Right. Well, let’s start across the pond in the most romantic city in the world, Paris. With non-stop air offered on both Delta and AirFrance, you can be there in about 6 or 7 hours to step into what is truly another world. Just remember when making your accommodation arrangements that your flight will likely arrive the next day. Paris is more than a European capital city filled with romance at every turn; it is a city flowing with such grace and elegance that one need only stroll the streets along the Seine or take in the museums to experience the best in architecture and art ~ many times at little to no cost at all. Here’s how the most amazing trip of your lifetime could also be one of your most inexpensive. Depending on the season, non-stop air will run you $600 and up per person online; add a reasonable commuter line ticket for 10 euros and for accommodations, try VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner) first. At VRBO, you will find the most amazing privately rented apartments in the best locations at prices you could never get at a hotel ~ and many times you’re looking at a complete apartment with one or two bedrooms. Figure as low as 1,000 euros (or lower) for a week per room, not per person. Add that to the air and train ticket, and you’re looking at only about $2,500 per person non stop for a one-week apartment right in Paris…PARIS!

In case you’d rather stay on this continent and head someplace warm, let me introduce you to one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, Captiva Island, located near Fort Myers. One of the first accommodations on the island is the Tween Waters Inn, a property that is a collection of pastel painted bungalow cottages with screen porches directly facing the water.

Here Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Lindberg and others have been regular guests and Anne Morrow Lindberg wrote Gifts from the Sea while here on Captiva Island. The cottages start at about $200 per night, figure $300 for a car rental (priceline.com) and non stop air Boston or Providence into Fort Myers is frequently under $250 per person. An amazing week on the beach for about $1,100 per person…not too shabby!

We’ll wrap this up where no flying will be required, right down the ol’ Mass Pike to another romantic destination, Canyon Ranch in Lenox. You’ve either heard of it or you haven’t, but have your friends graced its storied and magnificent halls?

Canyon Ranch is part of a family of the world’s most exclusive, but also not stuffy – complete spa resorts on the planet – period. And it’s right here in Massachusetts about 2 hours away. The other properties are on the QE2, Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, etc. you get the idea.

So, gorgeous accommodations, three meals a day included, more than 40 complimentary fitness classes every day, full access to the 100,000 sq. foot world class spa, hiking, biking, skiing, workshops, integrated wellness services…it’s all there. Since no flight is needed and you’ll probably drive your own car, let’s go for it. 5 nights, (who could take more?) would run about $4,000 for a luxury room per person. Sometimes lower, sometimes higher and a deluxe room would be lower year round. This includes an allowance towards the service fees and you can add more on if you’d like of course. What a way to start your lives together, learning how to truly take care of yourselves and each other.

These should get you started and we’ll give you the websites to point the way below. So pack your bags, grab a cute traveling companion and an even cuter bathing suit, and treat yourself to a great getaway!

Vacation Rentals By Owner: www.VRBO.com

Airfares & car rentals: www.expedia.com or www.priceline.com

Captiva Island: www.tween-waters.com

Lenox, MA: www.canyonranch.com