Weekend Getaways

Bring Sexy Back on an Unexpected Romantic Weekend Getaway

by Kathleen Gossman

Photograph by Kathleen Gossman

jw marriott savannah plan district

Find romance in an unexpected location, like Savannah, Georgia. (Photo: Marriott International)

As romantic gestures go, few are more memorable than a surprise trip planned by the love of your life. It’s nearly impossible to resist the candlelit dinners, decadent chocolates, luxurious hotels or moonlit walks that await you on your getaway. The real question is, which destination suits you best?

We all know the reliable standbys: Renoir’s Paris, Fellini’s Rome or Woody Allen’s Manhattan. All are lovely, but stick with the theme of an unexpected getaway in one of these unique locales.

Southern Charm

With its antebellum charms, sparkling river and trees draped in Spanish moss, Savannah, Georgia is a dreamy choice for romantic weekend getaways. Its historical and cultural significance as a port city during the American Revolution and Civil War make it catnip for history buffs. Savannah’s ornate riverboats and meticulously maintained architecture provide an immersive experience in Americana.

Stroll around (and steal a kiss!) at the city’s tree-shaded public squares and parks that once served as town meeting places and business centers. If public smooching and history don’t get your heart racing, Georgia’s oldest city has the added benefit of being about 15 minutes from the coast, making sailing, swimming and sunning a breeze.

West Coast Exploration

If you’re looking to spice things up on the West Coast, take your better half to Portland, Oregon. With a perfect mix of buzzing metropolis and the great outdoors, Portland is full of unexpected romantic weekend getaway ideas destination that will ignite your passions, whether they be rock-climbing or cocktailing (or both!).

Spend the day skiing or hiking while soaking in expansive mountain and woodland vistas, but reserve your evening for dining at Portland’s restaurants, which many consider among the best in the nation. For a change of pace, try visiting one of Portland’s many food trucks, which offer cuisine from every nationality prepared with locally sourced ingredients by the city’s most exciting chefs.

The Keys to Paradise

For those seeking a beach paradise, look to the Florida Keys. With more than 800 islands, the Keys offer everything from the cool vibe of Key West and Key Largo to completely private islands like Seabird Key.

The unsurpassed beauty of The Keys has long captured the imaginations of great American writers and musicians, including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Jimmy Buffet. Just imagine enjoying exotic flora and fauna while sipping perfect margaritas to create a mellow mood.