Last-Minute Romantic Getaways for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is coming up quick and you want to give the gift of travel to your significant other. What are you going to do?

Start by reading the rest of this post, and everything will be all right. We’re breaking this post into travel types and destinations to make things even easier!

Types of romantic trips

Cruise

There are actually good last-minute deals on cruises! Honestly! This is especially true if you’re flexible on the destination, a member of a cruise-line rewards program, or working with a travel professional.

If you’re in good with a cruise line, they’ll likely be flooding your inbox with offers. When that’s the case, it’s simple: Find one you like and start the process.

However, cruise-line emails show the cruises they want you to take. A better option is to cruise the web and check out sites like Cruise Sheet, CruisePlum or Cruise Critic. There you can choose from among a plethora of last-minute cruise deals – and maybe find one from your preferred line in the process.

Still, it’s hard to beat having a trained cruise professional in your corner looking out for you. Turn them loose on the challenge and suddenly a last-minute cruise doesn’t sound so daunting.

Also read: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List, Tips and Hacks

International trip

Google Flights, Expedia, and similar platforms are great for planning, but when it comes to last-minute travel, it's best to leave it to the professionals.

A fun way to approach last-minute travel is to let the price dictate the destination. The cheapest flights are to Buenos Aires? Great! Let’s go to Argentina. It’s summer there.

However you approach it, make sure you have your affairs in order, and we’re not talking romance here. We’re talking things like:

•    Passports
•    Vaccinations
•    Luggage
•    Clothing
•    SIM cards
•    Plugs and chargers

There’s nothing like heading to Singapore for the rainy season only to discover you have one non-functioning umbrella and a torn raincoat between the two of you.

Also Read: The Essential Traveling Abroad Checklist

Package deal

Tours may seem out of the question as a last-minute deal, but that’s okay. This is the time you want to be looking at those rental-car/hotel/theater-tix combos on Expedia.

We’re not talking theaters in Branson here, unless that’s what you want.

Once again, the prices may be a little gasp-inducing straight from the sites, so turning loose a travel professional on the challenge is always a good idea.

In addition, just like your mom told you, it never hurts to ask. Call a hotel directly and ask if they have package deals available. The top hotels in New York’s theater district probably won’t, but you never know unless you call.

Also Read: Weekend Trips for New Yorkers: Your Perfect Getaway Guide

Destinations

Caribbean/Mexico

John Denver was right: Late winter and early spring is a popular time for people to travel to Mexico.

Whether your preferences run to Cabo or Cancun, there’s probably a sunny spot in Mexico calling your name – and depending on the property, Valentine’s Day may be considered off-peak, meaning better deals.

And what goes for Mexico goes equally well for the Caribbean. Whether your tastes run to Jamaica, Aruba, or the Dominican Republic, there’s likely a place with space for you over Valentine’s Day.

A couple of caveats:

• Plane tickets will be the hard part. It doesn’t matter if the property has space if you can’t get there. Last-minute air travel can be expensive and can involve some whopping layovers.
• It’s about them, not you. If you’re the sun-worshipper and they’re not, why are you booking a trip to Cabo? Remember that it’s about what they like, not your preferences.

Also Read: Travel Insurance with Assistance Services for Mexico

New York

New York is one of the most romantic cities on earth.

As the locals say, are you serious? Nothing compares to Broadway, a carriage ride through Central Park, savoring a halal cart meal on a crisp, starry night, ice-skating at Rockefeller Center, or taking in the breathtaking views from the top of the Empire state building. You get the picture—it’s pure magic.

NYC’s cold means more snuggle time, and to be honest, there’s something magical about the city in late winter when it’s not having five inches of slush dumped on it.

Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it: NYC for Valentine’s Day is The Thing.

Also Read: Free Things to do in New York City

Las Vegas

Maybe you’re at that less-kissing/more-doing stage of your relationship. If so, Las Vegas is the place for you.

You know what’s there: all the music artists who aren’t in Nashville, the glitz of the Strip, over-the-top experiences, casinos where the house always wins, the Sphere, and so forth.

If that is exactly what you want, there is no substitute. Planes fly there daily. Be on one.

Also Read: The Best Las Vegas Restaurants for All Budgets

Europe

It’s tempting to immediately think of Paris, but hey: even Emily in Paris is in Rome now.

Here’s an alternative: How about Ireland? It’s lush, the people are incredibly friendly, and it’s definitely off-peak there.

If not Ireland, London is a city like New York that’s good any time of year. And if not that, Rome is blissful, the Greek islands are year-round now, and Prague, Amsterdam, and Budapest are great off-peak destinations.

Transatlantic flights make planning this sort of last-minute travel a little more hairy, but if you can be flexible with your travel dates around V-Day, you’re sure to work something out.

Also Read: Find Your Cozy European Getaway

One more tip: Travel protection for last-minute travel is definitely a thing, and the travel-protection plans with travel assistance services from Generali Global Assistance may help cover your spur-of-the-moment romantic travel.

You can buy travel insurance with assistance services at any time up to 24 hours before departure, and our website makes it easy to get a quote for peace of mind.

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