Harness the power of suggestion with a sail to Lover’s Beach (also known as Playa del Amor), a remote slice of natural beauty where the Sea of Cortez meets the waters of the Pacific. Soaring limestone rock formations isolate this golden stretch from the rest of Los Cabos, so the only way to reach the beach is by sea. Just be sure to land on the right spot, as next to Lover’s Beach rise the perilous cliffs of, ahem, Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio).

Channel history and Hollywood with a jaunt to the iconic Niagara Falls (also known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World”), which straddles the border between the US and Canada. Its natural beauty has topped the list of romantic destinations for honeymooners since the early 19th century and has provided the dramatic backdrop for countless romantic ballads, films, and declarations of eternal love.

Recreate your own silver-screen road-trip adventure along one of the most scenic stretches of highway in Europe. Germany’s Romantic Road winds its way through the storybook landscape of Bavaria, passing medieval castles, walled villages, and rolling vineyards on its more than 220-mile route. Here, wander through the streets of Rothenburg on the Tauber River, gaze at Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles, and picnic on the banks of the Forggensee—one of the region’s most romantic vacation spots.

No more romantic story has ever been told than that of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. To get a taste for the spot where the fictional shenanigans all took place first-hand, venture to the magnificent Italian city of Verona to visit Juliet’s House, where you can stand on the famed balcony as your “Romeo” declares their adoration from below. After, take a moonlight stroll through the old town to the ancient Roman Arena and enjoy an evening concert or opera performance.

This spectacular ancient Buddhist temple is home to the Jishu Shrine, said to be the city’s oldest shrine dedicated to love. Presided over by Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the god of relationships, Jishu Shrine is one of the most popular romantic destinations for those looking for love—its matchmaking powers are legendary—as well as couples seeking a divine blessing over their union.

Never has heartbreak taken as splendid a form as the Taj Mahal, the dazzling marble mausoleum built by Mogul emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This monument to eternal love is considered the finest example of Mogul architecture in the world and is particularly stunning at dawn when its soaring dome glows golden and the masses of tourists have yet to arrive.

Buenos Aires combines cosmopolitan cool with the sultry heat of tango, making it the ideal place for a romantic getaway. Known as the “Paris of South America,” Argentina’s capital is a city of love in its own right, rich in lavish architecture, lively parrillas (steak houses), and the legendary milongas (tango dance clubs) of San Telmo. Explore the city’s sights by day and then delve into its seductive nightlife with a tango show and dinner, followed by a boutique hotel stay, once the sun sets.

Raise a glass to the apple of your eye in one of the most mesmerizing wine countries in the world. Set between Cape Town and the Cape Fold Mountains, this series of idyllic valleys is home to a clutch of historic towns and farmsteads that produce some of South Africa’s premier wines. Take a wine-tasting day trip by car, wine tram, mountain bike, or even private helicopter to the vineyards of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl to visit boutique wineries and sample their vintages.