Planning the ideal romance vacation and need some inspiration?
Avanti Destinations has some advice for those crafting a passionate escape for clients.
"To create the ideal romantic trip, you first need to know your clients' tastes", advises Harry Dalgaard, president and CEO of Avanti. "Do they prefer the classically romantic-like Paris, a Tuscan wine villa, Santorini, Bali? Or something completely new and different-such as Bolivia, Lapland, a castle in the Czech countryside, Tibet?"
There are a lot of options out there clients might not know about, so keeping an open mind while getting the inside scoop on what they are looking for is the best way to go.
"While the classics are still strong sellers, we've seen a steady growth in bookings to less conventional destinations for romance travel," noted Dalgaard. "Generally, these clients have already seen the major destinations and want to share the experience of discovering something new. And often they want to visit several new destinations together. We can help agents smoothly connect the dots of multiple destinations."
Dalgaard also points out that private tours and transfers are ideal for romance vacations and something that agents should consider when building an itinerary. Many of Avanti's FIT bookings include private options rather than shared tours or transfers.
For travel agents looking for a jumping-off point for planning, here are a few ideas that can be customized for couples:
France
Nothing says love like the City of Light. For those looking for a classic French "affair," Avanti's France in Style, is a seven-day, six-night stay in Paris and Nice that includes tours in both cities, a Seine river cruise, dinner in Nice, first-class rail in between cities and more.
Greece
Warm up in Greece with seven days on the Splendors of Southern Peloponnese journey.
This is "the real Greece," taking guests to Athens, Nafplion and the coast, where clients see the ruins of ancient castles, quaint seaside villages, beaches and far fewer crowds than in the most popular spots. A visit to Greek islands can be added.
Italy
Customize an itinerary just for them in Tuscany, following the Wines/Villa Program, which allows agents and clients to combine the wine-growing regions they prefer or are most curious about.
Clients can choose from Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont and Puglia. They can pick one region and combine their trip with a city stay or travel to two or three regions, staying in countryside villas or in the middle of vineyards.
Guests will have the chance to meet the producers, taste famous vintages and dine on regional cuisine. Four-day, three-night stays include a four-day car rental plus extras such as two dinners and two wine tastings.
Bolivia
For the couple who wants to get away from it all, send them to the Bolivian Salt Flats to stay in a Deluxe Airstream.
Guests can explore the desolate, awe-inspiring Salt Flats in their own private camper. The journey includes all ground transfers from La Paz, tours of Salt Lake and Isla Pescado, Tahua Village, a hike to Coquesa Mummies and all meals.
The two-night trip can be combined with a stay in La Paz as well as with an excursion to Lake Titicaca.
South American Triangle
Learn the Tango, see the birthplace of Bossa Nova music and explore the largest waterfall system in the world with a nine-day journey to the South American Triangle that is filled with passion.
Bali
The eight-day, seven-night Beauty of Bali itinerary takes place in a romantic paradise and includes a private nature walk, a private cooking class, a Kecak dance and dinner tour as well as private arrivals and transfers in Ubud and South Bali.
Tibet
For the truly adventurous couple, book the Lhasa Highlights.
The four-day, three-night journey starts in the capital of Tibet. Visitors see the Potala Palace, the center of Tibetan Buddhism, which has a romantic backstory. The palace was built in 637 A.D. by the Tibetan emperor for his new bride, a Chinese princess.
Like all Avanti Asia products, this vacation features private local guides, tours, and transfers and can be added to any custom Avanti itinerary in China or southeast Asia.
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