On a couples getaway, romance and travel go hand in hand. After all, is there anything dreamier than a stroll with the love of your life along the banks of the Arno or on the beaches of Hawaii? Dive into your first big trip blind, however, and a recipe for romance can quickly become a recipe for disaster. We've put together a list of some of the best couples getaway locations as well as a few travel tips to make sure your vacation is nothing but smooth sailing.

Where to Go

Adventurous

Perfect spots: Smoky Mountains, Africa, Pacific Northwest

When you need something a little more out of the ordinary, that's when you should look to combine some adventure with your romance. Africa is a honeymoon destination favorite with its mind-blowing safaris, but there's plenty of excitement closer to home, too. Think cozy cabins in the Smoky Mountains and glamping tents in the the forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Check out some of our favorite deals running right now:

• 8-day South Africa Tour
• 3-night cabin rental in the Smoky Mountains
• Luxury glamping in Washington State

Relaxing

Perfect spots: Punta Cana, Cancun, Vermont, California

Laying side-by-side with your partner as you soak up the sun is one of the quintessential romantic couples vacations. If you head to the Caribbean, you can dip your toes in the warm waters along the beaches of Punta Cana or hold hands while snorkeling near Cancun. If you're not interested in the beach, then back stateside, there's the lush mountains of picturesque Vermont, or you can head to California for the wineries instead of the waves.

Check out some of our favorite deals running right now:

• Beautiful B&B near California vineyards
• Adults-only all-inclusive stay at the Golden Parnassus Resort and Spa
• Historic mansion in the Green Mountains

Cosmopolitan

Perfect spots: New York, London, Paris

There's nothing like exploring a new city with your sweetheart, and there are more than a couple that can keep you busy for days. New York is the classic choice, with its world-famous art and culinary scenes. Jump across the pond and London and Paris off the same big-city vibe plus the charm of Old World Europe.

Check out some of our favorite deals running right now:

• 8-day trip to Paris and London
• Chic 4-star hotel near Times Square
• Upper West Side boutique hotel

Before You Go

What kind of trip do you want to take?

This seems obvious—I mean, you shouldn't book a trip to New York if your SO wants to lay on the beach, right? But in addition to deciding where you want to go, you should discuss how you want to experience the place when you get there.

Questions to ask your partner:

• Do you feel uncomfortable when you don't speak the native language of a country?

• Do you like to try the local cuisine, or do you dream of all-inclusive meals and drinks?

• Do you want you to be active, filling your days with sightseeing or hiking and biking? Or do you prefer to relax?

How will you plan it?

Once you know where you want to go, it's time to start booking, which means deciding how much you want to plan and how much you want to leave to chance. Your previous discussion should have given you some insight into whether your partner prefers a strict itinerary or a more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach.

Questions to ask your partner:

• How do you want to divvy up research and pre-booking responsibilities?

• Do you want to split each expense evenly or trade off on purchases?

• How detailed should our itinerary be?

How do you handle stress while traveling?

This can be a hard question to answer if you haven't traveled extensively, but it's worth considering. Travel, just like life, can be unpredictable. Weather shifts, museums close, and food poisoning happens—and it can feel infinitely more stressful when you're far from home.

Questions to ask your partner:

• What are you most worried about regarding the trip?

• What do you think you'll want to do if the weather doesn't cooperate?

• How can we communicate our frustrations so that we don't take them out on each other?

Remember that wherever you go, you can't guarantee things will go smoothly, but by setting expectations for a trip—and sharing your excitement along the way—you can increase the chances of your romantic getaway being the stuff of dreams.