide open spaces and excitement appeal to both of you, then book those tickets the New Zealand ASAP.
Urban Dwellers
Are you and your partner into the latest fashions and trends? Can’t tear yourselves away from your Blackberry, and always want what’s hip and new? You probably don’t want to be camping in the mountains, so it’s best to stick to the pavements of cities. Sure you can go for the more famous cities – London, New York, Chicago, Tokyo, but why be like everyone else? Berlin is one of the hottest growing cities, yet not as crowded as the other cosmopolitan cities. After the fall of the wall in the 1989, it seems the city could not stop moving forward – it has quickly become the center of Germany’s art, music and historical and alternative culture. There are over 170 art galleries and museums you can see (including those on UNESCO Heritage Site Museum Island) in this one city alone. You can visit the high-tech Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz, visit historical sites like the Brandenberg Tor and Berlin Wall remnants, and then dance at any of the 300 clubs around the city!
Tropical Getaway
What better paradise than…paradise? While some people may think it’s overrated, beach vacations are still on top of the list for most travelers, with almost 30% of Americans choosing warm weather destinations. But where to go? Hawaii? The Carribean Islands, Mexico or even far-flung Thailand? Imagine holding hands at sunset, walking on the beach and retiring to your luxurious beach front suite. Wherever you choose to go, you wouldn’t want your romantic moments spoiled by youngsters running around. Such things do happen, and so many resorts are deemed “couples only” and do not admit those below 18 years old. Aside from being kid-free, resorts such as Sandals (Montego Bay), Zoetry Resort (Cancun) and Cariblue Beach (Sta. Lucia) offer many water sports and activities, spas, crystal clear blue waters and some of the best dining on the planet.
For many couples, vacations without kids can be some of the best things they can do to strengthen their relationship. Whatever you enjoy most (even if they’re different) the important thing is to spend time together and enjoy each other’s company.
Maria Belgado writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases and a unique selection direct from the manufacturer. She is a freelance writer and self-appointed world traveller who left San Francisco to travel the world, starting in Asia and made her way through Western Europe in 3 months. Maria is based in Manila, Philippines and spends more than half of every year seeking out new adventures, great food and the best bargain shopping in the world.
