Saturday, November 27, 2010

Inexpensive Ideas For A Romantic Staycation For Couples

By Kristine Bell


During the hustle and bustle of a busy wedding season, many couples are opting to avoid the stresses and expenses of travel and opt for a "mini-moon" or staycation instead. For couples in love, a long weekend spent close to home can be just as romantic if quality activities and settings are arranged. There are a multitude of secluded spots that don't require a passport or an airplane. In this article, you'll learn about some of the best staycation places in the U.S. for romance.

Chicago, the "Windy City," may not sound romantic, but it frequently falls into the top five staycation places in the U.S. The summer offers picnics in Grant Park, music festivals, public art displays, horse-drawn carriage rides past Buckingham Fountain, boating outings on Lake Michigan and dinner on the 95th floor of the Signature Room.

InterContinental Chicago Hotel offers a number of romantic deals to get you more bang for your buck. You could book your stay with the "Jazz It Up With A Martini" package, which gives you four martinis on-the-house and two complimentary tickets to The Joint Jazz Club, including free valet parking and breakfast for two. For as low as $209/night, you can try the "Economic Stimulus" package, which gives you a room for two in the Historic Tower, a $50 food and beverage credit, 50% off valet parking, free high-speed Internet access and free fitness club access. Shoppers will love the "Magnificent Mile Shopping" package, which gives you a $50 American Express gift card, a complimentary coupon book, a $15 Starbucks gift card, complimentary valet parking and breakfast for two at Zest.

The Hilton Spa in Sedona is one of the nicest staycation places in the southwest. The European-style spa offers swimming pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and a fitness center, in addition to their wide range of salon and spa service options. Another top-rated place to stay is The Enchantment Resort with its world-class restaurants, spas, rooms and activities. Tennis, biking, watercolor classes, photography, wine tasting and yoga are all fun activities for your Arizona staycation. If you're feeling active, then you may elect to take a short, challenging hike to Cathedral Rock. For a pleasant evening, book a reservation at L'Auberge de Sedona, where you'll dine under the stars and enjoy an award-winning wine list, along with gourmet French-American cuisine.

All cities can be transformed into ideal staycation places if you know where to look. To plan your local adventure, use online resources like Trip Advisor, Virtual Tourist, Budget Travel and Lets Go. It's easy to take your own city for granted, so it's helpful to see what out-of-town and visiting tourists love most. Another way to find activities is to type your city name into Google, along with the following terms: wine tasting, winery tours, resort discount packages, sunset cruises, dinner cruises, theaters, circus, Broadway shows, farm tours, farmer's markets, concerts, festivals, galleries, museums, bed-and-breakfasts, bike tours, hikes, secret serene beaches and sporting events.




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