These romantic getaways in the US and Mexico include dreamy destinations that will easily create memories for couples. It could be a honeymoon in an alpine town backed by snow-capped peaks, an escape to a Californian city that’s home to some of the most gorgeous coastlines in the States, or simply a weekend away together right across the border.

These desirable destinations each have their own unique characteristics. You can opt for either seclusion, adventure, natural beauty, or historical and cultural charms. And if you and your significant other love culinary adventures, a time away capped with a candlelit dinner in the vineyard-covered valleys of California’s Wine Country is a great option.

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    Aspen, Colorado

    Beautiful mountain scenery for lasting memories

    Aspen, Colorado
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Luxury
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Aspen is a ski resort town that’s great for couples looking for an escape with breathtaking alpine scenery up in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Besides skiing adventures in winter, you and your partner can opt to visit Colorado for a romantic getaway any time of the year. It’s open year-round and offers many hiking trails for outdoorsy couples.

    Book a romantic dinner for 2 at any of Aspen's high-end restaurants and go on an impressive multi-course dining adventure together. Chic boutique shops line the streets with magnificent snow-capped peaks serving as backdrop anywhere you stroll. For a classical experience and a date night with a touch of history, check out the late 19th-century Wheeler Opera House.

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    Park City, Utah

    Romance at 7,000 ft above sea level

    Park City, Utah
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Park City is great for couples who have a shared penchant for the great outdoors. Its beautiful mountain scenery is framed by the rocky Wasatch Range, with the Deer Valley Resort and the massive Park City Mountain Resort offering wintertime thrills on their ski slopes.

    When the snow subsides, gorgeous hiking and biking trails open for dramatic views under clear skies. Film dates in Park City can be truly memorable during the Sundance Film Festival held early in the year. On any day, share a stroll through Park City’s quaint and pretty Main Street Historic District for some fun shopping. Its streets are lined with romantic restaurants with cosy corners and candelit tables for 2.

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    Monterey, California

    One of the worlds most romantic peninsulas

    Monterey, California
    • Couples
    • Food
    • History
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Monterey, with its rugged setting on California’s central coast and varied offerings, is a great go-to for a honeymoon or a couples’ getaway. You and your partner can go on a road trip and take in the scenery along Seventeen Mile Drive, with a stop at the Lone Cypress to capture some memories. Drives from Monterey down to the Big Sur are also breathtaking.

    In Pacific Grove, enjoy a classic romantic stroll along the waterfront Cannery Row with its gift shops, seafood restaurants, and fine-dining standouts, as well as bars that occupy chic antique buildings. From nature vistas to charming historical backdrops, Monterey has many lovely and inspiring spots for popping the question. Read more…

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    Sedona, Arizona

    A dreamy desert city blending adventure and romance

    Sedona, Arizona
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Food
    • History
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Sedona, with its magical desert and red rock landscapes, appeals to couples with a shared liking for adventure. It’s a great getaway any time of the year. Beyond the picnic spots and marvellous Red Rock State Park trails, you can find a vibrant arts scene on a pleasant stroll through Uptown Sedona and its wonderful galleries. Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village is a cool hunting ground for one-of-a-kind art pieces.

    For a new and uplifting experience, visit Sedona’s mystical sites and choose from various exotic spa treatments designed for 2. On the culinary side, try wine tasting along the Verde Valley Wine Trail or dinner aboard a Verde Canyon Railway ride. Alternatively, book a hot-air balloon ride to admire the red rocks from above – and even pop the question in mid-air? Read more…

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    Key West, Florida

    Escape to the country’s southernmost point

    Key West, Florida
    • Couples
    • History
    • Photo

    Key West is one of the gems in the Florida Keys archipelago where you can swap mundane city streets for sandy beaches and colourful sunsets. Your road trip along the Overseas Highway serves as a scenic prelude to your romantic getaway.

    Arriving in Key West, you’ll be greeted by typical local architecture through quaint scenes of pastel-painted conch houses lining the historical Whitehead Street. Mallory Square often draws big crowds waiting for the sunset. Even so, it's worth getting there for the view and its Sunset Celebration street festival, which will create fun memories. Alternatively, book a sunset sailing tour with champagne served on board. Read more…

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    New York City, New York

    A great place to fall in love again

    New York City, New York
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Photo

    New York City is constantly ranked among the world's most romantic cities, and for good reason. The Big Apple surely impresses with its amazing skyline. There are many bucket-list spots in the city where you can pop the question with a magical backdrop. Head to the top of the Empire State Building or stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge to create wonderful memories.

    Right in the heart of the city, enjoy a picnic, bike around the Central Park Loop, or share selfies together against Belvedere Castle or the Shakespeare Garden. If you visit in spring, don’t miss out on the blooming of the cherry blossoms. The Staten Island Ferry is a great date spot, but book a sunset cruise around Manhattan to truly impress, with dinner and champagne served as you cruise through New York Harbour. Read more…

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    Los Cabos, Mexico

    Romantic sunny beach retreats across the border

    Los Cabos, Mexico
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    Los Cabos in Mexico’s Baja California Sur offers wonderful seaside getaways with its twin resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Each resort has its own set of unique features – Cabo San Lucas offers beautiful white-sand beaches and rugged beauty such as the El Arco rock arch, while San José del Cabo takes you back in time through its colourful colonial architecture.

    The famous Lovers Beach (Playa del Amor) is aptly named. It’s a must-visit for couples sharing an escape to Los Cabos, particularly with its amazing geological formations and tiny spit of secluded sands. It’s a sublime spot for a picnic or a snorkelling adventure. Book a sunset cruise for even more magical moments with dramatic views and wine and jazz on board.

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  • 8

    Maui, Hawaii

    A romantic island getaway in the Central Pacific

    Maui, Hawaii
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Photo

    Maui stands out among the rest of the Hawaiian islands for its exotic landscapes and gorgeous coasts. The so-called ‘Valley Isle’ appeals most to romantics and honeymooners fond of discovery and the great outdoors. Even so, it has a beach for every mood, especially for intimate moments with soothing sunsets.

    Besides choosing your spot from the 30 miles of beaches or hiking through Haleakala National Park, going on a road trip together along the revered Road to Hana will surely leave an impression. It has various breathtaking spots along the way. These include the charming little Hawaiian town of Paia, the Twin Falls, the Huelo Point Lookout, the Hana Lava Tubes, and the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Read more…

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    Napa, California

    One of California’s top romantic getaways

    Napa, California
    • Couples
    • Nightlife
    • Photo

    Napa is famous for offering romantic getaways with stunning vineyard landscapes, superb dining, and fine wines, as well as a charming historic town as part of the package. As the seat of Napa Valley, Napa’s city centre area is graced by late 19th-century architecture. It’s also a hub of great dining, entertainment, and lodging options.

    Enjoy an evening stroll down the riverfront promenade with is various shops, restaurants, and intimate area bars, or check out show schedules for a date night at the Napa Valley Opera House. You could head out for a tour of the valley, too. Better still, opt for an intimate flight over the rolling hills on a private hot-air balloon ride. Read more…

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    Nashville, Tennessee

    Southern charms in Tennessee’s capital

    Nashville, Tennessee
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Nightlife
    • Photo

    Nashville offers a great getaway for couples looking for a touch of Southern charm. Your date in the Tennessee capital treats you to some good old-fashioned vibes with lovely bars featuring live country music – you can feel the honky-tonk culture almost everywhere. Explore city centre together in a vintage convertible with a playlist of Dolly Parton’s love songs.

    If you and your partner are looking to rekindle your romance in Nashville’s great outdoors, you can share a picnic at Love Circle and fall in love all over again against the backdrop of the city’s wondrous skyline. You can also take in the gorgeous scenery of Nashville on a hike around Radnor Lake or by paddling together on a kayak along the Harpeth River. Read more…

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Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveler