Entertainment

Who Needs Love When You Have a Passport?

by Nicole Pomarico

Looking for love? Signing up for The Bachelor or The Bachelorette is a good place to start. Looking to see the world on ABC's dime? These shows are also a good place to start. And for good reason: If you're going to embarrass yourself on national television by competing for the heart of a total stranger, you might as well get some free once-in-a-lifetime experiences out of the deal, right?

So far this season, Bachelorette Andi Dorfman has trailed her league of suitors from their starting point in Agoura Hills, California to different cities all over the state, and now, they're headed to Marseilles, France, where Andi and the boys will begin the next leg of their journey... and the season is just beginning. But Andi's not the only Bachelorette who's gone international — nope, many other Bach alum (guys and gals alike) have taken the competition overseas, and although ordinarily I would never want to throw my hat into the Bachelor franchise-shaped ring, I might consider it if I were guaranteed a few new stamps on my passport.

So where have past Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants found themselves while filming the show? Here are some of my favorite locales:

Desiree Hartsock's Trip to Germany

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For anyone looking for that fairytale love, Germany is the destination for you. Trust me — it's where Snow White originated from. While in Germany, former Bachelorette Desiree immersed herself in everything Munich had to offer: yodeling, playing in the snow, and generally appropriating German culture in every Ugly American way as various contestants successfully butchered the German language. All in all, though, I'd love a weekend in Munich... preferably without Juan Pablo Galavis, who was a contestant in Desiree's season. Ick.

Emily Maynard's Trip to London

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Anyone who's never been to London would have had a blast hopping across the pond with Emily Maynard, whose trip offered up the quintessential English experience. We're talking afternoon tea, a visit to Buckingham Palace, and a tour via double decker bus. Have you ever seen a more touristy itinerary?

Also, Emily had the best travel season ever — not only did she and her guys get to go to London, but they also made stops in Bermuda, Prague, and Croatia. Yeah, auditioning for The Bachelor is sounding more and more appealing by the minute.

Ashley Hebert Goes to Thailand

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Changing it up from all the European travel, in Ashley's season, she headed to Thailand, where the gang went kayaking in Phuket (is it okay if I'm 25 and still giggle every time?) and later hit up Chiang Mai to hang out in a Thai market and participate in some Muay Thai combat. But their trip to Asia wasn't all fun and (scary, possibly injury-inducing) games — they also volunteered at an orphanage. Aww.

Juan Pablo's Saint Lucia Lovin'

True Bachelor fans will remember the infamous jaunt to Saint Lucia for two reasons: It's when Andi decided to pack her bags and leave JP in the dust, and it's also where Nikki Ferrell, who would later become Juan's gal of choice, confessed her love to him for the first time. You win some, you lose some — but at least you're in a really, really gorgeous locale for the part where you're losing, right, Juan?

Ali Fedotowsky Hits Tahiti

Because let's be real: Few romantic vacations are better than romantic vacations to exotic beaches where it's just you, your honey... and the other people vying for her affections, and, oh yeah, a camera crew. Guys, there was a heart shaped lagoon. How could you not fall in love with Tahiti? Well, I mean, unless you're Frank, who decided to leave Ali while they were at the beach. But otherwise, totally beautiful place.

Images: ABC (3); Getty Images (3)