Romantic Vacation: the Most Romantic Destinations
Ready to get away from it all?
Well, now may be the perfect time to start planning your romantic vacation.
Alternatively you might simply choose to pack up and head off on a crazy lovers' whim. That would be fun too.
With holidays just over the horizon - together with all the associated stress - now is an ideal time to do some romantic getaway dreaming.
Make sure to visit the best romantic vacation site on the internet.
It doesn't matter if you are aiming for an elaborate second honeymoon, a private lovers' retreat or a simple weekend for two; you have unlimited options when it comes to arranging your ideal romantic vacation.
Talk with your partner about what would be best for the two of you. You need to agree on where to go, when to go, how long to stay, what to bring and how much can you afford to spend.
Do you and your Honey prefer a quaint country inn or bed and breakfast retreat? Or a cozy lakeside cabin in which to relax and unwind? An exclusive tropical island cruise, a wild African safari to satisfy your love of adventure (and each other) or an invigorating week at a mountain spa?
Here are some of the favorite romantic vacation destinations. Something to keep in mind when you start dreaming about where to go.
A Romantic Vacation in Hawaii
There's no place like Hawaii for a romantic vacation. It is the ultimate place for exotic, beautiful and spectacular sites.
With breathtaking cliffs and secluded white sand beaches, emerald green mountains, warm crystal clear waters and spectacular scenery, Hawaii is a perfect choice for both a relaxing or active romantic vacation.
Hawaii is a magical setting for an intimate celebration of your life together. It will enchant you with an unforgettable mix of adventure, culture and fun in the sun. Bless your marriage with the "mana" (spiritual energy) of the fresh water, the ocean, the sun, the wind, the tropical flowers and trees.
The famous "aloha spirit" is not just a phrase, it is a way of life.
From the smiles on the people you meet, to the beautiful scenery, the aloha spirit is all around, making Hawaii (especially Maui, Kauai, Waikiki and the Big Island) one of the most romantic destinations in the world.
A Romantic Vacation in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea
The legendary island of Bora Bora is known as one of the most romantic and beautiful islands on our planet. A quiet, unspoiled haven. An emerald-green island encircled by offshore islets and reefs; there is one narrow pass to the open sea, which creates a magnificent lagoon of a variety of depths and spectacular colors. Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus while palm-covered motus circle the lagoon like a delicate necklace. Perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where fish of all imaginable colors animate the coral gardens.
As spectacular as any island in the Pacific, Moorea is everyone's dream of a Polynesian paradise. A magical island of savage yet captivating beauty where emerald mountains rise from sandy shores, towering over pineapple plantations, ivory beaches, and shaded lagoons.
A mere 12 miles across the Sea of the Moon from Tahiti, and only a few minutes by air, the pace of life here is much slower. A lazy, barefoot existence prevails, causing some to proclaim it the "perfect South Sea Island." This carefree lifestyle, the coral reefs, and cascading waterfalls have served as inspiration to countless artists, writers and poets who have been drawn by the natural environment.
A Romantic Vacation in Mexico
Mexico rings out romance. Easy to love and easy to reach, Mexican resorts offer some of the best value romantic vacations anywhere. Magnificent beaches, resorts with fabulous facilities and plenty of things to see and do. All of this is bathed in sunshine by day and starlight at night.
Latin flavored love surrounds you. This is a country where you can order up a trio to play your favorite songs around the clock or arrange for a serenade under the balcony.
With its beautiful beaches, rich culture and small luxurious resorts, Mexico makes an ideal romantic vacation getaway.
Mexico is easily accessible from other parts of North America - board the plane in the morning, be on the beach by the afternoon. It is also a good "value" destination - your money goes a long way here. Finding affordable unique and luxury lodging is never a problem. Mexico offers a great mix of culture, activities, scenery and dining options.
Mexico offers something for everyone. Culture, history, architecture, and interesting scenery. For those who wish to "get off the beaten path" as well as for those who want to stay in exclusive accommodations.
A Romantic Vacation in France
What springs to mind when you think of France?
Paris, the Cannes Film Festival, great food, amazing artists, ancient towns and villages?
This is just a taste of what a romantic vacation in France is all about.
There are endless possibilities. Choosing the right vacation will ultimately depend on your budget and interests.
Here are a few of our favorite spots:
Paris - If you've never been to France, a few days exploring the City of Light will provide a wonderfully romantic introduction to this cultural Mecca! Whether you want to take in the city's numerous sights, or simply stroll its tree-lined boulevards arm-in-arm, a visit to Paris will make for an unforgettable romantic vacation.
Côte d'Azur - Also known as the French Riviera, the Mediterranean coast of France attracts romantics from all over the world to its azure waters, lovely resorts, energetic cafes and nearby towns. Famous waterfront spots include Cannes, Antibes, and Menton. For some extra glamour, a stop in the tiny principality of Monaco is a must. And, up in the hills that run parallel to the coast, there are numerous historic towns and villages perchés (perched villages) worth exploring.
Provence - Provence is true France, and there's no better region to visit if you want to experience the essence of the country. Here you will find incredible ancient ruins, pristine Romanesque abbeys, bijoux chapels, feudal châteaux, vineyards, authentic markets, romantic country inns and sophisticated city museums. While there's certainly no lack of things to see and do, this also happens to be one area where just "being there" can be perfectly enjoyable. Take coffee at a small sidewalk café and watch provincial life pass by.
Other great romantic vacation spots in France:
Burgundy for wonderful wine
Famous châteaux and castles of the Loire Valley
Medieval towns and seaside resorts of Normandy
A Romantic Vacation in Italy
Italy is without doubt one of the most romantic countries in the world. A romantic vacation to this special destination can encompass a wide range of unique experiences - delicious cuisine, striking scenery and views, historical villages and sights, world-class museums and wonderful accommodation. All of which is wrapped in the romance of Italian culture and language. Unless you have many, many weeks, you'll probably want to focus your romantic vacation on a couple of different areas. The key is to determine which are right for you.
Some of our favorite Italian romantic vacations spots include:
The Amalfi Coast and Capri - This is the gorgeous coastal region south of Naples, lined with romantic little towns and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Connecting these towns is the Amalfi Drive, a cliff-hugging stretch of road that meanders for 40 miles from Sorrento to Salerno. Erosion from the sea has created strange and wonderful rock formations and hollowed out secluded caverns. Along the road, there are beautiful white villages, each offering its own take on Italian coastal life. Across from Amalfi is the island of Capri, Italy's most glamorous seaside getaway. This rocky island is made up of magnificent cliffs and caverns, Moorish architecture, tiny town squares, and narrow medieval alleyways.
Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice, just to name a few Italian incredible cities. If you enjoy urban exploration, amazing galleries and museums, fine dining, and historical sightseeing, a few days or more in any of Italy's famous cities will make for a memorable and enriching experience.
Tuscany - Lies in the central region of Italy. What makes this part of the country so appealing is the ability to immerse oneself in classical Italian culture. To do this, you need only spend some time exploring the region's many wonderful villages, like Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, and Lucca. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you'll be hard pressed to find a better collection of art and architecture anywhere. Finally, Tuscany also happens to be a great place to simply relax at a picture perfect villa with a glass of wine in hand.
The Italian Riviera - Like Amalfi to the south, the Italian Riviera is the favorite seaside resort area in the north. Along the coast, you will find tiny bays and inlets, along with dramatic rocky cliffs. One of the region's most popular towns is Portofino, a collection of brightly painted houses that take on a truly magical glow at sunset. The primary reason to visit this area is to unwind, eat and watch people. Another highlight is the Cinque Terre, a collection of five fishing villages that sit on bluffs above the sea, offering picturesque village squares, incredible views and nice beaches.
Other great romantic vacation spots in Italy:
The hills of Umbria
The resorts of Sardinia
The beauty of the Lake District
A Romantic Vacation in Alaska
There is truly is no place like Alaska. It's vast wilderness, splendid scenery and free-roaming wildlife reflect the Last Frontier of America. Alaska has it all! Come to Alaska and experience it's diversity. Adventures await you as you kayak along quiet coastal waters, fish along the Kenai peninsula, explore Denali National Park in search of wildlife roaming vast expanses of untouched landscapes or sail away on a luxurious cruise ship and visit small towns along the Alaska Marine Highway.
Your romantic vacation in Alaska will most likely include glaciers, wildlife, native culture and a host of other exciting activities that will make your soul burst into song.
Alaska is one of the top cruise destinations in the world. Visiting the old-fashioned, historic small towns and wilderness areas of Southeast Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska by day and by effortless cruising by night, offer the romantic vacation adventurer a visual feast and a cruise experience unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
An African Safari as a Romantic Vacation
Are you looking for something a little more adventurous for your romantic vacation? If so, an African safari may be just the ticket. But what does this involve? That all depends on your interests and budget, as there are many ways to go on safari. Today, you can choose to rough it or stay in the lap of luxury. You can track game on foot or via Land Rover. You can tour with a private guide or in a larger group. Again, it's up to you. The following are a few favorite safari options:
South Africa: This is a great destination if you want to mix an "easy" safari with other sightseeing experiences. Unlike other safari spots, South Africa offers a more diverse range of travel options. On the safari side, Kruger National Park provides some of the best game viewing opportunities in all of Africa, yet it's relatively well-developed and easy to reach. You can combine Kruger with Cape Town, perhaps one of the prettiest cities in the world, with all the facilities you could want on your romantic vacation. Finally, just outside of Cape Town you'll find a variety of other worthwhile attractions like beach resorts and vineyards. South Africa is a great choice if you want to have a taste of Africa without straying too far from the beaten path.
Kenya and Tanzania: Kenya and Tanzania are two of the best safari destinations in Africa. One popular stop is the Ngorongoro Crater, an ancient volcanic caldera containing an amazing cross-section of wildlife including, lion, elephant, hyena, zebra and rhino. Another well-known place for serious game viewing opportunities is the vast Serengeti, home to the cheetah, leopard, lion, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra. Finally, there is the incredible savannah wilderness of the Masai Mara, which offers further game viewing opportunities. Accommodations range from colonial lodges to fully-equipped tented camps, and most game viewing tends to be done via Land Rover.
Botswana and Victoria Falls: In Southern Africa, these two spots offer an interesting alternative to East Africa. What makes game viewing in Botswana unique is the possibility of doing it on foot, (i.e., a walking safari), or by water in a mokoros canoe. Great areas for both of these options include the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. Finally, a visit to this part of Africa wouldn't be complete without a stop at the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world's natural wonders.
Cruise as a Romantic Vacation
Does the lure of the open water hold some mysterious attraction over you? How does having a wide variety of activities at your fingertips sound? And what about being able to visit multiple destinations without constantly having to pack and re-pack? Sounds good? Then the best thing for you is a cruise, where the resort moves with you!
Cruising offers a unique romantic vacation. Cruises come in many shapes and sizes, from 3000 passenger mega ships motoring through the Mediterranean to intimate luxury barges cruising the Danube River. For many people, cruises offer the best of both worlds - a wealth of activities, great food, entertainment and interesting shore excursions that provide an easy going way in which to experience new places and cultures.
Four popular cruise destinations are:
Tahiti and the Society Islands, a natural option for cruising. There are many islands, including Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. A cruise can cover these more efficiently than by flying from island to island. By cruising through the islands, you get to experience many of their unique qualities and activities - almost like staying at multiple resorts. Cruising through this group of islands is also a special way to view the natural scenery and sunsets.
The Caribbean is a very popular cruise destination, and cruises tend to range from 3 to 14 days. They are often segmented by general region: the Western Caribbean (Mexico, Cayman Islands and others) and the Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Barbados, and others). From North America, many cruises depart from Florida or Puerto Rico, making them very easy to access.
Southeast Asia offers an interesting combination of the modern and ancient worlds. You can visit major cities like Singapore and Hong Kong but also stop over in Vietnam and take a gentle bicycle ride through the streets of its towns and villages. A Southeast Asian cruise offers maximum exposure to a variety of exotic cultures, allowing you to compare and contrast the many differences and similarities.
Mediterranean cruises take advantage of the beauty and relaxed atmosphere of southern Europe. From Istanbul to Barcelona, you can visit some of world's ancient sites as well as enjoy a multitude of delicious and highly varied cuisines. For a quite different experience, some cruises even stop in Northern Africa - shore excursions take you on a visit to the pyramids or to see the ruins of Carthage.