Did you promise that special someone a romantic trip for Valentine’s Day?
Forget Paris — the members and editors of VirtualTourist.com have come up with a list of “Five Romantic Weekend Destinations” that you probably haven’t visited yet and are bound to enjoy together.
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic: If you think Prague and Vienna are too cliche, how about visiting the spa city of Karlovy Vary?
Located at the confluence of the rivers Tepla and Ohre, Karlovy Vary is about 81 miles west of Prague.
While the town is famous for its spa culture and hot springs, it also contains beautiful belle epoque and art nouveau building facades.
And these spas are not cost prohibitive — many of the city’s famous thermal springs are in open colonnades, which are free to the public and where visitors can “drink cure” from special cups available for purchase throughout the town.
Ischia, Campania, Italy:
Few coastlines have the views and sunsets of the Amalfi in Italy, but with those views come high prices and large crowds.
Celebrities have flocked to the nearby island of Capri, but VirtualTourist members suggest avoiding the large crowds and high prices by visiting Ischia, the largest of the three islands off of Naples, but significantly less “sceney” and crowded than Capri.
Accessible by ferry from Naples and Pozzuoli, this island is of volcanic origin and, therefore, known for its thermal hot springs and wellness activities. In addition to heated pools and spas, one must-see is a walk on the Ponte Aragonese, the foot bridge that connects the island to the Castello Aragonese.
Roussilon, Provence, France: While many trips within Provence start in Marseille, the destination for your romantic weekend should be somewhere less crowded and with a slower pace.
If you and your significant other enjoy hiking and being outdoors you should schedule a stopover in Roussillon while touring the Cote d’Azur.
Roussillon, situated 31 miles from Avignon on the road to Apt, is a small village most notable for its location in the midst of one of the world’s largest ochre deposits.
This is reflected in the hills surrounding the village as well as the buildings themselves with the clay ranging from a yellow to dark rust to almost violet. Savannah, Ga.: Long overshadowed by pristine and picturesque Charleston, Savannah has recently become an increasingly popular romantic weekend destination due to the city’s well-preserved architecture, creative culinary scene and affordability.
Savannah gives visitors the opportunity to truly embrace the flaneur lifestyle. With 21 public squares and no laws against open containers, visitors can stroll the streets with a to-go cocktail of their choosing.
If you or your partner enjoy architecture and house tours, Savannah is a goldmine of amazing properties — simply walk along the Victorian district, filled with historic homes, flourishing gardens and complex iron work.
While many visitors try to sneak into Paula Deen’s restaurant, a VirtualTourist member recalls an exquisite meal at Elizabeth on 37th. Set in a turn-of-the-century Southern mansion.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: For the unexpected romantic gesture, one VirtualTourist member suggested a cruise on Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Start your trip with a day in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital and second largest city, before embarking on a two-day, one-night tour of Ha Long Bay.
Rather than a large cruise liner with crowds of people, splurge on a “luxury junk” (which there is no shortage of on the bay) and enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in Southeast Asia with your significant other.
The bay, which includes more than 1,600 islands and islets, is comprised primarily of limestone pillars. One island, TiTop Island, can be explored on foot and affords those who make the climb to its summit an amazing view of the bay.
&Copy; 2013 VirtualTourist.com, Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.
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