Added: 02/27/2006 |
The truest winter axiom in travel is this: when the weather outside is frightful, getting away on vacation is so delightful. In fact, the very idea of a vacation was invented, some believe, not as a retreat from work, but as an escape from the chilly winter winds to exotic shores of sunshine and fruity drinks with umbrellas.
Travel agents have understood this for years, sending their clients to the hottest destinations around the globe from the beginning of November to the end of February. Add romance into the mix, and you have the makings of an unforgettable romantic weekend getaway destination for you and someone special.
To uncover the destination that's right for you this winter or the next, check out these romantic ideas at the hot spots travelers favor each winter, as compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know that love at first sight applies not only to your partner, but also to beaches, mountain vistas and much, much more.
Many Americans won't have to travel far to find romance, as the United States hosts a bevy of sizzling surprises. These five locales are favored each winter by travelers far and wide, and while some are well known for one particular attraction-such as a giant amusement park run by a famous, friendly mouse-you'll be surprised at the romantic options within the city limits.
Orlando is more than the house a mouse built. Sure Disney World is the star attraction, but one reason families come here every year during the winter months is for mom and dad to have some peaceful, romantic tine alone while the children are blasting off to Mars on Mission: SPACE.
Orlando was a popular vacation spot long before the theme parks arrived. From romantic picnics in the park to horse-drawn carriage rides at dusk, the city abounds with handholding options. The trick, according to travel agents, is to offset the family vacation with romantic activities, such as a trip to Butterfly World, a hot air balloon sight-seeing tour, or a charming retreat to one of Orlando's many quaint B&B's.
Peaceful is not often a word you hear in connection with Las Vegas, and neither is romantic. Yet both words perfectly describe many experiences couples relish in this bright-light city, such as an impromptu waltz to the sounds of a Sinatra classic while you watch the water dance in front of the Bellagio.
Or maybe a view of the Strip and beyond from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is more your speed, followed by a gourmet French dinner that will make you want to pop the question again and again. Gondola rides along the canals at the Venetian also warm the heart, as you're swept up in the amore of the Italian streets.
New York, New York is not only another fabulous casino on the Vegas Strip, but the city is another romantic wintertime destination in itself. Romance is a 24-hour-a-day option in NYC, where you can begin the day with a carriage ride through Central Park. The Clermont Riding Stables will let you forego the carriage and simply take the horses out for a special light gallop around scenic paths.
Later, you can stroll hand-in-hand through the streets of Greenwich Village, take an elevator to the top of the Empire State Building for a breath-taking view or casually glide across the waters on the Staten Island Ferry. Wherever the day takes you, the night will bring you back to Broadway for a heartwarming musical.
Miami can warm your heart along with your entire body, for this rare gem of a city is hot, hot, hot in romantic weekend getaway destination! From sun-roasted beaches to sizzling Cuban food, Miami has a thousand and one ways to heat up your romance. By day, you can sit at a sidewalk cafe and watch couples walk by until the sun sets, and then stroll the streets of South Beach's Art Deco District. By night, head out on the town, savor the spicy cuisine and dance until dawn at a trendy nightclub.
If the beaches of Miami sound appealing, but not the frenetic pace, then in Hawaii you can spend romantic weekend getaway destination.
Romance and paradise go hand-in-hand for couples on the Islands of Aloha, defined by moonlit walks on the beach where only palm trees hear your whispers, clear ocean views from the balcony of your suite and leisurely horseback rides in the surf. Hawaii adds a special backdrop that is simply unavailable anywhere else.
It's a big world out there, and romantic weekend getaway destinations are plentiful, especially during the winter. When considering an international vacation, travel agents suggest thinking in regions or countries first, and then narrowing down your itinerary to cities and events. No matter where you chose to spend romance getaways you will have unforgettable time.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!


