Five Of The World's Most Romantic Travel Experiences

Fall head over heels all over again with these partner-perfect experiences.

1. Sunset cruising

Nā Pali Coast, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i

It may be a cliché, but sailing away into the sunset with one’s true love is still at the top of many a bucket-list.

Especially somewhere as beautiful as Hawai‘i’s Nā Pali Coast, located on the north shore of Kaua‘i.

This natural wonderland is a unique landscape of rugged terrain and sheer cliffs that drop straight into the aqua-blue water of the Pacific Ocean.

It’s pretty remote, so if you want to discover it you need to hike the 18-kilometre trail or – more pleasantly – hop on a cruise (champagne and loved one in hand).

There are several operating in the area, particularly at sunset, when the afternoon light plays off the turquoise waters.

2. Romance on rails

Rovos Rail, Africa

A journey by train is surely one of the most evocative forms of travel, and Africa’s Rovos Rail exudes the luxury and charm of a bygone era.

Its fleet of trains carry an intimate 72 guests and boast wood-panelled, Edwardian-style carriages with spacious suites (plus comfortable double beds) and elegant lounge and observation cars.

The food is impeccable and impeccably served on fine china, silver and crisp white linen (read: dress to the nines for dinner).

But the best bit is the view as you head through South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania – the scenery is constantly evolving and endlessly breathtaking.

3. Hot air ballooning

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The best way to escape the maddening crowds at the temples of Cambodia’s national treasure Angkor and have a quiet moment to yourself is by floating serenely above it all in your own love nest…or hot air balloon.

It’s incredible to see the vastness of the Angkor complex from an aerial perspective, its hundreds of temples spread over some 400 square-kilometres.

Sunrise is our favourite time of day for this amazing experience – the orange glow of the sun breaking on the horizon at the crack of dawn signifying the final moments of quiet before Siem Reap awakens and is alive and bustling again.

4. Walk the path of love

Cinque Terre, Italy

The Cinque Terre is one of the world’s most dramatic coastlines, consisting of five medieval-era fishing villages built into steep cliffs.

Until the end of the 19th century, when a railway was eventually built, the towns were extremely isolated from each other.

A pathway between Riomaggiore and Manarola was built for the use of railway workers during construction of the tunnel, which became a meeting point for lovers from the two towns. The pathway was coined the Via dell’Amore – the ‘Path of Love’.

Visitors can walk the route as part of the spectacular 12-kilometre clifftop journey between the five pretty villages.

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5. Skinny dipping

Turtle Island, Fiji

This has to be the ultimate spot for cheeky love birds. Turtle Island’s 500-acre privately owned island was the idyllic location for the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon and is one of Fiji’s most beautiful resorts.

It accommodates just 14 couples in its exotic bures (AKA love shacks), each with its own private white, powdery beach with impossibly blue water.

Beach picnics of champagne and lobster, long private walks, and snorkelling excursions (there’s an abundant of colourful sea life) can all be arranged.

The ultimate romantic stay is in the Vonu Point villa, with panoramic views of the island’s pristine landscape.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Five of the most romantic travel experiences