5 Fresh New Places to Travel to For Valentine’s Day

Nothing could be more romantic than a Valentine’s Day getaway to a new destination; somewhere exotic and exciting, yet at the same time secluded enough to give you and your loved one a little private time. If you’ve got a car and full auto insurance coverage, then Valentine’s Day gives you the perfect excuse for a weekend drive to a captivating place you’ve never been before.

If you’re within driving distance of any of these locations, you can save on airfares by taking an adventurous, intimate road trip. Just make sure that your car is in good working order and you have fully comprehensive car insurance. When you’re all set to go, grab your loved one and hit the road for a great Valentine’s Day escape together.

Go to the Southernmost Point

Key West, Florida may be the southernmost point of the continental United States, but you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical island nation a million miles away. In fact, the island of Key West is closer to Cuba than it is to the U.S. mainland. It’s an exotic blend of old-south charm and luscious, sub-tropical foliage, where the lifestyle is as laid back as a hammock stretched across two palm trees.

If you want to experience the best that Key West has to offer, you’d do well to check out the sunset celebration. Locals have a long-established custom of celebrating the end of each and every perfect Key West day by marking the occasion with live music and casual partying down along the huge harbor at Mallory Square. Even the revenue-generating cruise ships aren’t allowed to stay there once the sun starts setting; the locals are afraid that they’ll spoil the view.

If you’re looking for a quieter spot, you’ll want to check out nearby Fort Zachary Taylor, which is home to Key West’s largest beach. Whether you want to lie in the sun or sit in the shade of coconut palms, you’re sure to find a favorite spot. It’s a perfect place for lovers to sit and gaze at the setting sub-tropical sun.

Another quiet spot to spend the day is the luscious, exotic Key West Garden Club Botanical Garden located at the West Martello Fort on Atlantic Avenue. This lovely oasis is not only absolutely gorgeous; it’s also free of charge. There are benches scattered among the palms and tropical plants, and you can take a heavenly, romantic respite while you listen to the waterfalls and watch the geckos and iguanas cavorting at your feet.

Head for the Hills

Asheville, North Carolina is a perfect jewel of a getaway. Set alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is famous for being the mountain retreat of the rich and famous during the early 1900s, and vestiges of that grandeur remain in the city even today.

For a real look at grand, romantic splendor, visit the Biltmore House and Gardens, Asheville’s most famous landmark. The brainchild of George Vanderbilt, the magnificent chateau is one of the most renowned stately homes in America, and offers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy during the early 20th century.

When it’s time to get away on your own, you can retire to the Grove Park Inn. This famed resort was built along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and has played host to presidents and even royalty in its long life. A true architectural epitome of America’s Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900s, it’s the perfect place to spend your romantic Asheville getaway.

Ride the Rockies

Breckenridge, Colorado is known as a haven for skiing and other winter sports, but it’s also a beautiful place for a romantic getaway. This Rocky Mountain resort town sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet, so you can expect a great deal of snow and cold temperatures during your February trip. Nevertheless, the mountain views are stunning and the town is warm and inviting, with its authentic, historic western architecture and picturesque drives.

If you want to have a real Old West experience with your partner, visit the County Boy Mine in Breckenridge. Although it’s no longer in operation, in its day it was a real working gold mine and made the fortunes of many a savvy western entrepreneur. Today it offers a fascinating look into the lives of western pioneers who mined the earth.

After a day in a gold mine, what could be better than a romantic sleigh ride for two? The Country Boy also offers evening sleigh rides along starlit mountain passes. If you live in the Rockies, there’s no more perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day.

Take a Trip to the Other Niagara

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is actually nowhere near the famed Niagara Falls; it’s a beautiful, sleepy little town on the Niagara River. While it does get its fair share of tourists — particularly during its famous Shaw Festival every summer — Niagara-on-the-Lake is not in itself a tourist attraction. That’s the reason why a lot of people prefer it to Niagara Falls; it has all the loveliness of a town in the Niagara Region of Canada, without the crowds.

For a romantic Niagara-on-the-Lake interlude, visit one of the area wineries. The soil in this mild climate is perfect for growing grapes, and there are dozens of picturesque vineyards and wineries open for touring. In the town itself, the best thing to do is explore the gardens, antique shops and galleries before having dinner and turning in at one of the area’s many elegant little bed and breakfast inns.

Celebrate Romance, Southern-Style

Savannah, Georgia is a favorite place for people in love, and no list of romantic getaways is complete without including this gracious city that’s part ante-bellum old south, part pirate hangout.

Laid out symmetrically in a series of town squares, Savannah offers famous parks, infamous-but-beautiful cemeteries and a thriving night life that includes everything from adventurous nightclubs to some of the most famous fine dining restaurants in America. In addition, you’ve got the ocean nearby wherever you go, as well as beautiful Spanish moss- lined boulevards and gardens of lush sub-tropical foliage.

It’s no wonder that Savannah is a favorite wedding location; couples come from all over the world to say their vows surrounded by Savannah’s bougainvillea bushes and magnolia trees. All of Savannah teems with romance, and the best way to top off your getaway in this most romantic of cities is with an afternoon or evening carriage ride for two.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have only a day or two or can manage an entire week away, you’ll find that an adventurous road trip with the one you love will relight the spark of romance — a spark that we sometimes need to rekindle during the stresses of our daily lives.

Editor note: And if after all this you’re still looking for somewhere to treat your Valentine – try these travel getaway ideas.