10 Romantic Anniversary Getaway Ideas for 2023

Why should I plan an anniversary trip?

Buying your partner an anniversary gift is a great way to celebrate, but planning a romantic getaway can take things up a notch.

After all, the most precious gift you can give to your partner is your undivided time and attention, and planning a trip shows them you care about celebrating your special day.

You may want to consider booking an anniversary trip if:

• You have the time and money to spend on something special
• Showing your partner how important they are is your top priority
• You’re ready to do something unique to celebrate your love
• Your partner is difficult to buy for but loves to travel
• Both you and your partner could benefit from some time away

How do I choose the best anniversary trip?

The best anniversary trip for you and your partner depends on several different factors, and only you know what is most important.

Before you decide on any of the romantic trip ideas we recommend below, consider the following:

• Decide how active you want to be. Do you and your partner love adventure activities like hiking and white water rafting? Do you prefer relaxing on the beach? Before you look closely at the anniversary vacation ideas we recommend, think about how you prefer to spend your time away.
• Factor in your common interests. In addition to your desired activity levels, you’ll want to think over what you and your partner are most interested in. Are you both foodies? Do you love wildlife and the outdoors? Consider all the interests you share and how you could weave them into an important anniversary celebration.
• Figure out how long your trip can be. Consider your work schedules and how long each of you can get away. If you have a week or longer, you’ll be able to consider a lengthier list of anniversary trip ideas than if you only have time for a weekend getaway.
• Determine your travel budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend on an important trip. Ultimately, your travel budget can help you narrow down the list of vacation ideas that meet your criteria.

Romantic anniversary trip ideas

Maybe you’re after a couples-only experience or one that’s adult-oriented and geared to romance and exclusivity. In that case, consider the romantic places and trip ideas below.

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley, California is a picture-perfect place to get away from it all with the one you love.

This region of the country boasts exceptional scenery with rolling hills and lush greenery in every direction, as well as wineries, art galleries, and fine dining options galore.

You can head to Napa for a cozy stay in a bed-and-breakfast or boutique hotel, then enjoy wine tastings and exceptional farm-to-table dining experiences each day of your trip.

You may be able to drive to Napa Valley if you live close enough, but you can also fly into several local airports like the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK). Either way, the best times to visit Napa Valley are from August through October or March through May each year.

No-kids mountain ranch

If you want to get away from it all and you love spending time outdoors, you should consider booking an adults-only ranch stay.

Vista Verde Guest Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a solid choice since it boasts luxurious accommodations and offers all-inclusive romance packages to boot.

While children can visit the ranch during some parts of the year, the property turns into an escape exclusive to adults from August through the entire autumn season each year. This makes the ranch ideal for a peaceful and romantic weekend or week-long getaway filled with outdoor activities like viewing the flora and fauna, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The luxury property is also known for its award-winning culinary adventures, as well as its share of romantic and rustic guest rooms and cabins.

Adventurous anniversary trip ideas

Maybe you and your partner love to get out and explore the great outdoors.

In that case, an adventure trip filled with activities and thrills could be in order.

Adventure trip in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a top destination for adventure travel for more reasons than one.

This country in Central America has coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and it features lush green mountains, volcanoes, rivers, and every type of landscape in between. You can book a trip to Costa Rica and take part in white water rafting, hiking, deep sea diving, zip lining, and nearly any other adventure activity you can think of.

You can also book most types of lodging in Costa Rica, including all-inclusive resorts, traditional hotels, and vacation rentals. While you can enjoy great weather in Costa Rica at any time of the year, the best time to visit is between December and April.

Book an African safari

Maybe you and your partner want to see some of the world’s most incredible animals in the wild, and you have at least a week to get away for your anniversary trip.

In that case, you can look into booking an African safari with a company like Kensington Tours or Yellow Zebra Safaris.

While trip inclusions vary, safari packages typically include lodging, transportation and tours through some of the most secluded and beautiful parts of Africa. You’ll also get the benefit of an expert guide who can help you learn all you can about the animals and plants that call this area of the world home.

African safaris are available in destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa, where you’ll be able to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and more.

Cultural anniversary trip ideas

If you want to explore your or your partner’s cultural heritage or learn about others, you may want to consider anniversary trip ideas that focus on culture and history first and foremost.

A few trip ideas in this realm are featured below.

Italian food tour

If you and your partner are foodies who love learning about history and the way other people live, consider an Italian food tour.

You can book a full-fledged vacation package that includes stops in several Italian cities, plus a range of cooking classes and culinary experiences along the way.

While several different tour companies offer foodie tours throughout Italy, one called Go Ahead Tours has a range of guided vacations that can make travel to Italy a breeze. As an example, this tour provider offers an 11-day food and wine package through Tuscany and Umbria, as well as a Mediterranean-style foodie tour through Sicily and Southern Italy. You can visit Italy any time of the year, but the best times to visit for great weather are fall and spring.

Guided tour through Turkey

Maybe you want to go back in time to explore the ancient roots of Turkey, yet you want a tour guide to accompany you along the way.

In that case, you can check out guided tours through companies like Trafalgar. This brand’s 10-day “Highlights of Turkey” tour makes travel to Turkey a breeze since it includes stops in 15 different cities, all your hotels, and even many of your meals.

For 10 days, this tour will have you and your partner exploring Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, walking in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus, and checking out the incredible landscapes of the world-famous village of Cappadocia. This tour and others in Turkey run during most of the year, but the best months to visit for moderate weather are April, May, September, and October.

Relaxing anniversary trip ideas

Maybe you’re considering romantic destinations that will let you lay back and do nothing for the week, or perhaps you want all the logistics and dining for your trip planned out for you ahead of time.

In either case, you may want to consider the following.

All-inclusive resort stay

All-inclusive resorts include your hotel stay, food, drinks, and entertainment all for one price.

They’re commonly found in destinations throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. These resorts take all the guesswork and planning responsibility out of the equation, which lets you show up and enjoy your trip without having to worry about much at all. Best of all, the great weather in Mexico in December means it’s an ideal place to spend a winter anniversary.

While all-inclusive resort stays vary widely, you can book properties in this category that range from budget to luxury. You can also find resorts that are adults-only, including some that include spa access as part of the package. You can visit all-inclusive resorts any time of the year, and you can shop around for options on sites like Expedia.com and CheapCaribbean.com.

Luxury cruise

Consider the prospect of booking a luxury cruise if you want to relax and unwind.

By booking a cruise with an upscale cruise line, you are essentially buying a “vacation in a box” that includes your lodging, transportation, dining, and entertainment all in one. Check out our recommendations for cruise insurance to make sure you’re covered when setting sail.

If you want to cruise in luxury but prefer to vacation with a more established cruise line, look into booking a luxury getaway with MSC Cruises in the brand’s Yacht Club. This “ship within a ship” upgrade is available on most MSC Cruises vessels, and it is essentially a VIP area of the ship that has its share of cabins, its restaurant and bar, and a private pool deck. Not only do MSC Cruises Yacht Club guests get the best of everything, but they even enjoy butler service for the duration of their trip.

Budget-friendly anniversary trip ideas

If you have a limited budget but you still want to celebrate your anniversary with a special trip, there are several options to consider.

First, you can look into using any travel rewards points you have to piece together a vacation, whether you have some unused airline miles, hotel points or a stash of flexible travel rewards points you can use.

Consider these affordable getaways we recommend.

Glamping getaway

If you and your partner love the outdoors, consider luxury camping, also known as “glamping” in a camping resort, a state park, or the closest national park.

Glamping vacations come in many forms, but this typically means you’ll stay in something nicer than a basic tent. For example, you can easily glamp in a yurt, a rustic cabin, or a tiny home.

Glamping Hub is a great way to find affordable rentals you can book, from safari tents to camping domes and log cabins.

Book a cozy Airbnb

Look into booking your anniversary getaway in a cozy Airbnb somewhere within driving distance of where you live.

This could be a mountain cabin with its own hot tub, a luxury villa in a small town, a beachfront condo, or a tiny home in the middle of the woods. Booking a vacation rental gives you the chance to have some privacy so you can truly connect, and you can score extra savings by preparing some of your meals at “home.”

Of course, you don’t have to book a vacation rental through Airbnb specifically. You can also find the perfect place on sites like VRBO and Vacasa.

What are some activities to do on an anniversary trip?

Whether you plan to fly somewhere far-flung for your trip or you’re driving cross-country to enjoy some alone time in New York City, New England, Lake Tahoe, or Big Sur, it’s smart to have some activities lined up ahead of time.

Any of the following activities could help you have more fun while you reconnect:

• Wine tastings
• Book a couples massage
• Take part in a cooking class
• Take a self-guided city tour
• Visit local museums and art galleries
• Visit local hot springs
• Take a dip in an outdoor pool
• Book spa treatments together
• Dine under the stars
• Hire a private chef
• Plan an in-room surprise like rose petals on your bed
• Book a romantic dinner in a five-star restaurant

Things to keep in mind for your anniversary trip

We recommend you take the following into consideration when planning and preparing for your anniversary trip.