Bask In the Summer Sun and Each Other’s Company
With so many beautiful places around the world beckoning you to visit, it can be hard to choose a place to holiday. Certain places are more suitable for solo travelers, some for groups and others for families.
But what are the best summer vacation destinations for couples? We’ve rounded up a few choice places where you can enjoy the warm weather and outdoor lifestyle together.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
For a truly relaxing vacation, take your pick of one of the all-inclusive couples resorts found in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Many resorts have swim-up bars in their pools, which makes ordering drinks even more luxurious.
You’ll also find countless spas and retreats targeted at couples where they use local fruits and herbs in their treatments.
As one of the premiere summer holiday destinations for couples, Montego Bay is vibrant and full of cultural happenings during this time. Summer is the perfect season to visit Montego Bay when you can catch one of their reggae music festivals in full swing.
If reggae, and particularly Bob Marley, sparks your interest, there are a number of private tours that go to Nine Mile — the village where Marley lived and died.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Consistently named one of the best summer vacations for couples in the United States, Hilton Head Island, SC has everything you need for enjoying the great outdoors in style. You can stay in intimate oceanfront vacation rentals where your only daily decision is choosing between the beach and the pool. Bring a few simple beach essentials, and you’re set for a day (or several days) of pure repose.
Aside from the beach itself, you can enjoy the water aboard a sailboat, fishing charter, or even a dolphin-watching cruise. There are also wildlife refuges and preserves in the surrounding area that are perfect for bird-watching, hiking or kayaking through.
However, if your idea of enjoying the sunshine involves a tee, ball and club, Hilton Head has something for you too. Many resorts on the island offer couples golf packages, which include green fees and a bag of warm up range balls.
You’ll have your pick of 33 world-class courses with challenging holes and incredible views you’ll be talking about long after you’ve packed up and gone home.
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Nusa Dua, Bali
On the south end of Bali lies Nusa Dua, a luxury resort area filled with incredible beaches, making it one of the top summer vacation destinations for couples. Each hotel acts as a mini tropical getaway; some villas even offer private pools for each room on site.
Unique offerings like Balinese cooking classes are common here, where you can even go to the market to pick out fresh ingredients beforehand. If you’d rather let the experts do it, there are plenty of enchanting, beachfront dining options, which will wow you with their food and impeccable service.
Hindu temples dot the coast of Nusa Dua, offering a spectacular horizon. There’s also a cultural park a bit inland with an enormous statue of Vishnu, one of the main Hindu gods.
You can watch outdoor concerts here, have a picnic, or just enjoy the beautiful lotus gardens and scenery.
Of course, since Bali is an island, there are plenty of water activities too. Swimming and snorkeling are popular along the beach for couples.
If you go a little further out, there’s a reef, which you can tour by glass bottom boat. To really witness the spectacular power of the ocean though, head to Water Blow, a scenic overlook where large turquoise waves crash and create waterfalls in the cliff-side.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik tops lists of couples vacation destinations year-round, but they have a very special natural occurrence that happens only in the summer. During this time, the sun doesn’t set.
Instead you get to witness a midnight sun, which is often accompanied by a colorful sky — the perfect setting for a romantic toast or camping trip.
About two-thirds of the population lives in the capital city, so if you want to be alone, it’s just a short drive to peace and quiet. In particular, the Snæfellsjökull glacier (also an active volcano) is a must-see in addition to Kirkjufell Mountain, which is surrounded by beaches and waterfalls.
While there is plenty to choose from when it comes to what to do in Iceland, no trip would be complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa about 40 minutes outside Reykjavik. You can bask in the healing waters together, followed by an enjoying meal of Nordic delicacies.
While the summer months are still relatively chilly compared to the rest of the world, they’re still the warmest for Iceland. To get the most out of your summer holiday, visit in August when there are plenty of festivals and cultural celebrations going on.
Taha’a, French Polynesia
One of the Leeward Islands in French Polynesia, Taha’a has become prime real estate as a summer holiday destination for couples. Secluded and only accessible by boat, the island offers much more intimacy — perfect for honeymooners or anyone looking for a romantic getaway.
Taha’a is home to a number of prestigious accommodations, including the Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa. Here you can stay in a bungalow built over the water and have your breakfast delivered by kayak.
Some of the most interesting activities on the island involve the local vanilla crop. In addition to the air smelling of sweet vanilla 24/7, you can book Jeep safaris that include a tour of a vanilla plantation and take home authentic French Polynesian vanilla beans or extract.
There are also plenty of activities in and out of the water. Hiking is a favorite land activity amid the mountains and valley.
However, Taha’a is best for water sports like scuba diving. There’s a beautiful natural reef off the coast in addition to artificial ones created by shipwrecks.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
For couples looking to party on their next summer vacation, Amsterdam has everything you’re looking for. You can barbecue in local parks, drink beer on the grass or from one of the many hip terrace bars, and swim at an urban beach.
Festival season is in full effect during summer so it’s also prime time for music fans and foodies alike.
Like Venice, Amsterdam is a city of canals that circle out from the center of the city. There are plenty of cruises of the area as it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
This is also where you can see the famous red light district, where things can get really interesting.
More adventurous couples might enjoy exploring the debauchery of the red light district, which is full of sex shops, brothels, peep shows and the like. Even if you’re not looking to expand your horizons, you can still take home a souvenir from the Museum of Prostitution, Eroticism, or Cannabis.
Crete, Greece
Most people are aware of Mykonos or Santorini as Grecian hot spots, but in terms of summer holiday destinations for couples, Crete wins out over the latter two. In Chania, you’ll find gorgeous secluded beaches surrounded by mountains — with water so clear you can see to the bottom.
There are also beautiful beach spa hotels like Thalassa Resort, which has in-room Jacuzzi’s, two levels and sea views.
The romance doesn’t stop there, though. Summer is the perfect time to indulge in Greece’s lush history.
Crete is full of archaeological sites like the impressive Knossos Palace, which was built for a Minoan king and is nearly 4,000 years old. There’s also the ancient Fortezza Venetian Castle where the local acropolis was rumored to have been built.
But best of all, you’ll avoid most of the tourist crowds of the more popular islands, while will make for a more enjoyable experience. It hasn’t yet been taken over by foreigners so you’ll actually be able to have an authentic Greek experience while taking in the beautiful sights.