8 Summer Vacation Ideas for Couples

Rolling vineyards. Charming inns. Bottomless glasses of wine. It’s hard to think of a place more romantic than Napa Valley, California. Cuddle up in your rustic-chic guestroom at the new Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, where all 68 rooms come outfitted with blond wood paneling, marble tile bathrooms, oiled bronze hardware, and glass doors that open onto private patios with gas-powered fireplaces. If you can peel yourself away from your love nest, there’s a 3,500-square foot barn-style spa (with exposed stain cedar wooden beams and Naturopathic products), an outdoor heated pool with cabanas, and a seasonally-driven restaurant helmed by Chris Cosentino of San Francisco’s Cockscomb. If you’d rather dine off-property, try Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, a restaurant and winery renowned for its farm-to-table fare.

You and your partner will feel invigorated by the back-to-nature feel at Hotel El Aguamiel, an intimate, eight-room boutique set on a vineyard and cherry orchard in the small town of Maipú, just out of Mendoza. Privacy and seclusion are the key words here—the property is surrounded by a tall wall and there’s not much to do on-site other than lounge by the outdoor pool, curl up with a book in the eco-chic bungalows, and dine on Argentine beef and juicy Malbecs in the hotel’s restaurant. But after a few days taking in the gorgeous natural scenery—including dead-on views of the snow-capped Andes Mountains—you’ll feel so relaxed you may never want to leave.

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Paris is always a good idea, but no more so than in summer, when the city seems to thrum with a sultry, intoxicating energy. Start off your love fest by checking into the Philippe Starck-designed Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, a whimsical, art-filled hotel steps from the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau. Your guestroom was practically designed with lovemaking in mind, thanks to sumptuous amenities (think: goose down bedding, free standing claw-foot tubs, plush sofas) and kinky details like floor-to-ceiling mirrors across from the bed and in the bathrooms. Stay under the sheets and order breakfast in bed, or hit the streets to explore the city’s grand boulevards and classic landmarks. For dinner, head to Monsieur Bleu, a neo-bistro on the quays of the Seine just across from the Eiffel Tower.

Think Playa del Carmen only caters to spring breakers? Not at this rustic hacienda-style stay. The adults-only spot is the epitome of secluded luxury, done up in antiques, tropical plants and local Mexican art, with plenty of breezy outdoor terraces and comfy sitting areas on which to cuddle. Hole up with your loved one in the shabby-chic guestrooms, which are dressed in hues of white with handmade furniture, or splurge on the Terraza Suite, complete with a private terrace and sexy outdoor shower. If you’re craving authentic Mexican eats, try nearby restaurant La Cueva del Chango, which was designed to resemble a cave, with lush tropical foliage and small waterways.

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Picture a windswept coastline studded with quaint shingled cottages and giant dunes and surrounded by towering forests and patches of wildflowers. No, this isn’t a fictitious setting out of a Nicholas Sparks novel—it’s Oregon’s dreamy Cannon Beach. Drop your bags at the cozy Ocean Lodge, where there are 45 water-facing rooms, a library stocked with books and movies, and commanding views of the iconic 235-foot Haystack Rock. For the perfect mix of romance and adventure, bike the 16-mile trail to Manzanita, stopping to take in the dramatic coastal views in Oswald West State Park. Or simply stroll the white-sand beach at sunset.

Imagine waking up to a breakfast for two in bed (with ingredients sourced straight from the hotel’s garden), then taking a steamy dip in the Jacuzzi on your private terrace. At this Italian villa, that's just a taste of the luxe offerings to come. There are also outdoor movies, free bike rentals for exploring the countryside, cooking classes and wine tastings. Plus, sensual in-room design elements like volcanic-rock walls, four-poster beds, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the olive groves and citrus trees below. If all that downtime has you feeling lethargic, consider an excursion to nearby Forza d’Agrò, a charming hilltop village famous for its 16-century castle overlooking the coast and cameo in the The Godfather.

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For a far-flung romantic getaway, consider Mozambique. The beaches of the southeastern African nation might be among the finest in the world – though hardly enough foreigners seem to visit, so you’ll truly feel like you and your boo have them all to yourselves. Bed down in a casita or villa at andBeyond Benguerra Island, set on a mangrove-fringed shoreline with powdery white sands and crystal clear water, and spend your dives diving in the coral reefs and spotting sea turtles and dugongs. The property has a luxe vintage Portuguese-meets-African aesthetic, complete with a beachside bar set beneath the sails of a restored dhow.

There’s a reason honeymooners pick Santorini for the Greek island fix. With its whitewashed houses, black sand beaches, and Aegaen Sea views, it's one of the most romantic destinations in Europe. Take a long walk down to the port of Ammoudi for a seafood right on the water at Sunset Fish Tavern, then see the island from a completely different angle by taking a heart-racing boat trip along the caldera cliffs. To really spice things up, bed down at the sexy Andronis Luxury Suites, a Cycladic-style retreat where minimalist-chic suites come with private Jacuzzi’s and panoramic sea views. Don’t leave without dining at the awe-inspiring Lycabettus restaurant, which juts out over the waters below and is quite possibly the best spot on the island for a dinner under the stars.