5 Romantic Escapes to Book Now
(Before Everyone Else Does)
February 2026
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, romance is on the brain. Many couples in North America chose to take their wedding vows on or around the most romantic day of the year. But let's be honest—romance isn't just about February 14th.
While Paris touts itself as the most romantic city in the world, unless you want to fight crowds for that "once in a lifetime" photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, or pay top billing for a sliver of peace at a world-class restaurant, you want to look elsewhere for a memorable couple's escape.
When I think of romance, I think of finding a place where the world slows down. Where you can have conversations that would never cross your mind at home. You can be silly, sleep in, or stay out late. Places where you can experience things as a couple that no one you know has ever experienced — like finding a local bar in Venice, or getting lost in Vienna only to find one of the best meals of your life. It's about finding those places where social media is an afterthought and you can breathe and make memories instead of posts (those come later!).
Cava Jaume Serra chilling in a silver ice bucket, lace tablecloth, soft afternoon light
Whether you are looking for a winter wonderland or a barefoot beach escape, here are the five destinations topping our list this year.
But here's the thing: places are only half the story. The most romantic memories happen when plans fall apart — or were never made at all. Anniversaries can end in arguments. Perfectly planned "romantic getaways" can look like everyone else's when you see the posts online. But those special moments that are only yours? Those are what truly last. It's the time and the place.
| # | The List |
| 5 |
Aruba
Sun & sand, zero stress
|
| 4 |
Victoria, Canada
European charm, Pacific coast
|
| 3 |
Lake Como, Italy
Quiet luxury & alpine views
|
| 2 |
Vienna, Austria
Waltzes & imperial palaces
|
| 1 |
Venice, Italy
Carnival magic & candlelit canals
|
1. Venice, Italy
Forget the summer crowds. Venice in late winter is a moody, atmospheric masterpiece. Mist rising off the canals, quiet piazzas, and the city's legendary elegance make it the ultimate couple's trip. We wrote a full guide on our week living like locals in Venice. It is one of our favorite cities for a reason. Get your timing right, and you could take a private Vaporetto ride in the cooler months, when crowds thin out.
Why Now: 2026 is special. The Venice Carnival (Jan 31 – Feb 17) is celebrating with the theme "Olympus: The Origins of Play" to honor the Winter Olympics in nearby Milan-Cortina. Expect masquerade balls, historic costumes, and an electric energy you won't find any other year. Already thinking ahead? Venice Carnival 2027 runs January 30 – February 9 — so bookmark it now.
Romantic Moment: A private evening gondola ride is a classic for a reason, but try getting lost in the quieter Dorsoduro district for a sunset spritz away from the tourists.
Insider Tip: Stay in Cannaregio and explore our local haunts. You can have early morning strolls, just the two of you, and find a local café to enjoy a famous Italian espresso before boarding the Vaporetto for the islands.
To see two of our favorite spots in one trip, combine Venice with Lake Como. They are three and a half hours apart by train. The train ride itself will be both a memorable and romantic experience.
2. Vienna, Austria
Belvedere Palace at blue hour with Christmas stars reflected in the palace pool
Photo: Gerhard Bögner / Pixabay
If your version of romance involves waltzing, imperial palaces, and coffee house culture, Vienna is unmatched. The city feels incredibly cozy in the colder months. We spent our first anniversary in Vienna and wrote an entire post on our favorite moments. One of the highlights of the trip was hearing the opera rehearsal from our hotel windows over morning coffee. It remains one of our top 5 romantic trips.
The Draw: We are right in the heart of Ball Season. From the prestigious Opera Ball (Feb 12) to dozens of smaller, elegant events, the city literally dances through February.
Romantic Moment: Splitting a slice of Sachertorte at a historic café, followed by a winter walk through the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.
Insider Tip: If you don't plan to attend an opera or symphony, book a table at Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker at the Palais Todesco and ask for a view of the famous Opera House. You can sip the champagne of Austria, Schlumberger sparkling wine, and watch the event patrons in their fine attire as they make their way to the show.
3. Lake Como, Italy
A ferry gliding across Lake Como, dramatic mountains framing the water, villages climbing the hillsides
While often thought of as a summer playground for the rich and famous, Lake Como in the off-season is the definition of "quiet luxury." But you don't have to be an A-lister to enjoy it. We took the ferry from our hotel to Como (the city), which is a romantic experience in itself. Gliding along the lake in the open air, cozied up with your partner — what can beat that? We opted to walk back for a quiet afternoon, which took us through the picturesque Parco di Villa Olmo. This is miles away from the buzz of Italy's cities, with beautifully manicured lawns and neoclassical statues on display in the gardens.
The Vibe: The water is still, the snow-capped Alps provide a dramatic backdrop, and the pace is unhurried. It is intimate in a way the summer months can never be.
Travel Tip: Many tourists overlook the winter ferry schedule, but the boats do run. Grab a seat in the warm cabin and ferry-hop between Bellagio and Varenna without fighting for elbow room.
Stay Tuned: We will be covering the logistics of a rail trip through here in our International Rail Series, launching February 27th!
4. Victoria, Canada
BC Parliament Buildings on a rainy winter day, bright orange umbrellas along the Inner Harbour waterfront
You don't always have to cross an ocean for European charm. Victoria, BC, brings a slice of the Old World to the Pacific Northwest. The first time we visited we were taken aback by the feeling of being dropped in the middle of Europe after a short ferry ride. We loved it so much we went there again and again after we moved to Washington. One of our most memorable — and most romantic — New Year's Eves was spent in Victoria. We attended a ticket-only gala which let us really go all out and dress up. I highlight our favorite hotels and meals on ReviewSteak, our original blog. Don't let the thought of going to Canada in February put you off. The weather is mild and snow is infrequent in the lowlands and around Victoria throughout the year.
The Vibe: With its colonial architecture, float planes landing in the harbor, and stunning gardens, Victoria feels like a storybook town.
Romantic Moment: Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress. It's iconic, elegant, and the perfect excuse to dress up. Afterward, stroll through the sunken garden at Butchart Gardens — even in winter, the structure and design are breathtaking.
Insider Tip: If a quiet retreat is what you crave, book a suite at The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria. Not a golfer? Enjoy a run through the property on their maintained running trails, or a nice relaxing nature walk. Afterward, treat yourself to a couple's massage before relaxing on your terrace with a book or bottle of wine.
5. Aruba
Sunset over Eagle Beach with a silhouetted fofoti tree and a sailboat drifting on the horizon
For those who need sun, sand, and zero stress. Aruba isn't just about beaches; it's about consistent weather and incredible sunsets. Aruba has so many things to offer — if you don't find something you love, you didn't look hard enough (or at all). We spent a week at one of the major resorts and did all the tourist things — went for a sunset cruise, ate on the main strip, took a tour underwater in a "submarine" to see the sunken ship. All of those things are fine and fill days, but what really made Aruba hit our top five list was the second trip we took.
We stayed away from the resorts and rented an apartment on Malmok Beach. We walked the beach in relative silence, enjoyed relaxing afternoons on our front patio sipping cocktails and watching the sunset. Our days were spent snorkeling less than a minute from our front door.
The Vibe: Relaxed luxury. Whether you are renewing your vows on Eagle Beach (a massive annual tradition) or just escaping the gray skies of home, Aruba delivers guaranteed warmth.
Insider Tip: Skip the crowded boat tours and head to Mangel Halto for a quiet, secluded snorkel or a sunset picnic where the mangroves meet the turquoise water.
What's Next?
If the mention of Lake Como and Vienna sparked your wanderlust, keep an eye on the blog. On February 20th, we're diving into something a little different — a brand new content series close to our hearts. And on February 27th, we are kicking off our second International Rail Series, taking you on a journey from Milan to the Swiss Alps and beyond.
Honorable Mentions
While these didn't make our Top 5 Romantic Destinations, some of our most memorable romantic travel moments are:
• Hong Kong — In 2015, we spent our honeymoon in Hong Kong. We stayed at the Sheraton on the mainland side, exhausted from a 14½-hour flight from Seattle. That first night, we found Morton's The Steakhouse inside the hotel with views over Victoria Harbour toward the financial district. We sat in the bar area and watched "A Symphony of Lights" — Hong Kong's nightly harbor show where dozens of skyscrapers light up in sync across the water. It's one of the most cinematic moments we've ever shared as a couple. The next day, we took the Star Ferry across the harbor to Hong Kong Island and rode the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system up into the Mid-Levels. At the top, we found ourselves in a secluded park — birds singing, shaded paths, total quiet — while one of the densest cities on earth hummed below us.
• Granada, Spain — Being given a private tower room with unbeatable views of the Alhambra to celebrate our anniversary dinner (without reservations!). We arrived during the G7 summit, which meant the tram stopped running outside the city center and half the streets were closed. After 20 minutes of standing confused at a barricade, a parade of locals appeared — navigating the closures themselves and waving us along to follow. We became indoctrinated locals by default. Later that night, sitting in our tower room, Maurício FaceTimed his father to show him the view of the Alhambra lit up at night. A waiter eventually came up and politely asked if we were finished with the phone — we had no idea a local TV crew had been waiting below to resume filming!
• Rio de Janeiro — Maurício is from Rio, a true carioca, and there's one neighborhood he always takes me back to: Urca. It's tucked away from the tourist chaos of Copacabana and Ipanema. Quiet, safe, residential. You see families out for dinner and kids walking home from school in the afternoon. There's this restaurant, Garota, that feels like our living room at this point. Tourists go there for pizza, but we go for the picanha carioca — a Brazilian-style steak cooked on a gas-powered flat iron brought to your table. You pull off what's ready, let the rest cook, and keep drinking ice-cold chopp (Brazil's version of draft beer) while the waiters keep a running tally on the paper table cover. After dinner, we take our drinks over to the seawall where locals gather at dusk — dozens of cariocas sitting on the edge of Guanabara Bay with their friends, watching the sunset. The pace of life becomes contagious. We'll be sharing our full Rio guide (including Garota and all of Maurício's insider spots) later this year.
Sunset over Guanabara Bay from Urca — where locals gather at dusk
So where will you go? Whether it's a winter walk through Vienna or a barefoot afternoon in Aruba, the best romantic escapes are the ones you make your own.
What about you? Where have you found your most romantic moments? Drop a comment below or connect with us on Instagram — we'd love to hear your stories.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!