Five Destinations For the Adventurous Couple
We’ve highlighted a lot of luxurious, relaxing locations on the blog, and while sometimes that’s what you need on a vacation, we also love to plan trips that get us out of our comfort zones. We’ve been to some amazing places that offer untouched nature, adventurous excursions and sights that you just can’t find on a beach or in a city. Here are our top 5 destinations for the couples who want an adventure of a lifetime.
1. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion has a sweet spot in our hearts since it was the first place we ever traveled together as a couple. Utah is well known for having some of the most diverse and scenic landscapes, and it’s a main reason people from all over the world come to visit this otherwise quiet State. At Zion National Park, you’ll find a landscape full of sage bushes, orange cliffs, and canyons carved out sandstone. When we first hiked up to Canyon Overlook the view took our breath away.
Zion boasts an incredible number hikes at various difficulty levels, but one we want to highlight is The Narrows. This hike takes you through the narrowest parts of the Zion canyon, carved by water and wind thousands of years ago. It can either be done as a long single day hike or an overnight camping trek. You can book your permits for this hike here.
A great place to stay for a romantic experience is Under Canvas Zion. This “glamping” site features luxurious tents and star gazing in a DarkSky resort, all within the park.
We will also note that if you fly in to Las Vegas, you can go to the Valley of Fire State Park on your way to Utah and see ancient petroglyphs and bright red sandstone.
2. Patagonia
Photo Credit: @hansjuergen
The region of Patagonia which spans through parts of Chile and Argentina is world renowned. Here you can see the Glacier Perito Moreno and witness a massive ice sheet moving towards the ocean. You can also see penguins, whales, armadillos and more in the Reserva Faunística Península Valdés, and explore the fjords of Tierra del Fuego. From rainforests, to mountains, from glaciers to rugged coasts, there are few places on earth that have as much breathtaking beauty as Patagonia. Tierra Patagonia is a luxurious hotel, deeply connected to nature, with a sauna, spa and hydrotherapy centre. There you’ll be able to relax so you can enjoy the natural wonders, just make sure to bring your hiking shoes!
3. The Azores
We recently spent a week in the Azores, exploring the island of Sao Miguel and we can confidently say this place is an adventurer’s paradise. Whether you want to surf on São Miguel Island, hike in the Sete Cidades, go canyoning, mountain biking, or even get on a zipline, there is so much to do in the Azores. Pair all of this with an amazing food scene in Ponta Delgada, and natural hot springs to soak in when you’re done your hike, and you’re in for a vacation that will stay in your memory long after your suitcase is unpacked. You can stay at the Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico, which is a in a central location in Ponta Delgada and offers relaxation and views of the ocean.
We will be doing more of a deep dive on all that the Azores have to offer in our upcoming Portugal guide, so make sure to follow us to be the first to hear about it!
4. The Dolomites
When people go to Italy, they often go to the cities. For those who want to experience nature and see a UNESCO world heritage site, the Dolomites are a premier destination. Nestled into the northeastern part of the country near Austria, these limestone mountains are a sight to behold and offer endless expeditions. We loved the Tre Cime hike, which you can easily drive up to the top and hike at your own pace with little elevation gain.
A good spot to stay is the Antelao Dolomiti Mountain Resort, which is situated at a central point in the mountain range and is a great place to relax after a long day on the mountain.
There are also lodges along the way called Rifugios, offering drinks, food and even a place to rest for the night. This makes hiking in the Dolomites a lot easier, and gives you some incentive to keep on exploring this beautiful region.
5. The Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
We live in Canada, and we’d be remiss not to mention the stunning landscapes you can explore in this country. There’s a lesser known part of BC that we think you should know about for your next adventure trip to the west coast of Canada: The Sunshine Coast.
This island is a short ferry ride from Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay and has so much to offer. We went hiking in lush rainforests, saw killer whales swimming in Howe Sound, and stayed at the most beautiful treehouse accommodation, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, complete with a outdoor bathtub and fireplace. If you’re going in the summer season, you should definitely book this Princess Louisa Inlet excursion to the remote Chatterbox Falls.
On one of our last nights we grabbed drinks at Pender Harbour and looked out at the beautiful marina and mountains. It reminded us of how much beauty is within our own borders, and that an adventure in our home country is always worth chasing.
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If you like these travel tips, get access to our full Italy guide, including:
🛵 the quaint cobblestone streets of Florence,
🌄 the breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast,
🏛️ the historic ruins of Rome,
🇮🇹 and the medieval villages of Tuscany
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