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What’s the ultimate romantic destination? Paris, the Napa Valley may come to mind. But savvy travelers can suggest many more seductive spots for a fabulous getaway with your Valentine or special someone.
Here are some of my favorite getaways for lovers — good for whenever the mood strikes you.
Bora Bora
Paradise is closer than you think. French Polynesia is only an 8-hour flight from Los Angeles. Breathtakingly beautiful Bora Bora is considered the world’s most romantic island. Why do you think the Kardashian clan frolicked here and stayed in a luxurious overwater villa at one of the island’s posh resorts. Who wouldn’t love this plush paradise, where guests are picked up at the tiny airport in private yachts, welcomed with trumpeting conch shells and tropical sunsets beckon?
Lush green jagged mountains, a crystal clear turquoise lagoon, swaying palm trees, powdery white sand beaches, and thatched-roof overwater bungalows are the perfect recipe for romance. Sunset catamaran cruises, sensuous al fresco couple’s massages, gourmet picnics and candlelit dinners on the beach are sure to put you in the mood for love.
Info: tahiti-tourism.com, 310-414-8484
Prague
The City of Spires, is known for it’s stunning skyline, pierced by more than 100 elegant church spires. This charming Old World city is best explored on foot to reveal hidden treasures for lovers. Narrow, winding cobblestone streets lead to quiet corners, gardens and cafes; baroque palaces and medieval towers. Marvel at exquisite architecture ranging from Gothic and Renaissance to art nouveau and art deco.
The luxurious Aria Hotel pays homage to great musicians, from Beethoven to the Beatles. Next door is the magnificent, baroque Vrtba Garden.
Prague is packed with settings worthy of a Don Juan escapade. Share a slice of sumptuous apple strudel paired with Viennese coffee in the Municipal House’s café, or gaze into one another’s eyes over a sunset dinner at the Villa Richter, with panoramic views of ancient vineyards and Prague Castle.
Evenings bring more enchantment, as the 15th century Charles Bridge, with its ornate lampposts and statues, is illuminated.
Info: www.czechtourism.com. 212-288-0830
Venice
The City of Canals is guaranteed to add some amore to your life. Just ask George Clooney and his bride Amal, who honeymooned here. Glide along Venice’s famous canals in a private gondola, with crushed velvet seats and Persian rugs, and a gondolier serenading you with “O Sole Mio” (translated as My Sunshine). The once-in-a-lifetime ride may set you back about $100, but the memory is priceless.
Venice is actually 117 small islands connected by 400 footbridges, with a maze of canals weaving throughout the city. Steal a kiss on the Rialto Bridge, featured in many iconic Venetian paintings. Artists have gravitated here for centuries for the glorious Venetian light. Stroll through St. Mark’s Square, site of the dazzling Doge’s Palace and Byzantine-era Basilica. Marvel at the elegant faded ochre, butterscotch and apricot-hued Gothic buildings, embellished with elongated tracery windows and lavish rococo décor.
At the peak of its power, Venice was the most prosperous city in Europe, and many canals were lined with opulent palazzos. Today, some of these have been converted into luxe hotels.
Info: italiantourism.com. 212-245-5618
Cartagena
This vibrant Colombian colonial town has a seductive soul and spirit. Cartagena’s convoluted history and the fusion of Spanish, Caribbean and African people here created a unique cultural landscape and cuisine. Oh, if these city walls could only talk, they’d tell stories of pirates, gold and romance.
At dusk, old-fashioned street lamps cast a magical amber glow over the old 16th century walled town by the sea, and the sound of horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping through cobblestone streets reverberates in the air. Cartagena resembles Andalusia, Spain, with its enchanting courtyards and protruding filagree balconies with lush cascading bougainvillea. Old cathedrals and outdoor cafes surround many of the town’s charming plazas.
The colonial buildings in shades of lavender, cobalt blue, lemon yellow and lime green are as colorful and diverse as Cartagena’s past.
Pick one of many beautiful boutique hotels, like Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, a former 17th century monastery with enticing courtyards, arches and patios perfect for dining or a tropical cocktail.
This muy romantico destination is an easy flight from Houston.
Info: colombia.travel/. 212-922-9114
Houmas Plantation and Gardens
You’ll find romance closer to home at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, in New Orleans Plantation Country. Strolling the 38-acre garden’s meandering paths sprinkled with statuary, ponds and fountains, you’ll easily imagine being in Giverny. Find a secluded sitting nook beneath the massive live oaks dripping Spanish moss and daydream your cares away.
Take an entertaining guided tour of the lavish antebellum mansion with hosts in period dress to learn about the history of the house, and the culture of the South.
Spend the night in one of the luxurious cozy cottages nestled in the lush gardens. Inside, modern amenities are accented with fine antiques and art.
In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the elegant Carriage House Restaurant — or for the ultimate indulgence, a seven-course menu with wine pairings in Latil’s Landing. Relax over after-dinner drinks in the intimate Turtle Bar.
Then enjoy a lazy morning, lingering over an indulgent breakfast of bananas Foster, French toast and Champagne mimosas.
Info: houmashouse.com. 225-473 9380
Brandywine River Valley
Rustic scenery, quaint villages and magnificent estates are just the right combination for romance. Known as America’s chateau country, the Brandywine River Valley, with its gentle rolling hills, is where the Dupont dynasty began. Today, a handful of the family’s palatial estates and glorious gardens are open to the public, showcasing the lavish lifestyle of American royalty in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and northern New Castle County, Delaware. Nemours Estate, a 70-room mansion modeled after Marie Antoinette’s Le Petit Trianon, boasts the finest formal French gardens in North America with marble colonnades, sunken pools, fountains and statuary.
Americana still thrives all along the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, a great area for antiquing. Here, where the pristine countryside is dotted with covered bridges and gristmills, you’ll feel like you’re stepping right into the middle of a Wyeth painting. Steal a kiss beneath a covered bridge before you visit the Brandywine River Museum, home to one of the most comprehensive collection of works by three generations of the Wyeth family.
The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa was once home to laborers at the DuPont Winterthur estate and Hagley Powder Mill. Now it’s a small luxury hotel with 28 elegant guest rooms, many with porches and private gardens.
Nearby is Brandywine Creek State Park, perfect for birding, leisurely walks or riverside picnics with the one you love.
Info:VisitWilmingtonDE.com. 800-489-6664
AMA Waterways Cruise
The elegant AmaPrima, a floating luxury hotel, offers romance on the Rhine and dancing on the Danube.
The classic 14-night “Magnificent Europe” cruise, sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam through the heart of Europe, is an enchanting setting for a honeymoon or anniversary.
“Slow travel,” allows guests to savor stunning scenery at a leisurely pace. Take in 360-degree views of steep-terraced vineyards, fairytale castles and bucolic landscape from atop the ship’s sundeck. On shore excursions stroll through picturesque medieval villages, sample the vintages of a baroque wine cellar or waltz the night away in Vienna.
There are few things more romantic then AmaPrima’s “Illuminations Cruise” on a balmy moonlit night. Sailing slowly beneath Budapest’s famed Chain Bridge and past the glowing Hungarian Parliament building, reflected on the Danube’s midnight-blue waters, makes for lifetime memories.
Cruising the romantic Rhine River Gorge, from Koblenz to Rudesheim, is like sailing through a picture postcard come to life. The two-hour narrated tour past more than 30 castles along this winding stretch of river provides a nonstop series of Kodak moments.
Info: amawaterways.com. 800-626-0126
Mohonk Mountain House
What couple wouldn’t love cocooning in a mountaintop Victorian castle overlooking the Catskills, with its own private lake and 85 miles of hiking trails? Mohonk Mountain House, a National Historic Landmark, is one of America’s greatest iconic mountain resorts since 1869. Nestled in the Hudson Valley just 90 miles north of NYC, this splendid, secluded hideaway has hosted U.S. presidents, international VIPs and generations of lovers.
Outdoor activities abound for active couples, from ice skating and rock climbing to canoeing and cross country skiing. Guests can choose from dozens of themed programs, walks and activities.
Take a romantic carriage ride through Mohonk’s historic grounds to learn about the resort’s history. Snag a cozy fireside seat in the rustic Lake Lodge, and snuggle with your sweetie over afternoon tea and homemade cookies.
Info: mohonk.com. 855-808-4206
Quebec City
You don’t have to cross the pond for a taste of France and a dose of romance. Quebec City, Canada, is made for lovers. There’s romance in every inch of the old walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the flower-lined cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes with great views of the Saint Lawrence River.
Take a carriage ride or stroll hand-in-hand through history with your honey in picturesque Old Town, where 17th and 18th century stone buildings are accented with colorful shutters. Wander around Place Royale, the cradle of French civilization in North America, then step into Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, one of the oldest churches in North America.
Stay at the imposing castle-like Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, majestically perched on a bluff overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. Archaeology buffs and Sir Paul McCartney adore Auberge Saint-Antoine, a Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel with museum-caliber artifacts, discovered on the property, exhibited throughout the hotel.
You’ll find perfect gifts at one of Quartier Petit-Champlain’s chic boutiques, or a trendy, upscale art gallery. Watch artists at work, and then pick up a painting in Rue du Trésor (Treasure Street), a charming open-air art market squeezed into a narrow alley. Linger over lunch at Lepain Sauté — a rustic French country restaurant with a cozy fireplace and dried herbs hanging from heavy hand hewn wooden beams. Lepain is famous for its rabbit dishes and French onion soup.
Info: quebecregion.com/en. 877-783-1608
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is a heavenly hideaway for lovers. That great romantic, Lord Byron, was so enraptured with its sumptuous palaces and stunning vistas that he called it “glorious Eden.”
As early as the 14th century, Portuguese royals built a resort retreat here in the mountains where they escaped Lisbon’s sweltering summers. Nobles and wealthy courtiers followed suit, building extravagant villas with enchanting gardens.
Only a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon, the fairytale town attracts tons of day trippers. Give yourself enough time to savor and soak in Sintra’s magic. Splurge and spend a night in one of the magnificent old villas for a memorable romantic rendezvous.
Start your visit at the over-the-top Pena Palace, a whimsical mix of Gothic, Moorish and neo-Manueline architecture designed by an eccentric king. Enjoy lunch on the palace’s spacious terrace with spectacular panoramic views of the Sintra Mountains and a Moorish castle perched atop Monte da Lua. Explore the town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tour the National Palace, an ornate showplace housing one of the world’s most spectacular hand-painted tile murals.
Stroll up Rua das Padarias, a cobblestone street packed with art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, high-end jewelry shops and artists’ studios. Here, you can watch artists paint Portugal’s famous tiles, and order a mural to ship home. Indulge in Sintra’s sinfully delicious pastries at Casa Piriquita, a royal favorite since 1862. Try their famous queijadas — cinnamon infused cheese tarts, and travesseiro, puffy pastry pillows with creamy almond filling.
Info: visitportugal.com. 646-723-0217
Follow travel writer Michelle Newman on Twitter and Instagram: @travelyenta. Watch Newman on San Antonio Living at 10 a. m. on Feb. 10 on WOAI as she shares travel tips with Shelly Miles.
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