Romantic Getaways: Save vs. Splurge

It’s never too late to create new memories! And a getaway, even for a few days, can be tons of fun – especially with your significant other. Traveling is a great way to bond, relax and try things you normally wouldn’t. While splurging on a dream vacation every now and then might make sense, there are many ways to take a trip with your spouse without breaking the bank.

Romantic Getaway Destinations
If you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a budget-friendly vacation destination, check out these places:

Savannah, Georgia
Experience the charm of the south in historic Savannah.
Things to do: Take a walk down River Street and enjoy the homemade candies. Stroll through the city squares and Forsythe Park to see the live oak trees elegantly draped with Spanish moss. For the history buffs, tour beautiful antebellum homes.

Asheville, North Carolina
Enjoy the scenic mountain town of Asheville.
Things to do: Tour the 8,000-acre estate built by George Vanderbilt, the Biltmore. Breathe in the fresh mountain air during a hike through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Walk along the Urban Trail in downtown Asheville to learn about the city’s past.

Canon Beach, Oregon
Relax in the quaint beach town of Canon Beach.
Things to do: Take a walk on the beach alongside the Pacific Ocean and see the famous Haystack Rock. Explore downtown Canon Beach’s courtyards, art galleries, restaurants and public art.

Rockland, Maine
Relax and unwind in the coastal town of Rockland.
Things to do: Go on a hike through blueberry fields to Beech Nut for panoramic views of the ocean. Hop on a ferry to see the lighthouses and neighboring islands. Head to Harbor Park to watch sail boats come in. Treat yourself to a freshly harvested lobster dinner.

If you’ve been saving and are ready to splurge, try planning a romantic getaway to one of these cities:

San Francisco, California
Enjoy the City by the Bay.
Things to do: Take in the city’s famous sights, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower and Lombard Street. Take a day trip to wine country to see the sprawling vineyards. Take a ride on the storied cable cars. Indulge in decadent chocolate at the San Francisco founded Ghirardelli Chocolate.

Chicago, Illinois
Take in the city views and the foods of the Windy city.
Things to do: Take a ride to the top of the city’s tallest skyscraper, Willis Tower. Share a Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Visit Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. Shop along the Magnificent Mile, the city’s bustling commercial district. Take a walk through Chicago’s beautiful botanic garden.

Make Your Trip Fit Your Budget
With proper travel budgeting and planning, traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. Smart planning becomes even more important if you are retired and living on a fixed income. But, traveling in retirement has many cost saving advantages. One of the main advantages is more flexibility. You can plan your romantic getaway during off seasons and less popular days. For example, beach getaways are often more expensive when kids are out of school on summer break and on the weekends. Your trip could be less expensive by going when kids are in school or during the weekdays.

If none of these places sound like the right fit for you and your significant other, think about what you like to do together. Do you enjoy golfing? Theater? Gaming? Once you have identified what you’d like out of a romantic getaway, find places where you can do those activities and start tracking prices. Traveling together is one of the best ways to strengthen a bond and create new memories. Now that you have some destinations in mind, choose some dates and take that trip.

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