There are many perks that come with being a DINK couple. (For those unfamiliar, the acronym stands for “dual income, no kids,” which means you’ve got two working adults and zero kiddos to account for.) Speaking from personal experience, this lifestyle often comes with more disposable income, huge chunks of free time, and travel possibilities that simply aren’t possible when caring for little ones (as cute as they can be).
If you’re a DINK, it’s not just about whether you’re traveling or how often or even how much you’re spending. Rather, it’s about fully embracing the freedom you’ve got. I like to think of it as an exciting endeavor in pushing boundaries, doing epic stuff, and enjoying things that you’d never be able to with kids tagging along.
Maybe you’re just temporarily DINK or you’re looking for ways to make the most of your perma-DINK status. Whatever the case, I’d like to intrigue you with the following trip ideas my husband and I have fully enjoyed over the years.
In this article
A Road Trip Through the Baltic States
A road trip is infinitely more complicated when you have to feed hungry mouths on a regimented schedule, change diapers, or cater to kid senses. But when it’s just the two of you, the world opens up to some of the most incredible, long-winding, “off-the-cuff” type of road trips. My husband and I have done many, but one of our favorites was a two-week experience driving through the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
These northeastern European states are way less traveled than others, and the types of experiences we encountered along the way were rich in history, unique cuisine, and fantastic stays in historic buildings. We poked around the Plokštinė missile base (the first secret underground nuclear missile base of the Soviet Union), clinked glasses in medieval taverns, and isolated in the Lithuanian countryside for hours with a coal-powered sauna and good books.
A Wild Adventure in the Amazon Jungle
Unless you’re born and raised there, the jungle is arguably no place for a child. It’s full of dangers, requires physical exertion, and is often far from hospitals. I’ve stayed in the Amazon twice, once on the Brazilian side and most recently on the Peruvian side with my husband.
The Amazon is not for the faint of heart, but the experiences and people truly changed me. If you’re doing this kind of trip, you definitely need a guide by your side the entire time, or you need to stay somewhere with some structure and participate in guided excursions. We chose to stay in the Kuporo Lodge, an eco-lodge in Quince Mil, about a five-hour drive from Cusco and nestled between the Andes cloud forest and the Amazonian jungle. It’s completely off-grid, and we enjoyed hikes through the jungle, education on the flora and fauna, and slow evenings getting to know our hosts.
A Luxe, Kids-Free Resort in the Sonoran Desert
Ya know, sometimes you just want to bask in the extra income and do absolutely nothing, save for a daily massage and slow mornings with hot coffee and your own private soaking tub. That’s exactly what we found at the historic Castle Hot Springs, located about 90 minutes northwest of Phoenix.
Opened in 1896, this is a true desert oasis that was built around existing hot springs. A fire blazed through in 1976 and left it in rubble for decades, then reopened in 2019 following a multimillion-dollar renovation. This adults-only resort is the epitome of luxury, with room for only 60 people at any given time. Along with the one-of-a-kind hot spring experience (there are three natural pools of varying temperatures to enjoy), you can participate in guided hikes, farm-to-table cuisine, a spa, and more.
A Journey Across the Mongolian Steppe
Hopping on a plane is already enough stress for an adult, but the reward is an unfolding adventure the second those jet wheels hit the pavement and you deplane. Add a kid to the mix and a single layover turns into a headache. Needless to say, traveling with children to Mongolia, especially from the West, is likely too much for them to handle.
Our journey to Ulaanbaatar required two layovers (one in Honolulu, the other in Seoul), and hours upon hours of driving to get to more remote parts of the country, but I can tell you this was one of the most incredible countries I’ve ever visited. Remote areas are largely untouched, and the experiences are not catered to tourists for “a show” or to get more money out of you. From eagle games and ger stays to milking goats, we’ll never forget this trip. I do recommend hiring a local guide who speaks the language to travel with you.
The Shortcut
Some trips are just easier when you're not tied to a nap schedule. A two-week Baltic road trip or a multi-layover trip to Mongolia with kids isn't impossible, but it's likely unpleasant.
Even if you're well-traveled, hire a local guide who knows the terrain and the language when visiting remote locations like Mongolia or the Amazon.
Adults-only resorts like Castle Hot Springs are ideal for a lower-key getaway. Daily massages, private soaking tubs, and a quiet environment come with a larger price tag than most family resorts, and it's worth it.
