Destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic travel are increasingly becoming more popular in the travel industry. Romantic tourism is fast becoming a lucrative industry and travelers are reaping the benefits. Consider these romantic travel statistics from the Travel Industry Association (2007):
- More than 42 million Americans have traveled in the past year to attend a wedding, go on a honeymoon, or celebrate an anniversary. In other words, 20 percent of all U.S. adults booked romantic-related travel plans in the past year.
- Baby-boomers take the lead in romantic travel and 41 percent of romance travelers are ages 35-54. One-third (33%) of these travelers are Generation X and Y travelers between the ages of 18 and 34.
- The majority of romance-related travelers are married (67 percent) and 38 percent of these travelers have an annual household incomes of $50,000 or more.
Whether you’re taking a first trip as a couple or you’re renewing your wedding vows, take romance to the next level by booking a romantic vacation. Need some inspiration? We’ve come up with some romantic travel ideas to help light the flame.
Romantic Vacations on a Budget
Romantic tourism is big business, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Depending on what time of year you travel it’s possible to plan a cheap romantic vacation.
New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas are great city destinations for your romantic getaway. Opt for a night of dancing and dining in Las Vegas, or purchase half-price tickets to a Broadway show in New York City. San Francisco boasts great walking tours and one of the best Chinatown’s in the country.
Need a beach getaway? Plan a long weekend in Florida or in the Bahamas. Cheap flights to Florida and the Bahamas are easy to come by on the east coast, and there is plenty to do once you’re there. Relax on the beach before dining alongside the waterfront.
Want a mountain view? Plan a trip to Colorado and hole up in one of the various resorts or bed and breakfasts. Vacations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, promote peace and quiet, and the view of Camelback Mountain in Arizona is breathtaking.
Luxury Destinations
Some say love don’t cost a thing – others agree money is no object when it comes to the one you love. For a truly luxurious romantic getaway, consider one of the following destinations:
- Paris: The Eiffel Tower, the River Seine, need we say more?
- London: The best theater and intimate dining make this city a must-see romantic destination.
- Prague: The Gothic architecture provides an awe-inspiring backdrop to your romantic vacation.
For a truly secluded getaway, book romantic vacations to Fiji, St. Lucia or Seychelles. Private bungalows, butlers and beaches abound at these luxurious beach destinations. It might take a while to get there, but the experience will be ever-lasting.
If the countryside is your cup of tea, take a cue from the master of romance William Shakespeare and plan a romantic vacation in Stratford-Upon-Avon. If vineyards and meadows are more to your liking, plan a tour of wine country in Bordeaux, France.
Dare to be Different
Who said romantic vacations had to include candlelit dinners and fine wine? Show your betrothed your creative side by booking one of these unique romantic vacations.
Treat your taste buds to a chocolate tour through Belgium or Switzerland. Travelers tip: Chocolate is known as an aphrodisiac, so set aside some alone time for you and your loved one.
Book bike rides during flower festivals such as "Tulips and Windmills" in the Netherlands, or tour the magnificent flower gardens in Austria.
To really ignite a fire between you and your sweetheart, start out cold – ice cold. Ice hotels, like those found in Sweden and Iceland, give new meaning to the romantic vacation. Lovers find body heat and extra blankets the core necessities on this trip.
Valentine's Day Getaways
Flowers are so passé and chocolates will just go bad. And, unless it comes with a diamond ring, it’s likely that the teddy bear idea will be a bust. What to do? Pack your bags, grab your loved one and head to the airport. With airline prices dropping by the minute and cheap hotels opening up rooms on a daily basis, there’s no reason you can’t impress this Valentine’s Day. Stay close to home and book cheap flights and hotels to these five romantic Valentine’s Day destinations:
Newport, RI: Newport exudes class, elegance and romance, all within a span of only a few miles. Book flights to Providence and drive less than an hour to the seaside town, where mansions line the coast and couples engage in starry-eyed looks from candlelit bars along the ocean. Book cheap Newport hotels and flights and spend time walking the cobblestoned-streets, dining in some of the best New England restaurants, and take in the views along Ocean Drive.
New Orleans: Few things are sexier than a midnight stroll through New Orleans’s French Quarter. The jazz pumping from the smoked-filled clubs, the smell of spices lofting from basement bars, the essence of Mardi Gras wafting through the streets… New Orleans is spicy and fun, and will reignite even the faintest love flame. Cheap flights to New Orleans are available now, before the Mardi Gras crowds set in.
Woodstock, VT: Even the most unromantic can get swept away in Vermont. A roaring fire in a log cabin, the snow-capped mountains in the distance, cliff walks and of course, the maple syrup – combine it all together and you’ve got a recipe for romance. Book cheap Vermont flights and spend a weekend cuddled up in a cozy B&B, or stay slope-side and ski Vermont’s famous mountains before winding down to a romantic evening inside the warm lodge.
Sedona, AZ: Peace, love and happiness equal Sedona. The Red Rocks provide the most dramatic background to this most relaxing Arizona gem. Couples massages, nature hikes and the dry desert heat make Sedona one of the most romantic West Coast cities. Its mile-high rocks make long drives a pleasure, and the never-ending forestry create the illusion that you’re living inside a national park. Sedona is a place known for its mystical environment and its refreshing energy – book a weekend flight to Sedona and you’ll fall in love all over again.
New York: The city that never sleeps welcomes lovers to experience an entirely other New York – a calmer, quieter New York. Avoid the bright lights of Times Square and cuddle up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Book a New York hotel at one of the city’s boutique establishments and spend a quiet, charming weekend exploring the unblemished sections of Manhattan. Walk through Central Park and have dinner at a hidden restaurant off the beaten path. If you crave a little New York revelry, grab tickets to a Broadway show and spend one night in Midtown among the other New York night owls. Cap off your night with a glass of champagne at one of New York’s famous hotel bars.
