For some, a romantic evening is one spent in front of a fire, perhaps at home, sipping red wine. For others, romance is adventure -- an exotic land or daring activity. Amorous inspiration can occur in a luxury hotel suite in a city or in a pine forest under the stars.
Germany in Georgia at Alpine Helen
Sometimes, there is nothing more romantic than a holiday in a foreign land -- the mystery, the culture, the food. And sometimes, such a holiday is impossible. After all, there is nothing romantic about airfare.
Fortunately, Helen, Ga., a mere 126 miles from Chattanooga, comes close to mimicking a trip to Germany. The quaint village will have you wondering whether you've been magically transported to Bavaria.
Stroll hand-in-hand or take a carriage ride down cobblestone streets, taking in the colorful gingerbread houses.
Nibble sweet morsels of cinnamon roll pie at Ain't B's Bakery and Cafe.
Stop by the Amish Red Barn and buy a handmade quilt to snuggle under during those cold winter nights.
Source: www.helenga.org
Snow skiing in the Deep South
Nestle in the bosom of nature atop stunning Lookout Mountain at the Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort in Mentone, Ala. A place where the beauty of Mother Earth's bounty can be taken in no matter what the season, Cloudmont, and the adjacent Shady Grove Dude Ranch, offer adventure and respite.
Leave the smartphones behind and escape the pressure of everyday life and work, focusing your energies on your beloved and not on the latest text.
Cozy up in front of a fireplace a cabin or chalet, and listen to the sounds of the birds chirping, rather than squawking of Snooki.
Take a side trip to nearby DeSoto Falls to view one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South.
Source: Cloudmont Ski Resort, www.mentonealabama.gov
Indulge your tastebuds in North Carolina
Each fall, Highlands, N.C., holds a culinary weekend complete with wine tastings and samplings from the area's top chefs. Seduction abounds as epicurean delights and heady wines make the troubles of everyday life melt away. Add the spectacular Highlands vistas and the sweet mountain air... does it get more delicious?
Let the bounty of the land be your aphrodisiac.
Stay at the nearby Colonial Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast, and visit the berry gardens where the sweet juices of raspberries, blackberries and black currants burst forth.
Source: Highlands, N.C. Chamber of Commerce
Romance behind the wheel in Tennessee
Got a tank of gas and a special guy or girl? Hit the road and take in the beautiful sights of the Ocoee Scenic Byway. Kissed by Mother Nature, the byway features views mountain peaks and rock bluffs as it twists along the Ocoee River. Bench seats recommended.
Park at Boyd's Gap Overlook for stunning views.
Take in the rushing blue waters of the river, contrasted with the blue of the skies.
On a clear day, you can see forever -- or at least to North Carolina.
Source: www.byways.org
-- Compiled by staff writer Holly Leber