For active couples who enjoy adventures, the grind of daily life can take the romance out of the relationship.
When you thrive on the adrenaline rush of new experiences, the rest and relaxation of traditional vacations might not do much to cement your bond as a couple.
If you and your significant other prefer to spend your summer vacation doing something more exhilarating than shopping or sitting at a hotel bar, here are five ideal destinations that will cater to your adventurous spirits.
Napa Valley, California
Although natives call Napa Valley the “wine paradise,” it’s a vacation hot spot not just for wine connoisseurs, but for adventurous couples too.
The intrinsic beauty of its mountains, forests, lakes, and geological features make it ideal for couples who want to get closer to nature. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, forest camping, and spelunking, while couples who love the water can rent boats or jet skis and spend the day sailing or fishing. Hot air balloon rides, golf, and nature tours are popular activities here, and couples can recover from their days’ adventures with traditional spa pampering.
Peak travel season to Napa Valley is fall, when the grapes are harvested, so going in the summer means better rates and an easier time getting a table at your favorite restaurant.
Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai is an ancient island with dozens of secluded, chocolate-sand beaches set against aquamarine skies. Some beaches are so remote you can only get to them via a long mountain hike, a sailing excursion, or a helicopter ride.
To experience adventure and celebrate your love, you can surf, snorkel, swim, scuba dive, windsurf, kiteboard, or paddle a boat underneath a waterfall. If you get tired, you can take a whale-watching tour or relax and enjoy Hawaii’s natural beauty from the nearly private Mahaulepu beach.
While Kauai is ideal for adventurers, most travel companies have all-inclusive deals so you can see the volcanoes, gardens, and wildlife preserves on all the islands. While the winter months are the rainy season here, they are also peak travel times, so you can get better deals if you visit between June and September.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is more than casinos for high rollers; it’s also a destination for couples who want stimulation without risk of destitution.
One of the highlights of a Las Vegas vacation is a helicopter or private plane ride through the Grand Canyon. Those who prefer to stay on the ground can rent an ATV, race dune buggies, ride horses, or dig up the dirt with real construction equipment. You can also dive with live sharks at the Mandalay Bay Aquarium, or drive a Lamborghini on the racetrack at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
While many of the traditional tourist attractions here are surprisingly affordable, the city is surrounded by theme parks with dozens of roller coasters and thrill rides for couples who need their adrenaline rushes. If you don’t mind the heat, summer is the off-season here, which will get you great rates on flights and rooms.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
A safari can be the thrill of a lifetime, but the balloon safari at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya takes the experience to new heights.
You can see scores of wildlife migrations, which peak in July and August, from a perspective that few people ever get. Not only can you see thundering herds of exotic species and the fights between predators and prey from the sky, but you also can rekindle your romance with a traditional champagne breakfast when you land.
If you prefer to find your thrills on the ground, the Masai Mara preserve also offers driving tours, photography excursions, and guided hikes through the African bush.
Victoria Falls, Bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe
The splashing of Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world, is a romantic sound in this high-adventure destination.
Victoria is loaded with outdoor activities for couples, including helicopter tours around the falls that will bring you face-to-face with its size and majesty. Other adventurous activities include gorge swinging and zip lining across the Bakota Gorge; kayaking, rafting, and surfing on the Zambezi River; and riding elephants through the nearby forests. There also are many guided hikes, bike tours, and trail rides on horseback. For the truly daring, there is a 111-meter-high bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge over the churning rapids.
July and August are the perfect months to visit because they fall between the flood season and the dry season.
These five destinations are ideal for couples who want cement their bonds by keeping their sense of adventure.
Whether for the extreme climate, the geology, or the natural wonders, these are special places for thrill seekers who need to test their limits. If you prefer to hike through new locations, fly over spectacular sights, get close to wildlife, or attempt a new water sport, you and your partner can find a summer adventure you’ll love.
Do you adventure together? Tell me about your favorite experience in the comments!
Til Next Time,
Gretchen
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosures for more information.
Leave a Reply