The Best Couples Getaway in 2019

Couple walking at a romantic beach

The real estate agent’s motto of “location, location, location” can be as true for romance as it is for housing. If you’re looking for the perfect place to propose or the best romantic getaways for couples, we’ve compiled the list of ultimate romantic places in 2019.

EliteSingles surveyed 1600 people to uncover this year’s wanderlust wish list and discovered the places that’ll make you go weak at the knees. So, buckle up and let’s go in search of the top destinations for the perfect proposal in 2019.

Most Romantic Places to Propose in 2019

One of the most romantic events in life is the big P the proposal. Whether you’re planning the proposal or being proposed to, it’s a defining life moment. And a key factor in planning the perfect proposal is the location! So, where are the most is coveted proposal destinations for 2019? We’ve compiled the top 12 places voted as the most romantic places for a proposal in 2019.

Although it’s considered the city of love, Paris doesn’t take the number one spot and you might be in for a few surprises a little closer to home as well. It seems that in 2019 getting down on one knee is anyone’s game with 21% of men saying they’d actually prefer to be proposed to! Forget waiting for a leap year to propose, ladies, get planning now with the 12 ultimate destinations for the perfect proposal in 2019.

  • View of canal in Venice, Italy

    1. Venice, Italy

    © iStock.com / Sinenkiy

    Pushing Paris out the top stop, Venice was voted as the most romantic place to propose in 2019! This ancient city on water, with its vibrant hued buildings stacked along enchanting bridges and breathtaking canals, is the place to go to sweep your partner off their feet. After taking in the sights, don’t miss St Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Hold hands and get lost in the winding alleys, and then find your own private spot along the Grand Canal or a decadent Gothic palazzo for your dream proposal. Superstar George Clooney gave Venice the stamp of approval as the ultimate romantic hotspot, choosing to marry there in 2014, and in 2019, cruising the canals in a gondola is still as charming! 

  • Cityscape view of Paris, France

    2. Paris, France

    © iStock.com / franckreporter

    Long topping lists of the best couple getaways, with its street cafes and meandering Seine, Paris is the grand dame of romance. The French mystique, under the watchful eye of the Eiffel Tower and Norte Dame, makes it the perfect backdrop for a love story across the ages. Paris – the city of lights and the city of love – will always revel in its romantic reputation and, you can rest assured, it will exceed expectations.  It’s still the queen of hearts, coming in second in our poll of perfect places to propose in 2019. 

  • Mountain and beach in Hawaii

    3. Hawaii, USA

    © iStock.com / ademyan

    If the outdoors is more your style, Hawaii could be the perfect romantic place for your proposal. With a selection of stunning Pacific islands to choose from, it’s the ultimate destination for nature lovers – picture-perfect beaches, rugged volcanic mountain tops with lush green landscapes – it’s enough to get any heart racing! From its breathtaking hiking trails to daring water sports, Hawaii offers a great adventure. 

  • Bahamas beach and palm tree

    4. The Bahamas

    © iStock.com / apomares

    If a serene getaway with pure sea and sunshine fantasy takes your fancy, the Bahamas serves up crystal clear waters, white beaches and palm trees perfectly. With only an 8 degree difference between the warmest month and coldest month, it’s a year-round tropical paradise and was voted the 4th favourite place for a proposal in 2019. 

  • Man at end of pier in Vanua Levu

    5. Vanua Levu, Fiji

    © iStock.com / apomares

    The endless pull of the ocean continues as we wrap up the top 5 perfect proposal places with Vanua Levu, the second largest island in Fiji, making its way in. Its idyllic clear blue waters, world-class diving spots and unspoilt rainforests make this paradise a top choice for the perfect proposal in 2019. 

  • man and woman smiling at home drinking wine

    6. At home

    © iStock.com / gpointstudio

    This year you own home competes with the most luxurious and exotic locations around the world. Home really is where the heart is, coming in the top 10 places to propose, it proves that no matter how far and wide you travel, home holds a special place. Your home holds certain meaning for a couple as it‘s the space you created together and is a most intimate place for a personal proposal. 

  • Beautiful scene in Bali

    7. Bali, Indonesia

    © iStock.com / pawopa3336

    There is something sexy about a hot and humid atmosphere that raises the romance stakes like no other. For its postcard-perfect beaches, tropical waters, temples and culture, Bali is one of the best romantic getaways for a proposal and more. If you want to go surfing and hike through the rice paddies, or relax and enjoy some yoga or sun tanning, Bali is the place to be in 2019 

  • Skyline of Manhattan New York City

    8. New York, USA

    © iStock.com / GCShutter

    The Big Apple, with its hustle and bustle, is still tempting couples to say yes. From Central Park to the top of the Rockefeller Center, whatever your preference, New York has a choice location to hit the spot. With its energy and variety, this metropolis is diverse and delightful. If you’re a Brooklyn boy or a Manhattan Madame, New York will have you dancing your way to an ‘I do’ as the 8th most romantic place to propose this year.. 

  • Shot of Niagara Falls waterfall

    9. Niagara Falls, North America

    © iStock.com / Orchidpoet

    Straddling the border between Canada and America, Niagara Falls is a trio of three imposing waterfalls that form one of the most impressive natural phenomena in North America. With a 57m drop in the larger Horseshoe Falls, and stretching to 790m at its widest, this spectacle provides a thundering backdrop for a memorable proposal, making its way into the top 10 places to propose this year. 

  • Harbor view of the Sydney Opera House

    10. Sydney, Australia

    © iStock.com / BirdImages

    Australians all rejoice, for Sydney comes in at the number 10 place to propose! Boasting the best of both worlds, this world-class southern hemisphere city has beautiful beaches and a thriving urban hub of culture and activities. It’s no surprise that Sydney is one of the best places to propose in 2019 with its enviable blend of cosmopolitan city life and laidback coastal vibes. Relax at Bronte or Bondi before dressing up for an event at the Sydney Opera House and sweeping your love off their feet. Sydney’s top 10 spot proves going down under is still a popular choice in 2019! 

  • Edinburgh Old Town cityscape

    11. Edinburgh, Scotland

    © iStock.com / evenfh

    The old world charm of Edinburgh, with its castle, medieval streets and dramatic rocky landscape, is brimming with an irresistible and ageless romance. This magical European city boasts renowned festivals, rich culture, architecture and history, making it a decadent choice for the artsy culture vultures and winning a place as one of the ultimate proposal destinations in 2019. 

  • Las Vegas strip sign

    12. Las Vegas, USA

    © iStock.com / f11photo

    For pure fabulosity, Las Vegas is unrivalled for its flashy lights, heaving nightlife and countless casinos. You can propose and get married by Elvis all in one day! Indulge in luxury hotels, poolside parties and glitzy shows when you raise the stakes and put Las Vegas on the proposal map of 2019. 

Proposal Prep: How to Prepare

Zoe Coetzee, EliteSingles relationship psychologist gave these three top tips to prepare for the perfect proposal in 2019:

  1. Plan ahead: Choose the location, the order of your events, who you want there (if you’re inviting friends and family along for the ride) and plan ahead. To pull off the perfect proposal, layout out the finer points and add in sentimental details that are meaningful to you two!
  2. Practice: Proposing can be stressful, so run through the plan ahead of time, say your speech out loud beforehand, and practice the moment so you don’t leave out important parts. But, at the same time, always speak from the heart!
  3. It’s about the two of you: Keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t let the stress of planning derail you from the main purpose – to ask the person you love to spend their life with you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, focus on your partner and the love you share – the rest is just details!

Couples Getaway in 2019: Best Romantic Getaways

Romantic getaways aren’t just for the perfect proposal, we also wanted to know which place is the most coveted couples getaway. Perhaps you want to celebrate an anniversary or birthday or maybe you just want to get away from it all for a while. So, where should you go?

Here are the top 10 places to go on a couple’s vacation in 2019 and it should come as no surprise that the top three places were in sync with the proposal hotspots. However, some exotic additions prove that the beach is also a firm favourite for romance.

  1. Italy Venice and Rome being the favourites
  2. France Paris, the enduring city of light and love
  3. Hawaii a breathtaking island archipelago
  4. The Maldives a tropical island paradise
  5. Bora Bora a blissful, blue oasis in French Polynesia
  6. Australia winning with the Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef and cool cities
  7. Bali steamy, green beach haven in Indonesia
  8. The Caribbean dreamy beach destination
  9. The Bahamas lush and lavish aquamarine dream
  10. A Cruise a floating hotel

Most Romantic Spot? It’s a Personal Thing.

Although Paris and Venice took out the top spots forr most romantic places, many participants felt that a romantic location was purely defined by a person. Romance doesn’t have to be defined by location, but rather the love you share. Next time you’re planning a couple’s getaway, remember our poll participant’s own words: “the most romantic places can also be a person!” Here are a few more of our personal favourites:

“Anywhere that we were together we’ll always be in the perfect place”

“I don’t think it’s the destination but the person you are with. Anywhere can be romantic as long as the person you’re with is just as into you as you are them.”

“It is about the person you are with”

“I just can’t pick because romance isn’t something you buy tickets to. It just happens and when it does you really don’t remember the location.”

Sources:

EliteSingles Most Romantic Destinations Survey, 2018. Sample Size: 1600 participants

About the author: Zoe Coetzee

Will this do anything

See more articles written by Zoe Coetzee