By Terry Dale, President and CEO, USTOA
It’s February, and so of course our thoughts are on Valentine’s Day. Beyond the more commercial aspects of chocolates and roses, the day is a reminder to spend time with the people you love. And, what better place is there to do that than in one of the most romantic destinations in the world?
Venice, Italy (credit: Avanti Destinations)
As the presidents of our tour operator members are seasoned travelers – and romantics at heart – we tapped a few of them to ask for their advice on the most romantic destinations across the globe. So, in their words, here are a few places you’ll definitely want to keep in your back pocket for when you’re planning your next romantic getaway…
Dan Austin, President, Austin Adventures: “After 30-plus years of traveling the planet with my lovely wife Carol, it is impossible to call just one destination “the most romantic.” To me it usually comes down to two things…one, the company you keep (got that covered), and two, the accommodations and how they enhance the destination. We have had some amazing adventures complemented by some incredible accommodations. A few of our favorites include a beach side cabana on a private island off the coast of Belize, a Casita in the Sacred Valley of Peru (on the way to Machu Picchu), a riverside cabin in Montana and frankly too many others to list. Perhaps my absolute favorite was a small, first-class river boat in the Peruvian Amazon, waking each day to a beautiful sunrise and settling in with a good glass of wine on deck for a different sunset every night. Pretty hard to not find that (or any of these) romantic!”
Harry Dalgaard, Founder and President, Avanti Destinations: “There are so many possibilities for romantic travel, each as different as the two people who share the experience. You have the classic romantic travel experiences: a gondola ride in Venice, a stroll along the Seine in Paris, snuggling up by a cozy fire in a chalet after a day of skiing in the Alps, learning to tango in Buenos Aires, or staying in a thatched-roof cottage by a beach somewhere in the tropics. Today, many couples – young and old – who book with Avanti’s travel agent partners are looking for a romantic experience that is more unusual, adventurous, exotic: hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, whitewater rafting or ziplining in Costa Rica, exploring the ruins at Angkor Wat, being mesmerized by the amazing landscape of Guilin in China. One thing is certain: FIT is the only truly romantic way to travel. It has to be just the two of you.”
Jack E. Richards, President and CEO, Pleasant Holidays: “My entire career has been spent in the travel industry and during that tenure my bride of 35 years and I have been fortunate to travel the world together. We’ve enjoyed alpine ski vacations in snowy chalets; dined on beaches at sunset in Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean; and celebrated our most-recent wedding anniversary on a river cruise in France. But for the ultimate romance vacation experience, there’s nothing that can match an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. This tiny heart-shaped island in French Polynesia is tropical, it’s tranquil, and its beauty is beyond description. It’s simply romantic perfection.”
Jerre Fuqua, CTC, President, TRAVCOA and YMT Vacations: “Travel allows us to connect not only with our new surroundings…the tribesmen of Papua New Guinea, the beautiful landscape of Patagonia, the elephant families in South Africa…but also with our loved ones accompanying us on our global exploration. Travcoa has been fortunate enough to arrange some amazing experiences of celebration including a private cruise on the Grand Canal of Malta with a scuba diver surprising a couple with a bottle of champagne as the sun begins to kiss the ocean; a re-commitment ceremony from a Quechuan Shaman at Machu Picchu in Peru; and a romantic evening dinner on the plains of the Serengeti showcasing just how many stars there are in the universe. Of course, one cannot ignore the beauty and exclusivity of the many romantic islands around the world like Necker Island in the Caribbean or North Island in the Seychelles, both of which we can arrange with personalized and unique experiences.”
Paris, France (credit: Avanti Destinations)
As for me… when I think about the quintessential romantic destination, my mind always lands on Paris. Coined the “City of Love” for valid reasons, it is simply the most beautiful city to experience on foot. There is a picturesque scene around every corner…from quaint cafes to linger over coffee or a glass of wine, to stunning architecture, both ancient and modern, broad boulevards and majestic public parks for strolling, and of course, the emblematic Eiffel Tower. Paris will always hold a special place in my heart.
