Skip to main content

Everyone has a different travel personality. Whether you prefer to wake up at the crack of dawn and see all the things, or ease into the day with a late morning and no agenda, people want different things out of different vacations. And while every destination has a little something for everyone, there’s nothing wrong with choosing your next travel spot based on the “vibe” you’re hoping to curate. To help set you on the right path, we’ve rounded up a quick list of adults-only escapes for every type of traveler.

Québec City for the Romantic

With its sweeping oceanfront vistas, charming cobblestone streets and narrow, shop-filled walkways, Québec City offers a taste of the enchantment of France right here in North America. Situated in the eastern Canadian province of Québec, Québec City makes for the ultimate romantic retreat for adults-only travelers — no matter the season. In winter, cozy spaces and snow-covered scenery adds to the destination’s intimate appeal, while summer temperatures are considered “perfect” by many, opening the door for activities like biking, canoeing, picnicking and more. As for what to do while they’re in town, the Québec City tourism board recommends Dufferin Terrace Toboggan Slide, Petit-Champlain and a stop at Strøm Spa Nordique as some of the best options for romantics.

Québec City in the winter (photo by Sondoce wasfy via Unsplash)
Paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland (photo by Yevgeniya Tyumina via Unsplash)

Interlaken for the Adventurer

Ideal for vacationers with high-thrill adventures on the mind, Interlaken — a resort town in Switzerland in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps — offers exhilarating excursions galore with activities like paragliding, jetboating, rafting, canyoning, kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking and even bungee jumping all readily available for visitors to enjoy. Of course, in such a beautiful place, with its rolling green hills and snow-covered mountaintops, it’s not hard to find time for relaxation either, and adult travelers will find activities like fondue and cheese workshops, brewery tours and visits to local gardens and ruins to be a good way to unwind.

Old San Juan for the History Buff

Home to historical gems like Castillo San Cristóbal, San Juan Bautista Cathedral, Casa Blanca Museum, San José Church, Hotel El Convento and Castillo San Felipe Del Moro, Old San Juan is a fascinating little corner of San Juan, Puerto Rico, that wows with its colorful facades and foreboding forts of old. Dating to the 1500s, this intriguing part of town has ties to famous names like Juan Ponce de León and Christopher Columbus, and, thanks to efforts from the National Park System and local historical societies, the momentous attractions are totally accessible to visitors. When they’re done going back in time, travelers can step into modern San Juan to explore the city’s wide variety of restaurants, bars, shops and other walkable attractions.

An ocean view from inside Castillo San Felipe Del Moro in Old San Juan (photo by Zixi Zhou via Unsplash)
Berlin, Germany, at night (photo by Lukasz Czeladzinski via Unsplash)

Berlin for the Party-Goer

A destination that’s synonymous with nightlife, Berlin’s club culture has a reputation that precedes it with the city’s official tourism board using words like “vibrant, varied, alternative, surprising, intense, disorienting (and) hedonistic” to describe the scene. From industrial beats to techno tunes, clubs like Berghain, KitKatClub, Sisyphos Nightclub, ://about blank and Kater Blau have earned an almost legendary status among tourists and locals alike, both groups of whom flock to the venues night after night in search of a raging good time. An experience that’s strictly adults-only, Berlin’s party scene is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and total bragging right — if you can hang with the club-goers in Berlin, you can hang anywhere.

Phuket for the Beach-Lover

In Phuket, there’s a beach for everyone, no matter their pace. That’s right, whether they want to get away from the crowd and settle into a quiet stretch of sand, drink the day away at a bumpin’ beach club or make time for adventure with jungle trails and water-based activities, they’ll find they can do it all on this sizable island in the Andaman Sea. While Phuket is home to many beloved beaches, Kata Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Banana Beach, Kamala Beach and Nai Harn Beach are often named among travelers’ favorites.

A beach in Phuket, Thailand (photo by Maksim Zhashkevych via Unsplash)
A city street in Tokyo, Japan (photo by Guus Baggermans via Unsplash)

Tokyo for the City Slicker

Simultaneously historic and futuristic, Tokyo entrances visitors with its ambrosial delights, captivating culture, quirky attractions and kind locals. Whether they spend their days exploring nearby natural areas like Mt Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone; go Go-Karting through the streets dressed as their favorite video game character; witness a traditional Sumo Wrestling match or eat their way through town on a guided food tour, it won’t take long for travelers to this famed Japanese metropolis to discover why Tokyo is widely considered one of the best cities in the world. In addition to typical urban sites like bustling crosswalks and soaring skyscrapers, Tokyo is also known for its eccentric side which adults-only travelers can experience for themselves when they visit one of the region’s anime maid cafes, robot restaurants, karaoke bars, bizarre vending machines and more.

Read More About Adults-Only Travel on The Compass on VAX

Lima for the Foodie

A melting pot of African, Indigenous and Chinese influences, in Lima, it’s best to come hungry as incredible food is waiting around every corner. Known as one of the world’s culinary capitals, travelers will love bopping between the destination’s many dining venues which span the gamut from luxurious five-star hotels and bustling markets to local chifas (Chinese restaurants), ceviche joints and chicken shops. While there’s no shortage of delicious options for visitors to sink their teeth into, those looking to experience the flavors Lima is truly known for will want to turn to seafood, namely ceviche and Tiradito, the region’s two most famous dishes. Of course, what’s a great meal without a great cocktail? That’s where the pisco sour comes in, Peru’s beloved boozy beverage comprising pisco, lime juice, egg white and Angostura bitters. Cheers to that!

Tasty street food in Lima, Peru (photo by Santos Ramon Guerra F. via Pexels)
Colorful birds in Brisbane, Australia (photo by Michael via Unsplash)

Brisbane for the Animal Aficionado

Camels, dolphins, kangaroos, koalas, ostriches, whales and more, Australia is a continent teeming with wildlife, much of which is unique to the area. And while the entire country presents visitors with opportunities for animal encounters — both expected and unexpected — the coastal city of Brisbane, with its many sanctuaries, wildlife centers, zoos, farms and natural areas, is one of the best spots for those hoping to live out their own creature feature. According to Visit Brisbane, some of the best local operations for professionally-led wildlife experiences include Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Daisy Hill Koala Centre, Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre, Birds of Prey — O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Tangalooma Island Resort.

Zanzibar for the Culture-Seeker

Significant for its ties to the Indian Ocean trade, Zanzibar is an archipelago just off the shore of East Africa with Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences. As such the region plays host to an intriguing amalgam of cultures, something that remains especially evident in Stone Town, a part of the island dating to the 19th century where visitors can stroll winding alleyways, marvel at historic buildings and indulge in flavorful fare at the bustling Forodhani Gardens Street Food Market. Similarly, places like Old Fort, Darajani Bazaar, Christ Church Cathedral and Zanzibar Spice Community Shop all deserve a spot on travelers’ itineraries, while the Zanzibari Doors, House of Wonders, the Slave Market site and Palace Museum are also especially noteworthy.

Zanzibar's Stone Town features ancient stone buildings (photo by Alferio Njau via Unsplash)
Massive red rocks reach for the sky in Sedona (photo by Brandon Russell via Unsplash)

Sedona for the Nature Fan

A place where red rocks and magical energies collide, Sedona, Arizona, makes for the ultimate domestic escape for travelers who can’t get enough of majestic landscapes and Insta-worthy backdrops. Whether they opt to spend their days hitting the trails on a hike, Jeep tour or mountain bike or prefer a more laid-back approach where they can admire the surrounding beauty from the comfort of a cozy restaurant, cafe or shop, Sedona allows visitors to choose their own adventure. Don’t know where to start? According to TripAdvisor, Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge Trail, Bell Rock, Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park and West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead are some of Sedona’s top natural areas. And when it’s time to wind down, why not stop at one of the area’s renowned wineries — they have breweries too if that’s your thing! — for a memorable endcap to a perfect day.


About the Author

Author image

Senior Editor for VAX VacationAccess and world explorer, Jenna Buege loves writing about all things travel. When she’s not busy creating content, she spends her time exploring the great outdoors, cuddling with her two black cats and researching her next big (sometimes strange) adventure. 


comments

1000 characters remaining
Comment as:

The Compass Search

Find articles that you might be interested in reading