The two things you need for a romantic vacation

When you think of a romantic vacation, you might envision drinking champagne at a candlelit restaurant, or lounging in hammocks on a secluded beach, or taking in the view from the balcony of a five-star hotel room. Sure, these things can be romantic, but there are truly only two things you need to create an unforgettable getaway for you and your love. ​It's really simple.

​1. Minimal stress
2. A new and interesting location

The reasons to minimize stress probably don't need to be explained. Proper planning ahead of time (or, ahem, using a travel agent) will ensure you don't spend your vacation time irritable or distracted. 

But why, specifically, should the location be new? Visiting somewhere you haven't seen before will invite you to engage with the world, see it with fresh eyes. You and your partner, seeing something new, will be looking outward, together. Further, you'll be able to look at each other with those same fresh eyes.

In January, amongst other travels, we spent two days in northern England, somewhere new to both of us. ​The cliffside ruins of Whitby Abbey stunned us with their stark beauty and fascinating history. Traditional English "cream tea" at a quirky cafe charmed us both. Even a terrible (truly, so terrible! on so many levels!) restaurant quickly became a hilarious memory. Northern England is not thought of as a typical "couples" destination like, say, Paris, but our two days there were wonderful, exactly what we needed. 

It doesn't matter whether or not a place is Instagram-famous, with a romantic reputation. You just need to find somewhere new with someone you love, drawing closer as you explore the world together.