The Ultimate Couples' Travel Bucket List • The Blonde Abroad

This post was written by Michael and Alexandra (Alex) Gallagher from the travel blog Couple’s Coordinates!

Over this past year we have had countless honeymoon-quality trips and adventures, and we aren’t even engaged yet! As one might expect, we’ve developed quite an awesome couples’ travel bucket list that we wanted to share with you all.

Here are our top picks of must-do adventures for your couples’ travel bucket list!

Kayak in Positano, Italy

Positano is the absolute epitome of a naturally beautiful, cliff side city by the sea coupled with truly amazing people, and some of the most delicious food one can find in all of Italy.

Rent a kayak by the hour from the main dock and spend your day exploring hidden beaches and enjoying the breathtaking coastal views… castles included!

Snorkel on The Gili Islands

When you can rent a snorkel and mask on the beach for $3 there is no reason not to take advantage of the crystal clear warm water that the Gili Islands has to offer!

Gili Meno in particular is known for having tons of sea turtles and beautiful fish. No need to even rent a boat if you stay on Gili Meno, you can simply walk out to the water in front of your hotel and make some new turtle friends!

Visit the Canals of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever been to. Take a romantic boat ride through the canals, or even just enjoy the views from above! The city is full of architecture, unique culture, and delicious food—our favorite thing were the stroopwafels!

Also, if you both love good music and dancing, attending Amsterdam Music Festival and the Amsterdam Dance Event are imperative!

Stop Time at Shibuya Crossing

Kiss in the middle of the madness. There’s something special about how love can stop time. Walk into the middle of Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan (during a green light of course), stop in the middle of the road, and just stand there kissing for a minute.

You’ll be surrounded by monotony but time will seem to stop for you and we found it incredibly romantic!

Visit Croatia’s National Parks

Hike the picturesque Plitvice Lakes and swim in the natural waterfalls at Krka National Park. Be sure to get to both parks right when they open to enjoy the beauty without the crowds!

Parasail in the South of France

Nice is home to a gorgeous coastline, cute restaurants, and a number of beautiful beaches. Take a walk along the boardwalk where you’ll find a variety of water activities. Our favorite was parasailing!

Ride ATVs on Greek Islands

The “Honeymoon Island” of Greece, Santorini, is covered with white buildings that are accented by a blue paint that mimics the natural blue beauty of the surrounding sea. It’s a stunning and iconic view.

Hike the volcano just off the west coast of Santorini with your loved one, or grab an ATV and explore the island’s surreal views.

Take a Cooking Class in Florence, Italy

How could we not include our second home and the birthplace of the Renaissance? There are numerous cooking classes offered to the public in Florence. We suggest booking a class that is offered out of the chef’s home.

It’s some of the most fun we’ve ever had in the kitchen together!

Go to Oktoberfest in Munich

Having fun as a couple is absolutely imperative. If you’re stifled by stuffy dates and too much seriousness you’ll always be left wanting more.

Playing, joking, and having a great time together are all such important aspects of a relationship.

So what could be better than drinking beer, eating pretzels, and singing your hearts out to classic German drinking songs!? Not to mention the new friends you’ll make in the process.

Catch a Wave in Bali

Bali’s warm blue waters host some of the best surf breaks in the world. Most public beaches will offer very affordable board rentals and even lessons if you’ve never surfed before. There’s nothing more fun than playing in the water or learning something new with the one you love!

Read More: The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide

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This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18584247925015178

This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18029767580663424

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18588507736001531

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18005693585857886

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18075675671194480

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

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James Gallagher

Well done kids well done

January 19, 2016 at 1:02 pm · Reply

Alex & Michael

Thanks Dad!

January 25, 2016 at 11:25 am · Reply

Sonja

I love this bucket list! My husband and I are hoping to spend a few years traveling the world before we have kids and I can’t wait to check off the activities that you wrote about- especially stopping time in Tokyo!

I’d love to read about how you two stay in such good shape while traveling! That is one of the things we are most curious about.

January 19, 2016 at 3:59 pm · Reply

Alex & Michael

Hey Sonja thanks so much for your support! We definitely support a couple year hiatus before you have kids!

Our blog http://www.couplescoordinates.com was originally geared toward how to stay healthy and fit while traveling before we decided to settle our niche on couples travel. Many of our blogs outline healthy options and outdoor activities that we love which all help with staying fit. Overall, just eat healthy, walk everywhere you can, and try to work out at least a few days a week. We have found this makes each city feel more like home as well 🙂

January 25, 2016 at 11:34 am · Reply

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This post was written by Michael and Alexandra (Alex) Gallagher from the travel blog Couple’s Coordinates!

Kayak in Positano, Italy

Snorkel on The Gili Islands

Read More: 6 Reasons to Plan a Romantic Getaway to the Gili Islands

Visit the Canals of Amsterdam

Read More: Amsterdam Travel Tips

Stop Time at Shibuya Crossing

Read More: The Ultimate Tokyo Travel Guide

Visit Croatia’s National Parks

Read More: 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Croatia

Parasail in the South of France

Read More: 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Nice

Ride ATVs on Greek Islands

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Greek Islands

Take a Cooking Class in Florence, Italy

It’s some of the most fun we’ve ever had in the kitchen together!

Go to Oktoberfest in Munich

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest in Munich

Catch a Wave in Bali

Read More: The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide

By Alex & Michael

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