With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, thoughts drift towards romance, flowers, chocolates, and how to spend quality time with the one you love. Whym staffers tend to be a sappy, soft and gooey kind of group (pink milkshakes will be on the lunch table on February 14th. Bet on it!) and we want to help set the mood for all of you hopeless romantics.
Whether it be a quick overnight, a long weekend, or a week hidden away from the world, Whym loves to play Cupid! Here are the top spots that we love to point our arrow at when we plan surprise vacations for our clients.
Spend some time tooling around the quaint shops hand in hand along the oak and Spanish moss lined streets of Savannah. Sit on a bench under a canopy of trees in one of the beautiful parks or gardens and take in the fresh air, the sweet songs of the birds and the trickle of the gorgeous fountains. Then grab a delectable dinner (they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but we think women love a good meal and a glass of wine just as much as any man) at one of the many famous eateries that celebrity chefs have started establishing in this sleepy little southern town. Take in a gorgeous sunset on Tybee Island then go relax in one of the charming historic mansions that are now converted into lovely inns.
@ashkned
Like Savannah, Charleston is the epitome of Southern gentility. With horse-drawn carriages clickety clacking down cobblestone streets filled with amazing historical architecture and lined with pastel homes on Rainbow Row, this place oozes romance. Walk or bike along the water while watching the boats go by. Shop the well-curated boutiques where they’ll offer you a glass of champagne or the local artisans filling the Charleston City Market. Eat your weight in amazing food, then listen to live jazz with a glass of wine in your hand and sway in the arms of your partner. Walk through the French Quarter in the evening and end your day in one of the gorgeous boutique hotels or quaint B&Bs that fill this city.
pinterest.com
San Francisco & Napa Valley, California
Sunshine and blue skies are the norm in Napa so a picnic in the vineyards is a must. After strolling though a field of grapes and sipping award-winning wine in a cozy cavern, you can savor gourmet bites on the Napa Valley Wine Train or at one of the chic restaurants. Then slumber at a top-notch hotel with a view of the rolling vineyards right outside of your window. If wine is not your thing, stay in San Francisco. You can’t go wrong in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! The crisp air will refresh your body and soul as you gaze across the hills of this pulsing town. Start at the city’s most famous landmark and take in the views of the world’s most recognizable bridge. There are so many spots to take relax, explore, and snap a perfect picture. Have a picnic on Chrissy Field under the bridge or take a cruise on the Bay. Another gorgeous place is the Palace of Fine Arts with its grassy hills and swans on the water. Golden Gate Park has the Japanese Tea Garden. There are so many lovely sites to visit indoors and out. But no romantic getaway would be complete without trying the amazing food in this town, there is something for every tastebud. But before you go to sleep at one of the many great hotels, don’t forget to stop by Ghiradelli for your chocolate fix!
@sonuba
Maybe the most romantic city in the US, this city has a completely unique vibe. There is an energy about it – a mystery that you can feel but can’t quite crack, no matter how many times you visit. The many public fountains and squares give this town a charming feel and fascinating people watching. Wedding parties stroll through the streets in parade fashion, playing music and dancing as they go. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of this city, no matter the time of day! You’ll also find local artists and crafters working and selling their wares as you stroll. Stop and talk – oh the stories they tell! The architecture is second to none so as you’re walking, you can’t help but see the French and Spanish influence and feel like you’re in an old European village. Those influences and the creole culture make the food here one of a kind. Take a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi for a different vantage point. At night, the city comes alive with street performers and sidewalk bars. There is no shortage of great music everywhere you go in this lively and pulsing city.
Key West has the reputation of being touristy (and it is) but it can also be exotic and romantic. Nearly 20% of visitors participate in in a wedding or vow renewal while there. Hop in and out of fun bars along Duval Street and do a sing-along, go to the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum, hit the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and then steal some kisses and a photo op at the Key West lighthouse. As the southern most point in the U.S., it feels like you can see forever! The sunsets from Mallory Square are remarkable and it’s a popular place (think lots of people) to watch street performers all while sipping tropical libations and munching on conch. It’s fun to hold your lovers hand and take it all in. Magical things can happen! Or choose a “sip and sail sunset cruise” for romance in motion. Don’t retire until you have a piece of Key Lime Pie. You could share one, but we think it’d be better for your relationship to each get your own. It’s that good. For a more intimate spot, go to Islamorada. A village of six islands and just 90 miles from Miami, the clear waters and quiet atmosphere might be just right. And don’t forget the margaritas! If you just want to lay on the beach, Key Largo might be best. It’s the largest of the keys and has beautiful beaches and coral reefs where you might find yourself entirely alone.
@jwheeler5759
A respite for the rich and famous, if you’re willing to open your wallet and go all out, romance flows like the salmon swim upstream. Lovebirds can share a ski lift and some adrenaline-fueled skiing by day then a fabulous candlelit dinner at a fine restaurant after dark. If you come during the warmer months, you can go hiking and take gondola rides. Shop the high-end boutiques, fascinating museums and funky galleries. Sip a bottle of fine wine and when you’re spent, there are many hotels and resorts that offer soft and cozy or glitzy accommodations.
@lesanderson
We at Whym like Park City just as much as Aspen for you lovers who wants getaway that doesn’t cost as much. Just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, it’s like living in a snowglobe! If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling, then cuddling by a warm fire recounting you days adventures, this town oozes opportunities for pulling on your heartstrings. No matter the season, there are great spas, boutiques, and caverns to see. In the summer, paddleboard, fish, zipline or take a hot air balloon ride for a little more of an adrenaline rush. Hit a delicious restaurant, then go rest your sore muscles in a hot tub on the balcony of your hotel room overlooking the mountains!
@ptkindt
We know, we know, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” but what’s wrong with that?! It’s exciting and wild. It’s the only place where you can combine the romance of Rome, Paris and Venice in one locale – scale the Eiffel Tower, take a gondola ride with your SO, and shop til you drop if that’s your thing. Sin City is the perfect place to get all dolled-up and have a night on the town like you’re a celebrity. Get a killer view of the whole city from the High Roller at the Linq while sipping cocktails or venture off the strip to the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere. Go to one of the adults-only restaurants (or just wait til late evening) and indulge in one of the best meals in your life. Rent a limo and bar hop down the strip. Better yet, take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Fair warning – it’s so overwhelmingly beautiful, you might get down on one knee. If you do, there are plenty of little chapels (with Elvis or with a small orchestra – whatever you prefer) to seal the deal!
@24ameer
Sedona, Arizona
If you want to relax and rejuvenate with your boo, head to Sedona. Consider it a wellness vacation. The landscape is dramatically colorful with the towering red rocks and sandstone buttes against a backdrop of almost always blue skies. There’s over 100 hiking trails and guided Jeep tours to go explore. For decades, spiritual people have flocked here to take advantage of the “vortexes” which supposedly bring peace and balance to your soul. World-renown resorts can be found here as well as numerous spas. The local wines are great and there are restaurants with incredible views. Have a toast to your love!
New York City, New York
The Big Apple has it all. We all know about the great food and shopping, but Central Park is undeniably romantic. You might not believe it until you try it for yourself, but wander hand in hand through the acres of green space with the buildings soaring around you and couples canoodling all around. Grab lunch and go sit in the grass. People watch. Listen to strolling musicians. Catch Shakespeare in the Park. Rent a boat to row around the lake then have dinner at the Boathouse. In winter, you can ice skate among the trees and have lunch at the nearby Plaza Hotel. Stop at the Museum of Modern Art for a coffee and see all the amazing art and get a rooftop view from their terrace. Go to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building for a jaw-dropping look at the most vibrant city in the world. Catch a Broadway show. Sip wine at battery gardens. Ride bikes along the Hudson River or stroll the 1.45 mile High Line for an elevated view with no traffic. Take a boat ride out to the State of Liberty and take in the gateway of many of our ancestors. There’s so much more too.
@harguello
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A premiere summer getaway to one of the small towns dotting the shoreline of Cape Cod is picture perfect. Delightful beaches and historic landmarks make this area an enchanting spot to spend some quality time with your better half. The charming seaside villages offer store-lined main streets and fun pubs where the locals are fun and friendly. Whym insists you’ll find some of the best and freshest seafood on the entire east coast. Get reservations for an old-fashioned clam bake! Lodging ranges from small B&Bs to luxury spa resorts to fit every budget. Recreational activities include golf, cooking classes, ocean excursions to whale or seal watch. This idyllic spot is made for chillin’ with your honey.
@jennifire24
Honolulu, Hawaii
Whym continues to debate which island is the most romantic, but this is one of our favorites. Honolulu is the capital of Oahu and the state. It’s also the home of Waikiki Beach where thousands go to take in the orange-pink sunset. Book yourself and your love a table at one of the hotel restaurants right on the beach and enjoy a glass of bubbly. Drive along the Tantalus Highway by day to get the views and stop for a poke bowl at Keeaumoku Seafood. Once you’re back in Honolulu, experience the North Shore for some fun surfing spots – even for beginners. Stop in the sleepy village of Haleiwa for lunch and then watch the surfers take on the waves.
@heftiba
There are so many more! As much as we love traveling abroad, the plethora of romantic escapes in our own homeland should not be ignored. Whym specializes in surprise vacations right here in the U.S. and territories. You don’t need to fly across the pond or get a passport and you’ll have 24-hour a day concierge service when you vacation right here in America with Whym.
Whym 