February is the month of love, when people around the world celebrate the ones they care about the most. And what better way to do this then by spending time together in places that inspire love and encourage connection?
Not sure where to start? Check out the destinations below. From beaches to mountains to the iconic landmarks, we’re pretty certain you’ll want to start planning your trip sooner rather than later.
BORA BORA: Panoramic Views Of Paradise
Between South America and Australia, hidden among the waters of the Pacific Ocean, is what many believe to be the most beautiful island in the world. This French Polynesian Island was formed by a volcano seven million years ago, and a remnant of that volcano, Mount Otemanu, sits in its center. A lagoon and a barrier reef surround Bora Bora and just about everywhere you look, you see paradise.
Bora Bora might be small in size — six miles long and two miles wide — but it’s reputation as an exotic romantic getaway is huge. Luxury beach resorts and overwater bungalows hovering above stunning turquoise waters are what lure tourists, including celebrities (hotel heiress and socialite Paris Hilton and husband, Carter Reum, kicked off their seven-week honeymoon here).
If your heart is set on making this trip happen, be prepared to spend some money. Bungalows can run as much as $1,000 a night, however there are ways to cut costs: visiting in the offseason (December to March, excluding Christmas and New Year’s) or booking a cruise that includes a stop at the island are some pro-tips to making this dream vacation a reality.
ARUBA: Sugar Sand Beaches And Natural Pools
Celebrate love among the scenic sugar-sand beaches and crystal clear waters in this friendly Dutch Caribbean island.
Whether you’re craving alone time with your partner or enjoying a family celebration, Aruba has multiple, lavish resorts that will set you up depending on your energy level. Relax the day away on the beach with a great book (and even better cocktail) or enjoy an active day of snorkeling, diving or parasailing.
Aruba, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, only stretches 20 miles long. Surprisingly, a national park takes up about a big chunk of it.
At Arikok National Park, the most popular attraction is the natural pools surrounded by volcanic rock. Once you travel a long, rocky road, your reward is having the day to relax in a calm swimming hole of cobalt-colored waters, where you can snorkel with tropical fish or dive off a cliff if you dare. (If you’re a fan of HGTV’s “Caribbean Life,” then you’ve probably seen it and wished you were there!) There’s also horseback riding and ATV-off road tours exploring the breathtakingly beautiful rocky terrain with the deep blue hues of the ocean serving as backdrop.
SEDONA, ARIZONA: Rave About The Red Rocks
While it’s true that beaches are popular getaways to celebrate love, let’s not forget that Mother Nature has blessed us with plenty of other stunning landscapes.
The red rocks of Sedona, Arizona are one of them. Visitors say that these massive, majestic rocks have a spiritual feel, offering an opportunity for soul searching as you walk among them. This is one of those places where those who live here say that pictures don’t do it justice. You have to see it, they say, to experience it.
And there are plenty of ways to explore the red rocks: hiking, biking or even from the basket of a hot air balloon — the latter being a truly memorable experience.
For some relaxation, head to one of the city’s many notable spas, and enjoy the fine dining Sedona offers.
The city is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day. Once darkness settles in, visitors will likely get a show of the stars like they’ve never seen before. Sedona is strict on its night pollution, limiting the amount of light at night, which makes for a magical sky once the sun sets.
It’s also an optimal home base for those planning a day trip to tourist attractions like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (if you have social media, you’ve likely seen pictures of these majestic places). A visit to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is only a two-hour drive away.
TELLURIDE, CO: Gondolas, Carriage Rides And Slopes
Telluride, Colorado offers what just may be one of the most romantic activities in the world.
It doesn’t involve candlelight, food or sunsets. But it does involve a few horses.
It’s an old-fashioned, charming sleigh ride, the kind you see in Hallmark Christmas movies. You can book one in this ski resort town and admire the snow-covered forests by way of a horse-drawn carriage. Sounds perfect, right?
You can also enjoy the mountainous scenery from Telluride’s gondola ride, which offers stunning views, including the night sky if you’re up for an evening adventure.
Many visitors travel to the Telluride Ski Resort, which is known worldwide as a premier ski resort destination. People of all skill levels have plenty of options when it comes to skiing the resort’s 2,000 acres.
If you happen to visit Telluride in the spring or summer, there are still plenty of things to do. Horseback ride through the mountains, hike to waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest waterfall in Colorado, or enjoy the local food scene. Telluride has an eclectic restaurant scene, including one eatery called The Tunnel, where patrons enter through a secret door and are escorted to a hidden dining room for a meal that reviewers say you will always remember. While the pre-fixe menu changes every few months, past dishes have included crab and lobster hushpuppies, surf and turf and cherry-smoked seared duck.
VENICE, ITALY: The Floating City
Venice, Italy. So many things come to mind when someone mentions this dreamy city: The winding canals, the gondola rides and the impressive architecture like St. Mark’s Basilica. And we can’t forget the seafood, pastries and wines that foodies travel thousands of miles just to savor.
All of these things and more make Venice — otherwise known as the floating city — one of the most popular cities for tourism on a global level.
It is also home to the oldest opera house in the world. Teatro La Fenice, which was founded in 1792, is nicknamed “The Phoenix” because it caught fire twice and was completely rebuilt in 1996. It’s been the site of many operatic premieres led by famed Italian composers in the 19th century.
Stroll along the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal, the main waterway of Venice. Or take a gondola ride beneath the iconic Bridge of Sighs, where legend has it that couples who kiss beneath it are said to find eternal love.
LOVERS KEY, FORT MYERS BEACH: Wedding Bliss
We all know that our beautiful state offers plenty of picture-perfect destinations to celebrate love in. But, for this list, one place stuck out more than the others: Lovers Key State Park near Southwest Florida’s Fort Myers Beach.
Maybe it was because this beach has been the site of thousands of sunset weddings or that it’s named after romance, but Lovers Key is not to be missed.
Lovers Key is one of the most popular state parks in Florida, and it protects barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico. Developers had their eyes on the 1,616 acres in the early 1980s, but the state managed to acquire the property in 1983 and, since then, it’s been a popular slice of paradise in Southwest Florida.
The two-mile long pristine beach is known for its shelling and kayaking and is a favorite among photographers thanks to the gorgeous natural shoreline. Here you can hike or bike more than five miles of trails through mangroves that lead you to the water, or you can hop on a shuttle for a quick tour of the park before settling into a beach chair for the day.
It’s not unusual to spot dolphin and manatee here, nor is it out of the ordinary to see couples tie the knot. If you happen to visit Lovers Key on Valentine’s Day, you will likely notice many couples in the gazebo renewing their wedding vows. It’s an annual tradition and is as popular as catching a sunset. Watching the sky turn into an artists’ palette of pastels as the sun drops is just as magical as it sounds, so be sure not to miss it!
PARIS, FRANCE: Fairy-Tale Destination
This list wouldn’t be complete without including the most romantic city in the world.
Paris, France — where couples embrace in front of the Eiffel Tower and walk hand-in-hand on cobblestone streets after sharing a romantic meal at an outdoor cafe. Admiring the Seine River by boat ride also fits into most anyone’s plans for a fairy-tale like stay.
Paris, known as the City of Light, is a place where writers and artists flock for inspiration. From charming architecture to famous museums to a renowned food culture and luxury shopping districts, Paris offers so much for so many that it’s difficult to fit it all into one trip.
We suggest you include a stroll on the famous Pont des Arts bridge while in Paris. Couples spent the last few years attaching locks to the railings of the bridge and tossing the keys in the Seine. Though the practice has been banned and the locks were removed in 2015, love is still in the air here. Just look around you, and you’ll see it.