Christmas is over and the credit card bills are starting to arrive. Although it may be the last thing on your mind right now, it’s time to plan your Valentine’s Day getaway. Valentine’s Day is more than just flowers and chocolates, it’s about spending time with the person you love. And I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than by getting away from the house and going someplace romantic.
I’m collaborating with the Dosh cash back app on this post to share ideas that you can use to book your Valentine’s Day getaway without breaking the bank.
In This Post
6 Romantic Valentine’s Day getaway ideas
These are some of my favorite Valentine’s Day getaway ideas that we’ve used to get some alone time or to create awesome family memories. Yes, one unfortunate part of being a parent is that you sometimes have to sacrifice a bit of the romance to create special memories before the kids leave to start their own lives.
Cozy cabin in the woods
Nothing says romance quite like snuggling next to your sweetie by the fireplace. You can decide to stay in for the weekend, hit the slopes, or explore the town. Some of my favorite mountain getaways are Mammoth Mountain, California; Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Solitude, Utah; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; and Stratton, Vermont.
Sunny beach escapes
Let’s face it, February is cold throughout much of the U.S. Not only will your spouse thank you for booking a getaway, but they’ll be even happier when they realize you’re going someplace warm!
Traveling internationally to Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean are great. But sometimes you don’t have that much time off or you don’t have a passport. Consider San Diego, Miami, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.
Big city fun
Big cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have a lot to offer. There’s always a certain buzz that you can feel as you’re walking the streets. Explore the Big Apple in New York, eat fortune cookies in San Francisco’s Chinatown, or look for stars in L.A. This could be a fun way to explore new sights or revisit old favorites.
Neon lights of Las Vegas
Getting dressed up to gamble and dance the night away in Vegas is a great way to share exciting moments with your significant other. From old school Vegas to incredible shows and concerts to the latest all-night clubs, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And don’t forget that some of the top celebrity chefs have opened restaurants in Las Vegas, making it a true foodie destination. Plus, many Las Vegas hotels host daytime pool parties that rival some of the best clubs across the nation.
Live music in Nashville
After living in Nashville for the last 18 months, now I know why it’s so popular. The live music is everywhere (including the airport!) and the food is incredible. If you and your sweetheart love music, Broadway in Nashville is the place to be. You can catch a show at historic venues, like the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry, or hit the honky tanks along Broadway in Downtown. While you’re here, you need to try our local BBQ, biscuits for breakfast, and hot chicken.
Explore your local city
Sometimes getting away isn’t an option. Whether it’s your boss or budget that’s restricting your ability to travel, don’t despair. Try booking a Valentine’s Day getaway in your local city or someplace close enough to drive for the weekend.
Too often we forget how great our own cities are. Or we want to see an attraction, but it’s never the right time. Your staycation could be the right time to explore all of the things you’ve been meaning to do.
If you’re like me, when you stay home, you probably won’t do it. Chores and other responsibilities get in the way. Consider booking a room at a local hotel so that you’re still on vacation, even if you’re not fully on vacation.
How to save on your Valentine’s Day getaway
I love my wife and treating her to fun-filled getaways. Luckily for me, she appreciates it when I can book nice vacations while also saving money. That saved money can help reduce our mortgage debt, save for the kids’ college tuition, or pay for activities and meals while we travel.
Save up to 40% with Dosh cash back
Whenever I’m booking a hotel, I always check prices and cash back options in the Dosh cash back app. The app offers rates that are competitive with online websites like Expedia, but goes a step further by offering up to 40% cash back. In my experience, most hotels will save between 10% and 20% off normal rates.
There are over 600,000 hotels to choose from around the world, so no matter where you’re traveling to, you’re sure to find some great options. Click here to join Dosh.
After I know what prices Dosh offers (net of cash back), I compare those prices against what the hotel is offering on their site. I also take a look at how many points it would cost to redeem for a free night.
Use hotel points to book your room
As you know, I love using hotel points to book my hotel rooms. Using my favorite airline and hotel credit cards to pay for everyday expenses is what allows my family and me to travel on the cheap. Some hotel credit cards even offer free nights every year just for renewing the credit card by paying the annual fee.
Before booking with points or free night certificates, I calculate what value I’d be getting by redeeming points for the stay. You do that by dividing the cash price for the room by the number of points required. For example, a $200 room that costs 20,000 points, would be a value of 1 cent per point.
If the point redemption isn’t a good value, or I’m saving up for a longer trip, then I book the room with cash via Dosh or the hotel site.
Be flexible on your travel dates
Traveling around holidays can result in higher prices than normal. In some cases, your favorite destination or hotel could be booked up with the increased demand. If your spouse is game, travel the weekend before or after the Valentine’s Day holiday to save some money.
As an added plus, because everyone else was celebrating during Valentine’s Day weekend, when you travel on an off-weekend, there will be fewer people around.
The Bald Thoughts
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have a romantic Valentine’s Day celebration. Although your spouse still wants a cute card with some special words, I bet they would gladly trade flowers, chocolate, and an expensive dinner for a weekend getaway. My recommendation is to use the Dosh cash back app to save up to 40% cash back on your room or to book your hotel with points. Both of these options are very budget-friendly and are great options to book your Valentine’s Day getaway for less.
What are your favorite Valentine’s Day getaway ideas? Please share them in the comments below. After 10 years of marriage, I could always use some tips to keep the romance as hot as when we were newlyweds.
