Every month I travel vicariously, searching the internet for romantic destinations that I am, alas, unlikely to visit. For January, I thought it would be fun to hear from you. How do you make your travel decisions? What kinds of destinations strike you as romantic?
For starters, let’s pretend that you have a very large sum of money at your disposal. Then, let’s pretend that you have a lot of free time. Finally, let’s assume that you have a perfect traveling companion, keeping in mind that no one, not even Idris Elba, remains sexy after a long flight and the discovery that your luggage has been sent to a different country.
Wait – if we have unlimited money, you can take a private jet! Has anyone ever flown on a private jet, or even in first class? IS THERE LEG ROOM? I have questions!
Having established that your money and time are unlimited, how do you choose a romantic destination? Here’s some things you might take into account:
Housing: What’s your ideal structure to stay in? Cosy cottage? Regency mansion? Boat in the tropics? Are you into camping or do you prefer the lap of luxury?
Weather: Do you like sweater weather, hot drinks, and snuggles by the fire? Or are you more of a tropical island, soaking up the sun with a mai tai in hand kind of person?
Activities: Do you like adventures? Do you like night life? Do you want a place of historical or scientific interest with an emphasis on learning? Or do you just want to read in peace in front of a good view?
Kids and Pets: Take them with or leave them home?
Politics: When you choose your destination, do you take the politics or social mores of your destination into account? Are there places that you boycott, or places that you actively strive to support with your dollars? Or are you neutral politically when seeking a destination?
Bonus question: Which fictional place would you most like to stay in?
Bring it on! I am so curious about your own romantic wanderlust!
Fictionally, I would love to hang out in a Star Trek resort planet. Also possibly Hobbiton because delicious food and coziness and Rivendell because it’s gorgeous and comfortable.
I have to say I like luxury and comfort – if I had unlimited funds it would be first class everything, staying at Hever Castle and the Goring Hotel sort of standards. Going to see the ballet, historical sites of interest to me, bookstores, cafes, tea shops, theatre, quiet time definitely built in because Brain Stuff. A lot of time with friends. Afternoon teas.
I think travelling while having CPTSD/chronic mental health conditions has meant I need to think very carefully about how and where I travel and how much I can do (mostly it means planning a lot) so there are places I just can’t go because too much (also being jewish, biracial and queer does make a difference too) so I’ve had to limit places there.
Once. I got to travel on a corporate jet once – it was my employer’s. It was with a bunch of coworkers, so they didn’t lay on amenities like they do for clients (no booze) but: we got to clear customs by a guy getting on the plane and checking peapole’s passports (didn’t get off at that airport because it wasn’t our final destination), it doesn’t board at the “regular” terminal, so no long lineups, and the one I was on was configured with little pairs of armchairs with tables between them, and one sofa. Airmchairs with seatbelts. The galley had pop and snacks.
If I were a billionaire I definitely would use a private jet service!!!
Cruise to Antarctica.
With a library on boat.
No internet.
Great camera…. strike that, private photographer.
Uggs for miles.
Did I mention the library?
If I had unlimited funds. I would go to a small village in Ireland with my husband. We’d take a private jet and check into some sort of cottage type of B&B with a bunch of books and a large kitchen to make delicious meals and drinks. We’d also have a really fine bottle of Irish Whisky and Wine( not together ).
As for activities we’d just explore the village and the surrounding area and maybe hit up a few pubs, cool bookstores and historical sights. If the option is available a ghost tour would be awesome as well.The weather would be mostly sunny.
Sicily. Touring villas, drinking wine, taking cooking classes, hiking the volcano, reading on the beach, drinking espresso and chatting with people who look like me. Wearing a great big hat.
I really want to visit the arctic circle in summer and see the midnight sun. It will be nice to explore the beauty of the arctic in sweethear weather and be able to snuggle somewhere warm and cozy at night. Just need blackout curtains to sleep at night.
I live in Italy and my husband’s family has a house outside Rome, so I get to live a pretty good dream on a regular basis!
@ K.N. – Apart from Italy, I would pick Ireland, and what you’ve described sounds perfect. I love sweater weather and once spent some time on two southern Irish islands – Bere and Sherkin – and just loved the experience!
I really want to take a train to a lodge way north where the weather is so crappy that no one tells me that I should really get out. Though I’m happy to sit on a balcony with a book and a
wrap. Basically I want the Magic Mountain, but with a cheese happy hour and no tuberculosis.
Snow shoeing to a small cabin with a spectacular view that has been pre stocked with everything delicious, books, movies and games.
Then spending time learning to cross country ski from my boyfriend, hot drinks by the fire to warm up and definitely watching the Aurora borealis put on a spectacular show!
What a great question.
Would you like to revisit a place that you adore, or explore a new-to-you location?
I like an equal mixture of historical and relaxation, in a relatively safe location, although I usually prefer travelling by myself to travelling with a companion. Choosing locations is very important when travelling as a woman alone, so taking into account the political climate, public safety and treatment of women and foreigners is necessary.
The itinerary does not have to be fixed, so long as I have pretty reliable transportation to and from locations. Previously, for example, have spent months in Europe with a rail pass, or had a driver with me the entire time in a country without extensive transport systems.
Not too picky on the weather, although reliable shelter and warmth is a must in a cold climate, and reliable shelter and respite from blinding heat is necessary in a warm climate.
Housing necessities would be a usable bathroom, access to safe water, clean facilities (no bugs) and safety. I think I would forgive a lot in luxury if the location were spectacular enough.
Leave pets and/or kids in a safe place with loved ones, don’t want to bring them along.
And of course, dream vacations change with your current mood. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a whirlwind trip with a lot of traveling, other times it would be nice to soak in everything at a more relaxed pace.
Right now, I am torn between revisiting Japan (Tokyo,Hokkaido, Gifu, Niigata) and visiting Argentina, Uruguay and Chile for the first time. At least six weeks, clean and simple housing, reliable transportation, ending with a nice luxurious 3 or 4 days at an onsen/spa before returning home.
Thank you for prompting me to indulge my travel fantasies! It is nice to think about.
Yes, all of it? While the bungalow over the water is my idea of heaven, a friend actually stayed in one. (1) Don’t turn on the lights at night because you will see (2) the reason for the netting over the bed. This friend has traveled the world, slept in all kinds of conditions, and the bugs THERE freaked her out.
We have traveled a lot, doing our own research, making extensive plans and arrangements. Now? I want someone else to do it and I want to stay in really nice places for many days at a time. Today I want sunshine, warmth, sand and alcohol, with an ocean soundtrack. Also, do SAD lights work? Asking for a friend.
I have always wanted to go to Greece to visit the temples. Tour during the day and stay in an upscale rental home with a view of the Mediterranean. Maybe take a private yacht from island to island. Participate in an archaeological dig. (I had an opportunity to work on a major dig in Turkey in college, but there was a war going on at the time so I declined. The head of the expedition assured us that we were guaranteed protection by the Turkish government but I didn’t think the SCUDS were likely to discriminate.) Alas, pollution and political unrest looks likely to scuttle that dream for the foreseeable future.
@Darlynne re: SAD lights – I got a Happy Light 6000 off Amazon several years ago for not toooo much $$, and it’s been an absolute lifesaver. Especially now, with that non-existent (eye-roll) climate change turning our previously sunny and gloriously cold winters into a hellish icy grayscape of doom, 20 minutes in the morning with my Happy Light keeps me going until spring. I cannot recommend it enough.
As for travel, I basically want to re-enact all of Mary Stewart’s novels, although with fewer threats of violence, please.
With unlimited funds and time, I’d rent a small villa on a Greek island, one with a fabulous view–and enough plantings to get frisky on the terrace without alarming the neighbors. Oh, and we’ll need a grill to prepare the ultra-fresh seafood we’ll buy at the harbor. I’d love the chance to stay through a whole season, long enough to make friends and really get a feel for living there.
I would want to go somewhere in the woods in the middle of winter, probably Northern Maine. It would be secluded enough that my companion and I would have privacy, no nosy neighbors, and no potential for noise complaints. But I’d still want a plow truck to clear out the driveway, a nearby diner, grocery/convenience store, and Chinese takeout place. That would be absolutely amazing.
In this world, I’d take a place in the Cotswolds – whether it’s an old, restored home in a quiet village or a more spacious residence in the countryside, I won’t be picky. Fictionally, I am open to a stint amongst the Rohirrim of Tolkien. Horse-riding for the win!
Man, I’ve been to a lot of amazing places, but I can always think of more. I’m more of city travel person b/c I like museums, cultural stuff, new restaurants, different funky neighborhoods * but* I’ve always wanted to try one of those cultural hiking trips that are more like glamping. You hike with a guide every day, but a van takes your luggage and you stay at nice hotels and bed and breakfasts. There is gourmet delicious local food for meals and snack times and some prearranged cultural stuff. That has always sounded awesome to me. I like hiking, I do not like carting lots of stuff or sleeping on the ground. I’d do that almost anywhere in the world just for the experience.
The family and I were also planning out a fantasy vacation on the Orient Express the other day. Our sons love trains and I love Agatha Christie. That would be another fun thing with unlimited funds. 😉
DH and I decided that our realistic dream holiday would be to take a year and really visit the UK. I could visit another museums and places I’ve read about in books and have an excuse to wear knitwear most of the year round.
If I’m dreaming, then I’ll be able to walking tours. It will take dreaming to fix my arthritic knees.
For my 50th birthday, I’ve asked for an all expenses paid trip to a holiday resort somewhere in Australia. I’m the logistics officer in our family and not having to logistic is the Best Holiday Ever in my book.
@Lilaea, we went to Mata Mata in New Zealand, where the Hobbiton set is. It was fascinating, and I believe that they have now opened The Green Dragon up as a regular pub.
I once read an article about a luxury boat tour down the river in the Provence in France. Slowly gliding down the river towards the south, reading, watching the gorgeous landscape (lavender and sunflower fields!) and of course you can visit historic roman monuments, abbeys and historic little villages when passing by as the boat will stop at nice sites. On the culinary side you stop in the morning to get fresh baguette and croissants for breakfast aboard and in the evening you can visit various delicous French restaurants along to way. The weather button is of course switched to “perfect” as well. Sigh…
I’ve always wanted to do one of those hiking tours where you explore gorgeous scenery during the day – like the Scottish Highlands, or the Alps, or Cinque Terre, and at the end of the afternoon magic people have moved all your luggage to the fabulous 5-star hotel/lodge/manor house you’ve hiked to, where you eat amazing food and sleep in a cozy bed. I’ve dreamed of a trip like this for years.
My current wanderlust dreams are focused on renting an apartment in a small village in southern Italy or somewhere in Greece and staying for at least a few months – long enough to get to know the neighbors and local shopkeepers, pick up a bit of the language, and to totally divorce myself from my usual life. Ideally it would be a village on the coast since we love the water. We don’t need a luxurious place, but we want a luxurious view where we can sit out on the terrace with coffee in the morning, fresh fruit smoothies in the afternoon, and a glass of the local wine or a beer in the evening. We love antiquities, so a fair amount of ruins within a comfortable driving distance would also be great.
Because we scuba dive, we’ve also taken some great liveaboard trips in Southeast Asia. A liveaboard dive boat is basically a large yacht with anywhere from 6 to 12 cabins (so 12-24 guests when full), a complete crew including a captain, one or two housekeepers, a cook, and a dive support crew that literally carry your tanks over to you and help you into and out of your wetsuit. In addition to your private cabins, the boat usually has an indoor and outdoor lounge, a sundeck and a well-equipped dive deck. The trips typically last 7-10 days where you go out to places that are typically inaccessible except by boat and you dive, dive, dive. It’s the closest thing you can get to a private yacht of your own. We haven’t done one of these trips for a few years now and we’d love to get back out there, or better yet, if money was no object, we’d hire the whole boat for a private dive trip with no other passengers.
As for private jets, I got to travel on a corporate jet once and it was pretty much as @JoanneBB described. Comfy seats, small tables, a sofa (with seatbelts), and a private terminal at the airport that we drove right up to, then just walked out to the plane – no TSA anywhere in evidence.
So many ideas spring to mind, but the first that jumps to mind – if money is no object – is a private plane to visit all of the Disney World Resorts in the world – staying at the most luxurious Disney resort at each place. I would start with the original Disneyland in California, then on to Walt Disney World in Florida then Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo. My husband and I are both huge Disney people so this would be so much fun for us both.
I would visit England/UK. It wouldn’t be a too long flight, so I don’t necessarily require a private jet. I’d take the kids with me, and they would be well-behaved and *never* fight(we’re allowed to fantasize ANYTHING, right? 🙂 )
But once there, I would absolutely take several garden tours, with a private guide, at a leisurely pace. Reading in beautiful garden corners, English breakfasts, pubs, friendly strangers initiating conversations with me (too shy to talk to strangers, me).
The most fantastic part of my fantasy is having a whole month of vacation.
I wonder if where you want to visit is dictated by where you live?
I live in North Yorkshire UK, have a big, old house with views of the moors and the wolds, in the middle of nowhere. And my ideal holiday destination is my favourite location, Melbourne Australia, where I can travel the Great Ocean Road, swim, walk, drink fabulous wine and experience actual, proper sunshine!
So, living somewhere historic (even my house is hundreds of years old)in a very quiet location with views of miles of wildness brings on the urge to holiday somewhere more urban, new buildings, excellent public transport and HEAT!
I’m solidly a cabin in the woods person. Ideally small with a great porch & view of sunrise and sunset, luxurious bedding & bathroom. If we’re dreaming it’s right at a private trailhead with access to several great day hikes and the kitchen is fully stocked for cooking or not, whatever strikes my fancy. Weather is right where you start a hike wearing a light jacket and finish in light long sleeves, and one day it does nothing but rain so you stay in the cabin and read all day. Plus a small fire pit for smores.
My husband can come if he wants but he’s not nearly as in love with the whole remote forest thing as I am. As long as he doesn’t complain, I suppose (he doesn’t, he’s been very tolerant of my “and then in Wednesday we can go hiking! hijacking of trips we’ve taken).
My ideal romantic vacation would be a month at a Victorian lodge on an island during the time of year when it is warm during the day and cool at night. Transportation to the island is by boat, preferably a restored Chris-Craft. My husband and dogs would be welcome, friends and family not. The kitchen would be well-stocked with a cook and staff onsite, although I would get to bake when the mood hit me. A hot tub for the cool nights. Unlimited internet access so we could catch up on movies when not reading or piloting the boat around. My work cell-phone would be out of range, conveniently.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents owned such an island in Canada (minus the internet and hot tub). Some of my favorite childhood memories are from our vacations in Ontario.
A tiny snowed-in cabin on an isolated Norwegian fjord. Lots of firewood, coffee, hot cocoa, and a hot tub. No kids, just my husband. It’s been a rough month, and I’m almost crying thinking of this place.
The one vacation that is keeping me going right now is that my husband and I have decided to return to our honeymoon spot on our 5th anniversary — a car-free island off the coast of Maine that we LOVED. It’s a really appealing backup.