Unique Romantic Getaways for Valentine's Day: Hidden Gems You Haven't Considered
Why settle for just a card and flowers this Valentine's Day? Make it unforgettable with a romantic getaway. With the holiday falling on a Thursday, mid-week deals offer great savings. Here are six unique destinations you may not have thought of.
1. Step Back in Time in Medieval Canterbury
Valentine's Day became a lovers' celebration thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Parlement of Foules,' a dreamy 700-line poem where birds choose mates at Venus's temple. Charming, isn't it?
Chaucer's iconic Canterbury, from Canterbury Tales, is a medieval gem in southeastern England. Visit one of the UK's finest cathedrals, cozy pubs, theaters, and enjoy a scenic five-mile walk along the North Downs Way to the 12th-century castle in the quaint village of Chilham.
Romantic stays await at the boutique Abode Canterbury's top-tier 'fabulous' rooms, dining at Deeson's (25-27 Sun St), and savoring a local ale at the Parrot (1-9 Church St), a wood-beamed pub dating to 1370.
2. Savor Wine and Coastline in Mendocino, California
Discover California's hidden gem: a scenic coastal drive north of San Francisco from Sonoma County to Mendocino's rugged peninsula—undeveloped bliss without a single stoplight.
Base yourself in Mendocino year-round at the luxury B&B MacCallum House (www.maccallumhouse.com), offering historic cottages and homes from around $230 per night. Stroll the shores, dine at North Coast favorite Café Beaujolais (www.cafebeaujolais.com), or visit family-run wineries and breweries nearby.
3. Ignite Romance in Panama and Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia—inspiration for Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera—is one of the Americas' most romantic cities. Wander cobbled alleys, ride horse carts, savor cuisine amid flower-draped balconies, and dance to vibrant vallenato music. Stay at the elegant Alfiz Boutique Hotel (www.alfizhotel.com), and day-trip to snorkel islands or relax at a mud volcano spa.
Combine with Panama via Latin Destinations' (www.latindestinations.com) six-night packages from $1,607, including flights and hotels to Panama City and Cartagena.
4. Ride the 'Love Train' to Churchill, Manitoba
Head north for romance under the Northern Lights, at their best in 50 years. Neon greens, reds, and blues dance nightly across Canadian and Alaskan skies as solar particles meet Earth's magnetic field—a must-see spectacle.
Churchill, famed for polar bears, offers a new viewing dome and five-night stargazing trips from C$1,045 (www.churchillscience.com). Journey by the two-day 'love train' from Winnipeg, popular with Japanese couples seeking fertility blessings from the aurora.
5. Embrace Winter Magic in Iceland
East Coast flights reach Reykjavik faster than San Francisco, and it's just three hours from London. Icelandair (www.icelandair.is) provides two-night packages with flights, hotels, and tours. Icelanders celebrate winter with poetry and geothermal soaks, plus prime Northern Lights viewing—as noted in Eric Weiner's The Geography of Bliss. Reykjavik even hosts a quirky infamous museum.
6. Celebrate in Valentine, Nebraska
Like Jim Carrey's spontaneous Nebraska adventure in Yes Man, don't dismiss Valentine. Named for an 1800s congressman, it's near the Niobrara River Valley and Sandhills. Join the February 9 Bull Bash, ice fish, enjoy concerts, a ball, and the February 14 King and Queen of Hearts coronation. Friendly locals chat over coffee, embodying enduring charm.
