Happy Valentine’s Day weekend to our intrepid traveling readers! It’s that time of year, so here’s a rather adorable list from CNN Travel of the world’s ten most romantic places to get engaged, from Petra in Jordan to the Great Wall of China. Of course, the problem with an adventurous engagement plan is that it makes things slightly more awkward if the answer is no—but presumably if she has agreed to travel to China with you, chances are she’s a keeper.
Without getting all revoltingly Hallmark-y, there are two local Valentine’s attractions worth noting this weekend (in addition to our great online roundup): The Museum of Crime & Punishment has a special tour this weekend dedicated to “Crimes of Passion.” Charmingly, the $30 admission fee includes a pair of souvenir handcuffs. Because nothing says “I love you” quite like police-issued restraints. For more conventionally romantic types, the Willard InterContinental is hosting a special Valentine’s-themed afternoon tea Friday through Monday, including Champagne, lemon Madeleines, a selection of assorted sandwiches, scones, and pastries, and a rose for every lady who attends (as far as we’re concerned, it’s worth the $49 price tag just to get a flower from somebody). And there’ll be a harpist as well, which frankly we don’t get enough of these days. Call 202-637-7350 or visit the Willard’s Web site to make reservations.
Two deals this week: Jetsetter has one (that begs for a karaoke moment) at La Casa Bonita in the Dominican Republic. Rates at the eco-hotel, one of the most beautiful we’ve featured in a while, start at $125 a night, including a discount card for 30 percent off massages at the hotel. And Travelzoo has this blinder of a deal at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York for a superior king room with free wi-fi starting at $119 a night. The storied hotel is located right by Grand Central Station and Fifth Avenue—and a short cab right from almost anywhere else in Manhattan. This is a $150 off the usual $269 rate in a really charming, Edith Wharton-esque location.
And finally, can you imagine going on vacation and not checking your e-mail several times a day? Not to mention cutting out Angry Birds . . . Washington Post travel writer Nancy Trejos tried it out at the Hotel Monaco’s “Tranquility Suite” in Chicago, and she writes about it here.
