If you are looking for unexpected ways to change it up this Valentine’s Day, consider a romantic road trip through some of America’s most scenic routes. Quality time and new experiences are always more valuable and memorable than any piece of jewelry or amount of chocolate that money can buy. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
The Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia & North Carolina
From trees blanketed in snow to winding mountain roads, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect romantic ride for couples who love a little adventure. Along the way, you can check out several skiing and snowboarding resorts. The Parkway’s 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina is world-renowned for its biodiversity. The Parkway covers a wide range of habitats along the Appalachian Mountains, and some of these habitats are exceptionally rare. Visitors encounter unsurpassed diversity of climate, vegetation, wildlife, and geological features.
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Overseas Highway – Florida
The 113-mile roadway, sometimes called “the Highway that Goes to Sea,” is a modern wonder by which visitors from Florida’s mainland can cross countless coral and limestone islets through the Florida Keys. The highway links Miami to the Florida Keys with tons of great stops in between. Some of the highlights include Key Largo, Marathon, and Big Pine Keys, where there are beautiful sandy beaches and, depending on the temperatures, opportunities for fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Highway 101 – Oregon
California’s Pacific Coast Highway often gets all the buzz when it comes to west coast road trips, but Highway 101 through Oregon is just a scenic with stretches of rugged coastlines and beautiful natural surroundings. Be sure to plan this trip well since there are a lot of sights to stop and see along the way including small towns like Cannon Beach, Florence, Newport, and Yachats, stunning state parks, beaches, and lighthouses.
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Golden Isles – Georgia
Explore the barrier islands or marshes, rivers, and estuaries that define the Low Country coastal region of Georgia between Jekyll Island and Savannah. Here lie four beautiful barrier islands: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, and the mainland city of Brunswick. Head down the scenic routes 520, 99 and 17 that wind through the Golden Isles and take in the beautiful scenery as well as the historic landmarks, museums, art galleries, quaint bed-and-breakfast inns, and five-star resorts.