ur love from the top of a mountain or while snorkeling with underwater creatures, there are plenty of places across the continents to proclaim your connection. Since the trip is just as important as the destination, here's a selection of some of the most romantic destinations on the planet where you can create enough memories to last a lifetime.
UNITED STATES
Aspen
Colorado
A notable haven for the rich and fabulous, you don’t have to go celebrity spotting to enjoy an Aspen vacation. Yes, this is a skier's paradise, but it's also a great outdoor romantic destination winter or summer with its stunning scenery, great hiking, superb accommodations and a busy nightlife. Travel 15 miles southwest of Aspen to Maroon Bells with its lake and alpine meadows, and where there are no cars allowed. Hike the trails, enjoy the mountain air and take in the stunning scenery. Glenwood Hot Springs, just 40 miles northwest of Aspen, is a perfect romantic indulgence. You can also get your romantic Western adventure fix with a visit to T Lazy 7 Ranch with its horseback rides and camping trips. Whether you choose to curl up in your lodge in front of a roaring fire, take a romantic carriage or sleigh ride, or live it up at the myriad of pubs, clubs, discos and country and Western bars, it's all here in Aspen.
UNITED STATES
Lake Tahoe
Just 60 miles from Reno, Nevada, and around 180 miles from San Francisco, California, Lake Tahoe's unique combination of mountain air, scenery and activities makes for a wonderful romantic getaway. Head to the north shore if you're seeking a more serene environment and a slower pace. Here you’ll find romantic studio cabins and quaint little roadside taverns. However, if you equate romance with glitz and glamour, then head to the bright lights of the casinos and resorts on the south shore. Take a leisurely drive and spend a day circling the amazing alpine lake or take a romantic kayak tour or a lake cruise. Ski, toboggan or take a sleigh ride in the winter, or sail, water ski, and even parasail in the warmer weather, although beware of the frigid water temperatures in the lake throughout the year. Cap off your romantic getaway with a ride on an aerial tram to really appreciate the stunning scenery.
UNITED STATES
New York
Romance is always in the air in the Big Apple. The city that never sleeps is always ready to host lovers not only around the clock, but year-round. What's more romantic than a carriage ride in Central Park in the spring or skating at the Rockefeller Center in the winter? Shopping, museums, theater, river cruises, fantastic dining, it's all available in NYC. Take in the neon lights of Times Square along with a spectacular Broadway show, or make your way to the alternative SoHo and funky Greenwich Village. Cuddle up on the Staten Island Ferry, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take your time lingering over a romantic candlelit dinner at any one of New York's fabulous restaurants.
AUSTRALIA
Hayman Island, Whitsundays
Queensland
Ah, the Great Barrier Reef. If you didn't see it for yourself you'd be forgiven for thinking this sailing and watersports hub at the tip of the country was the figment of someone's imagination. Crystal clear waters, pristine sandy beaches and a world-renowned reef make this the quintessential sun, sand and sea romantic paradise island holiday. Seventy-four islands make up the great Whitsundays, and while there are ten resorts on eight of the islands to choose from, we're big fans of Hayman. Renowned for its luxurious surroundings as well as outstanding chefs and cuisine, it's the epitome of romantic indulgence. Wouldn't you want to be surrounded by a huge lagoon pool overlooking tropical vistas and sandy white beaches? Quaint island boutiques, sumptuous dining and killer sunsets with a cocktail in hand are the stuff romantic vacations are made of.
CANADA
Victoria
British Columbia
Quaint and charming, with some of the best year-round weather in Canada, Victoria, situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, is a sweet romantic destination. Start your vacation here by exploring Victoria’s Inner Harbor complete with the Undersea Gardens and Government Buildings. Harbor cruises, street performers, pubs, restaurants and shopping abound here. And no romantic holiday would be complete without a quick stop (or even a stay) at the stunning Empress Hotel. Head to Butchart Gardens to see the delightful grounds, which take on an even more romantic hue under floodlights, topped off by fireworks displays on Saturday nights during the summer. A romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through James Bay is also de rigeur. Be sure to cap off your holiday with a very Victorian indulgence: royal high tea at either the Empress Hotel or at Blethering Place.
CARIBBEAN
Nassau
Bahamas
All Caribbean islands know how to pour on the romance, but for our money, Nassau Paradise Island in the Bahamas not only has the requisite pink sand and turquoise waters, but also offers the greatest variety of places to eat, nightlife, and resorts. Stroll the cobblestone streets, indulge in watersports, shop for traditional Bahamian handicrafts, or sip cocktails overlooking the ocean. Whether you want to take a romantic horseback ride or carriage tour, the choice is yours. Check out the Changing of the Guard every other Saturday at the Government House, make a trip to the Straw Market to purchase some handmade souvenirs, or spend a day sailing the island on one of New Zealand's former America's Cup yachts. Then head back to your luxury room and drift off into sweet slumber and perfect Caribbean dreams.
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica
Stunning natural rainforests and exotic landscapes make Costa Rica not only a superb romantic getaway, but also an eco-friendly one. There are so many romantic things to see and do in Costa Rica that it's hard to know where to start, but be sure to include at least a few of the following: a trip to the Irazu and Poas volcanoes, the romantic La Paz Waterfall and Butterfly Gardens or a tour through the Braulio Carillo National Park. Bond with your loved one as you zip-line through the rainforests or take a rafting trip. Only in Costa Rica can you see big cats in Corcovado National Park, monkeys and turtles in Tortuguero or oodles of orchids in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
FRENCH POLYNESIA
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in a cluster of 118 islands, grouped inside the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. Deep valleys, clear streams, and high waterfalls, make it a picture-perfect destination and helps explain why its intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches are considered one of the best places in the world for "alone time." True romance is an over-water bungalow and there’s plenty to choose from here. Sleep high above the turquoise lagoon waters in your thatched-roof hideaway with all the amenities and service of a first-class hotel room. Take a romantic cruise around the islands, enjoy a myriad of watersports and be sure to indulge in a romantic Polynesian-style spa treatment utilizing fresh flower baths, body wraps with banana leaves and fresh fruit masks.
GREECE
Santorini
What would a romantic vacation be without a trip to the Greek Islands? There's so many to choose from, and while all offer reasonably priced vacations, island cruises and great Mediterranean fare, Santorini is our favorite for lovers, with all hotel rooms offering stunning sea views. Here you can choose any local restaurant perched high in the hills and overlook the Aegean Sea almost 1,000 feet below. Sipping wine (or Ouzo if you’re brave) and eating tapas as the sun hits the water is a guaranteed romantic Kodak moment. Visit Perissa and Kamari beaches with their black volcanic sand, meander through the quaint ancient villages of Pyrgos and Akrotiri, and sign up for a romantic swim in the Volcanic hot springs, accessible only by boat.
ITALY
Venice
It’s impossible to think "Venice" without using "romance" in the same sentence. Make sure to visit this romantic city guaranteed to capture your heart and soul before it finally sinks into the Adriatic Sea. This ancient port city replete with canals, bridges, and centuries old buildings is guaranteed to make your romantic heart beat just a little quicker. An evening gondola ride along the Venice canals is an absolute must, as is a stroll around Piazza San Marco, one of the grandest squares in Europe. If you’re still not romanced-out, then head to both the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, where the two of you can declare your undying love once more
Credit by http://www.gayot.com/travel/features/top10romanticdestinations
