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SPOTLIGHT:
Top 10 Romantic Getaways in the U.S. by Brandon Cornett
How do you make a top-ten list of something subjective
like honeymoon locations?
Systematically, that's how.
Highly Scientific Ranking...
To create this list, I started
with general Internet searches for top honeymoon spots in the U.S. I
tried to weed out the advertisers and focused instead on the news
and information websites, such as About.com, MSNBC and USA Today.
Next, I began putting the various
lists into a spreadsheet, and then cross-referenced the data to find
the ten locations that occurred most often on the most lists.
When
that proved to be way too complicated, I just picked the ten
locations I liked the most! Voila ... a top-ten romantic getaway
list (no particular order).
If you're the kind of person that
equates 'romantic getaway' with 'mountain seclusion,' then a cabin in
the Rockies might be just the thing. The popular ski towns of Aspen and
Vail, Colorado are popular for another reason - cabin retreats. Imagine
the snow falling around your warm and cozy cabin. Imagine the smell of
hot chocolate and the bubbling sound of a hot tub. And just imagine
being there with the one you love!
2. Mountain Cabin - Part Two
The Smokey Mountains come up on a lot
of romantic getaway lists. For instance, each year approximately 10,000
people get married in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a popular vacation spot in
the Smokey Mountains. Because of this, the mountain town has become
known as the unofficial wedding and honeymoon capital of the South. With
its wooded seclusion, small-town charm, and breathtaking mountain views,
it's no wonder so many people equate 'Gatlinburg' with 'romantic
retreat.'
3. Bed & Breakfast in Vermont
Manchester, Vermont offers all the
ingredients of a classic New England getaway -- white-steepled churches,
bed and breakfast accommodations, romantic dining and great skiing.
In more recent times, shopping has
also taken root in Manchester. The city's website, ManchesterVermont.com,
says: 'Today, visitors to our community come to enjoy Brooks Brothers,
Ralph Lauren and J. Crew, as well as the more traditional recreational
activities.'
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
There's a reason the Kennedy family
owned vacation homes in Cape Cod. This New England seascape is the
essence of 'small beach town' tranquility. Don't expect an action-packed
beach-resort experience - Cape Cod is not that kind of vacation spot.
But if your idea of relaxation is a seaside stroll along historic
harbors, biking and boating, and visiting an antique shop or two, then
this is your place.
5. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a picturesque city
with a diverse mix of cultures and populations. It's also a popular
destination for couples in search of a romantic getaway. Between the
Golden Gate Bridge and their world-famous trolleys, San Francisco offers
something for everyone.
As an alternative, you might also
consider adjacent Sausalito, California, a Mediterranean-style village
that marks the gateway to California Wine Country. And speaking of
California wine...
6. California Wine Country
If your idea of romance involves good
wine and good scenery, you can't go wrong with California Wine Country
as your destination. Napa Valley and Sonoma County are about an hour's
drive north of San Francisco, and they have long been an attraction for
honeymooners, wine lovers, and wine-loving honeymooners. Add in the
scenery and the availability of bed-and-breakfast-style lodging, and you
have all the makings of a great romantic getaway.
7. Big Island, Hawaii
Sure, some parts of Hawaii are quite
touristy. (Waikiki comes to mind.) But there are plenty of locations on
the volcano-formed island that offer beauty, seclusion and a nature-rich
experience you can't find anywhere else.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kona
Village Resort is famous for providing comfort and luxury in an
otherwise remote tropical region. Many of the flowers and plants that
are native to Hawaii, are sold to be given out on special occasions. You
can find them
here, if you want to get a taste of Hawaii before you visit. The resort is also a popular spot for
honeymooners, and it comes up on quite a few 'top ten' lists like this
one.
8. Charleston, South Carolina
I grew up in Virginia and have
traveled all throughout the Carolinas. But when I think of 'Southern
hospitality,' one place comes to mind above all others. Charleston,
South Carolina. Marjabelle Young Stewart, one of America's well-known
etiquette experts, once called Charleston the 'most mannerly' city in
the U.S., and I think she was right.
Founded in 1670, Charleston held
significance during both the American Revolution and the Civil War. To
this day, it retains much of its old-world charm and gentility. Conde
Nast Traveler has named it a top-ten domestic destination for nine
consecutive years.
There's one other thing I love about
Charleston. I'm a southerner by birth, and I vote for Charleston as
having the most delightful of all the southern dialects.
If you have extra time, make a trip up
the coast to beautiful Myrtle Beach where you can find gorgeous scenery
and affordable housing like Avista Resorts.
9. Niagara Falls
Maid of the Mist tour boat, Niagara Falls.
Okay, so this one's a bit cliché. But
the reason Niagara Falls has been in so many movies, songs and
water-cooler conversations is because so many people flock to it with
romantic notions in mind. Straddling the border between the U.S. (New
York) and Canada, Niagara Falls has attracted honeymooners and getaway-ers
for 200 years.
In fact, if you played
word-association and said 'Niagara Falls,' most people would probably
say one of two things - waterfall or honeymoon. For that reason alone,
Niagara Falls has earned its place on this list.
10. Home Sweet Home
If you consider your home a cozy
refuge from the world, it is in a sense a getaway. After all, home is a
place to get away from lots of things -- work, school, crowds,
relatives, noise, traffic and hassle. It's also a place where you're the
most comfortable. So there's certainly nothing unromantic about a
crackling fire, a bottle of champagne, and a table for two in home sweet
home.
Learn More
If you're considering a romantic
getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains, I recommend contacting the nice
folks at Gatlinburg Real Estate. They offer a variety of luxury cabin
rentals in Gatlinburg. You can view their rental cabins online at
www.gatlinburgchalets.com
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
