How To Plan the Ultimate Romantic Winter Getaway for Two
Winter may be the time that some people choose to stay indoors and shut themselves away from the cold, but for others, it’s the most romantic time of year. Grey skies, freezing temperatures, hardly any daylight…maybe you’re thinking that all of this doesn’t sound so great? Let me be the one to change your mind about winter with these tips for planning the ultimate romantic getaway with your partner. Once we’re through, your view on the winter season will be changed for good.
Why Winter?
There’s nothing as magical as winter if you know where to go and what to do. Choose places that are guaranteed to have snow over the winter season: Switzerland, Scandinavia, Canada, parts of Japan, the US, Austria, and Germany. Places like this are transformed into a true winter wonderland once every year, and it’s something incredibly magical and moving to behold. The people in these countries know how to do winter well! It’s guaranteed to put happy smiles on both your faces and bring you even closer together.
Planning the Travel
If it’s a true grand gesture romance you’re looking for, and you’re travelling internationally, there’s only one way to fly: on a private jet charter. There’s an obvious reason for this – you’ll be alone on your flight, which means that you’ll have more time to spend together watching the world go miles beneath you and getting excited about your romantic itinerary. Then there are the practical reasons – private flights operate on a far more personalised schedule, and they’re often more comfortable, pleasant, and accommodating, meaning you’ll arrive refreshed and feel ready to start your vacation when you land.
If you’re going to be travelling around the country you visit, we recommend embracing a slightly more old-school form of travelling. A steam train, in particular, is a delightful option. Imagine sitting together for the entire journey with steaming cups of hot chocolate and taking in the gorgeous scenery around you. If car travel is safe during winter, booking a rental car or car service just for the two of you is another option. Take your time, stop off at adorable little towns and roadside stalls along the way, and enjoy each other’s company in new settings. Be sure you have analogue maps and a GPS so that you never get lost, even when you may be out of range of signal.
Planning the Itinerary
Naturally, since this is a romantic vacation, you’ll want to plan several couple-friendly activities: dinners in glowing restaurant windows, couple’s massages, and gentle walks in the snow. It’s important to take both people’s preferences into account and to learn to collaborate on the experience so that each person gets to experience something they love. What’s also important is to make room for each of you to have a little solo relaxing and resting time so that there are no short tempers or flaring frustrations. These are natural when people spend a lot of uninterrupted time together, so don’t be alarmed, be prepared.
The Ultimate Winter Wonderland Destinations
We mentioned a few general locations earlier on, but if you and your partner need some more specific ideas, here are our favourite bucket list winter vacation destinations.
Lake Minnewanka, Canada
There are many exquisite lakes within the Banff National Park in Canada, but Lake Minnewanka takes the cake. This glacial lake can be found in the Eastern section of the park, and the Canadian Rockies’ views are completely unparalleled. There are a number of hotels and lodges in Banff, all lit up like Christmas trees, all waiting to welcome you with a steaming hot drink.
Shirakawa-go, Japan
In the far north of Japan lie a number of little villages populated with thatched cottages that turn into real-life gingerbread houses as soon as the snow starts to fall. Nowhere in snow-bound wintery Japan is more stunning than the UNESCO-protected village of Shirakawa-go. You’ve never seen anything quite like it.
Lapland, Finland
This is the land that produced the legend of the snow Queen, one of the most beautiful winter fairy tales ever told. Visiting Lapland with your partner is like stepping onto the pages of a magical tale, and the scenery is so perfect you’ll hardly believe it wasn’t illustrated just for you. Wrap up warm and take a sleigh ride with an actual reindeer, watch the northern lights, and sleep under the stars in a glass-topped hut or bubble sledge – nothing could be more romantic.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Though spending time by the sea during the depths of winter may seem counterintuitive to some, let us tell you that Alaska makes the experience more than worth it. Take a cruise with your partner and see the jewel of the state: Glacier Bay National Park. If you love nature, you’ll be overwhelmed by the scenery as well as all the winter wildlife that lives in the park. Here in one of the most bio-diverse locations on the planet, you’ll see whales, mountain goats, moose, wolverines, and maybe even a grizzly if you’re early enough in the season.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Visiting a castle that was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland sounds like a pretty romantic idea to me. Since 1886, Neuschwanstein has stood tall, and every year in winter, it is dusted with icing-like snow. The transformation is ethereal and something every winter-loving couple should see. There is nothing more heartwarming and romantic.
Winter Romance
If you follow this advice and choose from some of these gorgeous winter destinations, you and your partner will undoubtedly have the holiday of a lifetime.
