A romantic vineyard setting is just four hours south of Fort Worth in lovely Fredericksburg. Photo courtesy of Trish McCabe Rawls
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Travel - Romantic Destinations
February is the month to celebrate love and Valentine's Daybrhas the entire country contemplating how to show those we care about exactlybrhow we feel. Nothing conjures upbrthoughts of romance more than the European meccas of love, Paris andbrVenice. And when there isn't time to abrcross “the pond” a European-inspired couples retreat is but a few hours frombrour home. Here's two Texas cities thatbrprove romantic travel may be closer than you think.
Paris
With so much art, architecture and fine dining, it is easybrto see why so many consider the capital of France, as the most romantic touristbrdestination in the world. From strolling through the Louvre, experiencing abrriver cruise or simply enjoying Foie Gras with your loved one, a nice glass ofbrwine seems to compliment the most starry-eyed activities in a place filled withbrlove. Believe it or not, wine precededbrall that we know and love about France.
Dating back to the 6th century BC, early Greekbrsettlers of the southern regions of Gaul had two main objectives; spreadingbrtheir religious beliefs and the cultivation of wine producing vineyards.brThrough the middle ages, the French Revolution and World War II, the productionbrof wine across all thirteen regions still prevails. In fact, each year as muchbras eight billion bottles of French wine are produced, second in the world onlybrto Italy.
Want to share the romance of wine closer to home? Try Fredericksburg a romantic hot spotbrlocated about four hours south of Fort Worth.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Both lovers of wine and those looking for quality time canbrenjoy the Texas Hill Country to experience the beauty of Texas wildflowers,brrolling hills, winding country roads and of course more than thirty wineriesbrthat call the region home. The members of the Texas Hill Country Wineries eachbrembrace their own personality, terroir (their vineyard's unique blend ofbrnatural characteristics) and winemaking style to wow more than five millionbrarea visitors each year.
Despite the large volume of tourists, the region still has abrslower more romantic pace thanks to the more than 350 bed & breakfasts,brguesthouses, hotels and locally owned accommodations to fit your version of abrromantic getaway.
When it comes to shopping, Fredericksburg has got it all.brVisitors can peruse more than 150 boutiques, shops and art galleries. Thebrhistoric Main Street is alive with shops, galleries, restaurants and music. Fredericksburg is fast becoming a popularbrlive music destination with numerous venues that book regional and nationalbrartists. The charming city is home to over twenty art galleries andbrstudios offering breathtaking oils, watercolors, sculpture and more.
Tucked away amidst the quaint German community is one of thebrmost bustling wine industries in the country. Fredericksburg and the surroundingbrHill Country has become a favorite destination for wine, lovers and wine-lovers.
See: More than 30 vineyards on the Texas Wine Trail.
Stay: Rose Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast, Fredericksburg, TX.
Play: Merlot & Chocolate Tastings at Becker Vineyards.
Venice
Renowned for its beautiful waterways, classical architecturebrand art, even the “taxis” in this old world city are icons of romance. Alsobrknown as the “City of Water,” Venice is positioned amongst more than onebrhundred islands formed by canals and connected by more than four hundredbrbridges. To this day most ever tourist amongstbrEurope's largest car-free area rely on typical Venetian gondolas as their mainbrmode of transportation.
Beyond the stunning yet standard architecture of everydaybrVenice lays the city's most famous church, St. Mark's Basilica, and the mainbrpublic square of Piazza San Marco- two of the most visited attractions of thebrcity.
If you want to share some romantic waterways and amazingbrsights closer to home, then San Antonio and its beloved River Walk has what youbrare looking for a mere four hour drive from Fort Worth.
San Antonio, Texas
Historical San Antonio is the most visited city in the statebrof Texas. Millions of tourists looking for true Texan culture visit city eachbryear. Located one story below the bustling street level, in the center of thebrcity lays the well-known River Walk that winds along the San Antonio River. Nothingbrbeats a romantic stroll along the colorful landscapes, quaint pathways, quietbrpools and outdoor art of one of the city's main attractions.
For a step back in time, a trip to the Alamo is a must forbrevery visitor. This historic mission wasbrestablished in 1718 and became the site where 189 defenders of Texas fell onbrMarch 6, 1836, to the repeated attacks of Mexican General Santa Anna's armybrsealing the Alamo's place in Texas history. After just one visit you'llbrunderstand the reason behind the famous saying, “Remember the Alamo.”
Fun and romance is around every corner abounds in SanbrAntonio with numerous activities. To add a special romantic twist, make sure tobrvisit the San Antonio Museum of Art and take in the Aphrodite and the Gods of Love exhibit. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love andbrbeauty, is currently on display with 125 statues, vases and figures through thebrValentine’s Day weekend (February 17, 2013).
Take the “Texas Two-Step” couples massage at the Mokara Spa,brdine at the Fig Tree Restaurant, and enjoy world class shopping during a trip withbryour loved one to San Antonio.
See: Aphrodite and the Gods of Loveat the San Antonio Museum of Art (through 2-17).
Stay: The Hotel Valencia, River Walk.
Play: Dine, shop and take a passionate cruise along the famed River Walk.