Unconventional Romantic Destinations for Valentine’s Day

What do you think of when you think of Valentine’s Day? Chocolate? Roaring fires? Traipsing around Paris? Yeah, me too, but romantic travel doesn’t have to be relegated to just a few outdated notions. Romance can vary from person to person so today I thought I’d share some slightly unconventional romantic destinations where you can woo your loved one without the clichés.

Washington DC

As a Washingtonian, I have to include my home city but I think it deserves its spot on this list. At the right times of year, Washington can be a beautiful and incredibly romantic city. Granted, this isn’t usually in February, but you can still get out there and enjoy some private time with your partner and see some of the country’s most famous sights in the process. While there are many places in Washington I’d put on this list, one of the most romantic has to be a walk around the Tidal Basin. Made most famous by those amazing photos taken during cherry-blossom season, I personally think it’s a beautiful place to wander no matter what time of year. The Tidal Basin is also at the heart of the Washington experience with the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the FDR Memorial all standing adjacent. It’s here that you start to understand and appreciate the history of our country and it’s made even more memorable if you experience it with the love of your life.

Finnish Lapland


In general, Finland isn’t typically known for its romance and that’s particularly true in the far northern reaches of the country in the Lappish city of Rovaniemi. I think though that if you venture up when it’s still dark and cold you not only experience the region the way it is meant to be experienced, but that it can be a very romantic trip as well. Rovaniemi is most famous as the home of Santa Claus, and that should definitely be on your agenda, but for something special be sure to seek out one of the many secluded and rural cabins and sauna found in the woods of Lapland. With some new friends, I trekked out to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, a remote place hidden amongst the deep woods. There we spent the night without electricity or running water, just each other’s friendship to warm us through the night. The highlight of my evening was learning the proper way to take a traditional Finnish sauna, an experience I guarantee would be more romantic if you were there with your significant other.

Hong Kong

I love Hong Kong, a city that never ceases to surprise and delight, but not for the reasons you might think. It’d be easy to put together a Valentine’s Day full of shopping, eating and spa treatments, and while that’s all fine, for me one of the most romantic spots is in the highest hotel in the city (and the world.) The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong calls the island of Kowloon home and it’s the perfect spot to see the beautiful Hong Kong skyline in all of its glory. It’s also the tallest hotel in the world, which means the views from lounges and even your room are mesmerizing and perfect to create special memories with your significant other. To add in a little more romance, be sure to enjoy dinner at one of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants – high end dining in the highest hotel.

Prague

After decades of Communist rule one may incorrectly assume that Prague is littered with drab buildings, dour people and general unpleasantness. The last thing that came to mind before I visited was a lovely city with lots of opportunities for romantic moments, but that’s what I found. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Prague has blossomed into not just a nice place to visit, but a hugely popular tourist destination. Sure, there are remnants of its Communist past and yes, I saw a few drab buildings, but the medieval art and architecture more than make up for the design errors of the 1970s. While you won’t be alone, be sure to take a stroll along the Vltava river with Prague Castle looming nearby. I can’t think of a more romantic moment anywhere else in the world.

What are some of your favorite romantic getaways?

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