To Resort Or Not to Resort

Although going to a resort is standard fare for most couples, for some couples, they want to spend their romantic vacation in a rented house or villa. Montana has that. You can easily find a rural house or even a ranch to spend at least a weekend during your romantic vacation. You can find shared or private lodging, depending on what you’re looking for. And in every place you’re almost guaranteed to have a stunning view of the natural landscape.

Fancy Camping?

But romantic getaways in Montana can be taken a step further. While few people associate camping with romance, there’s nothing more romantic than the Montanan landscape, and if you really want to enjoy the great outdoors that Montana has to offer but still enjoy the amenities of a resort, there are many “glamping” opportunities available. Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous camping” and combines the fun and excitement of camping with the convenience and luxury of a resort. Often on glamping sites you’ll be given some kind of large, luxury tent with full amenities. They are almost always fully furnished with in-tent plumbing and access to resort services. It’s like having a romantic luxury suite that is just a few steps away from a breathtaking, natural landscape.

So, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Montana, you really have a variety of choices beyond your typical resort. And it’s in your best interest to look for a place that will take full advantage of Montana’s natural beauty. Spend a romantic getaway in Montana and you’ll be sure to find out why it’s called the Treasure State.

Carnival Glory

The thirteen deck Carnival Glory is the most popular local ship. It is almost 1000 feet long and requires a staff of nearly 1200 people to host up to 2000 guests. It is simply a majestic resort with over half of its rooms offering an ocean view. Attractions on the ship include a music room, theater, a water slide, and a huge outdoor screen.

For a week long romantic experience, the Carnival Glory “sets sail” for the Bahamas or Bermuda twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Popular activities for this cruise are casinos, golfing and shopping. As for the nightlife, you can plan your romance in the sand of the tropical islands, in the many clubs there are to visit or by taking a ride in a horse drawn carriage. During the day going for a romp with the dolphins, swimming in the clear lagoon or learning about the local history may be your taste between tantalizing local restaurants and fascinating shops.

If you would like to try a short cruise without stopping for all of the shopping, the Carnival Glory’s cruise to nowhere takes you away out on the sea rolling by beautiful sites, without stopping to dock. This is a wonderfully relaxing idea for getting away to spend time with each other and gives you more opportunities to enjoy what the ship has to offer. Entertainment is offered on the ship, you will not find yourself bored on this weekend journey.

The American Rover

If you are looking to get away for a couple of hours closer to home, the 135 foot American Rover may provide a shorter romance, but still is something spectacular to enjoy doing together. During the day the cruise offers narration of the local sites. After sunset a short narration is given at the start but then you are left to enjoy the night as you wish. Live entertainment is provided and the ship has two lounges and a bar as well as catering for private parties and events.

Spirit Cruises from Norfolk VA

Another great option for day cruises from Norfolk VA is the Spirit of Norfolk cruises out of The Waterside located downtown.  You will experience breathtaking views along with superb dining, entertainment, and dancing.  They also offer champagne brunches and many special occasion options.

No matter how much time you have for a romantic getaway, you can plan something special and thrilling by setting your departure from Norfolk, VA.

Castle Hill Inn and Resort

This Victorian-style oceanfront resort lies in Newport, Rhode Island at the western end of the city’s famous Oceanfront Drive. This secluded resort includes harbor house rooms, beach house rooms, beach cottages, and even a chalet. There is a seemingly endless array of activities to do here as well. You can take your pick from biking, boating, fishing, golf, antique shopping, and sailing. In the winter, you can try a little ice skating and hiking is good for any season. The amenities are also top-notch and include in-room hot tubs and jacuzzis, valet parking, and gardens for you to take a peaceful stroll through.

Inn at Ormsby Hill

This inn is located in Manchester Center, Vermont and is a comfortable romantic getaway with rooms featuring king-sized canopy beds, fireplaces, and all sorts of amenities. A few of the rooms even have sauna-style steam showers and jacuzzis for two. It has a seemingly endless list of activities to enjoy including antique shopping, canoeing, skiing, golf, hiking, and much more.

Inns and Spa at Mill Falls

For those who want to take in one of the lakeside romantic getaways in New England, there’s the Inns and Spa at Mill Falls located in beautiful Meredith, New Hampshire. This resort offers over 150 rooms where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lakes, a cascade-style spa, indoor and outdoor swimming, a variety of restaurants, and boutique-style shops. The inn lies next toLake Winnipesaukee and activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, golf, boating, biking, tennis, and much more.

Mountain Top Inn and Resort

For those wanting to experience one of the New England romantic getaways lying in a mountain setting, there is the Mountain Top Inn Resort. This peaceful lodge lies in the midst of the Green Mountains of Vermont close to the tiny town of Chittenden. The inn offers luxurious accommodations as well as pet-friendly cabins for those wanting the rugged pioneer experience. The inn is open the entire year so there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed in any season. Some of the activities include skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, golf, boating, hiking, and horseback riding.

The Wentworth, an Elegant Country Inn

The Wentworth Country Inn is another of the romantic getaways in New England that lies nestled in a mountain setting. The inn is located near Jackson Village, New Hampshire and takes its visitors to the next level of luxury with king-sized beds, oversized whirlpools, and fireplaces. Activities here are top-notch as well and include an 18-hole PGA golf course, cross country skiing, ice skating, swimming, tennis court, mountain biking, and the list goes on.

St. Regis Bora Bora Resort and Spa

This Bora Bora all inclusive resort is said to be among the most luxurious of all the spas in the area. You can stay in over-water bungalows that, while on the outside look primitive, include all of the luxuries that you would expect in an exotic resort of this nature. These bungalows come equipped with plasma televisions, high-speed internet access, DVD/CD players, air conditioning, concierge and room service, an outdoor shower, and much more. The activities seem endless here and you can partake of adventures such as shark and ray feeding, sunset cocktail cruises, jet skiing, diving, jeep safaris, and the list goes on.

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resorts and Spa

The Pearl Beach Resort & Spa at Bora Bora has a rare location in that it is located on an actual motu. A motu is a tiny island offshore formed from coral along with limestone and sand. The resort offers over the water bungalows, beach suites, and garden suites. The suites have private jacuzzis for you to relax and forget about the busy world you left. Diving is probably one of the most popular activities on Bora Bora and the Pearl Beach Resortb accommodates for that by providing a diving center. Other activities at this resort include swimming, a movie theater, and boutique for your shopping pleasure. The location is on the Motu Tevairoa which can be reached by boat and is 15 minutes away from the City of Bora Bora Vaitape or 10 minutes from the airport at Bora Bora.

Bora Bora Hilton Nui Resort and Spa

The Bora Bora Nui Hilton Resort and Spa is one of the Bora Bora all inclusive resorts where you can enjoy its cozy location in a solemn white sand and lava rock cove with the natural protection of coral reefs. You will find that this makes snorkeling a popular activity here. It is said to be a great getaway because you can enjoy a boat ride to the nearby Islet of Motu Tapu and the day relaxing in its natural beauty. The rooms are actually what they call over-water presidential villas and in them you can view the ocean life under them through glass floor panels. Other features of these exquisite accommodations include private balconies next to the water with lagoon views and bathrooms made of Italian marble.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

This is one of the Bora Bora all inclusive resorts that is truly magnificent. It is another over-water resort that includes bungalows and private villas. Some of their units even include private pools. The stretch of units lies at the foot of Mount Otemanu and the combination of turquoise waters with a lush green peak in the background makes for a stunning view. Activities here include a variety of tour options, the beach, swimming, spa, massage, bar, and fine dining.

7-Day Carnival Western Caribbean Cruises from Tampa

This cruise takes you to the Western Caribbean island region where you will recognize such famous places in paradise such as Aruba and Antigua. This is one of the cruises out of Tampa that takes place on the Legend which is one of Carnival’s fastest cruise ships. On board the ship, you will enjoy grand staterooms, fine dining, and entertainment to include the finest of stage shows. At your destination points, you can enjoy the thrill of sliding down a tight cable over a tropical rainforest canopy, white sand beaches, waters that are crystal clear, private island snorkeling, jeep safaris, lobster and champagne cruises, sea turtles, stingray feeding, and much more.

5-Night Royal Caribbean Western Caribbean Cruise

This cruise takes place aboard the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas beginning in Tampa with the destinations of Cozumel (off the eastern coast of the Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula), and Costa Maya which is another tourist region of Mexico. On board the Caribbean Jewel there are plenty of activities to include a rock climbing wall, casino, lounge, spa, restaurants, and coffee house. Cabins on the Caribbean Jewel have two twin beds that can be converted to a queen size, verandas, refrigerator, and a safe. They also have balcony staterooms with an area where you can sit with your significant other in a love seat. And, at the high end of cabin options, they have several styles of suites to choose from. Their Junior Suite is the size of two standard cabins and then they offer Grand Suites and Owner’s Suites which have whirlpool baths, marble bathrooms, and quality sound systems.

7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise on Holland America

The Holland America ship, the Ms. Ryndam, is one of the vessels that carries vacationers on cruises from Tampa to the Western Caribbean. The journey takes you from Tampa to Key West, Jamaica, Cayman Islands,Cozumel, and back to where you left. The accommodations on-board are quite impressive and there is a room to fit any budget. Room choices include Interior (no window view), Ocean View, Veranda Suite, and Deluxe Veranda Suite with the latter two being at the high end of the price spectrum. Two of the days during the cruise are “at sea” days but there are plenty of activities to include culinary classes, on-board fitness center, shopping, yoga, massage, spa, and many more.

Norwegian’s 12-Day Caribbean Escape Cruise out of  Tampa

This cruise takes place on-board the Norwegian Dawn which is operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines. The ship has been just recently refurbished and has been taking passengers to the Caribbean since January of 2012. The cruise line is notorious for its distinctive “freestyle cruising” where passengers do not have to follow a restrictive agenda. For example, there is a casual dress code and passengers do not have assigned tables and seating. The atmosphere is totally relaxed. The amenities on-board the Norwegian Dawn include an atrium standing at a height of eight decks, restaurants, bars, and plenty of activities. In fact, the list of activities is quite impressive with Broadway-style shows, wellness seminars, casino, live music, dancing, shopping, and even a library. One of the 12-day cruises from Tampa with stops at Ocho Rios, Curacao, Aruba, St. Marteen, and St. Thomas and then ends up in Boston.

Rosario Resort and Spa

This is one of the romantic weekend getaways in Washington State that is situated on Orcas Island and offers all of the pleasures of nature in a fisherman’s environment. Orcas Island is part of the San Juan Island archipelago which lies in Cascade Bay to the northwest of Washington State’s Pacific coastline. The group of islands is actually close to the Canadian border. Accommodations are even more romantic as they offer several style choices to include their Bayside Rooms, Cliffhouse Honeymoon Suite, and Roundhouse Suite. They also have four hillside two-bedroom suites know as The Residences that offer guests breathtaking views of the bay. The activities here are bountiful and include whale watching, wildlife cruises, fishing charters, bicycling, biplane tours, golf, and many more.

Willows Lodge

Wine sampling and romance seem to go together and for those who agree there is the Willows Lodge nestled in Washington’s wine country. This is one of the romantic getaways in Washington State that offers the convenience of being only 25 miles from Seattle. What is even more romantic is that the rooms in this lodge all have fireplaces and two-person hot tubs. While activities are centered on wine tasting, you can also take in some micro brew beer sampling at the Redhook Brewery if this is more up your alley. Other activities are focused mostly on relaxation and include bicycling and strolling around the area and enjoying the serenity of the lush greenery.

Houseboats for Two

Houseboats for Two is one of the Washington State romantic getaways that make this area a little different when you are seeking a unique experience. This is a resort where guests stay in houseboats designed with couples in mind. Houseboats for two is located in Pleasant Harbor which is only about 2 hours from Seattle. The only guests allowed are couples—no kids or families. The idea is peacefulness and serenity so that couples can focus only on each other. The accommodations of each houseboatinclude a queen-size bed, galley, TV, DVD/CD player, covered deck, and even a fireplace. There are also some other things to do such as a heated outdoor pool, boat rides, restaurants, and airplane tours. FallsCreek, Dosewallips Falls, and Rockybrook Falls are nearby where you can enjoy sightseeing, shell fishing, and hiking.

Inn of the White Salmon

Salmon is what makes Washington famous and this inn reflects that in its name. Actually, this is one of the romantic getaways in Washington State that focuses on simplicity. The inn can be found near the Columbia River Gorge in White Salmon, Washington. The rooms are clean and decorated in a simple country style with each having amenities such as a private bath, television, and wireless Internet. There is a sitting parlor where you can enjoy a fireplace as well. Activities here are centered around nature as there are plenty of natural sights to enjoy. The town of White Salmon also has an artist community and you can go shopping for antiques, jewelry, flowers, and much more. This is also wine country and there are wineries in the area where you can sample some of their creations.

Couples Swept Away Negril

As mentioned before, one of two resorts in the City of Negril is the Couples Swept Away and it lies on the famous Seven Mile Beach. The Seven Mile beach is said to have some of the purest white sand inJamaica. It has 37 acres of room structure with some on the beach front. The rooms are simply beautiful while still remaining simple which is what most look for when coming to a quiet tropical Paradise such asJamaica. The furnishings are made of cedar and draped with cool white linens. The shutters on the windows remind you of a scene from a Caribbean style plantation and the rooms have their own secluded verandas that are perfect for relaxing because each comes with its own hammock as well as lounge seating. Activities for your enjoyment include open-air cafes and a sports complex that occupies 10 acres and features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, spa, and fitness center.

Couples Negril

This is the second resort in this city after Couples Swept Away Negril. Its rooms are decorated with linens of tropical colors and paintings and sculptures by Jamaican artists. Just like the Negril Couples Swept Away, this branch of the resort chain lies on a pure white sand beach. It also has a collection of restaurants and bars that make the perfect venue for gathering with others to share a chat over tropical drinks. The list of activities that you can enjoy here is quite long and includes snorkeling, scuba diving, yoga, tennis, massage, and enjoying a bonfire that pierces the night on the beach.

Couples Tower Isle

In addition to Couples Swept Away Negril and its sister in the same city, there are other resorts in this Jamaican resort chain and one of those is Couple Swept Away Tower Isle. This resort is located in Ocho Rios, another of the main cities on the island. The terrain is impressive with its lush century-old palm trees and white sand beaches that cover an incredibly wide area. Rooms are accented with jade chaise lounges and blue tile which spice up the overall white architecture. Activities include reef snorkeling, windsurfing, sunset sailing, and just relaxing in the cool ocean breezes.

Couples Sans Souci

Couples Swept Away Sans Souci is the third in the chain that includes Couples Swept Away Negril and Tower Isle. Like Tower Isle, the Sans Souci resort is in Ocho Rios and lies on Jamaica’s Emerald Coastcliffs. The architecture of the resort reflects that of the colonial days when Spain and later England heldJamaica as a possession. Here you will find shorter length secluded beaches, spa treatment huts, mineral springs, and isolated pathways made of stone that are perfect for a peaceful stroll.

Cove Haven Resort

This retreat is among the romantic getaways in PA and is perfect for a couple to escape the stress and heat of the city and spend time focused on each other. The resort has several suites and they offer such amenities as a private indoor heated pool, couple’s whirlpools, living rooms, and cable television. A spa with massage service is also offered. Activities include the Sports Palace where you can enjoy a variety of sports indoors such as tennis, miniature golf, racquetball, and ice skating. In addition to all this, there is even a health club and spa with two whirlpools, a swimming pool, and an area to enjoy billiards. Outdoor activities include water skiing and speedboats. Nightly entertainment can be found in the Champagne Palace and Spooner’s Cafe offers a fine dining experience.

Woodloch Resort

This is among the award-winning all inclusive Poconos resorts near Hawley, Pennsylvania. The Woodloch Resort is more oriented towards family fun although they do offer a wedding planning service. Resort accommodations can be chosen from one of four styles. First, there are the Classic Standard Timberline units having a rugged country style and that come furnished with double beds and two televisions. The other accommodation units include the Deluxe Lakeview Greenbriar, Edgewater Suite Springbrook, and the two-bedroom Mountain Laurel Country Suite. The latter requires a minimum of four adults. There is a long list of activities that are designed to appeal to everyone in the family to include a variety of games, arts and crafts, winter Olympics, hiking, miniature golf, rock climbing, and the list goes on.

Skytop Lodge

This is another of the award-winning all inclusive Poconos resorts and is a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America. The lodge was established in 1928 and its charm that reflects one of America’s most prosperous times still remains today. The lodge rises in a picturesque setting overlooking SkytopLake. The Skytop Lodge has been providing the ultimate getaway for families for decades and activities include skiing, ice skating, archery, miniature golf, health club, swimming, and much more.

Mount Airy Casino Poconos Resort

This is one of the all inclusive Poconos resorts where one can take in a little gambling if he so desires. Accommodations are offered that will suit any taste. They offer their King Rooms, Queen Rooms, and a King Suite. The King Rooms, as the name implies, have a king-sized bed, while the Queen Rooms have pillow-topped Queen beds. Both styles of rooms come with plenty of amenities such as large bathrooms, flat screen 37” LCD televisions, coffee makers, in-room mini bar plus safe, and much more. Nothing is spared when it comes to their King Suite with its living room, incredibly large bathroom, wet bar, and pillow-top king-sized bed. Activities include a gaming, golf, theater, bars, and fine dining.

Booking a cruise is not hard to do. A few minutes on the phone with a customer service representative, or an even shorter time online, will do the trick. Once booked, finding the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal is a simple task. It’s right there in the heart of downtown San Diego.

Holland America Cruise Lines offers a great opportunity for cruises out of San Diego, as their Ms. Statendam soon will be offering a 14 day excursion through the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Ports of call in between will include Bahia Magdelana, Puerto Vallarta, El Quetzal and others. This is a great, affordably priced, opportunity to see some of the charm of Central America. Prices normally range from $149 for a regular berth to $ 299 for a family sized suite, making this by far one of the best priced cruise options available.

One of the most reputable sources of cruises from San Diego is Carnival Cruise Lines, who are currently offering a five day cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Their Carnival Spirit cruise liner also will have a nine day round trip Mexican cruise with amazing ports of call including Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada. Prices vary from $189 to $569.

Celebrity Cruise Lines is another leading provider of San Diego cruises, who are currently offering an awesome 15 day round trip cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, with calls in Honolulu, Kilauea Volcano, Lahaina, and Hilo, among others. They also offer a one way 11 day trip to Vancouver, with multiple ports of call along the Western coast, including San Francisco, Santa Catalina, Astoria, Whistler, and Victoria. Rates vary from $449 to $1649, making this one of the pricier ways to go. One should consult one’s budget before considering this option although, for those who can afford to go first class, Celebrity does offer one of the fanciest, luxury equipped, cruises out of San Diego.

All of the above companies have great customer service reputations, and merit exemplary reviews on most professional consumer ratings sites. All cruises from San Diego originate or terminate at the “B” Street Cruise Ship Terminal, on 1150 North Harbor Drive. Parking is currently $7 per day, and there is a fenced, open air parking lot to store your vehicle, which is fully patrolled by professional security personnel. No advance reservations are currently required.

Widow McCrea House

This is located in Frenchtown and can even be reached by public transit from New York City. This is a Victorian-style bed and breakfast carved out of a structure originally built in the 1870s by a lady known as Widow McCrea. This bed and breakfast romantic getaway basically lies between New York and Philadelphia. Romance in a relaxing setting is what this getaway is all about. You can enjoy the Delaware River, fine art and antique shops, fine dining, Jacuzzi, and fine wine. You can even rent a bicycle built for two and ride along paths next to the Delaware River’s canals.

Crystal Springs – Grand Cascades Way Lodge

The Grand Cascades Way Lodge is located at the Crystal Springs Resort, Sussex County, New Jersey. This romantic getaway sports an indoor biosphere pool complex. The architecture of the hotel is Adirondack-style with natural stonework and large wooden beams that fit perfectly in a mountain setting. There are plenty of other things to do here as well. The resort has an incredible seven golf courses all located within a radius of five miles. It has spas, restaurants, hiking, fishing, skiing, a water park, mountain biking, and even a kids’ camp.

The Mason Cottage

Located in the Southern shore region in Cape May, NJ, the Mason Cottage is another of the romantic getaways in New Jersey that is a Victorian-style bed and breakfast inn. It was originally a private summer cottage built in 1871 by Edward A. Warne who was an enterprising businessman at the time. You can enjoy the beach, Victorian gardens, bicycling, and fine dining. On the first Friday of each month between October and March, you can enjoy what they call the Wine and Chocolate Reception where you can indulge on these next to a fire while listening to jazz music.

Cedars and Beeches Bed and Breakfast Country Inn

This romantic bed and breakfast offers a weekend getaway in another Victorian-style country mansion. It is located in Long Branch, New Jersey close to the beaches. They have several special packages to include the Ultimate Romantic Getaway, Romance for Two, Babymoon Escape, Just for Girls, and Bride and Company. Activities and places to visit include tennis, golf, swimming, shopping, fine dining, museums, concerts, and theatres.

White Lilac Inn

This is one of the romantic getaways in NJ in a setting next to the serenity of Spring Lake, NJ. It is also a Victorian-style bed and breakfast inn with history back to 1889. Visiting this inn is like stepping back in time with it open-air private porches where you can spend a romantic evening outdoors. Activities include beaches, boating, shopping, fishing, concerts, golf, and casinos at nearby Atlantic City. In fact, the list of activities at this inn is quite extensive.