Chocolate and teddy bears are fine… but forgettable. Here’s a better idea: Plan a special weekend away for you and the one you love. Whether you choose snow or sun, a luxury hotel or a rustic cabin, it’ll be a memory to cherish forever.
Don’t forget the travel insurance! Insurance isn’t only for long vacations. It’s just as important for short getaways, because if any little thing goes wrong, that can sink your whole trip. Travel insurance can reimburse your prepaid expenses if you must cancel or interrupt the trip for a covered reason. It can reimburse you for travel delays, lost and delayed baggage, and more. It can also connect you with 24-hour assistance for help in almost any situation, so you can stress less and kiss more. Find the perfect plan.
A Valentine’s Weekend in Sedona, Arizona
Ideal if… your sweetheart is into alternative wellness, spiritual experiences, nature, spa treatments
Famous for its red rocks and desert vistas, Sedona is more than just a pretty place. To many, it’s sacred. “It is a cathedral without walls. It is Stonehenge not yet assembled,” local writer Roger Naylor says.1 The entire town is thought to be a vortex — a center of powerful energy that can recharge or heal you — with this energy centered in certain locations.
Here are some ideas for a romantic weekend in Sedona:
- Hike to one of the vortexes, such as Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock or Boynton Canyon. Some people feel the energy there as a tingling or vibration; some perceive it in the twisted trunks of trees along the trail. Even if you don’t sense anything, the views will awe you. The average high temperature in February in Sedona is 59, with lots of sunshine: perfect hiking weather.
- Treat yourselves to a spa day. Sedona is known for high-end spa and alternative wellness treatments. One favorite is Amara Spa, which offers a Rain Dance massage with “lavender, rosemary and sage essential oils, luxuriously dropped down your spine”; a facial massage with gemstones; and a Winds of Change treatment to balance your chakras with native rattles, sage, crystals and oils.
- Taste the wines of the Verde Valley. Several companies offer guided wine tours of the Verde Valley Wine Trail, which stretches southwest of Sedona. Stop in Old Town Cottonwood, a historic spot with cafés, boutiques and galleries.
Get more Valentine’s getaway ideas: The Best Affordable Wellness Retreats
A Valentine’s Weekend in Telluride, Colorado
Ideal if… your sweetheart likes cozy fires, hot springs and skiing.
If the thousand-dollar ski jacket scene in Aspen turns you off, the authentic, unpretentious charm of Telluride will turn you on. This former mining town is known for its hippie vibe, historic buildings, and stunning views of the San Juan Mountains.
Your romantic weekend in Telluride might include:
- Skiing and snowboarding. Telluride’s remoteness (6 hours from Denver) and epic amounts of snow make it “the most idyllic ski town in North America,” according to Travel + Leisure.2 While expert skiers and snowboarders will delight in the challenging runs, there are plenty of trails for beginners.
- Dining at Allred’s Restaurant. Ride the gondola up to this restaurant at 10,551 feet above sea level. Antler chandeliers, views of snowy mountains, and a gold-star wine list make this a supremely romantic destination. Try the dry-aged bison ribeye or the juniper-bourbon marinated elk loin.
- A romantic ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Book a private dinner sleigh ride with Telluride Sleighs and Wagons at the Aldasoro Family Ranch. Ride to a sheep camp, warm up with a cocktail and tapas, dine in a heated tent, then ride back snuggled under the stars.
Get more Valentine’s getaway ideas: 5 Romantic Valentine's Day Ski Chalets
A Valentine’s Weekend in the San Juan Islands
Ideal if… your sweetheart likes wild landscapes, challenging hikes, and getting away from it all.
Did you know the San Juan Islands are actually the tops of a long-submerged mountain range? This collection of 170 wild islands off the coast of Washington, the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people, are a popular summer vacation destination, but they’re much less crowded — and just as romantic — in the winter. It’s not warm — the average daytime temperature hovers around 46-48 degrees Fahrenheit in February — but at least the islands are drier than Seattle.
For a romantic weekend in the San Juan Islands:
- Book a cozy room. The waterfront Blackberry Beach cabin, in the tiny town of Olga, offers a hot tub, a pebble beach, and spectacular sunsets. If you’re looking for a little more luxury, Friday Harbor House is an upscale inn perched above the marina. Rooms feature gas fireplaces and oversized jetted tubs.
- Take a whale-watching tour. Winter makes wildlife sightings unpredictable, but with a good guide, you may see sleek black-and-white orcas. If you’re lucky, you may even spot humpback whales, minkes and gray whales in the Salish Sea.
- Stretch your legs. The San Juan Islands offer dozens of hiking trails. Try the challenging ascent up Mount Constitution, the highest point in the islands, and take a picture at the top of the observation tower. Or, just enjoy a short stroll to Cascade Falls.
Get more ideas for a remote Valentine’s escape: Perfectly Romantic Winter Cabin Getaways in the U.S.
A Valentine’s Weekend in Key West, Florida
Ideal if… your sweetheart likes piña coladas and long walks on the beach.
Key West is as tropical as you can get without leaving the mainland United States. This quirky, rowdy, and fun-loving town isn’t exactly serene, but it’s a great place for a romantic getaway. Rent a car and drive south from Miami, or fly directly into Key West’s small airport.
Our recommendations for a perfect weekend in Key West:
- Explore Dry Tortugas National Park. If you and your sweetie want to escape the crowds, take a boat or seaplane to Dry Tortugas, 70 miles offshore. The snorkeling in this remote refuge is superlative, with sea turtles, sharks and tropical fish. Tour historic Fort Jefferson and sleep under the stars at the Garden Key campground.
- Share an intimate meal. Couples call Lola’s Bistro one of the most romantic restaurants ever. With just 10 tables and a BYOB policy, Lola’s is the opposite of the raucous bars on Duval Street. Bring a bottle of Champagne, try the snapper or branzino, and watch the chef at work.
- Take an evening stroll through Mallory Square. Every sunset is a celebration at Mallory Square, where hundreds of people gather to watch the sky. While you’re waiting for that magic moment, enjoy the lively entertainment from magicians, jugglers, clowns, musicians and psychics. Does the future hold eternal love? Find out!
Read more: A Key West Valentine's Day
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