If you’re planning a romantic trip, for Valentine’s Day or any other time of the year, you’ve got a lot to think about.
You want to make sure that the destination you’re traveling to is beautiful and serene, not crawling with tourists.
You want it to be a place your partner will love.
And you want it to have enough restaurants, sights, and natural attractions that you’re not stuck in your hotel room the entire time – unless, of course, you want to be.
The places on this list meet all those criteria. One of them is bound to be the perfect destination for you and your love. Just make sure you snap a few cute couples’ selfies to remember your trip by!
San Francisco
The City by the Bay is hard to beat for romance, what with its incredible bay views, unique architecture, and proximity to natural wonders like the redwood forest of Muir Woods, just 16 miles from the city.
You’ll have no trouble finding great restaurants for a romantic meal, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not. But if you want to really take advantage of San Francisco, opt for a picnic in one of the many parks – Golden Gate Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, and John McLaren Park are some of the most often recommended.
Asheville, NC
If a quiet cabin in the woods is your idea of a romantic getaway, look no further than Asheville, N.C. This mountain town is not only in the middle of vast swaths of protected forest, it’s also home to the major historic attraction the Biltmore Estate and the storied Grove Park Inn.
The Biltmore, an 8,000 acre estate and the largest private home in the country, was built by George Vanderbilt and today hosts tours as well as romantic special events.
The Inn hosts one of the best luxury brunch buffets in the Southeast, and has a world-class spa as well. It’s perfect for a romantic couples’ weekend. Bonus point for literary buffs: F. Scott Fitzgerald lived at the inn for two summers in 1935 and 1936.
Paris
What isn’t romantic about Paris? The City of Lights can give any couple plenty of opportunity for romance, from boat rides on the Seine, to lavish candlelit dinners, to evening strolls on the Champs-Elysees.
But for something more unique, visit the often-overlooked Musee de Montmartre, or rent a rowboat for a row down the Grand Canal at Versailles.
New York
Like Paris, New York is replete with romantic offerings for couples who want to get away for a bit. If you and your partner are urbanites at heart, you can’t go wrong here.
Museums like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Met, and the countless theater and performance events that run daily will give any couple an endless list of activities to enjoy together. End your evening with a romantic dinner or drink at one of the city’s high-end restaurants and a stroll through the High Line, the trendy park that stands on a disused railroad spur on the Lower West Side.
Romance can be found anywhere if you’re with the one you love – but it never hurts to get out of town for a bit and enjoy a new place together. Make sure you remember your special trips by taking some romantic photos. For more ideas on how celebrate love this Valentine’s Day, read our post “The Best Valentine’s Day Photo Gift Ideas.”
Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.