Top 10 travel destinations for singles

By Editorial staff

updated 11:56 a.m. ET Feb. 12, 2008

Ahh ... the single life. Freedom to do what you want, how you want, when you want — but if all that alone time is getting a bit, well, lonely, head to one of the places we've picked as tops for singles looking to pair up, hook up, or shack up this Valentine's Day and beyond. Meet your match while dancing the tango, have a date with a power-hungry politician-in-training, or hit the high seas with similarly uncoupled shipmates — whatever you're into and whoever you're looking for, your chances of a successful love match increase with every visit to one of our great-for-singles destinations.

1. Amsterdam
Singles set off to freewheeling Amsterdam in droves for the ultimate in boys-being-boys and girls-gone-wild escapades, mesmerized by the city's free-thinking, live-and-let-live mantra. With a Dutch policy structured on controlling what it can't efficiently outlaw, illegalized American no-nos like marijuana (widely available in Amsterdam's ubiquitous coffee shops) and even prostitution (witness the notorious Red Light District) are both permitted and regulated here. Should you find a fellow single that piques your interest, start your love affair with a hand-in-hand stroll along the 1,000+ bridges that span the city's 160 canals.

2. At sea
While cruising has long been regarded as a couples sport, the tides are now turning, with many singles looking to meet their mate on the high seas. Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a party atmosphere and attract lots of unattached cruisers, while cruise consolidators like VacationsToGo.com host a handful of singles-only voyages throughout the year to destinations like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska. Though most all cruise ships host singles mixers during the first day or two, special singles-themed cruises like these are gaining popularity and are a guarantee for meeting other travelers looking for love.

3. Buenos Aires
Beautiful and bountiful characterizes the singles scene in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. ToursGoneWild.com, a guide for singles on the move, offers packages with VIP perks to the best A-list clubs, but even if you don't luck out with one of the stunning models that frequent them, there's still plenty of opportunity to meet a fellow single. The popularity of the tango means lots of willing dance partners in Buenos Aires are looking to pair up, and we can't think of a better way to forge a romance than while dancing one of the world's most seductive dances. Even if you come home alone, knowing a few tango moves will certainly be advantageous in your next love affair.

4. Juneau

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Legend has it that men outnumber women 2-1 in Alaska — and although actual census data doesn't give the ladies quite such odds, it's nonetheless true that more men than women do live in the 49th state. ABC's TV series Men in Trees is based on this notion, where available men seem to "grow on trees" in small-town Alaska. Burly outdoorsmen who can build a cozy fire (without Duraflame) and take on a grizzly abound, particularly in "bush Alaska" where miners, trappers, and fishermen live. City gals who love fur hats and lipstick equally can descend on the capital, Juneau, for a bit of cosmopolitan flair.

5. Las Vegas
With a motto like "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," it's no surprise that Sin City is rife with opportunities to misbehave. Single guys and gals flock here from around the globe, many in town for the hedonistic tradition of the bachelor / bachelorette party and looking for love (though perhaps of the one-night variety). There's always a chance that you'll meet that special someone and cap off the night with a spontaneous walk down the aisle of a famed Vegas chapel. The nightlife is legendary — from bars and clubs to strip joints and cabarets — so whether or not you manage to hook up here, a good time is guaranteed.

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