9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Ideas for Your Next Romantic Getaway

You might think that a romantic getaway means jetting off to Paris, staying in five-star hotels and dropping a ton of money. And that’s certainly an option! But if you and your special someone are the adventurous type, why not think outside the box?

There’s a whole world
out there to explore, with things to see and do outside the norm. So what does
that look like exactly? The following nine ideas will have you booking plane
tickets, stat.

1. Go on a Service Journey

More travelers are
combining altruism with vacation time than ever before. Doing so brings you and
your SO closer because you’re working together toward a cause you mutually
support. Doing good for others releases oxytocin, the “cuddle chemical,” so you’ll feel more romantic at the end of
the day.

Volunteering also allows you to get a little “you” time even though you’re together and working for a cause. Too much togetherness can lead to arguments, but helping villagers build sustainable housing, for example, gives you time to lose yourself in your thoughts.

2. Immerse Yourself in a Language

Maybe you and your
sweetheart want to learn Japanese. If you’ve studied at home, why not book a
trip to the country and immerse yourself in the language completely?

Make it a challenge to
navigate day-to-day activities without slipping back into English. You’ll have
a wonderful time laughing together — fun that will follow you for the rest of
your trip.

3. Hike the Appalachian Trail

You don’t need to
travel overseas to have an adventure. You can hike from Maine to Georgia along
the Appalachian trail if you have sufficient time. You’ll burn calories and
enjoy the majesty of the great outdoors — and as the colors change across New
England, you’ll enjoy unparalleled beauty.

Make sure you plan well in advance and break in those hiking boots by wearing them for at least a few weeks beforehand. Chafed ankles and blisters can cut your trek short, or, at best, leave you miserable.

4. Take an African Safari

If you like it hot or want to tackle the tallest mountain in Africa — Mt. Kilimanjaro — why not book an African safari? You can look at zebras and lions in zoos to your hearts’ content, but it pales next to seeing them in the wild.

Plus, you’ll learn
about an entirely different way of life and open your eyes to a new way of
seeing the world.

5. Backpack Through Europe

Did you miss out on
backpacking through Europe for a year after undergrad? Why not take that trek
with your sweetie? You can travel from country to country via train in mere hours, giving you ample opportunity to soak in all
the culture and history of the old continent. If your budget is tight, you can
stay at hostels and even exchange labor in return for lodging.

6. Visit the Pyramids That Aren’t Along the Nile

You don’t have to
visit Egypt to see pyramids. Fly down to Campeche, Mexico and stay near the ancient Mayan ruins. You
can climb to the top of some, putting gym-style stair workouts to shame.

You’re also minutes
from white sandy beaches where you can swim with the dolphins or kick back with
a margarita.

7. Ski the Magnificent Rockies

The Rocky Mountains
have no shortage of towns like Breckenridge that scream picturesque, and the nearby
slopes offer some of the best skiing in the country.

Lodging generally
costs a bit, but you can take advantage of inexpensive stays if you’re willing
to sit through a one-hour timeshare sales pitch, that is. After a day on the
slopes, you’ll love snuggling between the sheets for a little aprés ski.

8. Explore the Wild, Wild West

If you live on the
coast, the landscape of the American Southwest feels like stepping onto the
surface of Mars — only with plenty of oxygen and blue skies that stretch on
forever.

The Grand Canyon is a
must-see, but if you want to trek to the even more remote North Rim, book your
tickets at least a year in advance. Do the same if you want admission to the
sacred Native lands surrounding Havasu Falls, where the water is so clear and blue, you
can drink it without getting sick.

9. Rough It Close to Home

Don’t have the budget
to jet around the globe or even across the country? No problem! You can create
your adventure trek close to home. All you need to do is locate a suitable
place and pack a tent.

Or, if you prefer
accommodations that don’t involve the possibility of creepy-crawlies in your
sleeping bag, you can rent an RV through a share program that works similar to
a VRBO for outdoorsy folks.

Romance Off the Beaten Path

Adventurous, romantic
getaways will create memories you and your SO will share for a lifetime. Plus,
a little blood-pumping excitement is never a bad thing.

When the time comes to
book your getaway, take a hint from the list above and do something unique!