Holiday ideas for couples

holiday ideas for couples - mexico Holiday destinations for couples Couples holidays 2012

Here at 101 Holidays we have some great holiday ideas for couples, selected by The Sunday Times travel writers, Mark Hodson and David Wickers. All the holidays we recommend have been tried and tested.

You’ll find 101 holiday ideas on our homepage, or you can start by completing our holidays quiz to find your travel personality – and individual holiday recommendations.

On this page you’ll find hotels and holiday destinations for couples in the UK, Europe and beyond.

Couples holidays in the UK

1. In the Lake District, the family-owned Gilpin Lodge is a luxurious, relaxing ideaway set in 22 acres of country gardens, moors and woodland near Windermere. Foodies will love the AA 3 Rosette dining.

2. Go wine tasting in Gloucestershire where Three Choirs Vineyards – one of England’s leading wine producers – offers superb food and stylish room set in 100 acres of quiet, scenic countryside.

3. Explore the Jurassic Coast of Dorset where Countryside & Coastal B&Bs offers an excellent collection of friendly, good-value accommodation. Some accept dogs.

4. Jersey’s scenic beauty and great climate are now matched by some excellent modern hotels and restaurants. We recommend The Atlantic Hotel which enjoys dramatic views over St. Ouen’s Bay – a conservation area of outstanding natural beauty.

5. Aldeburgh is one of Britain’s prettiest seaside towns. For couples holidays we recommend the family-run Wentworth Hotel which overlooks the beach.

6. Join a small-group cultural tour of Britain led by an expert in art, music or architecture. You could visit some of the Great Houses of England, attend a classical music festival or follow in the footsteps of Turner or Dickens.

7. Stay at Fronlas, a charming boutique B&B in the pretty Welsh town of Llandeilo. The rooms are gorgeous, the food is exceptional and there is hiking and biking in the Brecon Beacons and great places to see on your doorstep.

8. Take a short break to Edinburgh . It’s a beautiful city that never fails to charm and impress, and it has excellent rail connections. We recommend Apex Hotels which has four hotels in great locations within the World Heritage Site boundary.

9. Spot Minke Whales, otters, seals and porpoises off the west coast of Scotland on a Mull Wildlife Experience. If you prefer to find beauty in the bottom of a glass, try a whisky tour on the island of Islay. Find more great short breaks in Scotland.

10. Get together with friends or family and rent a historic house in England, Scotland or Wales. Great for birthdays or anniversaries – check out the special offers.

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Across the Channel

1. Hop across to Normandy, home to some of the best food in France, great hotels and beaches. Book a foodie break with VFB Holidays.

2. The Seine doesn’t just flow through Paris. Some sections of the Seine Valley are ideal for walking breaks, taking you through forests and along gentle riverbank paths with views of magnificent abbeys.

3. Take a fascinating and emotional Battlefield tour of Northern France in the company of an expert military historian.

4. The Ile de Ré off the Atlantic Coast of France is a beguiling island of beaches, pretty harbours, cycle paths, pine forests – and superb seafood restaurants. The best approach is to rent an apartment.

5. A wine tour is a great way to see the best of French countryside and taste some great wines. We recommend Arblaster & Clarke which runs expert-led group tours for foodies and wine connoisseurs with vineyards visits, tastings and stylish accommodation. Try a classic wine tour to Burgundy, Sancerre, the Rhone or Chablis. You could go further afield to Italy, Spain or Portugal, or if time is short try a champagne weekend.

couples holiday in Turkey Assisi summer holiday ideas for couples

Summer holiday ideas for couples

1. On the Aegean coast of Turkey you’ll find some outstanding boutique hotels – one of the best holiday destinations for young couples that want to laze in the sun and be pampered. Our recommended tour operator is Exclusive Escapes.

2. Croatia is one of Europe’s gems with a gorgeous coastline studded with islands and great-value hotels. We also recommend the stunning island of Hvar, easily reached by ferry from the mainland. It has great beaches plus a good selection of budget hotels and luxury hotels.

3. Fed up with lying on beaches? Why not learn to sail in Greece this summer with the added option of a flotilla sailing holiday.

4. The countryside of Umbria, with its rolling hills, sparkling lakes and medieval hill towns is a great place for a relaxing self-catering holiday.

5. Sir Rocco Forte’s new Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily has rapidly emerged as one of the Mediterranean’s most desirable hotels.

6. Crete is a superb island, offering much more than beaches. Stay away from the mass-market resorts and stay at one of these gorgeous boutique hotels.

7. For old-school Italian glamour and superb hotels it’s hard to beat the Amalfi Coast. Add a couple of authentic experiences such as cookery classes, garden tours or limoncello tasting.

8. Relax on a river cruise, a perfect way to enjoy beautiful scenery and cultural treasures without the hassles of moving hotels or getting caught in traffic. Best destinations include the Rhine, the Danube and the canals of Belgium and Holland.

9. Visit the Italian Lakes for gorgeous scenery, excellent hotels and good food. Most lakes have a great public transport system for local sightseeing, and lots of boat trips available.

10. Explore one of Spain’s most beautiful regions on a self-guided cycling holiday in Catalonia. There is a selection or routes – some very gentle – and your luggage is transported each day to await you at your next hotel. You can also combine it with a beach break.

mexico-beach balinese-boat top holiday destinations for couples

Long-haul holidays for couples

1. Bali is one of the world’s most beguiling holiday destinations. Favourite hotels include The Samaya Ubud – a paradise hideaway – and the If boutique-style Amala in Seminyak.

2. A safari in Africa is one of the ultimate treats. For luxury, isolation and incredible game viewing, head to Botswana. Or choose from 30 different types of safari in Kenya.

3. For couples that want to chill in one of the world’s foremost spa hotels, we recommend Chiva-Som in Thailand.

4. Explore the glorious landscapes of the Canadian Rockies by road or rail. This region has some of the world’s most famous train rides. We recommend the Rocky Mountaineer. If you prefer self-drive, how about the 8-day Mountain Express from Calgary to Vancouver which takes in the Rockies, Banff and Jasper National Parks.

5. Discover the delights of Sri Lanka – superb beaches, beautiful hotels, great food and enough sights to keep you busy for a month.

6. If you’re looking for a good-value winter sun destination, check out The Gambia on the west coast of Africa. It’s just six hours flying time from the UK and offers charming hotels, great beaches, friendly locals and wildlife excursions.

7. Enjoy the best that India has to offer on a private tour with chauffeur-driven car in India.

8. Head to Argentina to explore the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, the glacier fields of Patagonia and the wild pampas regions.

9. See all the best bits of Australia in just two weeks. Try this golden triangle which combines Sydney, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef. And if you really want to be staggered by stunning scenery – as well as charming people, great food and wine – then it’s got to be New Zealand.

10. Burma is one of the world’s hidden gems. The release in November 2010 from house arrest of the democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi makes us believe that now is the right time to visit this magical land. Find out more about Burma holidays.

11. If you love beaches, islands and culture – and want to explore somewhere off the beaten track – check out the wonderful Cape Verde islands.

12. One of the most enchanting hotels in Asia is Tanjong Jara set on the beautiful unspoilt east coast of Malaysia.

13. St Lucia has some great hotels for couples. The boutique-style, adults-only Rendezvous is ideal for a romantic getaway. If you want health and wellbeing, head for The Bodyholiday, LeSPORT.

14. There are few destinations more exciting right now than Cambodia. The mysterious and beautiful temple complex of Angkor is a “must see before you die” while the capital of Phnom Penh is exciting, buzzing city. Great food, world-class beaches and friendly people complete the picture.

15. Mexico has superb beaches, great food and the chance to go whale-watching and visit Aztec and Mayan ruins. It has many great hotels including small luxury haciendas and with resorts on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, it’s a real year-round destination.

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Do something different

1. Explore the glorious kingdom of Jordan where you can float in the Dead Sea, visit the ancient city of Petra and drive around the deserts of Wadi Rum. In August you can stay in a desert camp to view the annual Perseids Meteor Shower.

2. A glimpse of the Northern Lights is on many people’s list of things to do before they die – and the views will be particularly good this winter and next (2012-2013). Head to Iceland for a good chance of viewing this amazing phenomenon, combined with amazing natural wonders, including glaciers, hot springs and geysers, volcanic craters, lava flows and stunning waterfalls. Choose from a city break in Reykyavik, a fly-drive tour or super jeep adventure weekend.

3. One of the last the last great travel adventures is to visit the wild, haunting landscapes of the Arctic or Antarctic. Take a polar expedition to discover polar bears or vast colonies of Emperor Penguins.

4. Head to India to chase tigers. This amazing India wildlife holiday includes a stay at Bandhavgarh National Park with private safari drives at dawn and dusk, plus the best of Delhi and Agra, and an overnight train journey.

5. Take a cultural walking tour with Kudu Travel, which uses expert guides and has some fascinating destinations from Italy to Namibia.

6. If you’re interested in digging a little deeper into a destination, how about trying an archaeological tour? You could visit thrilling places such as Sicily, Jordan and Pompeii in the company of an expert tour leader, with a great choice of short breaks and longer tours.

7. Explore beautiful, unspoilt coastal trails on a hotel-to-hotel walking holiday. You stay in charming locally-owned hotels and inns and given detailed maps and notes, while your luggage is transported for you each day to your next destination. Try the Costa Vicentina coastal walk in Portugal, the Lycian Way in Turkey and or Waterways and Flowers in Madeira.

8. Spain has some wonderful state-run luxury trains such as the Transcantábrico and La Robla. Jump on board to see the beautiful countryside and cities of the north of Spain on a luxury rail holiday.

9. We rate Chile among the world’s most exciting destinations. You probably know its wine, but did you also know about its beaches, glaciers, lakes and volcanoes? There are some seriously stylish boutique hotels and wonderful regions to explore.

10. Visit the locations of classic TV programmes and films. In New York TV & Movie Sites where you’ll see where the likes of Seinfeld and The Devil Wears Prada were filmed. There is a Sex and the City tour, and a Sopranos tour of New Jersey. Find more location tours.

11. Give something back on a volunteering holiday with Hands Up Holidays. Take a tailor made tour, choosing from destinations including Costa Rica, Thailand, New Zealand and India. You’ll combine a unique travel experience with the chance to make a real difference to local communities.

12. If you love nature, the Galapagos should be on your bucket list. The chance to enjoy up-close encounters with turtles, giant tortoises, seals and exotic birdlife is truly unique, and the sheer pristine beauty of these protected islands will enchant you.

Search our selection of the best adventure holiday ideas.

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City holidays for couples

1. Florence is one of Europe’s must-see cities, packed with art and architectural treasures. We recommend you avoid the height of summer and take a short break in spring or autumn. Our recommended tour operator is Sardatur Holidays.

2. Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is a fascinating city of cultural and architectural treasures – and a lot less expensive than Russia. A night at the opera or ballet can be had for £10. Book with Regent Holidays.

3. Tunis is just two and a half hours’ flying time from London, but a world away. You’ll discover a medieval souk, a world-class museum, the treasures of Carthage and the stylish seafront village of Sidi Bou Said.

4. The city of St Petersburg is unmatched for its opulent sights and artistic heritage. Go in summer for the White Nights when the sun never sets, or wrap up warm for the romance of winter. Combine it with an insider’s tour of Moscow.

5. Las Vegas is not just about gambling. The city has some gob-smacking hotels, big shows, gourmet restaurants and fabulous shopping. Our recommended tour operator: North America Travel Service.

6. If you want to avoid airports, you like the company of others and you want to see a lot of sights in a short period of time, try a luxury coach tour of Europe.

7. Cairo is a great city and rich in cultural treasures. Combine it with a luxury Nile Cruise.

8. If you find Christmas in the UK a tacky commercial affair, head to Europe for a traditional Christmas market break. You’ll find authentic seasonal markets in Cologne, Munich and Prague, along with hymn recitals, ice staking and lashings of mulled wine. Even more cosy and traditional are the lesser-known cities such as Freiburg, Koblenz and Wiesbaden.

>> Visit our homepage for more holiday ideas. Or check out our sister site for short breaks.