Some of the best ‘dates’ I’ve gone on were last-minute tours.
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When it comes to travel and romance, most people focus on booking a romantic rental or hotel room at their destination, then arranging for a sexy surprise. Cue the rose petals on the bed, the couple’s spa treatments, and a glass of bubbly when it’s time to wind down.
But the humble tour can also go a long way in adding a little bit of panache, dare I say sexy vibes, to your next trip.
Whether you want to book an unforgettable date night for Valentine’s Day or another date, tours are a treasure trove of inspiration.
They also let you engage with your senses. For example, booking a perfume-making tour in Paris is a subtly sexy way to get closer to your partner while also diving into local culture and learning a thing or two about scent-making.
If you’re running out of ideas for February 14th or simply want to add a little zhuzh to your next vacation, these are the types of tours that I recommend booking, along with a few platforms you might not have heard of before. They’ll bring you closer to your partner, your destination, and give you a sensual experience. (As in, your senses will be engaged.)
Additionally, I highly recommend keeping these tips in mind for your next big date night at home. Booking local tours is a great way to surprise your loved one while also getting to see your home from a new perspective.
Tours to book as romantic date nights
The tour that caters to your partner
The best way to nail a romantic date night with a tour is to cater to your partner. If you’re the one planning the date, surprise them with an experience you know they’ll cherish.
For me, that was a Northern Lights tour in Northern Sweden. I’d already seen the lights on a very lucky plane ride to Spokane years before, but my partner hadn’t. While our tour, unfortunately, didn’t yield any crazy light displays, we had a great time and survived the sub-Arctic temperatures together. Teambuilding!
The food tour
Some of the first tours to take off were cooking classes. I’ve taken cooking classes around the world, and picked up a few tasty skills along the way—like learning how to make tiramisu in Milan and pierogis in Krakow. These classes are dynamic and engaging, and they can even be hilarious if you’re someone who’s usually hopeless in the kitchen.
But don’t forget—you can also book ‘tours’ that include a private chef. They show up to your place, do their thing either in front of you or in private, and then serve up a delicious meal. I imagine these types of tours are very popular over Valentine’s Day, so book your experience sooner rather than later if you want a private chef experience.
The booze tour
The booze tour comes in many shapes and sizes. I personally love a bar crawl tour because it gives you the chance to socialize with other travelers, explore a new neighborhood, and learn about how locals like to drink. (It’s cultural!)
In the same vein as the food tour, you can also book mixology classes in many larger cities. These are great for any couple who loves nightlife and making cocktails at home. Not only can you learn the ropes, but you’ll also take home a recipe that you can use at a later date.
Lastly, don’t forget about wineries, distilleries, breweries, and beyond. They usually include specialized Valentine’s Day tours, which could include romantic perks like chocolate pairings. Consider this your reminder: there’s probably a winery closer to your hometown than you think.
The animal tour
Does your partner love animals? Just like there’s probably a winery closer to your hometown than you might think, the same is true for an animal sanctuary, rescue, or farm.
I can’t guarantee you’ll find a full-scale llama farm or a rescued animals-only petting zoo in your vicinity, but don’t forget that there are many tours that exist solely to get you up close and personal with animals.
The boat tour
Anytime someone visits me in Barcelona, I set up a boat tour. It’s incredibly easy to book private or shared boat tours, including visits that come with meals, champagne, and/or views of the sunset. Best of all, you can usually book these at the last-minute if you’re okay joining a larger group tour.
You can book boat tours on just about any platform. I also recommend checking out Get My Boat if you want to book a more personalized experience out on the water. You can even charter a yacht if you’ve got the funds.
The sports tour
Once upon a time, I booked a game-day tour in Krakow, Poland to see one of the city’s soccer teams play with a host as my guide. I did see the match, but it was sandwiched between two multi-hour drinking sessions that saw me almost miss my flight home the next day. (I have no regrets—if you’re in Krakow, book with Filip to see Wisla Krakow play.)
My partner and I booked that tour on a platform called Homefans. The platform lets you partner with a local host who will acquire tickets, then take you to see a match. If that’s a little too involved, you can always book a sporty experience on a popular platform like Booking or Airbnb—but Homefans truly delivered on an unforgettable game-day experience.
The late-night entertainment show
Many booking platforms now sell tickets to late-night shows, from Flamenco in historic villas to burlesque in comedy clubs. Personally, I don’t usually take on these types of experiences on vacation. I’m not a night person, so I’d much rather be curled up in bed rather than in a noisy bar.
But don’t let me stop you—Valentine’s Day is the perfect chance to find tours to book for romantic date nights. If you see something your partner would like, book it. If not, I vote you venture out into imaginative territory. You’ll easily uncover the underbelly of a city when you start looking for late-night entertainment shows, from a soulful jazz club to an arcade bar with live stand-up.
