Because Nothing Says “I Love You” Like a Plane Ticket

Parents know that the key to filling our kids’ cups is to make sure we make time to fill our own, too. Go ahead, book the babysitter and plan a getaway with your loved one (of the adult variety!) for a romantic getaway guaranteed to recharge. From a splurge on vacation spots in the Caribbean and Florida to a New England hideaway and a Maine escape with ocean views all around, here’s where to whisk away your significant other for a romantic getaway to remember.

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Book the Babysitter: 5 Romantic Destinations 

From my toasty perch submerged in the hot tub on the balcony of a log cabin at Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado last month—noticeably relaxed husband soaking silently beside me—there was one thing missing. Our two swim diaper-clad toddlers, prone to kick, splash and generally run amok anyplace water is involved.

“Don’t you miss them?” I asked by default, as the whinny of a horse filled the valley below us and snowflakes floated down from the sky. Happy hour cocktails would start in an hour in the lodge, so we were resting up for the occasion.

“Of course,” he replied, sipping a can of Colorado IPA and sinking further into the water, “But we needed this.”

And of course, he’s right. Getting out the door might be the hardest thing about leaving the kids behind for a romantic getaway. But once the two of you are out there in the world, it’s time let the good times roll.

Where to Find Your Bliss

A dude ranch was my place to reconnect. Other couples find their bliss in the urban energy of New York City or San Francisco. Still others choose the outdoor wonder of Hawaii or a national park, maybe even a soak in a natural hot springs. You don’t need rose petals on the bed, a week at an all inclusive resort in Jamaica or a long haul flight to an exotic location like Thailand (although those are very nice)!

Sometimes all it takes is sneaking away for an afternoon on the golf course, a cooking class, or even sipping a glass of wine by the fire pit. The key is the lack of kiddos.

So where should you go for a romantic getaway? Here are some of our favorite romantic destinations.

Escape to a Ranch in Colorado

Family ski vacations are a lot of fun. They’re a lot of work, too, between all the layers of clothing, wedging their feet into ski boots and changing diapers in a snow suit. Once you experience a romantic getaway in the snow with just your significant other, you’ll realize that even readying for the slopes can feel like a vacation.

My husband and I loved our four-night escape to Visit Verde Ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We spent the mornings on backcountry ski tours with a resort guide or working on our horse skills in the arena. Next was horseback riding in the snow before breaking for a hot tub session and lunch.

The property is a collection of cozy, individual cabins–all with hot tubs and fireplaces–and there are three rooms in the main lodge, too. The fact that there were no TVs in the cabins made it so easy to disconnect and relax.

Come evening time, we’d ride the feed sleigh into the pasture to dole out hay and alfalfa to the horses. Finally, we would settle in for a game of Backgammon with a glass of wine in the main lodge, which felt like a giant living room.

I’ve never felt so recharged from a winter vacation.

Experience California Wine Country without the Crowds 

TravelingMom founder Kim Orlando points to Temecula, California as a prime place for a relaxed romantic getaway. “Friendly, easy and smallish, it’s wine country without the crowds,” she says.

Just over an hour southeast of Los Angeles in the Temecula Valley, the region is known for having a slew of vineyards and wineries and a delightfully unpretentious vibe. Orlando points to the “decadent patio restaurant” at Wilson Creek Winery as being inviting for a relaxed lunch and views from tables set alongside a babbling brook.

She also likes the Robert Renzoni Winery for wine tasting or a meal. For a romantic boutique inn in the area, look to the Ponte Vineyard Inn, consistently named among the top vineyard hotels in the United States. While there’s no onsite spa here, in-room couples massages can be arranged.

Bask in French-Style Romance without Crossing the Atlantic 

The Caribbean is full of swoon-worthy destinations for the best romantic getaway, but it’s hard to top the authentic tres chic vibe of St. Barths.

TravelingMom Catherine Bennett Kopf warns that it will be hard to return to your day-to-day routine after escaping to this hideaway in the French West Indies. But, she says, “you’ll have the memory of fab French meals, gorgeous Caribbean sunsets and chilled rosé by the pool” to keep you keeping on.

If you’ve got money to burn, picture yourselves, Champagne (it’s France, after all–no prosecco here!) in hand, in the infinity pool at a private hilltop villa like Villa Vue des Rêves. (You could ostensibly share with some of your best couple friends, since there are five bedrooms in total).

If you prefer a boutique hotel on a strip of beachfront where snorkeling awaits just offshore, consider booking one of the romantic guest rooms at the Cheval Blanc, one of the most celebrated hotels in all of the Caribbean.

Reconnect at an Adults-Only Hotel in the Florida Keys 

Back open since Dec. 2019 after a devastating fire, the Bungalows Key Largo is just a 90-minute drive south into the Florida Keys from the Miami International Airport.

The adults-only vibe at this all-inclusive resort will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to some Caribbean oasis. Beachfront in Key Largo, with floating tiki boats just offshore, an infinity pool angled for sparkling water views and plenty of cabanas for napping in the shade, the hotel is built for reconnecting with your significant other.

The property’s decadent spa is surrounded by stands of black bamboo and with a private pool and hot tub. They offer couples massages, facials, aromatherapy and other spa treatments.

The Florida Keys are all about what awaits out on the water. The hotel concierge can help you book snorkeling excursions, kayaking outings and sunset catamaran cruises that get washed down with cocktails and tapas.

Set Your Sights on the Quieter Side of the Dominican Republic 

The Dominican Republic is a diverse Caribbean destination with many beachfront and oceanfront resorts to explore. But for a romantic getaway that charts a course away from the nightlife of Punta Cana crowds, head southwest to La Romana and its palm-lined stretches of sand.

A laid-back vibe and spectacular white-sand beaches await at the Hilton La Romana Resort. TravelingMom Catherine Parker loved this adults-only all-inclusive. Get a couples massages or use the sauna or outdoor hydrotherapy hot tub at the inviting spa.

“Pack a book, a sunhat and three swimsuits, then reserve a swim-out room,” suggests Parker. The outdoor patio of those room opens to a pool with your personal chaise lounge chairs at the ready.