More suggestions for our 50th, in country?

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Where within the USA are the romantic places ... Places where you have been that made you wish you and your spouse could stay... places you didn't want to leave?

Or maybe places you wish you could go, but haven't? Tell what there was that was soooo romantic.

I think where we go needs to be where we want to share the moment for a week or more.

After all, this needs to be special. Simply lovely views, atmosphere and accommodations.


Where are such locations within the continental limits?


Robert

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Where within the USA are the romantic places ... Places where you have been that made you wish you and your spouse could stay... places you didn't want to leave?

Or maybe places you wish you could go, but haven't? ...

I wish to thank all who have replied to our request. So far we've received these suggestions:

Sanibel Island, Gorgeous sunsets at the Mucky Duck whilst listening to the jazz & Spanish guitar player at the outdoor lounge. Walks on the beach.
There are no streetlights on Sanibel, so nightlife was limited. There's one small movie theater. Sunset boat tours.

Captiva Island next to Sanibel(beautiful/tropical).

Santa Barbara Resort and Yaucht Club, Pompano Beach

Kauai with the dramatic cliffs and mountains as a backdrop. Wonderful beaches. nicer for strolling and many have easy access).
Hike challenging trails, drive down country roads, like rural areas, walk to a remote beach..

Kauai .. Loads of fine dining, great shopping, wonderful snorkelling from the shore, beaches to stroll, a mix of rural and urban.

Sedona.

Westin Kierland in Scottsdale.

National Parks (getting up for sunrise over Bryce Canyon, sunset over the Grand Canyon and others were very romantic).

Coeur d'Alene Resort. http://www.cdaresort.com/resort

Charleston, SC. ... a very romantic city and a great place to visit. Neat laid back place.

Hilton Head Island.

Virginia - most beautiful place on earth. The green, rolling mountains are a fairyland. A myriad of warm and hot springs and baths, B&Bs, and the famous The Homestead.

Santa Barbara, CA Channel Islands visable offshore and the Santa Ynez Mountains rising dramatically behind the city. It is a lush, green oasis where tropical foliage and flowers are everywhere. Beautiful resorts stretch along the beachfront while downtown is filled with shops, outdoor cafes, and galleries.

California Coast

Carmel

San Francisco

Maui … beautiful overshore islands. Nice beaches for strolling). Top-notch restaurants. Not a big city or traffic jams, plenty to do, views to die for, fragrant flowers.
Eating at Mama's Fish House or sitting under a palapa eating lunch with our toes in the sand at Hula Grill in Ka'anapali staring at Molokai and Lanai and gorgeous water.
There is also private dining on the ocean, table for two. Either Wailea/Central Maui where the Four Seasons (great cove beach, ocean walking path and Wolfgang Puck restaurant, private massage booths on the beach or stay in Ka'anapali area at the Westin TS.
-----------------------------------------

Several stated a general location, but gave no reasons why.
Any comments on this listing?

Does anyone have romantic places to add? How about in the northeast?

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

One of the most romantic trips we've done was the California coast from Moro Bay to Fort Bragg. The views of the ocean were spectacular; the places we stayed were special--I remember little things about each one--the redwoods were wonderful; Hearst Castle was impressive.....it was a vacation that always causes us to smile when we remember it. That time we didn't go to San Francisco, but we have lots of times since, and it, too, is special. However, our favorite romantic vacation would involve driving, not staying in one place for a week......so I think it's not what you're looking for. We've had some special vacations (and where we live is special) in Mexico, too. They would be "spend a week" kinds of places. Any interest in Mexico?

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

... We've had some special vacations (and where we live is special) in Mexico, too. They would be "spend a week" kinds of places. Any interest in Mexico?

Entice us by naming the places you consider "spend a week" places. List 5 things that make them romantic.

We are concerned with the flight duration, car rental policies and the economics of getting there from Newport News, VA.

Once at a location, we like to take in the surrounding area. What do these places have to offer?

How smart is it for non-resident to drive in Mexico?

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

Entice us by naming the places you consider "spend a week" places. List 5 things that make them romantic.
Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and right where we are, 30 miles south of San Diego
1. The ocean views (see the view I have from my bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, and balcony beside my name).
2. The decidedly romantic restaurants
3. Visiting new spots, such as the Guadalupe Valley wine country, which is 40 minutes south of us or in Puerto Vallarta, visiting Guadalahara, a few hours from Puerta Vallarta or the Lake Chapala area, a little south of Guadalahara or driving to some of the little towns north of Puerto Vallarta
4. strolling along cobblestone streets and shopping
5. enjoying the laid back attitude that seems to come with simply being in Mexico.
6. In Cabo, visiting the glass factory, driving up the coast, visiting La Paz, a pretty much non-touristy Mexican city, going in a glass bottom boat ride, going out to see the whales, taking a water taxi from your hotel/timeshare to another spot

We are concerned with the flight duration, car rental policies and the economics of getting there from Newport News, VA.
Fares are good now to all parts of Mexico because tourism is waaaay down because of negative American press (which I believe is unjustified) and the swine flu scare. The L.A. Times just gave Mexico high praise for its handeling of the swine flu, particularly compared to England which isn't even reporting the cases accurately, and even the U.S. which has done little to actually curb the spread of the disease.

Once at a location, we like to take in the surrounding area. What do these places have to offer?
See above. Should you decide to venture south to our area, I can be very specific about restaurants, activities, etc.
Americans now are very concerned with Mexican drug violence. Other than saying it has been very overplayed in American media, I can say that the violence is almost totally confined to the drug group; it occurs on the far, far east side of Tijuana, where you, as a tourist, would have a problem getting to even if you wanted to. It's very different from L.A. where you can find yourself in a very dangerous area by simply exiting the freeway at the wrong exit, or Orlando where the dangerous areas are very, very close to main tourist areas, or New Orleans where the murder rate per 100,000 exceeds Tijuana's rate, which is confined to the drug trade, or even Washington D.C. and Baltimore where dangerous areas are "easily reachable" by the tourist who is not aware. We feel totally safe here, as do our many friends.

How smart is it for non-resident to drive in Mexico?

We've never found it to be a problem. We live in Rosarito Beach well over half the year, and we drive all over on the Mexican side of the border. At least once a week we cross the border to San Diego for shopping, a medical appointment, to see a movie, etc. Obviously, we drive back and forth a lot. Most of our friends cross the border 2 to 3 times a week; several cross the border daily to work in the U.S. All of us have cars registered in the U.S. We all "look American;" none of us know any of the police. We've been here for 10 years; most of our friends have been here longer; many are full time residents. Until about 6 mts. ago, I could say "Not one of us has ever been stopped by a policeman." A friend was stopped about 6 mts. ago and was let go with a warning; no attempt to secure a bribe was made. If the "urban myths" about police bribery and preying upon tourists were true, surely one of us would have experienced it. I don't doubt that it has happened, but on the scale people would have you believe.....I simply don't believe it. Are Americans more likely to be stopped for speeding? The answer is yes, because they tend to speed. The limit is in kilometers; Americans are often speeding without realizing it. The local traffic often exceeds the limits and Americans keep up with the traffic, and then find themselves being pulled over. To me, it's like in the U.S.: some get caught; some don't. Are out of state speeders more likely to be pulled over in the U.S.? I tend to think the answer is yes. Do American police take bribes? No, and that's a fundamental difference. Some in Mexico do, but as I said, we have a large circle of friends who drive back and forth with considerable regularity, and not one of us has ever experienced a problem--and none of us have good Spanish (I'm certainly not bragging about that; it's a fault, but I am saying there is absolutely no reason one of us would get preferential treatment.)

In addition, there is San Diego which has a lot to offer also--though at a much higher cost. Here in the San Diego/Rosarito Beach area, we have absolutely outstanding weather: it's never too hot or too cold. We have sunlight glinting on the water and the sound of the waves. We have good food........we love it.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Why not combine a week in CA with a week on Kauai?

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Why not combine a week in CA with a week on Kauai?

IF we go to Hawaii, we would like to extend our togetherness at a couple other sites... out west.

Please everyone, suggest some romantic hideaways? You can even name some of the timeshares that you think qualify as romantic.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

IF we go to Hawaii, we would like to extend our togetherness at a couple other sites... out west.

Please everyone, suggest some romantic hideaways? You can even name some of the timeshares that you think qualify as romantic.

If summertime, Hanalei Bay resort (timeshare, but I would recommend a rental so you can choose the unit/view) on Kauai or the Hotel Hana Maui on Maui (spendy, but worth it if you've got it to spend). Hana is a romantic destination, very remote, with lots of beautiful spots to explore in the area.

I can't help with California other than to suggest Calistoga in wine country - B&B's, spas, wine, what could be better? Others should be able to help with SoCal. If you want some city time, San Francisco has a lot to offer.

[glyndac Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close glyndac]

Charleston

Charleston gets my vote too. Stay at The Lodge Alley Inn if timeshare or at a romantic inn such as Charleston's Planter's Inn or Number two Meeting Street Inn. Hire a private carriage to pick you up and take you on a tour and then drop you off at a great restaurant like Penisula Grill, Carolina's, The Oak Steakhouse or Fulton Five.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Questions about Charleston

Charleston gets my vote ... a private carriage ... restaurant like Penisula Grill, Carolina's, The Oak Steakhouse or Fulton Five.

We want warm temps, but not the humidity.

Is Charleston humid by mid June? Is the humidity usually gone by mid-September?

These restaurants: what did you find really outstanding about any of them?

Appreciate your suggestion,
Robert

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We want warm temps, but not the humidity.Robert

Do you want warm or hot? What time of the year are you talking about?

For low humidity and good weather, generally California is the best. There are so many nice romantic areas, especially along the coast. Carmel is my favorite. Lake Tahoe and Yosemite are great depending on the time of year. I am not going to suggest any timeshares because I don't think timeshares are particularly very romantic nor charming.

I think you are going about this wrong by asking too many specifics. Everybody has their own perception of romantic. I would instead seek out the area I wanted to visit and then do my own research on the specifics. For example "Trip Advisor" is an excellent source for info on romantic places. Read the user's reviews. Join their forums where you can get specific info about any locality in the world.

Don't get me wrong, It is fine to ask the folks here on TUG for ideas but I think you need to also take it a step farther by doing what I suggested.

[silly_stitcher Member Find all posts View Profile Close silly_stitcher]

We just planned our 10th anniversary: Charleston (Lodge Alley Inn) and New Orleans (Club La Pension) next March. Romantic for us means good food, unique architecture, walkable location (for hand-in-hand strolls), and history.

Other favorite, romantic locations (both in and out of the US--in case others are reading this thread for ideas):

Chicago
San Francisco and northern CA wine country
Sedona
Stratford, ON
Barcelona
London
Cotswolds
Antibes
Munich
Florence

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

We took a 10,000 mile trip out west for our 50th. Spent the actual date having dinner with friends in Newport Beach CA.

And this coming Saturday I'm hoping to gather up our 3 adult kids and going out to dinner with them for our 57th.

Robert, any place can be romantic if you wish it to be. Think of what you and Carrol would enjoy the most and plan around that.

[susieq Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close susieq]

The most beautiful and romantic place we've stayed at in the Continental U.S. would be Sedona ~ for lots of obvious reasons. We stayed at Los Abrigados there. Another great place is St. Augustine. We stayed at The Beach Club there, wonderful location, with lots of great views ~ and so much history there. Try a moonlight Horse drawn carriage ride. Anyplace you two decide on Robert, will be extra special because you're with the one you love. Oh, and by the way ~~ HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Charleston humidity

I was asking about when is the humidity in regards to Charleston, SC.