Three Romantic Places to Celebrate Your Engagement

The ring is on the finger, the family has been called, and the champagne has been toasted. Congratulations! But why not celebrate a little longer with a special trip to celebrate your engagement?

If you and your newly affianced dream of seeing the world together, there’s no better way to celebrate your love than by visiting one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Here are three beautiful places in the world to enjoy together.

Garden Route, South Africa

Blue mountains jutting into the sky. Sun-drenched deserts dotted with quirky towns. Verdant forests edging up to the sea. The most dramatic coastline you’ve ever seen. In a country filled with astounding natural beauty, the Garden Route is a perfect place to enjoy the best of South Africa’s landscapes.

Leaving Cape Town, head into the Karoo, a beautiful semi-desert natural region. Want a taste of danger? Consider stopping for a crocodile cage dive for two in Oudtshoorn. If you’re looking for something a bit more tame, then try a sunset horseback ride through the hills of Swellendam. Finish on the beach in Plettenberg Bay, watching the sky turn pink at sunset, as you share a bottle of South Africa’s sensational Pinotage wine.

South Africa remains an incredible value destination, with prices much lower than you’d find in North America or Europe -- all the more useful when you’re saving up for a wedding!

Iceland

You’ve already declared your eternal love for each other -- but can it weather the storm? First, find out if it can weather actual storms in Iceland, a country known for two things: crazy land formations and finicky weather.

Celebrate your two lives coming together by snorkeling or scuba diving Silfra, the neon blue rift between the American and Eurasian continents. Pledge not to freeze each other out while hiking on a glacier. And a trek through the volcanic landscape will reveal the perfect natural hot spring to share.

You could luck out and have perfect weather during your romantic trip to Iceland -- but more than likely, you’ll experience a storm or two. If you can laugh and smile through it, you’ll be able to weather anything!

Malta

A beautiful Mediterranean island just south of Sicily, Malta is a fascinating and gorgeous island that serves up romance in spades. As someone who got engaged at the beginning of a two-week trip to Malta, I can attest to that fact! From the crumbling capital of Valletta to the beaches of Mellieha, it’s impossible not to enjoy this island with a huge smile on your face.

Rent a car and explore the island, stopping to see as many ornate churches as you can -- there are 365 in all. Experience the ancient city of Mdina, now fantastically preserved, illuminated at night, and home to the best cakes on the island. Take the ferry to Gozo, the island where Calypso entranced Odysseus, and marvel at the stunning natural beauty and rural landscapes.

There’s also incredible romance in being together with your beloved on a small island -- and Malta’s endless seafront is the perfect place to stroll hand in hand as you contemplate your future.

What’s your favorite romantic destination around the world?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.