When thinking of perfect pairings, peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, or milk and cookies might come to mind. But what great travel destinations can you pair together to make the perfect trip? We know vacation time is precious and should be utilized to its full potential to see as much of the world as possible. Whether you’re heading on a great American road trip or if you’re flying away on an epic adventure, here are a few cities that are nearby and make ideal mates when planning a one-week vacation itinerary.
PARIS & LONDON
- Transit time: 3 hours by train
- Why they’re a great match: The art, romance, chicness, and perfect people-watching in Paris pair perfectly with the history, sometimes quirky yet often posh vibes, and cozy pubs of London.
- Where to stay:
- Paris: K+K Hôtel Cayré Saint Germain des Prés or CitizenM
- London: Central Hoxton Shoreditch or NoMad London
ROME & FLORENCE
- Transit time: 1.5 hours by train
- Why they’re a great match: The bigness and iconic history of Rome followed by the Tuscan charm and art-filled history of Florence is the perfect romantic Italian combo.Â
- Where to stay:
- Rome: Palazzo Navona Hotel or Relais Vittoria Colonna
- Florence: FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino or San Firenze Suites & Spa
HELSINKI & TALLINN
- Transit time: 2 hours by ferry
- Why they’re a great match: Combine the modern, nordic vibes of Helsinki’s downtown with the renaissance-era architecture and cozy environment of Tallinn’s Old Town for a great mix of historic and future-focused travel.Â
- Where to stay:
- Helsinki: Scandic Grand Central Helsinki or Hilton Helsinki Strand
- Tallinn: Hotel Telegraaf or Nordic Hotel Forum
ATHENS & ISTANBUL
- Transit time: 1.5 hours by plane
- Why they’re a great match: Crossing not only countries but continents in two historic locations is so easy with this combo. Soak up Greek culture, cafes, and history in Europe, then catch a flight to haggle your way through Istanbul’s markets and even cross over into Asia.Â
- Where to stay:
- Athens: Grand Hyatt Athens or Moxy Athens City
- Istanbul: Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus or The Marmara Taksim
MADRID & MARRAKECH
- Transit time: 2 hours by plane
- Why they’re a great match: Eat and drink your way through Spain’s capital then cross continents and cultures in one short plane flight to shop, stroll, and savor your way around Marakesh’s many markets, mosques, and museums.Â
- Where to stay:
- Madrid: Thompson Madrid or Dear Hotel Madrid
- Marrakesh: Riad Andallaspa or Dar Les Cigognes by Sanssouci Collection
CHARLESTON & HILTON HEAD
- Transit time: 2 hours by car
- Why they’re a great match: The drive between these two cities is gorgeous and worth the trip itself. Charleston offers nice dining, upscale shopping, and plenty of options, while Hilton Head Island offers more mom-and-pop restaurants and shops and laid-back beach vibes.Â
- Where to stay:
- Charleston: The Vendue or Mills House Charleston
- Hilton Head: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort or The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
SAN DIEGO & JOSHUA TREE
- Transit time: 3 hours by car
- Why they’re a great match: You get the best of California in this combo – beach, hills, city, and desert. Enjoy San Diego’s surf, sand, and big city amenities, and then decompress in the serene Californian desert in Joshua Tree National Park. You can even add on a third stop at nearby Palm Springs while you’re there.Â
- Where to stay:
- San Diego: Paradise Point Resort & Spa or Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Joshua Tree: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa or The Paloma Resort
PORTLAND & SEATTLE
- Transit time: 3 hours by car
- Why they’re a great match: The quirkiness and gritty environment of the city of Portland rounded out by the gorgeous nature surrounding the city pairs perfectly with the vibrant, green, and bustling tech city of Seattle. Bonus points for the scenic drive along the way.Â
- Where to stay:
