Travel blog

Couples Travel Bucket List: 20 Romantic Experiences to Share in 2025

Travelling together is one of the most meaningful ways to connect with your partner. You know what they all say….those who travel together, stay together. Or maybe it’s just us who says that – but it’s still true!

2.2min read

Published 14 July 2025

Sophie Baker

Guest Blogger

Whether it’s your first trip away as a couple or you’ve been travelling side by side for years, shared experiences (especially away from home!) have a way of deepening your bond in a way few other things can.

So, if you’re looking to spend more quality time, tick off some dream destinations, and create unforgettable memories, this couples travel bucket list has you covered with 20 romantic ideas to inspire your next getaway.

1. Watch the Northern Lights Together

There’s something magical about standing under a clear, cold sky watching the aurora dance overhead. Head to Iceland, Norway, or even Finnish Lapland for the best views. Just make sure to plan your trip between September and March. It’s nature’s most romantic light show and absolutely bucket list–worthy.

2. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Cappadocia

Floating over the surreal rock formations and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, Turkey, at sunrise is one of the most iconic couple travel experiences out there. It’s peaceful, breathtaking, and incredibly photogenic. Hint: it’s perfect for proposals. Or anniversaries. Or honeymoons. Or even just ticking off a shared dream.

3. Stay at a Luxury Safari Lodge

Few experiences rival an African safari for couples. Picture early morning game drives, private plunge pools, romantic bush dinners under the stars, and quiet afternoons watching wildlife wander past. We love South Africa’s Kruger for a budget option, or Botswana’s Okavango Delta for a serious splurge. But there are incredible options across the continent. Need help deciding? Start with our Romantic and Honeymoon Holidays deals.

4. Learn to Cook Together in Italy or Thailand

Hand-making ravioli in Tuscany or learning the secrets to perfect pad thai in Chiang Mai is a worthy pursuit for any couple! Not only are cooking classes are a fun, hands-on way to connect, but you get to learn a new skill and take a piece of your travels home with you. Plus, let’s be honest: food and love go hand-in-hand.

5. Go Island-Hopping in Greece, Croatia, or the Seychelles

Spend lazy days exploring white sand beaches, sailing between islands, and sharing seafood by the sea. Or even on the sea! When it comes to beachy getaways, island hopping lets you see more and rack up those bucket list experiences.

Whether you’re diving off the coast of Naxos or sipping cocktails in Praslin, these destinations are built for romance. Our guide to island hopping via a Mediterranean cruise is a good place to start if you’re looking for inspiration.

6. Plan a River Cruise through Europe

River cruises are perfect for couples who like their adventures slow, scenic, and full of culture. If you’ve always wanted to do a cruise but want something more intimate than the floating resorts of the big ocean cruises, this is the quiet and romantic alternative.

Sail the Danube, Rhine, or Seine with operators like Uniworld and Avalon, and enjoy wine tasting, historic towns, market tours, shore excursions, and loads of onboard perks…while never having to pack up your suitcase between stops!

7. Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop in Paris

Yes, it’s cliché. But it’s cliche for good reason. And you get a double dose of gorgeous; the sunset first and then watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle while sipping champagne from a rooftop bar. Truly, it’s one of those experiences you’ll talk about forever. Add in a couple of nights in a boutique hotel and a Seine boat cruise, and voilà: romance. Paris isn’t called the city of love for nothing!

8. Spend a Lazy Week in the Maldives

If your idea of quality time involves overwater bungalows, spa treatments, and no real agenda beside deciding what time to have your next cocktail or swim, the Maldives was made for you. Spend your days snorkelling, sipping drinks at sunset, and doing absolutely nothing except enjoying each other. Splurge for a great room!

9. Go Wine Tasting in South Africa’s Winelands

You don’t have to travel far for a world-class romantic escape. South Africa’s Cape Winelands is the ultimate weekend getaway, especially for couples who love wine, food, and beautiful scenery. From Franschhoek to Elgin, we’re beyond privileged with this kind of food, scenery, and sauvignon right on our doorsteps!

10. Catch a Live Show of Your Favourite Band

Travel is amazing anytime, but travelling for a specific event can give a trip an extra dose of excitement and romance. And what’s more of a bonding experience than getting goosebumps to your favourite tunes, live?

Whether it’s a music festival in Spain, a jazz bar in New Orleans, or finally seeing your favourite band live in London, music has a way of creating unforgettable memories. Surprise your partner with tickets and make a trip of it.

11. Road Trip through the Garden Route

Roll down the windows, cue the playlist, and hit the road. The Garden Route is packed with romantic stops without the price tag or tourists that sometimes come with Cape Town. Road trip your way through gorgeous little coastal gems like Knysna, Wilderness, and Plett. Stay in cabins or beachfront guesthouses, explore forests, go for a swim, and even taste wine at one of the new and upcoming wineries in the area. And plan for picnics, paddleboarding, and scenic hikes. It’s laid-back but never boring.

12. Have a Romantic Dinner in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the cliffside towns of Italy’s Amalfi Coast to the cobbled old quarters of Prague, right through to our very own Cradle of Humankind, there’s something extra special about sharing a meal in a place steeped in history. If your boo is a culture or history buff, make sure you spend some time exploring beforehand so you can work up an appetite for your meal!

13. Write Each Other Love Letters on Holiday

Take a quiet afternoon on your trip to sit down and write a letter to each other. You could even write it on a postcard from the destination, like a bit of a throwback to a bygone era. It’s a small, sweet tradition that turns your travels into keepsakes you’ll treasure forever.

14. Take a Train Ride through the Alps

Nothing says "old-school romance" like sharing a window seat on a scenic train journey. Try the Glacier Express in Switzerland, or pair it with a trip to Austria or Germany. Bonus points if there’s snow on the ground or on the peaks. Europe is a dream for train travel, both luxury and budget, so plan to spend some time holding hands, watching the world go by, and enjoying seeing somewhere new at a slower pace.

15. Dance Somewhere New

Sign up for a salsa class in Cuba. Learn the tango in Buenos Aires. Take a ballroom dance lesson in Austria just because you can.

Dancing is equal parts laughter, vulnerability, and closeness. And we all know how attractive it is when someone knows how to dance – so not only is it a new skill to pick up, but it’s the perfect activity for couples who want to add in an extra bit of romance to their trip.

16. Tick off the Grand Canyon (or the Fish River Canyon!)

If hiking into the world’s most iconic canyon isn’t for you, book a scenic helicopter ride or sunset viewpoint instead. For something closer to home, Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is equally jaw-dropping and far less crowded.

17. Go Chasing Waterfalls

From Costa Rica to Niagara to Iguazu, to our much-more-local Victoria Falls, there’s something spectacular about sharing that "wow" moment when a thunderous waterfall comes into view. Whether you choose a giant iconic waterfall or a smaller one you can hike to and will have all to yourself, there’s no doubt that it’s a moment for the books in any romantic couples’ holiday.

Pack a picnic, snap the photos, and soak it all in.

18. Take a Class Together

Whether it’s painting, pottery, or learning a new language before your trip, classes are a great way to bond over something new. Plus, you get to laugh at yourselves—always a bonus.

19. Go Skiing Together

Skiing is a bucket list trip whichever way you look at it, but a romantic ski trip with your partner? Even better. There’s just something about the snow scenes, warm fires, fairy lights, and winter atmosphere that makes you want to snuggle up close with your favourite person. Plus, you’ll have heaps of fun trying a new sport together.

Absolute bonus points if you go over Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

20. Just Be Together (No Phones Allowed)

Sometimes the most romantic thing you can do is switch off. Put your phones on flight mode, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy a night of stargazing, weekend getaway planning, or reminiscing about your travels. Connection, after all, doesn’t always need a far-flung destination.

Ready to Start Your Couples Travel Bucket List?

There’s a romantic trip with your names on it, whether it be a luxury island retreat, a European city break, or a once-in-a-lifetime safari.

Chat with a Flight Centre Expert to find the perfect holiday deal for two, because the best memories are made together!

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