Warm up with your sweetheart by taking a romantic trip this Valentine’s Day. Bonus: this year the festival of hearts falls on a holiday weekend, making it the perfect time to drive outside the city, take a train or hop on a plane to a destination for two.
Caribbean romance Aruba is the place for a sunshine-filled getaway — and is just a direct flight away. To make this a true weekend of love, book the romance package at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, a deal that includes breakfast for two daily, champagne, a 50-minute couple massage and dinner for two at the beach-front Footprints restaurant.
Winter wooers Take in the glory of a winter wonderland while snuggled up with your love in Cooperstown, New York, just four hours away by car. Stay at the elegant Cooper Inn, where guests can cozy up to the fire as soon as they arrive. As far as activities go, you can take a cooking class at the Otesaga Resort Hotel, visit Brewery Ommegang and dine at one of the many quaint restaurants on Main Street like Alex & Ika or Red Caboose Restaurant & Bar. For those looking for action, go snowshoeing at Glimmerglass State Park or ice fishing on Otsego Lake.
Spa soul mates A great way for lovers to heat up this holiday is with a trip to a place celebrated for its spa culture — Bath, England. This quaint, historic town is just 20 miles from the Bristol Airport or a 90-minute train ride from London. While there, make sure to check out the Thermae Bath Spa, a magical place where you and your honey can soak in the mineral-rich waters that were made famous centuries ago. As for accommodations, book a room at the Bath Priory Hotel, which features a modern spa and luxuriant rooms.
Culinary couple Food lovers should definitely head to Charleston, South Carolina, this February for a food-fueled love fest. Not only are there dozens of superb restaurants — think Husk, The Ordinary and Hominy Grill — but even the hotels focus on edible delicacies. With the “Just the Two of Us” romance package at the classy French Quarter Inn, guests receive a $75 gift certificate for dinner at chef Sean Brock’s McCrady’s, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, port wine nightcap service, fresh baked cookies and milk before bed, an evening wine and cheese reception and an artisan continental breakfast delivered to your room.
Land lovers Couples who love nature, hiking and all things outdoorsy, take a five-hour plane ride to Scottsdale, Arizona. Book a room at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, which has a stunning spa and pool and offers a special romance package featuring champagne, chocolate strawberries or truffles and dinner and breakfast for two at Rita’s Kitchen. When not holed up in the resort, you can hike around the Grand Canyon, wander the Desert Botanical Garden or rent a bike and explore one of the many nearby trails.
Daring duo Adventurous couples can revel in their love high up on the steep, snow-capped mountains in the Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont. The property, which recently underwent a $7 million renovation, is just a scant four-hour drive from the city, and once you are there you can trade in your wheels for skis or snowboards and hit one of the mountain’s 92 trails. After a day on the slopes, head back to the resort and relax in your room. Some lodgings even come with a fireplace and hot tub, perfect for soothing you and your honey’s sore muscles.
