Where to travel in the summer for romantic couples

Your favorite activities and pastimes pave the way to your ultimate summer vacation. Water sports, hiking and exploring, relaxing and catching a few rays -- you and your sweetheart can do it all in any number of vacation destinations across the United States.

Natural escapes

For adventurous couples, few things are more amorous than falling asleep in each other's arms beneath a midnight blue starry sky. A camping trip to a mountainous or lakeside park or campground may be the perfect escape from reality.

Your campsite for two becomes your palace and the hotdogs and bacon you grill over an open flame are the feast of the gods. Roughing it with your sweetie can bring out the softer side of your relationship. Challenge your honey to a fishing contest, make up a goofy scavenger hunt or see who can spot the most exotic wildlife creature.

No one else is around to invade your personal moments as a couple, so enjoy your time together and just be yourselves. When night falls, you can relax the hours away, snuggled up close in front of a crackling campfire.

Whether you're looking for a perfect camping destination nearby or one across the country, you can find a park by state on the National Park Service website.

Get a little wild...

Tired of the same old beach, mountains, resorts? Confer with your sweetie and see about booking a trip with reckless abandon. Check out availability for Las Vegas, New Orleans or another well-known hotspot and prepare to cut loose. Pack some extra cash for the casinos and the nightlife, plan to stay up 'til all hours and enjoy some fine cocktails and sumptuous meals.

If, however, these two carefree towns present too much of a carefree atmosphere, consider flying out west, renting a car and embarking upon an adventure to visit some great American landmarks! If you've yet to see the Grand Canyon or any of the national parks, what better company than your true love to accompany you on the adventure of a lifetime?

Be sure to pack a number of US road atlases, printouts of directions, a credit card for filling up the gas tank, some water and snacks, along with a camera and notebook to document all your wonderful discoveries together.

Life's just beachy

If you just don't want a vacation that doesn't have plenty of sand and sun, go for the best. Stephen P Leatherman PhD, Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research (known as "Dr Beach") creates an annual Top 10 Beaches list. He uses fifty criteria to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality as well as facilities and management.

Here are our top 10:

 

1. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach - Outer Banks, North Carolina
2. Caladesi Island State Park - Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
3. Coopers Beach - Southampton, New York
4. Hanalei Beach - Kauai, Hawaii
5. Coast Guard Beach - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
6. Hamoa Beach - Maui, Hawaii
7. Main Beach - East Hampton, New York
8. Coronado Beach - San Diego, California
9. Lighthouse Point Park - Daytona Beach, Florida
10. Siesta Beach - Sarasota, Florida

Fall into the view

If you want the wonder of water, but aren't up for the beach, take a blissful trip to Niagara Falls. There's nothing quite like the falls to give you a feeling of tremendous exhilaration and wonder.

Taking in the sites together and holding hands while strolling through the caverns beneath the falls can especially inspire closeness to couples that visit this romantic attraction.

A cruise on the historic Maid of the Mist is a must-do. You can feel the tiny water droplets upon your heads, face and clothing if you choose not to wear a raincoat or poncho -- it's both beautiful and refreshing.

When evening falls, the light show and fireworks displays paint the skies atop the falls -- truly inspiring a passionate ambiance all around.

Too busy for a full-time getaway? Try a fun day trip!

Sometimes career paths and personal lifestyles do not always allow for a weeklong vacation from the norm. Don't shortchange yourself by foregoing a vacation altogether. Plan a few day trips here and there with romantic activities interspersed throughout your summer. Couples can enjoy each other's company, even without leaving the comforts of home!

Here are a few options that you may have within driving distance if you can't spare several days away at a time:

 

• Go horseback riding.
• Challenge your partner to some miniature golf and top the day off with some ice cream.
• Find a drive-in movie theater and see if you can watch a double-feature.
• Go on a "real" date -- candlelit dinner and dancing, movie... and don't forget dessert!
• Visit an amusement park.
• Take a daytrip to the seashore and walk along the beach collecting seashells.
• Double date with another couple and plan a night out to a show or concert.
• Organize a picnic for two. Fly a kite for old-time's sake.
• Visit a local park and take a lazy walk, reminiscing about your times together or perhaps just enjoying each other's company without conversation.
• Check out a museum or attraction you've both wanted to see but hadn't found time for yet.
• Tour a local brewery and have lunch with a fresh brew.
• Cheer on your favorite sports team at an away location.
• Find a quiet place to relax and watch the clouds -- or the stars -- together.

It's all about you two

No matter where you and your sweetheart decide to go for your precious few days off, remember that it is your special time together. For now, put any stress factors and underlying issues out of sight and out of mind. This is a time to focus on the closeness of your relationship and to think about how much you care for each other.

Remember to pack a blanket and pillow so you can enjoy the stars, and don't forget a camera to catch some of your adventures so you both can recall some happy memories later.