By Jamie Edwards, award-winning travel writer who’s visited 70+ countries on all 7 continents
Some couples have done it all—the City of Lights, the City that Never Sleeps, the City of Brotherly Love. These destinations are certainly extraordinary, but those who have already wandered Paris’s low-lit backstreets, devoured Philly’s fabulous cheesesteaks, and memorized the silhouette of New York’s cityscapes may wonder what’s next.
They’ve perfected classic romance. Now what?
Quite a lot, as it turns out. Because romance doesn’t only live in the obvious places. The most captivating trips are often destinations you didn’t even realize could be romantic until you arrive. Something inside you sparks—that feeling of stumbling upon a place neither of you had ever considered and then immediately fall for. Romance thrives in the unexpected. Places where the universe reminds you that there’s always more to see.
For couples who have snapped the quintessential Sagrada Família selfies and postcard Pyramid pics, we have some new ideas for you. The real adventure is finding the unusual places, the offbeat spots, and new places to post.
Relationships evolve, and so does the way we travel. Bustling beaches give way to cliffside retreats. City skylines morph into desert vistas. We start to crave places that give us space to reconnect. To breathe.
Where is the love? Get ready for the next level of romance. Here are a few unexpected places where love thrives.
Puglia, Italy: Slo-Mo Romance
Love Italy but want to bypass the crowds and clichés? Puglia is the answer. In Puglia, everything moves at a different pace, one that seems specifically calibrated to couples in search of connection. Rural Italy smells like lemons and wildflowers. It basks in the glow of the Mediterranean Sea. Located at Italy’s famous ‘boot,’ Puglia’s landscapes are a blend of olive groves, stone walls, whitewashed villages, and soft Adriatic light. Meals stretch on for hours, not because the service is lacking, but because who can imagine cutting them short? It’s Italy at its most unhurried, and that slowness is exactly why it’s so geared towards romance.
Puglia’s masserias, historic farmhouses turned into boutique retreats, are some of the country’s most atmospheric stays. Do linen-draped rooms, candlelit courtyards, and stone pools warmed by the sun sound appealing? These are the kind of places where mornings begin with the sound of doves and evenings end with a glass of Primitivo under a star-lit sky. Rediscover something simple: time. Time to talk, time to walk, time to listen.
Puglia offers intimacy without isolation. Wander the trulli of Alberobello or the cliffs of Polignano a Mare, or simply retreat to your masseria and say arrivederci to the rest of the world.
Where to Stay in Puglia
Masseria Montelauro, Otranto: Once a neglected farmhouse, and now an immaculately conceived masseria, this Puglian property is an Italian gem. With every detail attended to, like azure shutters that contrast the white-washed exterior, ceramics painted in the colors of the landscape, stone-tiled floors, and a pool that begs you to spend hours beside it. Masseria Montelauro’s fruit orchard and herb and vegetable garden keep the kitchen of their signature restaurant, Fimmine, busy. There may be no better place to rekindle romance than this 29-room hideaway in Otranto.
Other accommodations to consider in Puglia include Borgo Valle Rita, on the border between Puglia and Basilicata; La Peschiera, on the Monopoli coast; and the 12th-century Borgo San Marco, in Fasano. Or choose Castello di Ugento, a hilltop retreat at Puglia’s southernmost point, with views so quiet and expansive it feels like only you and the birds are there to enjoy them.
Madeira, Portugal: A Love Letter to The Land
Madeira surprises you the moment the plane begins its descent. The island rises out of the Atlantic with dramatic cliffs, volcanic peaks, terraced vineyards, and tiny villages clinging to verdant green slopes. I dare anyone not to embody a child-like giddiness when seeing Madeira for the first time. Sort of like falling in love.
Madeira is ideal for couples who crave long coastal walks, watercolor-streaked sunsets, hiking, cycling, and a shot of pure adrenaline here and there. The levada walks, narrow paths that trace the old irrigation channels, wind through cloud forests, past waterfalls, through tunnels, and along ridges that make you feel like you’re walking through the sky.
The island’s hotels are elegant without being showy, designed to disappear into the landscape rather than compete with it. Spa terraces overlook the ocean; infinity pools spill into the horizon. It’s the type of atmosphere that feels grounded and elevating at the same time.
Madeira has unique lodgings and activities, such as vineyard stays and cliffside picnics—experiences that reveal the island’s quiet beauty. Madeira is not a place to rush—it’s a place to absorb. Unexpected romance, defined.
Where to Stay in Madeira
The Reserve Hotel within the Savoy Palace, Funchal: Quiet luxury has arrived in Madeira, in the form of a hotel within a hotel. Yes, you read that correctly. The Savoy Palace, which rises over Funchal’s oceanfront, has carved out an exclusive area called The Reserve—a stunning boutique hotel inside The Savoy. How romantic is that?
The Reserve’s rooms commandeer the top floors of the property and have access to a private rooftop pool, and offer guests dedicated Guest Experience Personal Assistants. Some of the rooms have plunge pools and sunbeds that are sure to keep you from exploring the island. This discreet experience seems unlikely in bustling Funchal, so suspend your disbelief and immerse yourself in this luxury hotel hiding in plain sight.
Other noteworthy spots on Madeira include the boutique hotel, Casa da Levada in Ponta do Pargo, on western Madeira, and Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, with its 10 acres of sub-tropical gardens set on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Reid’s Palace also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, a tea library, and a gelateria.
The Faroe Islands: Love on the Edge of the World
Scandinavia is having a moment—and the Faroe Islands are in the crosshairs of it. At this rugged Danish archipelago, fog rolls in, mountains emerge, waterfalls drop straight into the sea, and the light changes every minute.
The islands’ beauty is stark. Cinematic. Mossy green cliffs, black-sand beaches, turf-roof houses, and villages that look like they’ve been taken from the pages of a storybook. No crowds. No noise. No commercial distractions. Just you, your partner, and the extraordinary landscape.
The Faroe Islands are a good fit for couples who want to be immersed in nature while surrounded by mountainous grandeur. It’s said that there isn’t a place you can stand in the Faroe Islands that doesn’t offer an amazing view. There isn’t an accommodation that won’t deliver spectacular scenery. That said, luxury hotels as we know them, don’t exist here—yet. For now, the rustic, simple charm of the lodgings adds to the adventure of these dramatic islands.
Where to Stay in the Faroe Islands
Hotel Føroyar: Rising above the city of Tórshavn, this unique property, originally built in 1933, pays homage to local traditions and the islands’ history. The rooms embrace Scandi-minimalism yet feel warm and inviting. The art on display is worth touring, featuring works by some of the island’s most iconic artists. Want a sneak peek? Click here for a live view from the hotel.
Also worth keeping on your radar is Gjáargardur Guesthouse, which is quietly comfy, unpretentious, and deeply rooted in the Faroese landscape.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Love in Technicolor
If Puglia is romance in slow motion and the Faroe Islands are romance at the world’s edge, San Miguel de Allende is romance in vivid color. This inland kaleidoscopic city, about 3 ½ hours from Mexico City, is alive with art, music, rooftop restaurants, craft studios, and narrow, sun-drenched alleyways. Beauty isn’t subtle in San Miguel; it’s everything, everywhere, and all at once. What’s more, it’s impossible not to share that energy with the person beside you.
Couples come here to feel inspired. To create. To wander through high-end galleries, take cooking classes, explore markets, sip wine in nearby vineyards, visit centuries-old churches, and enjoy dinners on rooftops overlooking church spires.
San Miguel’s boutique hotels are among the most charming in Mexico—courtyards lit by lanterns, walls painted deep ocher and indigo, terraces overflowing with bougainvillea. You don’t stay in San Miguel, you kind of sink into it.
Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende: A modern Mexican hacienda, the Rosewood embodies quiet luxury in San Miguel. The property brings San Miguel’s soul to life in every detail, from hand-carved finishes and locally crafted furniture to mesmerizing views of the 17th-century Parroquia de San Miguel from the rooftop restaurant and bar. Enchanting and delightful, with highly curated experiences that range from hot air balloon rides to horseback riding.
Other memorable romantic stays include Numu Boutique Hotel in the heart of downtown San Miguel and Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, an enchanted hideaway comprising six historic houses with lush foliage, plants, and modern luxuries.
Île de Ré, France: Seaside Romance
Île de Ré, located off the Atlantic coast of France, feels like a well-kept secret with its whitewashed cottages, quiet lanes lined with hollyhocks, oyster farms, and salt marshes. Comprised of ten traditional villages, the crown jewel of which is St-Martin-de Ré, this is the French seaside at its most authentic and romantic.
Couples come here for slow mornings perusing outdoor vegetable markets, long bike rides along the coast, picnics in the dunes, and evenings of simply grilled seafood and bottles of rosé. There’s nothing flashy about Île de Ré, which is exactly what makes it so enchanting.
On Île de Ré, days stretch out in a way where it’s easy to lose track of time—lingering over pastries at a café table, stopping to watch the sun mirror the tidal flats, sharing an ice cream cone while strolling along cobblestoned villages. Sunset turns the sky to watercolor, and the island feels made for connections.
Where to Stay in Île de Ré
La Baronnie Hotel & Spa: This 300-year-old hotel feels more like a royal’s private estate than a hotel. And royal is an apt term, as King Louis XVI bought La Baronnie for Marie-Antoinette. With its multiple buildings, outdoor spaces, and modern amenities, as well as a spa and wellness center, you’ll be hard-pressed to get out and explore. But those who do will be rewarded with some of the prettiest villages and seascapes this side of the Atlantic.
Île de Ré has other wonderful accommodation options, such as Hôtel Atalante, which is a bit removed from the crowds and flanked by vineyards and the sea. Le Clos Saint-Martin Hôtel & Spa is firmly set in Île de Ré’s slow lane, with intimate rooms, gardens, and a superior spa.
Atacama Desert, Chile: Where Love is Written in the Stars
There are few places on earth as surreal as the Atacama Desert. The landscape looks otherworldly, with its volcanic peaks, salt flats, wind-carved canyons, and colors that shift with the light. But at night, something extraordinary happens: the sky goes completely dark.
The Atacama is one of the best places in the world for astrotourism (aka stargazing). A true dark-sky destination requires minimal light pollution, consistently clear and dry atmospheric conditions, and geographic isolation that preserves uninterrupted natural darkness. The Atacama Desert ticks all the boxes.
There may be no other way to experience love than under dark skies awash with stars, planets, and the Milky Way. Bonus points if you spot Sagitta, one of the smallest constellations in the sky. Otherwise known as Cupid.
Couples often describe their time here as perspective-shifting. Watch the sunrise over the Andes. Walk across a crunchy salt flat. Float in mineral pools under the blazing sun. Then, at night, spread out a blanket and admire a sky so bright it feels alive. Many luxury lodges in the Chilean Desert offer deeply intimate experiences, such as private astronomy sessions, candlelit patios, and desert picnics at golden hour. It’s romance on a cosmic scale.
Where to Stay in the Atacama Desert
Awasi Atacama: Round rooms and suites created from stone, adobe, and wood with thatched roofs are some of the most coveted accommodations in the Atacama desert. There’s no place quite like Awasi, whose website contends that every stay is completely tailor-made, allowing guests to explore the terrain on their own terms and at their own pace. Connect with nature seamlessly at 8000 feet above sea level, with breathtaking landscapes and world-class stargazing.
Other stellar options in the Chilean desert include Our Habitas Atacama, a remote desert retreat where astrotourism is one of many immersive experiences on offer, and MiLodge Elqui Domos, where couples can share a geodesic dome with a large window, offering them a front-row seat to the galaxy.
How to Choose the Right Unexpected Destination
Choosing the right unexpected destination isn’t about picking a place that’s far away or obscure. It’s about choosing a place that reflects your relationship and travel style. Do you want stillness or stimulation? Adventure or relaxation? Culture or nature? A place that encourages long conversations or a place that gives you space to say nothing at all?
Romance is personal. And the destination that moves you most likely won’t be the one everyone else is booking. That’s the beauty of the unexpected—it feels tailored because it is. The team at CIRE knows a thing or two about unexpected destinations and is waiting on standby to help find the one that suits you.
Where is The Love?
So where is the love? It’s in the places you never thought to look, beyond the blockbuster cities and well-worn destinations of your shared past. It’s in the slower rhythms of Puglia, the electric landscapes of Madeira, the raw edges of the Faroe Islands, the technicolor streets of San Miguel, the soft quiet of Île de Ré, and the starlit vastness of the Atacama desert.
These are the destinations that remind those of us who’ve done it all that there is always another place to discover. It doesn’t have to be mid-February to celebrate love. The next chapter of your relationship is waiting for you in the beautiful, unexpected corners you haven’t yet found.
Jamie Edwards is an avid traveler, travel writer, and photographer. After 25 years of living and traveling around the globe, she launched I am Lost and Found, her adventure/luxury travel website. Jamie’s goal is simple: to inspire travel.
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY with offices in Kennebunkport, ME, Washington DC, Boston, MA, Miami, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Toronto, ON, Bogota, Colombia, Madrid, Spain, London, UK, Mexico City, Mexico, and Vancouver, BC. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
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