If you’re like me you get the winter blues by mid-February. A mid-winter escape has long been part of my annual travel schedule and Valentine’s Day creates the perfect excuse (if you need one!) to grab the Love of your life and run away for a few days, or a few weeks! Here are five suggestions to put a little heat in your blood!
The Mayan Riviera, Mexico:
A quick search of “Mayan Riviera” on Flipkey will turn up hundreds of hideaways for you and your honey. Renting an apartment is often so much cheaper than a hotel, and much more private too! If you want to rent a hut on the beach, with the ocean lapping at your front door, you’ll love Paamul. Be sure to schedule a SCUBA trip with SCUBAMex for some of the very best diving on the entire coast. If you’re very lucky, you might even see a whale shark! When you’ve had enough hiding in your hut or wandering the beach head inland and visit some ruins. Chichen-Itza and Tulum are obvious and well touristed, but if you want a secluded, off the beaten track adventure, head for Coba, wander the jungle and climb to the top of the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, Nohoc-Mul, one of the only pyramids you can still climb. It’s the perfect place to share a special kiss!
Tobacco Caye, Belize:
There are no vacation rentals on Tobacco Caye, it’s an entirely privately owned island. However, there are family run bed & breakfasts and cabanas overlooking the sea to be had for a song. For about $50 USD you’ll find lodging, including three meals a day. Spend your days hanging in a hammock, snorkeling in the sapphire blue sea (the island is situated in a marine preserve) or sipping a beer with the locals at the tiny thatched roofed bar at the end of the island. Would you like to catch an enormous barracuda, or snorkel with manatees, or tour the mangrove dotted islands and see the frigate birds mating? Look up “AC,” he and Julie run the fishing guide service on the Caye. Our favorite place to stay is Lana’s On The Reef. She’s the “Grandma” of the island, a phenomenal cook, her place is very clean and has a homey atmosphere.
Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala:
Finding a vacation rental on the Lago won’t be hard, and plane tickets in the winter are surprisingly affordable! A serious contender for my favorite place in the world, Lago de Atitlan is a sapphire jewel set in the top of the world. I dare you to be anything but bewitched by it. It’s listed as one of the top ten lakes to visit in the world and in my book, it’s solidly number one. Do you like to party? Stay in San Pedro. Make sure you catch the Sunday BBQ at La Piscina and order the Thai Green Curry at D’Noz, upstairs by the boat docks. Want to get away from it all? Stay in San Marcos. Catch some live music at Paco Real, order the Lentil Curry at Fe & be sure to go see Carlos at Blind Lemon’s for the best blues on the Lago.
Hawaii, USA:
Is there any better place to escape the cold with a Lover? I think not! Vacation rentals abound and February is high season! For a romantic getaway and escape, we prefer Maui’s gentle groove and the quite “back side” of the island is best. Make sure to see the humpback whales & spend an afternoon watching the surfers on ho’okipa beach. If you want to splurge on a weekend you’ll never forget, check yourselves into the Four Season’s Hualalai on the Big Island and lose yourself in the decadence. As a side note: do this last, moving from five star luxury to a self catering apartment on Oahu is a let down, trust me!
Big Bear, California, USA
It’s not warm, but it’s plenty cozy, and at least half of the fun is making your own heat! Big Bear, California is one of those places that begs a visit with a Lover. Whether you’re into skiing, adventure, or long massages and soaks in spa pools, you’ll find it here. Be sure to take advantage of the special “couples” packages over the holiday week. If you’re on the West Coast, it’s a short trip that will feel worlds away from your daily grind and be just the adventure you need to recharge your batteries and your love life!
A dynamic mother-daughter duo of travel writers, Jenn & Hannah are in their fourth year of an open ended world tour. Their partners in crime are Dad & 3 brothers and together they are http://www.edventureproject.com
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