The Best 1-Year Anniversary Trip Ideas for Every Kind of Couple

From budget-friendly getaways to luxurious all-inclusives and island resorts, these swoon-worthy spots in the US and abroad are a special way to celebrate your first year together.

Couple enjoying one year anniversary trip in Marrakech, Morocco

Photo: Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Updated Apr 09, 2024

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The traditional one-year anniversary gift is paper, giving couples a blank page to write their future together. While you could get creative with a piece of art, why not turn the gift into an experience with a plane ticket instead? There are tons of fantastic 1-year anniversary trip ideas for a romantic couples vacation right in your own backyard in the US, but if you want to double up and make this the honeymoon you haven't had time for yet, we have over-the-top anniversary trip ideas to celebrate your first year together in style. From all-inclusive resorts to private islands, overwater bungalows and gorgeous glampsites, here are our top picks of places to fête your first year.

1-Year Anniversary Trip Ideas in This Article:

Best 1-Year Anniversary Trips in the US
Best 1-Year Anniversary Trips Abroad
Budget-Friendly 1-Year Anniversary Trips
1-Year Anniversary All-Inclusive Vacations
1-Year Anniversary Getaways Near You

Best 1-Year Anniversary Trips in the US

Whether you want to road trip to a national park for a weekend of glamping or check another city off your bucket list, the US offers couples nearly endless choices for romantic 1-year anniversary trips. The best part? They may only be a quick train (or ferry ride) away.

Little Palm Island, Florida

You don't need to book an international trip to indulge at a private island resort. The Florida Keys offers the sole spot in the country—Little Palm Island—and it's only accessible by seaplane or boat. Fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and make the scenic drive down the Overseas Highway before hopping on the motor yacht over to Little Torch Key, where this top-rated adults-only paradise will have you swooning at first sight.

Things to Do: The beauty of a private island is that you can do as much or little as you like. Dive or snorkel at nearby Looe Key Reef—rated one of the best spots in the country, since it's part of the world's third-largest barrier reef—or set off on a sunset sail with Champagne. What could be a more picture-perfect way to toast to your first wedding anniversary?

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Palm Springs, California

Landing in Palm Springs International Airport with its retro vibe will quickly get you on vacation mode. A quick drive to downtown and you're in the mecca of mid-century modern architecture (it's worth booking a tour to hear the history). The towering palm trees and surrounding peaks make Palm Springs one of the most Instagrammable spots in the country, but if you'd prefer a digital detox while celebrating your anniversary, there are plenty of places here with a focus on wellness—plus nearby, off-grid locales like Joshua Tree that are great for stargazing.

Things to Do: Couples will find tons of activities like tennis, golf, pétanque and even English croquet throughout Palm Springs. Of course relaxing poolside after a treatment at the spa is one of the more popular ways to pass the day in the desert. If you want to get out and explore, Coachella Valley is carved with hikes for all levels, plus fantastic trails for horseback riding.

Places to Stay: Parker Palm Springs is one of the top-of-the-line properties in the heart of Palm Springs, with everything from a fire circle to hammocks hanging in the trees along the scenic paths winding through the gardens. The nearby desert oasis of Sensei Porcupine Creek sprawls across 230 acres and offers top-notch resort amenities like golf, tennis and an expansive spa menu.

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Amangiri, Utah

Utah may not be high on your list of places to visit in the US (although it's a dream for adventurous couples!), but Amangiri is a destination of its own. A four-hour drive from Las Vegas, the five-star spot makes desert living look (and feel) chic. Modernist suites and tented pavilions blend into the backdrop of the "original" Wild West's red rock, lunar-like landscape. Think of this as a very design-savvy version of a safari, with sky terraces and fire pits ready for an evening of stargazing.

Things to Do: Sitting on thousands of square miles at the gateway to national parks like the Grand Canyon and Zion, couples can set off on guided trail hikes or via ferratas up peaks to panoramic viewpoints. Another unique way to explore the landscape: horseback riding along the ridges and canyons.

New Orleans, Louisiana

If you're looking for a city that is festive year-round, the Big Easy is your place. Even outside of major events like Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, you'll still be serenaded by street performers and big brass bands in the French Quarter, where legendary music clubs like The Spotted Cat are open all week long. A cocktail capital in its own right (this is where the Sazerac and Vieux Carré were born), couples can linger in prohibition era-inspired bars like The Roosevelt before indulging in some of the best cuisine in the South at restaurants like Compère Lapin and Zasu.

Things to Do: Two of the main draws to New Orleans are music and food, so eat your way around the city's local specialties like po'boys, muffuletta sandwiches, beignets and bananas foster. Catch a jazz show at Preservation Hall or somewhere more low-key like the patio of Maple Leaf Bar.

Places to Stay: In the French Quarter, Hotel Monteleone is brimming with Old World charm — plus it's home to one of the most iconic bars in the country, The Carousel Bar (it even rotates!). For something on the boutique side, book a room at Ace Hotel New Orleans, which features a packed calendar of programming that includes art exhibitions, jazz brunches and DJ sessions.

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Best 1-Year Anniversary Trips Abroad

An anniversary is a fantastic excuse to set off on a trip abroad — especially when it's your first year together as a married couple. Whether you want a quick jaunt to Europe or plan to spend more time exploring somewhere exotic, these locales are sure to up the romance factor.

Paris, France

Paris is in the spotlight this year as host of the summer Olympics, but even if your anniversary doesn't fall around this time, there's no bad moment to visit the City of Light. In spring, tulips are blooming in the gardens and the city is reawakening, while in summer, sidewalks transform into terraces where you can sip wine until sunset — which isn't until 9 or 10 p.m. — before heading to a tapas bar or tasting-menu restaurant.

Things to Do: Museum hop around landmarks like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay; pop a bottle of Champagne while cruising along the Seine; snap selfies up in the Eiffel Tower; or treat yourself to a Michelin meal at one of the gastronomic hotspots like Plénitude.

Places to Stay: New hotels are popping up almost weekly, but you can't go wrong with legends like Le Meurice, Le Bristol, Ritz Paris and Cheval Blanc Paris, or a stylish newcomer like Hotel Hana or Hotel Norman.

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Marrakech, Morocco

The former imperial city is a feast for the senses with its palaces, mosques and markets lining the maze-like alleys of the medina. For couples, there are plenty of ways to soak up the vibrant city's romance factor, whether it's with a traditional cooking class perfecting tagine, an afternoon at the hammam or a hot air balloon ride over the nearby Agafay desert, where you can glamp in a tented camp and camel ride to a sunset dinner.

Things to Do: Stroll through the souk with a local chef to source ingredients for a cooking class in a traditional Moroccan home; relax with a spa day at La Mamounia; take a guided shopping tour of the souk; or enjoy a lavish Sunday brunch at Selman Marrakech, where the hotel's Arabian thoroughbred horses (housed in onsite Jacques Garcia-designed stables) put on an equestrian show.

Places to Stay: For an experience dripping in luxury, look no further than La Mamounia, Royal Mansour, La Maison Arabe or Selman Marrakech.

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Bali, Indonesia

Unwind and reset with your new partner on the "Island of the Gods." With its volcanic, black-sand beaches, rugged coastline overlooking world-renowned surf breaks, lush temple-filled jungles and laid-back beach town vibes, there's a reason why Bali tops the list of romantic locales in Asia. Plus, luxurious options for hotels and villas are much more affordable here than other parts of the world, so you can get all the perks of a five-star spot at a fraction of the price.

Things to Do: Wellness is a huge focus on the island, so if you're looking to relax with your partner and try something new like vibrational sound therapy or chakra balancing, stay somewhere like Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, whose daily program of activities is like a built-in retreat (plus, the villas with their private plunge pools and views of the rice paddies, rainforest or river are some of the most spectacular on the island). Skirt the coast on a temple-hopping tour or spend a day exploring waterfalls and rice paddies on a private tour.

Places to Stay: In addition to Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, you'll find luxe lodgings at Bulgari Resort Bali, Capella Ubud, Hoshinoya Bali, Potato Head Suites, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Raffles Bali Hotel.

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Istanbul, Turkey

Over the past few years, Istanbul has been undergoing a renaissance with buzzy new boutique hotels, which include the addition of a Soho House in a historic palazzo. The city beautifully blends its historic neighborhoods and landmarks with more modern arrivals, so while you'll feel like you're stepping back in time to the Roman-era chariot races (you'll still see Egyptian obelisks), hip rooftop bars and sleek waterfront lounges give Istanbul an air akin to major metropolises like London and New York.

Things to Do: Admire the architecture of landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia on a guided tour of the Old City; get a feast for the senses strolling through the Spice Market or haggling for rugs and lanterns at the Grand Bazaar; cruise the Bosphorus by luxury yacht; or visit a historic hammam like Kiliç Ali Pasa.

Places to Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus unfolds along the river in a restored, 19th-century Ottoman palace and features a traditional Turkish bath and the best Sunday brunch in the city.

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Budget-Friendly 1-Year Anniversary Trips

You splurged on an over-the-top wedding and indulged in a dream honeymoon. Your first anniversary should be just as special, but that doesn't mean you need to dip into your savings for a trip to remember. From swoon-worthy beaches and rainforest treks to wine tastings and castle stays, your friends won't believe that you actually saved money on one of thes budget-friendly trips.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

A no-passport-required trip, Puerto Rico is one of the most underrated spots in the country (it's a territory, technically, but it still counts!). Offering plenty of Old World charm, buzzy cocktail bars, gorgeous boutique hotels and beaches and rainforest as impressive as other parts of the Caribbean, this island escape is one that offers couples romance at every turn — but at a price point not designed for tourists.

Things to Do: After sipping craft cocktails at La Factoría and hiking through the El Yunque rainforest, ferry over to the island of Vieques, where wild horses roam free and you can kayak through the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.

Places to Stay: Stay oceanfront at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which dates back to the 1950s and sits on 50 acres of the Rockefeller Estate (where the original plan was that no building would be taller than a palm tree!) or the sunflower-yellow, 17th-century Hotel El Convento, a former convent and landmark in Old San Juan.

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Grenada

The "Spice Island" in the West Indies doesn't get the same love as its neighbors, which works in travelers' favor, since you can find untouched beaches, more than a dozen waterfalls, reef and wreck dives, and the world's first underwater sculpture park all a short flight away from hubs like New York and Miami.

Things to Do: Swim in waterfalls and tour a chocolate factory on a half-day tour; sample the local cuisine and spices on a culinary excursion; or snorkel around some of the hundred sculptures in the underwater park in Moliniere Bay.

Places to Stay: Tucked between jade-colored water and rainforests, Mount Cinnamon's hillside villas and suites show off some of the best views of the island — and you can snorkel or dive right from the shore. An upscale spot on Grand Anse Beach, Silversands Resort offers a mix of super modern suites and contemporary beachfront or oceanview villas with plunge pools.

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Finger Lakes, New York

Set off on a trip through wine country in a region that's slowly gaining popularity but still far from the tourist-filled buses of Napa. An easy drive from New York City or another metropolis in the northeast, you'll have your pick of more than 140 wineries — plus fantastic farm-to-table restaurants and microbreweries. Accommodation options are no less charming, from lodges and B&Bs to Victorian-style castles.

Things to Do: The many state parks throughout the region offer plenty of outdoor activities for all seasons, from snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter to camping, hiking, boating and biking in warmer months. Visit some of the area's wineries or breweries on a wine trail or tour with someone else doing the driving, so you can sit back and enjoy what you're sipping.

Places to stay: Boasting its own winery and craft beer, Belhurst Castle is a romantic spot for couples who want Old World flair (think tower suites and vaulted ceilings with chandeliers), while Firelight Camps is a great glamping option with safari-style tents and optional experiences like forest bathing waterfall hikes and mushroom foraging walks.

1-Year Anniversary All-Inclusive Vacations

After wedding and honeymoon planning, your first year together is cause for celebration but also an anniversary that calls for rest and relaxation. For a wallet-free getaway (no worrying about going over budget here!), all-inclusive resorts are the way to go. But don't think that means you'll be limited to buffets and swim-up bars — the newest crop of all-inclusive resorts include everything from overwater bungalows to private island paradises.

Kamalame Cay, Bahamas

The arrival via seaplane into Kamalame Cay, off the coast of Andros Island, is just as much part of the experience as the 96-acre private island itself. Home to the only overwater spa in the Bahamas, the family-run (and dog-friendly!) island off the world's third-largest Great Barrier Reef is a luxurious way to celebrate your first year together — and can even double as a delayed honeymoon if you've been too busy settling into your new life together to officially take one.

Great Barrier Reef, Andros, The Bahamas

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

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Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

At Ambergris Cay in Turks & Caicos, everything from private tennis pros and yoga instructors to fully stocked villas are part of the all-inclusive concept. Spend your days cruising the coast on a catamaran or trekking along one of the guided nature walks, which end at a romantic sunset viewpoint. S'mores and beach bonfires are a few of the perks of laidback island life here, but one of the highlights is a speedboat ride over to the floating tiki Hangover Bar on Little Ambergris Cay, where you can sip tropical cocktails while wading in the water near a private, powder-soft sandy beach.

Ambergris Cay, Big Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

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Sandals Royal Caribbean, Jamaica

The first overwater bungalows and villas in the Caribbean, Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay has adopted the concept popular in Bora Bora and brought it much, much closer. Fans of the all-inclusive brand know they'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking and dining (nine restaurants, unlimited premium liquors, five bars, fully stocked in-room mini bars), but this more upscale property also comes with access to a private offshore island, complete with Bali-inspired beach cabanas, a Tahitian-style pool and the Jerk Shack, when you want to taste grilled specialties that are authentically Jamaican.

Mahoe Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

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Club Med Seychelles, Seychelles

The archipelago off the coast of East Africa is as dreamy as islands can get: gemstone-colored water, secluded coves, beaches that look like they've been filtered for a postcard photo. Call the island of Sainte-Anne your home-away-from-home, sleeping at the luxe Club Med Seychelles Resort, where accommodations range from expansive villas perched on a hill with a private pool overlooking the sea and airy, sea-view suites that have a private mansion feel (plus a private terrace and pool).

Ile de Sainte-Anne, Victoria, Mahé Island, Seychelles

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

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