Every year my husband and I go to Galena Illinois for a long weekend over Thanksgiving or early December. We are fortunate to travel a lot including trips to Europe, but for some reason, this is the most romantic time we have.

We stay in these old historic B&Bs and wander around the little town and shop. It is the only place my husband really enjoys shopping and browsing. There are some great little restaurants and the B&Bs are fantastically romantic and historic.

Its an old riverside town that used to be a prosperous steamboat hub prior to the civil war due to its proximity to the Mississippi River. It fell to decline and then, like a lot of these old towns, was rejuvenated by artists, historians, and restoration afficionados. Its about 2 hours norhtwest from Chicago.

Hi Bayou Girl my late husband would say around noon on a Friday, we are leaving the office in a couple of hours and going to SF for the weekend. He always had already made the hotel reservations. Perfect!!

And ten days on the Isle of Capri, well actually we stayed on Anacapri, priceless.

And like Kal and his lovely wife..a few days at home without interruptions, most of the time out by the pool, Mimosa or Bloody Mary's for brunch, music playing through the speakers, food picked up at the Greek deli for dinner fantastic.

As much as I loved my boat on the Delta unfortunately we were always having people asking to "come abroard", sigh..not quite romantic except for sometimes on the deck as the sunset, enjoying a drink and watching the wildlife in the area.

Ah PV, Mexico, several trips in February, very very special.

Ah, LoveItaly, your description of your pleasant life with your DH as well as your screen name really suit the image I have of you. You are a kind and gentle soul. It's such a pleasure getting to "know" you in Fodorville! :)

I surprised my wife with a long weekend in Charleston, SC at the incredible Wentworth Mansion. She still has no idea how much the Mansion cost. I knew it'd be worth every penny but I also knew she'd have vetoed it if I told her about it in advance. So of course I didn't!! Charleston just exudes southern charm. And there's lots of great restaurants and sights when you're not enjoying your huge room right out of House Beautiful, complete with wood shutters, 15' ceilings, hardwood floors, oriental rugs, a fireplace, an incredible sound system playing a complementary and very romantic acoustic CD, all before moving to the in room jacuzzi armed with their complementary bottle of wine and some candles.....

BayouGal-

Considering I'm the planner, it was quite an amazing trip. He even packed my clothes, and did it well, I might add. I was very proud of him, indeed!

The next trip is the one I'm dreaming of...a return to Napa Valley where we eloped...kind of. We planned the event a few months in advance, we just didn't tell anyone or invite anyone. We had flowers, cake, photographer and married on the grounds of the Sutter Home Winery where they have beautiful flowers and a gazebo and a lovely B & B where we stayed, which is apparently no longer open to the public. My only 'fear' is that sometimes trying to recreate those romantic moments never lives up to the memory!

Oh BayouGal, what a lovely comment. But I do have a a few faults, believe me, lol. And one is not following the title of your thread..you did say a "weekend trip", lol. You can see I am not very good at following directions ;;) Have a happy weekend!!

And btw, love this thread and all the posts. Truly beautiful.

Thanks, LoveItaly . . . see, it's just who you are!!:)

Fuzzbo, do I ever understand completely!! It's a fear all of us planners share, I'm afraid. ;-) Your elopements sounds so lovely! May I suggest, from experience, that you include some NEW special things to do on your return trip . . . that way you will have new wonderful memories associated with that special time even if the re-creation is not all you had hoped. Have fun!! :)

dcd, what a lucky woman your wife is!!:)

wow that pleasant!
Congratulations

GusiB

www.travel-tourism.com.ar

I'm with Kal on the weekend at home..it's so rare to have one during which neither one of us has any plans.

BTW~here's another idea..a co-worker is celebrating her anniversary this pm with a night at the Claremont Resort(Berkeley) and dinner at Olivetos. They have three little kids and work their asses off to support them. I really like this co-worker and helped her plan this getaway. I just got back from the Claremont where I dropped off a box of ten fresh gardenias with a note to her to use them as she wished(in the tub, next to their bed etc). They'll be in their room when they arrive this afternoon.
Doing things like this as a surprise for someone dear is so much fun!!!!

What a good friend you are, PamSF! And I totally agree about the quiet weekend at home. We'll be empty nesters soon, and call me strange, but I am SO looking forward to it! LoL But you know, by time you get to the last one leaving home, you realize that they never truly go away. I see/talk to my young adult children far more now than I did when they were teenagers living at home! ;-)

LOL Bayou Girl, you comment about grown children..so true, at least with my experiences. I just sat down to a lovely ommelette (sp?), the phone rang. Daughter & SIL had locked themselves out of their house right before they were leaving for Napa Valley. Ran across town (well actually I drove) to their house with my extra key to their house. Returned home, threw cold and soggy ommelette (how do you spell that wonderful egg dish btw?) away. Sigh.

Oh, girl, you don't know how MANY times I have been there and done that! LoL

topping for nfahey . . . LindaC please tell her more about your weekend - see the thread she started titled LindaC.

I know this is the US board, but to answer your question I have to go across the pond. Years ago and btk (before the kids), my wife and I traveled on the Venice Simplon Orient Express from Venice to London. All of the cars were immaculately restored from the 1920's. Left Venice 11am Sat and arrived in London at 6 pm on Sun. Had our own private compartment with flowers and bottle of wine waiting for us, fabulous food and service, after dinner drinks in the bar car with pianist playing grand piano, etc. What a trip and what memories!!!

Now THAT'S a romantic trip, dfr4848! :)

http://tinyurl.com/lckrt

In case you didn't see my other post, that's the little cabin. very secluded, very nice!!

Ooooh, those all look nice, Linda. I added that site to my Smokey Mountain favorite folder. Thanks! :)

Mine was also my first overnight trip with my now husband. We stayed at a log inn in PA. Our room had a balcony facing the lake and a gas fireplace. We had gone to escape the heat and do a little swimming. I had packed a picnic. When we got there we sure escaped the heat – it was very cold and raining! We had the picnic on a blanket on the floor in front of the fire. The rain cleared and we stepped out on the balcony to watch the last of the sunset. The field lit up with more fireflies than I have ever seen in my life. It was one of the most beautiful moments possible.

The romantic weekends are all about who you take with you.

Oh, I can just imagine all those fireflies! And yes, it definitely matters who you have with you!:)

A: Does when Father Reilly took 4 of us alter boys to Camp Sans Souci count?

Q:<i>&quot;What would you consider to be the most ROMANTIC weekend trip?&quot;</i>

rb~I am so sorry!

Linda, it sounds like you had a great time there!!

Big Sur Lodge; room with a fireplace. It was very romantic and we love Big Sur.

Christmas in NYC; it was snowing and we sang Christmas carols as we walked &quot;home&quot; on Christmas Eve. sigh...

Getting married in NYC in Central Park. We stayed at the Essex House and they kindly upgraded our room. DH called them (not his usual style; I do all the planning) and ordered long stemmed red roses for the room. They were there with a mash not when we arrived. The hotel sent up congratulatory champagne and chocolate covered strawberries &quot;To The Happy Couple&quot; and it was just heavenly.

Topping for J_Correa

Bayou Gal, Chateau Elan in Braselton, just a 1/2 drive north of Atlanta is a beautiful setting with an exclusive spa and a winery:
http://www.chateauelanatlanta.com/

LLindaC- I'm envious. In 22 years of marriage, my husband has never planned a trip, let alone a spontaneous one. :-(

Well let's see. I take my wife off on a romantic trip twice a year on our anniversary and her birtday. We went to Hawaii for her b/d, London for a b/d, San Francisco for a b/d, Ritz Carlton Naples, FL for a b/d, Little Palm Island, FL for a b/d, St. Thomas, St. John and Virgin Gorda for a b/d, New Orleans several times for b/d's, Natchez, MS at Monmouth Plantation for a b/d, Black Berry Farm in TN for an anniversary, The Greenbrier, Inn at Little Washington, Williamsburg Inn, Keswick Hall and Grove Park Inn for an anniversary trip, RC, Buckhead, RC Amelia Island, FL and RC, Reynolds Plantation for an anniversary, RC Rose Hall Jamaica for an anniversary, Ocean Club, Paradise Island for an anniversary but probably NYC for her 40th b/d was most romantic. We stayed at The Plaza Hotel, had dinner at Daniel, Jean Georges, Le Cirque and River Cafe as well as lunch at Tavern on the Green and several Broadway plays.

Sounds wonderful!
DH is not a planner. But he did do a great job on my 40th birthday (didn't qualify for romantic weekend because it was the middle of the week).
He picked me up from work in a limo with champagne and we drove around for an hour watching a beautiful sunset over the lake (Michigan). Then we went to a really cool boutique hotel and checked in.
When we went down to dinner, two of our good friends were sitting in the lobby waiting to celebrate my birthday!
Oh, and he managed to pull off a surprise party for my 30th birthday too.
I guess I can't complain about him not being a trip planner. He admires my trip planning ability, so I'll just keep my secrets to myself and let all of you on the Fodor's forums make me look good.

I'm jealous too. My husband and I have been married for almost 25 years, and it's always me who has to plan trips. :-(

Oh - I am loving this thread :)

My husband and I are planning a trip to New Orleans in June for our 5th anniversary and are considering spending a few days in Natchitoches as well.

Marquis, Los Cabos last January. Beautiful resort and the first time in 19 years we spent 3 whole days without our kids! Sweet ;)!

it's okay sunshine. One time he totallty tried to surprise me and packed a jogging suit for the next day of sightseeing. Except he forgot my shoes and I only had a pair of heels. I did get a new pair of Reeboks though ;-)

A week at the Hilton Jalouise St. Lucia with private cottage and plunge pool overlooking the ocean. Last two nights of the vacation at Ladera resort - in an upgraded suite. The suite had 3 walls - the &quot;fourth&quot; open to the view of the ocean between the gorgeous Pitons - and yes, a plunge pool there as well.

Heaven on earth.

Paris! Yes, we flew from the US to Paris for a 3-night weekend trip. We went in November of last year and it was fabulous. It was on the chilly side at times, but perfect for sitting in cafes with steaming cups of thick hot chocolate. We did lots of walking and general sightseeing, and we took an evening river cruise. There is nothing quite like seeing the Eiffel tower sparkling at night...truly romantic!

Tracy

luvs2pack, I love Hermann! I live in St. Louis and we visit Hermann several times a year. The town is quaint and charming and there are some great wineries in the area. The Vintage Restaurant in Stone Hill Winery has pretty good German food.

Its nice to see a plug for Missouri!

Tracy

TTT for katyhotr

Thanks Bayougirl!! Was looking for something within 2-3 hours of our home for a quick getaway. We live 1 1/2 hours north west of Philly. All of the getaways sound great.We love B&amp;B's

I too loved Herman, MO. I have enjoyed many romantic BnB's around the US including Manistee, MI; Petosky, MI; Niagra on the Lake,CAN; Pelee Island, CAN; Buena Vista, CO; and Bend, OR among others. I have traveled abroad to Australia, Thailand, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Hawaii, The Bahamas, and Barcelona. All of these places have the opportunity for romantic getaways. But I would have to say that my most trip was my honeymoon in St. Lucia at the Sandals Halcion. I think there is nothing like a honeymoon for romance.

The Gardens Hotel in Key West. My now fiance &amp; I went there on our first vacation together and it was magical. It was far enough off the main drag to be quiet &amp; wonderfully romantic, but close enough to the beach and the nightlife to be fun. We took a private sunset dinner cruise on a yacht, just the two of us and watched the sunset from the middle of the ocean...just gorgeous. The hotel's website doesn't do it justice, but each room has it's own private stairway/entrance so they're more like private luxury bungalows. Each looks out onto an old, romantic brick courtyard with private, winding gardens, a pool and a hot tub. Because there are few rooms, you rarely see other couples (except maybe in passing) and there's a teensy bar by the pool for cold Coronas with lime and glasses of wine.

So romantic!