Bustling or isolated? Loud or quiet? Big or small? Expensive or modest? Fancy or casual? There are so many different parameters for one to consider that depends on your temperament and style.

Since we don’t want to overwhelm you with an almost endless list of the best spots in romantic cities for Valentine’s Day, we decided to break it down for you—minimize it to just 15—of our top cities that all come with variety and style, and are sure to be the best places to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year.

The Most Romantic Cities For Valentine’s Day Are:

1. Barcelona, Spain
2. Santa Barbara, California
3. Quebec City, Canada
4. Cape Town, South Africa
5. Charleston, United States
6. New York City, USA
7. Venice, Italy
8. Paris, France
9. Prague, Czech Republic
10. Florence, Italy
11. Buenos Aires, Argentina
12. Kyoto, Japan
13. Rome, Italy
14. Istanbul, Turkey
15. Budapest, Hungary

1. Barcelona, Spain

One of the major criteria used in picking out the cities that made this list is their beauty. When it comes to the most romantic cities for Valentine’s Day, the beauty of Barcelona sets it apart from other cities. Trust me; nothing guarantees romance and passion like the blissful moments shared in its numerous seaside cafés, and rooftop restaurants eating tapas for two.

And with loads of attractions to see such as Sagrada Familia and the famous street, Las Ramblas, you won’t get bored exploring.

2. Santa Barbara, California

This city is called America’s Riviera for a reason—it is a city that offers the best weather for romance all year long. If you are looking for the best place to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner, while enjoying the view as the evening sun kisses the top of the mountains, then Santa Barbara is the perfect place for you.

Santa Barbara is also renowned for its restaurants (e.g. Stella Mare’s and Zaytoon), great sights (e.g. Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and Santa Barbara Harbor, etc.), and beaches (e.g. Summerland Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach, Butterfly Beach, etc.).

3. Quebec City, Canada

Your Valentine’s Day celebrations here will be well spent and will leave you amazed at this beautiful city. Quebec City watches over the beautiful St. Lawrence River and, with the beautiful music from its numerous jazz bars, you can rest assured that you and your partner will have a good time.

The romance in this city is not limited to its streets; there’s a lot of fun to be had in its luxurious hotels and boutiques. Take a stroll along Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, go skating in Place D’Youville, pass the aforementioned St, Lawrence River on your way to the Château Frontenac terrace, one of the best cheese and wine bars.

4. Cape Town, South Africa

The Table Mountains, dinners, resorts and relaxing spas of Cape Town has earned it this spot as one of the most romantic cities for Valentine’s Day. You can spend the whole day doing different things, yet you won’t run out of sites to see, things to do and eat in this romantic city.

Enjoy the wildlife, go horse riding on Noordhoek Beach, take a sunset boat cruise or helicopter ride with your partner to complete your experience here in one of the best cities for Valentine’s Day.

5. Charleston, United States

Talk about a city that has received lots of recognition in the US for being one of the most romantic cities for lovers! Seriously, two Nicholas Sparks films were made here. The beautiful architectural designs of the pastel-colored houses that line its streets offer the best opportunity to those that want to stoke the flame on Valentine’s Day.

This city is packed with lots of fun activities for couples such as speedboat adventures, minor league games, ice rinks, live theater, aquariums, and cooking classes. Find out more about these here,

6. New York City, USA

New York City, the city of sparkling lights. Because of its limitless opportunities, we simply couldn’t pass over New York City for our list of 15 most romantic cities for Valentine’s Day.

You could visit one of the many incredible jazz bars, picnic in Central Park, escape the busyness of the streets and see the stars at the Hayden Planetarium, check out and experience the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or even going ring shopping with your special someone at the Diamond District (if you’ve not yet popped the question).

7. Venice, Italy

You can’t list the best places to celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world, without thinking about the city of the Casanova. Everything in this amazing city is designed to make you fall a hundred times over in love. A great many people have found love in this city, and more do every day.

Are you looking for memorable experiences with your special someone? The gondola rides through Venice’s many canals, the many quaint places you could share gelato or pizza, places to watch opera, places to dine such as Cantina Do Spade, or simply getting lost in the many winding streets of Venice—you won’t be short of options!

8. Paris, France

I’m fairly certain that you’ve been waiting with patience to see if this city will feature as one of our most romantic cities for Valentine’s Day. The fact that most people travel from different countries to pop the “will you marry me” question in this city, should tell you something. And so, here it is.

Paris is certainly one of the best places to go for Valentine’s Day in Europe, not just for its Eiffel Tower that offers an amazing view at night, but for numerous neighborhoods each with their own charm.

Romantic ideas include picnicking at the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, taking a cruise during the sunset on the river Seine, eating somewhere fancy like Hôtel Plaza Athénée, or watching a classic movie at Le Champo.

9. Prague, Czech Republic

This amazing city is home to many castles, cathedrals and amazing structures that make the light bounce of their roofs at night—which is when the city truly comes alive. This city is one of the perfect places to go if you fancy a magical stroll at night.

You and your partner can have a good time by taking a walk through its romantic old town and winding cobblestoned streets, or better yet, by being pulled by a horse and carriage. Going to the symphony at Municipal House or seeing the opera are also great choices.

10. Florence, Italy

Florence is a city overflowing with the magnificent architecture and stunning works of art. If a thousand lists were made for the most romantic cities for Valentine’s Day, I am fairly certain that Florence will make the cut on each of them.

Be sure to check out Florence’s romantic gardens: Giardino Bardini, Giardino delle Rose, or Giardino di Boboli. All are beautiful. And the places to eat are boundless—seriously, most places will be quaint and special.

11. Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you’re looking for Valentine Day weekend getaways, Buenos Aires is a great option for anyone in America. From fantastic romantic eateries like Aramburu, Toro 777, and i Latina, to places to visit like the magnificent Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, to and escaping the noise at the beautiful Paseo El Rosedal gardens, this city is the embodiment of a romantic Valentine’s Day retreat.

12. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is packed with beautiful gardens and mesmerizing verdant spaces that will help you spend some quality time with your special someone, while also experiencing something different and exotic.

There are also great temples and shrines in Kyoto that will cure your wanderlust. Seriously, history nerds will love Kyoto. And not to mention, the Japanese people around Kyoto are compassionate, somewhat reserved, detail-oriented, and a joy to meet.

13. Rome, Italy

Needless to say, Rome is the place where lovers go to stoke the flame of their romance. This is a city overflowing with old-world glamour. Everything in this city inspires romance—walking on the pavements of its historical streets, eating in the luxurious sidestreet restaurants, sipping a drink with your partner in the open-air bars—everything in the city exudes romance.

From connecting with the ancient past of Catholicism and the Roman Empire, to eating gelato and pizza (the wine is also very good and cheap!), to marveling at all the architecture, you’ll love it here even if it is a bit crowded at times.

The city is so dripping with culture and history that you won’t know where to begin, so plan ahead what you’ll do in advance before visiting, perhaps, the best place to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

14. Istanbul, Turkey

Alternatively, what better place can you pick to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a city where the setting of the sun literally changes the color of the sky?

Istanbul is not just popular for its incredible sunset; there are additionally numerous romantic spots to see. Take a ferry out to the Prince Islands, sit along the shore of the Bosphorus, be absorbed in culture and history at Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazaar, or go underground at the Basilica Cistern.

15. Budapest, Hungary

The streets of this city are filled to the brim with gorgeous 19^th Century structures and architecture that exude romance. It is well renowned as one of the best cities in the world to enjoy music and food. This city is home to many luxurious hotels and cafés such as Corinthia Hotel Budapest and Walzer Café or Asztalka.

Regardless of whether you are taking a dip in the thermally heated pool, Szechenyi Bath,  or taking a walk with your partner, you’ll have a great time going here this Valentines Day.

What has been your experience of these cities? Or are there any more romantic cities for Valentine’s Day that you feel that we missed out? Comment and share your experiences/tips below!

Suggested next reading: 3 Romantic Paradises You Need to Try

The post 15 Most Romantic Cities That Are Perfect For Valentine’s Day appeared first on Modern Trekker.

But first of all, context! If you are knee-deep in wedding preparations, you will either be ridiculously excited, absolutely terrified, or a mixture of the two. Committing to your partner, saying “I do” and having the perfect ceremony, gathering of friends and family, and celebration is important to you. You have flowers to arrange, entertainment to sort, the caterers to book, the photographer to organize and the venue to source.

However, try not to lose sight of the fact that this is your day to make a promise to each other and God. You are planning the first day of the rest of your married lives together, so be aware of that and don’t spend too much time worrying about what other people may think of your wedding plans.

When you are planning the big day, the honeymoon can sometimes be put on the back burner, but it shouldn’t be. This is the week or two that you get to spend time alone with your partner after all the stresses of planning such a big and momentous occasion. You want it to be special, memorable and the trip of a lifetime.

Don’t neglect the planning of your honeymoon to concentrate on the color of your floral bouquets. What will be most important in the long run? Take a look at these four honeymoon planning tips and tricks that will help you make your honeymoon the best trip you will ever experience.

1. Set A Budget

It doesn’t matter whether you have $500 to spend or $5000 to spend, it’s vital that you give yourself a budget and that you stick to it. As you have quickly found out when planning your wedding, costings can dramatically increase and get out of control. To save this from happening for your honeymoon, you need to begin planning your finances early.

If you do have a little bit of debt to shift, it might be wise to look into consolidating this debt in one payment each month by taking out a personal loan. Even if your credit history isn’t glowing, you can still look at the best APR for a guarantor loan that could be more suitable for you. Consolidating can even decrease the amount you are repaying each month, but could see your debt shifting much quicker, leaving you with more readies to put towards your honeymoon.

Set yourself a personal budget as a couple and try and stick to it. Refrain from the takeaways, don’t eat out quite so often and steer clear of the most expensive wines bars when heading out with pals in an evening. By living more frugally in the months leading up to getting married, you will have more money to put towards your trip of a lifetime.

2. Work Out Where To Go

The biggest question is working out where you will venture to for your honeymoon. Your honeymoon ideas will all depend on your lifestyle, your likes and dislikes, and whether there is a burning desire to visit a particular place.

You might be the sort of couple that loves nothing more than total relaxation. The idea of an all-inclusive resort, five-star luxury, white sandy beaches, sun loungers, cocktails and no stress whatsoever may sound like bliss. If this sounds like you and your partner, you may fancy checking out places like Santorini, the Maldives, a Caribbean island or a Balearic.

For some couples, the idea of doing nothing but lie in the sun for two weeks sounds horrendous and boring. These couples prefer a more active lifestyle and want to cram their days with visiting sights, meeting new people, immersing themselves in new cultures and trying out new experiences. For people who want to enjoy a totally different way of life, they might fancy taking a jaunt to the Far East, or hot-footing on the Inca Trail in Peru or taking a trip down the Amazon in Brazil.

Alternatively, if you love wildlife, a Kenyan safari might be idyllic or a trip to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda might be perfect.

Consider your hobbies, interests, and likes, and build your honeymoon around that. You might even want a multi-destination honeymoon to cater for your different desires. A week sunning yourself on a beach followed by a trek through the Costa Rican jungle isn’t out of the question.

3. Find Deals

It doesn’t matter whether you are going to the Isle of Skye or Australia, there are always deals to be had. Venture onto comparison websites for accommodation and flights. You may find that by catching a plane at 2 am, you are paying up to half the price of the same flight at 2 pm. Sure, you might be a tad more jet-lagged, but you will have extra money in your pocket to spend with your other half to make your trip more memorable.

If you are visiting more than one destination, set a schedule and plan a skeleton itinerary. Many hotel booking websites will allow you to reserve rooms without paying up front. You can also cancel if you give enough notice without being charged. This gives you the freedom to play with your travel plans, hone your itinerary and work out the route you wish to take around the globe if you are planning a multi-centre trip.

4. Enjoy Time Together

The most important aspect of your honeymoon is the quality time you spend together. There’s nothing better than waking up next to your spouse for the first time and knowing that you are together on this adventure through your honeymoon and through life.

Be patient with one another and allow for a bit of give and take on your trip. You might need to eat at a restaurant that doesn’t take your fancy but that your partner simply adores. At the same time, your partner may need to show a bit of leeway when you book an excursion that doesn’t really appeal to them. Learning to appreciate one another will be another aspect to your honeymoon for you to enjoy.

Your honeymoon should be the most memorable trip of your lifetime. Follow these honeymoon precautions, and you will be able to start your married life together in style.

Suggested next reading: How To Honeymoon Like Harry And Meghan

The post 4 Perfect Tips On How To Have The Best Honeymoon appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Naturally, however, after the wedding hype fizzled down following Saturday’s event, the next questions on so many peoples minds were, “Where will they be honeymooning?”

An answer, no doubt, that generated contradictory answers from various sources. We can almost confirm that, after a quick “mini-moon” in Ireland, the most likely honeymoon destination of Harry and Meghan is—drum roll, please—Namibia!

So, how does one honeymoon like Harry and Meghan? Let’s see what they’ll be doing so we can find out!

Where Will They Stay?

Rumor has it that Harry and Meghan will be staying at the luxury Hoanib Valley Camp in Kaokoland, northwestern Namibia.

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This luxurious spot is entirely solar powered and the tents sit on decks made of a wood and 70% recycled-material composite. Moreover, this spot is completely emersed in the natural environment of the Hoabnib valley. That means lots of wildlife such as giraffes and elephants, and—remarkably—the region is home to the largest population of critically endangered black rhino.

Harry and Meghan have already spent time in Botswana while courting since, as Harry explains, “We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.”

This makes tons of sense. After all, when the world is watching you all the time you must yearn for some alone time. The two have a history of going to Africa to seek that alone time.

So, step one if you want to honeymoon like Harry and Meghan: find an extremely exclusive and luxurious spot that you both have a shared history together (i.e. be ROMANTIC!) while, all at the same time, being environmentally conscious and wildlife lovers. Simple! 

What Will They Do?

Information on this is A LOT harder to come by. But, judging by their apparent location, they will have the options of exploring the beautiful rugged scenery, discovering the desert-adapted wildlife, and even having the opportunity to meet the nomadic Himba tribes who live in the region.

According to Travel and Leisure, a source confirmed that they chose this region because it is “filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences”—judging by these photos we agree!

There is little doubt that Prince Harry and Meghan, at some point, will camp out under the stars at night. Can you think of anything much more romantic?

Who knows what they’ll be discussing illuminated by starlight,  but, most importantly, it’ll be a place where they can talk for hours on end without fearing paparazzi or being quoted out of context! So, step two if you want to honeymoon like Harry and Meghan: make lots of room for “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences—don’t just do what you could do at home!

What Will They Eat?

In the spirit of “once-in-a-lifetime-experiences”, one might expect that Prince Harry and Meghan won’t be shy of trying some local Namibian cuisine. Namibian cuisine is really a blend of two primary cultures; the indigenous people such as the Himba, Herero and San, and Germanic cultures that settled during the colonial period, such as people of German, Afrikaner and British descent.

The vegetarian diet consists of fruits, nuts, bulbs and leaves, whereas the meats can even include crocodile, kudu and oryx. Perhaps Harry and Meghan will be eating a plate not too dissimilar to this?

To add to their palate, Harry and Meghan may try Omaruru wine—Namibia’s best-kept secret. Omaruru wine is a local dry wine (yes, grapes really do grow in that dessert!) that has Catholic-roots, given that the only person to make wine in the region for years was a Catholic priest who died in the 1960s.

The wine was discontinued for a time but made a reappearance in the 1990s and is now considered a delicacy by wine connoisseurs.

Given Harry and Meghan’s propensity for new experiences and local color, we’d not put it past them trying some of these local delicacies! Though, of course, being royals they can probably source whatever they want! Perhaps one night they’ll even order a pizza (Prince Harry’s favorite food as a kid) or, even, turkey meatloaf if Meghan starts to miss home!

So, are you ready to honeymoon like Harry and Meghan? Where will you go? And what “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences will you and your special someone have?

Here are some more awesome honeymoon destinations to help get you inspired!

The post How To Honeymoon Like Harry And Meghan appeared first on Modern Trekker.

One of the top recommended river cruises is the “Grand European Tour” through Viking River Cruises. Starting in Amsterdam, this 15-day cruise goes through the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers to Budapest. There are 12 cities and 4 countries that it stops in, including Cologne, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Vienna, and more. Free shore excursions are included; however, you are free to roam these ancient cities and explore castles, UNESCO sites, breweries, museums and much more. The possibilities are endless, including extending your trip before or after (or both!) in Amsterdam or Budapest.

Another great itinerary is “Andalusia: Tradition, Gastronomy, and Flamenco” through CroisiEurope Cruises. Starting in Sevilla, this 8-day southern Spain cruise goes through the Guadiana and Guadalquivir rivers and the Atlantic coast. There are 4 cities that it stops in: Cordoba, Cadiz, Isla Minima, and Granada. Free shore excursions are included, some of which are guided tours of cities, UNESCO sites, haciendas, and more. This cruise focuses on the culture of Spanish food, dancing, and history, indulging all your senses. This itinerary goes to and from Sevilla, giving you perfect opportunity to extend your trip on either end.

A very unique itinerary is “The Beauty and Bounty of Nature” through American Queen Steamboat Company. Starting in Clarkstown, Washington, this 9-day cruise goes through the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington. This is a must for nature and history buffs alike—seeing sights such as Hells Canyon, the Oregon Trail, gorges, and mountains, all from a modern-day steamboat. Shore excursions are included, some of which are museums, wineries, and downtown areas. This itinerary goes in either direction, depending on the date, so why not extend your trip?

There are hundreds of different river cruises all over the world, so start planning!

PS. River cruises can make phenomenal honeymoons, so definitely consider one if you’ll be honeymooning soon! For more great honeymoon ideas click here.

The post The Best River Cruises To Experience appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. The Lyon & Provence River Cruise

When you think of a romantic destination, the first place most think of is Paris. However, the Lyon & Provence river cruise through Viking Cruises might just top that. This 8 day Southern France cruise travels down the Rhône river going from Avignon to Lyon. You will have the opportunity to see ancient cities, rolling hills of lavender, wineries and much more—all from your balcony or included excursion. A train transfer to Paris can also be arranged to add extra time on the beginning or end of your trip.

To see more amazing river cruises you should consider doing, click here.

2. Mallorca

Another great destination is Mallorca—one of the Balearic islands off the eastern coast of Spain. Known for its white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, Mallorca is a must see. Not only is it a beautiful island of beaches, there is also the old medieval city of Palma, which is enough to take your breath away. This island is full of Spanish and Mediterranean culture and food, so there will always be something to experience. You can also island hop to the surrounding Menorca and Ibiza islands as well.

3. Fiji

Perhaps the queen of romantic paradises, Fiji is one of those remote islands in the South Pacific. Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands, so there is more than enough opportunity to find your own beach that will feel like your own private beach! Not only are there beautiful beaches, but there is plenty of hiking through jungles, coral reefs to see snorkeling, and caves with breathtaking waterfalls. There are also many museums to be seen in the British colonial port city of Suva.

The world is filled with so many beautiful and romantic paradises—these were our top 3, but where will you go?

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