4 Dreamy Destinations for a Big Wedding Anniversary
A Lucusta Travel Guide for Loved-Up Adventurers
There’s something uniquely heartwarming about planning an anniversary holiday. It’s a chance to pause, to honour everything you’ve built together and - let’s be honest - to indulge in some well-earned “us time”. Whether you’re a couple who craves sun-soaked beaches, crumbling medieval villages, or faraway adventures, we’ve gathered our favourite destinations that offer the perfect mix of romance, beauty, history and that little spark of magic.
Why are we bringing this to you now? Because planning a special anniversary trip is really meaningful to us, as we are celebrating 10 years since we said “I Do” this year and we are treating ourselves to our very own special anniversary trip. It’s given us time to sit and think about what we have achieved together in the last decade and how special quality times together are, something we want to help our clients experience and love as much as we do. There’s something magical about creating a getaway that celebrates love, time, and adventure.
So, if you’ve got a milestone anniversary coming up and you’re dreaming of where to go, here’s our Top picks: two fabulous and romantic European escapes and two incredible further afield adventures for those who want to go BIG!
Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s daydream together…
🇬🇷 1. Santorini, Greece – Sunsets That Rewrite Your Definition of Romantic
Santorini has long been the jewel of the Aegean, and it’s easy to see why. Once shaped by a volcanic eruption that created its dramatic cliffs and shimmering caldera, the island carries a sense of myth and mystery. Its whitewashed villages and iconic blue domes make it one of the world’s most photographed places - and one of the most romantic. Santorini is basically the movie set of Hollywood rom-com - all glowing sunsets, caldera views and “did we really just wake up here?” vibes!!!
Santorini is an anniversary classic not because it’s trendy, but because it feels tailor-made for couples. There’s an irresistible blend of luxury, serenity and scenic drama. Couples come here for the sunsets, yes, but they stay for the slow mornings, the sea views from bed and that feeling of being cocooned above the world.
Romantic Things to Do:
💙 Watch the sunset in Oia from a private terrace (bonus points if there’s local Assyrtiko wine involved).
💙 Book a couples’ catamaran cruise around the island with a swim in the hot springs.
💙 Enjoy a candlelit dinner perched on the caldera — soft music, tinkling glasses, the whole dreamy package.
Touristy Things to Do:
📍 Wander around the whitewashed streets of Fira for boutique shopping and gelato stops.
📍 Visit Akrotiri, the ancient Minoan city preserved by volcanic ash.
📍 Explore the black-sand beaches of Kamari or the red sands of Akrotiri (because, why choose only one?)
🇫🇷 2. Provence, France – Lavender Dreams & Long, Lazy Lunches
Provence has seduced travellers for centuries. Between the Romans (who left behind amphitheatres, aqueducts and thermal baths) and artists like Cézanne and Van Gogh, it’s no wonder the region feels like an open-air museum. Rolling vineyards, sleepy stone villages, pastel shutters and markets bursting with herbs and honey — Provence is France at its most charming.
If your love language is wine tasting, long lunches and countryside strolls, Provence will sweep you off your feet. It’s relaxed, sun-drenched and made for couples who appreciate simple pleasures done beautifully.
For couples, it offers that irresistible combination of tranquillity and indulgence. The pace slows, the food tastes better, the air smells sweeter and every turn seems to reveal a postcard scene. It’s a place to reconnect, meander and fall in love with the little things (and with each other all again, of course) …
Romantic Things to Do:
💜 Stroll hand-in-hand through lavender fields (June–July is peak purple paradise, so clear your phones for copious amounts of photos!)
💜 Share a wine-tasting experience at a boutique vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
💜 Stay in a charming converted farmhouse with a pool, views and quiet mornings for two.
Touristy Things to Do:
📍 Explore the historic streets and markets of Aix-en-Provence.
📍 Visit the stunning Roman amphitheatre in Arles.
📍 Take a leisurely drive through the Luberon villages (that is, if driving in another country on the other side of the road doesn’t cause arguments!)
🇲🇻 3. The Maldives – Overwater Bliss & Private-Island Fantasy
If you're dreaming of the kind of anniversary that feels like stepping into a luxury screensaver and your anniversary celebrations call for total luxury (or you’re secretly competing with your own honeymoon!), then the Maldives is THE ONE. This is – what we like to call - barefoot luxury at its finest!
This Indian Ocean paradise has over 1,000 coral islands, which seem to float on turquoise glass. Historically, these islands were important seafaring hubs, connecting traders from Arabia, India and East Africa. But today, they’re home to some of the world’s ultimate romantic escapes with the highest level of luxury.
The Maldives’ magic lies in its privacy. Resorts are designed so couples can disappear into their own bubble of relaxation. Remember those 1000 coral islands we mentioned above? Well, it feels like there’s only 1 coral island which is all yours. Your complete cocoon to retreat in luxury – picture overwater villas, open-air bathrooms, candlelit beachfront dining. Nothing rushes you, nothing intrudes, and time feels like it stretches out just for the two of you. Total bliss.
Romantic Things to Do:
🤍 Dine under the stars on a private sandbank — just you, the ocean and candlelight.
🤍 Book a couples’ spa treatment in an overwater pavilion.
🤍 Wake up early for a sunrise swim right off your villa deck (Seriously, what more could you ask for?)
Touristy Things to Do:
📍 Go snorkelling with gentle reef sharks and technicolour fish (do you both dare to try this?). Most islands also have a dive school if you want to fully immerse yourself in the underwater life!
📍 Take a sunset dolphin cruise — they love showing off!
📍 Try paddle boarding or kayaking over crystal-clear water.
🇯🇵 4. Japan – Tradition, Tranquillity, and Unforgettable Culture
For couples who love exploring rich traditions, incredible food and totally unique landscapes, Japan is a phenomenal choice. It’s a dream for curious, adventurous romantics.
Is it a land that balances ancient ritual with futuristic efficiency — a place where you can wander thousand-year-old temples in the morning and buy a robot dog in the afternoon! Now, THAT is insane!
It’s rich with history: shogun castles, tea houses, sacred shrines and cultural festivals that have been honoured for generations.
Couples love Japan because it offers shared discovery. Everything feels meaningful - whether it’s a serene moment in a moss garden, a meticulous multi-course dinner that celebrates the seasons, or simply soaking in an onsen together with mountain views. It’s a place to explore, to be curious and to create the kind of stories you’ll talk about forever.
Romantic Things to Do:
❤️ Stay in a ryokan with a private onsen overlooking the mountains.
❤️ Take an evening river cruise in Kyoto during cherry blossom season.
❤️ Share an intimate kaiseki dinner — delicate dishes, perfect presentation, special moments.
Touristy & Fun Things to Do:
📍 Explore vibrant Tokyo districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa.
📍 Visit the temples of Kyoto, including Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
📍 Take the bullet train everywhere — it’s fast, fun, and you feel like you’ve just landed a key role in the title movie with Brad Pitt!
🌟 5. Bonus Pick - Belize - A Beautiful Slice Of Heaven! (And Our Personal Trip of 2026)
We are planning a tour of Belize for our anniversary trip this year. It’s somewhere we have tried to get out to twice before (in 2020 and 2021 – but we were stopped by the thing we no longer speak of in Travel.....) so are excited to be planning this trip now!
Belize sits in Central America nestled next to Guatemala and Mexico, and is an up and coming destination in the region! It’s Caribbean coast has the second biggest reef in the world (Belize Barrier Reef), so is amazing for snorkelling, diving, boat trips and lazy beach days.
The culture is a mix of Mayan, Garifuna (African/Caribbean) and English, as it only gained independence from being British Hondurus in 1981 – so the main language is English, quite unusual for that part of the world and helpful when travelling around.
Things to do:
History – Mayan temple complexes, indigenous
Wildlife – Jaguars, rain forests, bird spotting
Adrenaline – River tubing, diving in the blue hole, zip lining, cave exploration
Relax – endless beaches and true Caribbean approach to life
Explore local towns – south of the country is more local and less touristy
EAT!! - Melting pot of flavours
We plan to drive north to south to fully experience the whole country and are looking forward to a mix of getting out to do lots of adrenaline experiences and see the local culture, as well as spend some lazy beach days in the Cayes, where cars are not even permitted and you get around on golf buggies! We will be keeping you up to date with our adventures on our social media channels whilst we are away in May, so if Belize is on your bucket list already or has just been added now, follow along to see if it is somewhere you would like to try!
Ready to Plan Your Big Anniversary Getaway?
Whether you’re dreaming of European sunsets, tropical oceans, or a cultural adventure in a land far, far away, we’d love to help craft a perfectly personalised itinerary for your celebration and anniversary.
Together, we’ll plan something unforgettable for you.
Here’s to love, laughter and your next big adventure.