San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara
Why? Never have I been to a real-life secret garden. The grounds at San Ysidro are absolutely breathtaking. Not only was it the honeymoon spot for JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy but also the spot where I got engaged. It holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to visit again. The grounds are stunning. You could spend hours just taking it all in. The Stonehouse restaurant, next to the gardens, is out of this world and très romantique, with a stone fireplace and twinkling lights above. You really cannot, not be mesmerized when you are here. If you are looking for a romantic spot in the U.S. that is quiet and away from it all, look no further.
Why? I can’t explain what it is about Lucerne but it is still one of my favorite places I have ever visited. When the hubs and I were dating we took a roadtrip around Switzerland and hit all the main places. To this day Lucerne is still our favorite. It is where I fell in love with my husband and knew that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Maybe it is the charming architecture that winds around the beautifully colored Ruess River or the quiet nature of the city. Whatever it is, this is a city to see! What do I recommend doing most? Walking the Chapel Bridge. It is one of the oldest bridges in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century. It is also extremely rare as it still has medieval paintings under the roof which makes for a very interesting and romantic stroll.
Why? This winery is perfectly tucked away in the romantic hills of Tuscany. Dating back to the 1300s it is one of Italy’s oldest and most significant wineries. I fell in love with its undeniable beauty and character. The buildings ooze charm – with flowers hanging from the windows and old barrels scattered around. The winery itself looks over all of Tuscany and you can’t help but feel romance when you look around. Not only is the wine incredibly delicious – their wine is consistently ranked in the top 100 wines every year – but they also make the most exquisite cheese. After our informative tour the staff prepared a charming “picnic style” lunch full of wine, cheese, and cured meats. As the breeze blew we enjoyed an incredibly romantic day.
all images my own except stonehouse :: chapel bridge
I really enjoyed this post! Looking forward to reading more of your travel recommendations!
*sigh* So beautiful!! I hope I get get to all of these places one day!! Lucerne does look particularly amazing. This Spring i’m hoping to take a Europe trip with my friend. We’re planning on London and Edinburgh so far but I hope to go to somewhere in France or Italy too. (maybe a couple days in Paris since last time I was just there for 10 hours)
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