There may be no better way to celebrate a marriage than to run away together, even for a few days. Whether you're marking a big milestone at a dream destination or returning to the spot where it all began, the trips you take as a couple tend to outlast almost every gift. Years from now, you may not recall exactly what was wrapped in the box, but you'll remember the meals, the views, and the quiet moments you shared far from home.
We've gathered fifteen of our favorite anniversary escapes, spanning sun-soaked islands, romantic old-world cities, and charming corners of America you can reach by car. There's something here for every kind of couple, and every budget.
Mainland Italy gets plenty of attention, but the island of Sicily deserves a spot on your list too. Palermo, its largest city, is rich with history and sits beautifully along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Spend your days wandering with gelato in hand, exploring the grand Piazza Politeama, and, if you can, catching a ballet at the historic Politeama Garibaldi Theatre. Bring a hand fan, both to stay cool in the old building and to lean into the theater's regal atmosphere.
Where to stay: We're smitten with Villa Igiea, a late-19th-century villa turned seaside hotel with grand history around every corner. Fans of television may recognize its bar, which appeared in the second season of The White Lotus. The hotel even runs a shuttle into the city center.
When most people picture a romantic getaway, they imagine an overwater bungalow with a glass floor and tropical fish drifting below. If that's your dream, few places deliver like the Maldives, a nation of tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Many resorts are reached only by seaplane, which makes the whole experience feel gloriously removed from everyday life, and the cuisine, influenced by India and East Asia, is worth the trip on its own.
Where to stay: For something intimate where the staff learns your name, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a gem. Traveling with grandchildren in tow? LUX South Ari Atoll is a larger property with more to do, bikes included. And if a seaplane isn't in the budget, Velassaru Maldives sits just a short boat ride from the main airport.
For couples craving something off the beaten path, this archipelago off Panama's coast is the kind of place locals themselves slip away to. It's laid-back and unhurried, with some of the finest waves in the Caribbean and lively evenings fueled by rum. Take a boat out to the Zapatillas Islands, often ranked among the best beaches in the world for their white sand, calm atmosphere, and blessed lack of crowds.
Where to stay: La Coralina Island House brings a touch of luxury to this relaxed corner of the world. Tucked against the rainforest, it feels both secluded and alive, with ocean-view villas and grounds where you might spot monkeys and sloths on a morning stroll.
This archipelago of more than a hundred islands off East Africa is famous for pristine beaches, remarkable wildlife, and luxurious resorts. Among the highlights are La Digue, home to the storied Anse Source d'Argent beach; Praslin, ideal for snorkeling and sunset cruises; and Mahé, dotted with botanical gardens and historic landmarks. Best of all, ferries make island-hopping simple.
Where to stay: Begin on Mahé, where most international flights land. The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa offers private villas with plunge pools and sweeping ocean views. If you plan to island-hop, tuck in a few nights at Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel on La Digue and Acajou Beach Resort on Praslin.
If an overseas flight isn't in the cards, consider a road trip to the Crystal Coast, an 85-mile stretch of shoreline just south of the Outer Banks. It's quieter and less touristy than Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head, with an easygoing, beachy spirit. Take a long walk along Cape Lookout National Seashore, ferry out to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, and dig into history at Fort Macon State Park, a beautifully restored pre-Civil War fort.
Where to stay: The Inn on Turner in Beaufort is both romantic and wonderfully central, and a daily breakfast made with local, organic ingredients comes included.
On the French Riviera, Saint-Tropez offers all the small-town romance a couple could want. Spend an evening tasting wine at Château des Marres, drift along the coast on a sunset cruise, wander the charming Vieux Port (Old Port), and browse the historic La Ponche district hand in hand.
Where to stay: For an upscale yet intimate stay, Hôtel La Ponche is a delight, its rooms decorated with modern Mediterranean art and furniture. Some look out over the sea and others over the village, and its location in the heart of town makes it a perfect home base after a sun-soaked day.
The sun almost always shines in San Diego, where you can enjoy easygoing beach culture and big-city life in a single trip. Coronado feels like its own little beach town within the city, with wide public beaches and a walkable downtown full of independent shops and restaurants. A short drive away, Balboa Park brims with museums for every interest, and the Old Globe theatre stages wonderful outdoor Shakespeare performances.
Where to stay: If you're leaning toward the beach, book one of the newly renovated historic rooms at the oceanfront Hotel del Coronado. If you'd rather be near the action, the Pendry San Diego in the lively Gaslamp District puts nightlife at your doorstep.
Blessed with one of the mildest climates in Canada, Victoria charms nearly everyone who visits. Its Butchart Gardens rival the finest in Europe, and it's astonishing to learn that the Sunken Garden was once a quarry. Book a whale-watching excursion, take afternoon tea at the iconic Empress Hotel, enjoy a sunset carriage ride through Beacon Hill Park, and stroll the historic Chinatown, established back in 1858.
Where to stay: Abigail's Hotel is a Tudor-style bed-and-breakfast with the cozy warmth of a historic home. For something a touch more elevated, the Parkside Hotel and Spa is lovely, and for special occasions it sets up a rooftop roasting area with handmade treats from a local chocolatier.
This graceful city on California's central coast dazzles with Spanish colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and a first-rate dining scene. Romantic sights abound: the 1700s Old Mission church, the Spanish-revival Casa del Herrero, and Stearns Wharf, a wooden pier lined with restaurants and shops. Stroll down State Street browsing vintage stores and jewelry shops, then raise an anniversary toast at one of the area's many tasting rooms and vineyards.
Where to stay: San Ysidro Ranch is pure fairytale, with 38 cottages, rose gardens, and boho-chic charm. As one of the few all-inclusive resorts in the country, it lets you know your total upfront, and the food, from fresh seafood towers on down, feels genuinely special.
On the Dominican Republic's southeastern coast, about an hour from the Punta Cana airport, La Romana makes an exciting choice for couples. Spend a morning exploring Altos de Chavón, a lovely reconstruction of a 16th-century Spanish village, then set out by catamaran or yacht to the nearby islands of Isla Saona or Isla Catalina. Nature lovers will especially enjoy Saona's national park and excellent bird-watching.
Where to stay: Our favorite in the area is Casa de Campo Resort and Villas, an all-inclusive with a stunning private beach, a wide range of restaurants, and a championship golf course.
Where the desert meets the sea on Mexico's Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos delivers romance and adventure in equal measure. Take a private boat to the region's legendary rock arch and Lover's Beach, one of the few spots calm enough for swimming. Couples who love to cook can take an outdoor Mexican cooking class at Flora Farms, followed by a tour of the organic farm and a spa treatment. And the nightlife is the stuff of legend, with some spots open until dawn.
Where to stay: The Nobu Hotel Los Cabos offers an anniversary package that includes a dining credit and a complimentary room upgrade.
If Maui didn't make your honeymoon, now's the time. Every Hawaiian island is a dream, but Maui strikes the finest balance of adventure and romance. One day you might hike the Haleakalā Crater and watch the sunset from the volcano's peak; the next, an oceanfront couples massage and a sunset dinner cruise.
Where to stay: The Hotel Wailea is the island's only adults-only resort, set near wide, unspoiled beaches. Bringing the grandkids along? Family-friendly options like the Wailea Beach Resort, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, and Grand Wailea offer adults-only pools and terrific kids' clubs, so you can still steal some time for yourselves.
City lovers and food lovers, this one's for you. In Argentina's capital, art and cuisine are woven into daily life. Wander the Palermo Soho neighborhood admiring local art and sampling regional favorites like asado (slow-cooked meat) and choripán (a grilled chorizo sandwich), where some of the city's most celebrated restaurants can be found. Don't miss San Telmo, dating to the 17th century, with its historic mansions, wonderful food, and, fittingly for the birthplace of tango, the occasional free dance performance.
Where to stay: The InterContinental Buenos Aires embraces the city's historic character and makes a convenient base for sightseeing.
Few places capture classic New England charm like Kennebunkport. In this picture-perfect coastal town, you can take a scenic boat tour, savor fresh seafood in Dock Square, and while away a sunny afternoon on Goose Rocks Beach. The shopping is a treat too, especially for antiques and other small treasures.
Where to stay: For instant romance, it's hard to beat an in-room fireplace or a deep soaking tub, both of which you'll find at the Kennebunkport Captains Collection. Spread across four historic Maine homes, it offers a lovely variety of cozy rooms and suites.
For a serene autumn escape, Kohler, Wisconsin, sits about an hour north of Milwaukee. Yes, this is the village built by the company famous for its faucets and shower heads, and it's home to three beautiful properties and a spa with inventive hydrotherapy, an ice cave, and a waterfall-fed relaxation pool. Fall brings special touches, from strolls among rare sunflowers at Flora Fields to the annual Kohler Food & Wine Festival.
Where to stay: For an anniversary, The American Club, with its in-room fireplaces and historic details, sets the perfect romantic scene.
