Part of our Romantic Vacations guide.
2 places and guides from our Romantic Vacations coverage, gathered into one page.
Related travel guides: Itineraries For Romantic Vacations.
How To Budget For A Destination Wedding
A destination wedding typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000 for a group of 20–50 guests, depending on the location, season, and included amenities. The average couple spends about $22,000 on the ceremony, reception, and travel combined.
Start by listing the non-negotiable items: venue, officiant, marriage license fees, and a photographer. Then allocate 10–15% of your total budget for unexpected expenses such as weather backups or currency fluctuations. Many resorts offer all-inclusive wedding packages covering the ceremony, a reception dinner, and a one-week stay for the couple; these range from $5,000 to $12,000. Guests usually pay their own airfare and lodging, so choose a destination with direct flights and a range of hotel price points. The best beach getaways for couples often have wedding coordinators on staff who can handle local permits and vendor bookings. For a romantic honeymoon love in romantic vacations, consider tacking on three extra nights after the wedding to enjoy the destination without the crowd.
How To Plan A Romantic Italian Getaway On A Budget
A week-long romantic Italian getaway for two can be done for $2,500–$3,500 including flights, accommodation, meals, and local transport, if you travel in the shoulder season (April–May or September–October). Book flights at least 60 days in advance and choose a home base like Florence or Bologna instead of Venice or the Amalfi Coast.
Use regional trains instead of high-speed ones for short hops; a ticket from Florence to Siena costs about €10 and takes 90 minutes. Stay in agriturismi (farm stays) outside city centers, where a double room runs €60–€90 per night and includes breakfast. For romantic things to do in Barcelona, Spain, you can adapt the same approach: book a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and share tapas for under €30. In Italy, pack a picnic of local cheese, bread, and wine from a market for lunch (€8–€12) and reserve one nice dinner per trip — a three-course meal at a trattoria in Rome averages €40 per person. Many churches and piazzas cost nothing to enter, and the enchanting phrases to express love in Brazilian Portuguese might come in handy if you meet other travelers. Check the events and seasons in romantic vacations page to align your visit with a sagra (food festival) where a full meal costs under €15. Pack light to avoid checked-bag fees and use a money belt to keep your budget safe from pickpockets in crowded areas.
