Warm Up This Winter with Romance!

Written on December 11, 2025

As the temperatures drop, turn up the heat…and not just on the thermostat! Planning a romantic vacation to look forward to with your partner is a nice way to put a pause on winter with a sweet escape. (Or at least get through it with something to look forward to as you turn the pages of a calendar towards spring!)

Enjoy this “idea board” style post to inspire you for your next special getaway:

3 Romantic Destinations to Visit Across 3 Continents

Cinque Terre, Italy

You’ll feel like a character in a romance novel roaming the craggy shores of the Italian Riviera with your sweetheart. Quaint villages and picturesque wineries dot the trails that wind through the cliffs of Cinque Terre, so allow yourselves plenty of time to soak up the scenery. Sip a coffee as the morning unfolds or stroll hand-in-hand with gelato cones.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Vivacious by day and sultry by night, this culture capital is an ideal spot for adventure-seeking couples to rekindle their spark. Spice things up in the “Paris of South America” with an evening at Rojo Tango or grab a red-velvet seat to the ballet or opera at Teatro Colón. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon chatting over tea service at the Alvear Palace Hotel. If you prefer more activity in your romance, book a bike tour of the Palermo forests and ogle at the country’s natural beauty.

Charleston, South Carolina

What isn’t romantic about a leisurely ramble with your partner underneath blossoming magnolia trees? Charming Charleston’s southern spirit is embodied in its colorful mansions and historic churches, but it also offers plenty of modern cultural experiences, like quirky music festivals and restaurants featuring cutting-edge cuisine. Take a sunset cruise on the Schooner Pride to take in the best city views, book a couples’ massage at Dewberry Spa, or sip cocktails and enjoy live music at the Forte Jazz Lounge.

Cruise Romance Tip

Spice Up Your Stateroom with a Few Pre-Travel Purchases

Disconnecting from everyday life and sailing off into the sunset with the one you love most already feels special, but with a bit of planning ahead you can really spark a bit of romance.

Pack a few small goodies to elevate your stateroom’s romantic ambience. Battery-operated tea lights, artificial rose petals, and silk pillowcases are small yet thoughtful touches that are simple to pack. If you’re celebrating a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary, sneak a banner into your luggage to hang with magnets on the walls of your stateroom.

With some simple planning, your romantic cruise vacation can go from memorable to truly magical for the person you love most.

Rom-Com Reads with a Touch of Travel

For a sweet story set in a variety of locations around the world, one of these rom coms might be just the ticket!

Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens

Recommended for: Readers who like their romance with a splash of mystery

When Laura arrives at the hotel for her business trip to the Channel Islands, she realizes she grabbed the wrong luggage at the airport. Upon inspecting the bag, its fascinating contents help her craft a fantasy of the bag’s owner, sparking her determination to meet him. As she tours the island with surly cab driver Ted, she works to uncover her parents’ love story and write the romantic piece her editor has assigned her while also attempting to hunt down the bag’s owner. She slowly discovers her family’s story isn’t what she was brought up believing, leading her to reevaluate what she wants in life and in love.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Recommended for: Fans of the enemies-turned-lovers trope

Olive has always been unlucky while her twin sister Ami has always had good fortune…that is, until Ami’s wedding day. Everyone is stricken by food poisoning except for Olive and her sworn enemy – best man Ethan. With a bride and groom too sick to take their Hawaiian honeymoon, Olive and Ethan embark on another couple’s romantic vacation. A run-in with Olive’s future boss sparks a little white lie that leads to the two playing newlyweds, and Olive discovers that maybe Ethan isn’t so bad after all.

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand 

Recommended for: Readers who want to get in the spirit of festive season

First in a four-book series, Winter Street introduces the somewhat dysfunctional Quinn family and their Nantucket homestead, The Winter Street Inn. Holiday family drama against the charming backdrop of the island and its festive holiday traditions make this a perfect escapist read during the month of December.