Holiday ideas for couples

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.

UK holiday ideas for couples

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. Take a theatre break in London with great tickets and hotel included. Book with Keith Prowse Tours.

6. Aldeburgh is one of Britain’s prettiest seaside towns. We recommend the family-run Wentworth Hotel which overlooks the beach.

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. 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 a villa.

4. Slowly unwind on a gentle scenic boating holiday on the Canal du Midi in southern France. It’s perfect for beginners. We recommend renting a boat with Hoseasons.

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

Summer sun

1. On the Aegean coast of Turkey you’ll find some outstanding boutique hotels - perfect for 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 recommend Completely Croatia.

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

Long-haul holiday ideas for couples

1. Bali is one of the world’s most beguiling holiday destinations. We love the classy beach resort of Seminyak, or you might want to consider a Bali tour.

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

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 Northern India and Rajasthan.

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. The Royal Scotsman is Britain’s most glamorous train, leaving Edinburgh through a wild landscape of glens, lochs and mountains. You can stay on board for anywhere between two and seven nights.

3. A glimpse of the Northern Lights is on many people’s list of things to do before they die. Head to Tromso in Norway about 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle and you have a great chance of seeing them.

4. Take a jeep safari in Iceland to discover some amazing natural wonders, including glaciers, hot springs and geysers, volcanic craters, lava flows and stunning waterfalls.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

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.

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