Romantic getaways can sometimes be found in unexpected places, the latest being in central Michigan. My wife and I have visited Frankenmuth several times and really enjoy it. Frankenmuth has some very touristy aspects about it but it also has some elements that make it a great place for a romantic getaway.

Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria due to the history of it’s formation as a town over 150 years ago. The architecture looks like something you would see if you were to visit Germany. The Cass River runs through town and even has a riverboat that gives historical tours of Frankenmuth while you enjoy your river cruise. There are carriage rides offered by a couple of different carriage companies that give you tours of the town while riding in a horse drawn carriage. If you enjoy history, there are a couple of options that allow you to learn about the town in a very romantic atmosphere.

If you enjoy shopping, there are several unique options. There are a variety of small shops located downtown which are fun to walk around with together. Frankenmuth is also the home for Bronner’s which is the World’s Largest Christmas Store. If you enjoy Christmas, Bronner’s is a place you shouldn’t miss. My wife and I like to buy ornaments every year and you can even get personalized ones in Bronner’s. If you are looking for some real bargains, there is a great outlet mall in Birch Run about 10 minutes away.

There are some great dining options as well. My wife and I really like Zehnder’s which offers family style dining that is exceptional and will make sure that you won’t leave hungry. They have a great all you can eat fried chicken dinner which also has a wide variety of appetizers and sides. The décor of the restaurant maintains the town’s German theme and the wait staff uniforms are representative of the 1800s. I would highly recommend making a stop at their Marketplace where you can buy some of the items that you sampled during your dinner and check out their wonderful bakery. Although we haven’t experienced it first hand, Zehnder’s also has a hotel with a waterpark and an 18-hole championship golf course.

If you enjoy live entertainment, Frankenmuth is home to several music festivals including country music and a flashback to the 80s among others. They also have beer tasting festivals, a Renaissance festival and a speedway for car racing if you enjoy that. Check the Frankenmuth events website for more details.

As a reflection of the town’s effort to maintain a romantic theme, they even have a wedding chapel for those couples who are really feeling the romance. I hope you consider Frankenmuth as a great place in Michigan for a romantic getaway.

My wife and I can always find romance by the water. Since we live in Michigan now, we are quite far from the ocean. Luckily, Lake Michigan isn’t too far away and one of our favorite towns along Lake Michigan is South Haven.

The beach in South Haven is a great place to share a romantic moment and a great place to relax. Many people are surprised by the beach and size of Lake Michigan. The sand on the beaches along Lake Michigan is beautiful in appearance, is soft to the touch, and is really nice to walk on. The lake water is definitely colder than the Atlantic or Pacific water but it is quite clear for the most part. It can be amazing to stand on the beach and look out into the horizon because you cannot see land anywhere you look and you start to get a feel for the size of Lake Michigan. Sometimes, if the weather is right, you can get waves that are high enough to make you think you are sitting oceanside. It is really peaceful to sit and read a book or people watch while looking over the lake. If you are looking for romance, it is really nice to take a walk through the beautiful sand holding the hand of your sweetheart.

The beach in South Haven is close to downtown and is split into two parts. We prefer the North beach because it is larger and a little quieter. There is a concession stand with snack food and hot dogs and also restrooms within walking distance. My wife always finds lighthouses to be very romantic because they are kind of a window to the past. You can see South Haven’s lighthouse while you sit on the beach which just adds to the scenery. Also, there is a pretty good sized marina with a channel separating the two beaches so you can also watch the boats leave for the lake.

If you are a couple that finds romance on the water, then South Haven marina is the starting point for a variety of cruises of Lake Michigan. The South Haven marina is also the home of the Michigan Maritime Museum for people who enjoy history.

The town in South Haven is a great one for walking around in. There are a lot of little shops and boutiques that are fun to walk in and offering anything from home décor to clothing to antiques. There are also a variety of pretty good restaurants to visit. Our favorite is Clementine’s which has great food and service in a nice atmosphere. We really like the atmosphere in the bar area and we really enjoy the onion rings for an appetizer. They have a lot of variety in their menu and have daily specials. The downside is that they don’t take reservations so it can take a long time to sit down and eat. The good thing is that you can put your name in and if the wait is long, you can walk round the shops and boutiques surrounding the restaurant.

If you want a break from the beach, you can take a walk along the scenic Kal Haven Trail or visit Van Buren State Park. There are several golf courses in the area including HawksHead Links which has been rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest and even includes an Inn to stay at on the Golf Course. Speaking of places to stay, South Haven has a great deal of Bed & Breakfasts and Vacation Rentals many of which are within walking distance of town or the beach.

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If you find sitting and walking on the beach with your special someone and are in the Midwest, you should consider South Haven as a place to stop. You can enjoy beautiful sand, scenic views of the lighthouse and Lake Michigan, and an enjoyable town to walk around in when you aren’t sitting on the beach.

My wife and I have always thought camping together was romantic. We have always thought that hiking through trails, eating food made by a charcoal grill or coleman stove, and just being with nature was very enjoyable. We have always been tent campers and it was fun and romantic at first but each time we go now, it gets a little harder to sleep on the ground and especially when we get rained upon. Each time we leave the campground, we talk about what we enjoyed the most on the trip. Recently, we noticed that sitting by a campfire was almost always our highlight. We thought to each other, what if we could bring a little of the campground home with us, especially what we consistently consider the highlight and the most romantic part of the trip. It was then that we decided to make it so that we could have campfires, right in our own back yard.

There are a lot of options to set up a fire pit in your backyard. There are fire pits, fire rings, or fire bowls that you can buy to sit in your yard or on your patio. You could even just find a bunch of rocks and put them in a ring on the ground. We ended up buying a good size fire ring and we formed a layer of bricks around it. It doesn’t matter what you choose, you just need to buy some wood and you are ready for romance right in your own backyard.

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Fire Outdoors: Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Wood Fired Ovens & Cook Centers

There is something about sitting under the stars in front of a warm fire, to bring out the romance. We like to sit in front of the fire, just talking about wonderful memories we’ve shared, what we want to do for the future, and just really enjoy each other’s company. A campfire is also a fun idea to invite other couples over to have a few drinks and tell stories.

The next time you are looking for a great romantic idea that you can enjoy, week after week, think about making a fire pit and enjoying a campfire in your own backyard!

Landmann Big Sky Stars & Moons Fire Pit, Georgia Clay

One of our most memorable vacations was our honeymoon. We embarked on a 7 night Royal Carribean cruise to the southern Caribbean on the beautiful Monarch of the Seas. The ship is spectacular from its Viking Lounge located hundreds of feet above the ocean where you can experience amazing sunset views while enjoying your cocktails and appetizers. Enjoy five-star dining in one of the two main dining areas designed after Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh. For a more casual atmosphere try the Jade Restaurant featuring Asian-fusion. They have great sushi. The Windjammer Café has lighter fare with spectacular views. The burgers and sandwiches are delicious. Room service is also available if you want something truly intimate. There’s nothing more romantic than dinner on your private balcony while listening to the sounds of the ocean and watching the sunset with your loved one. Wherever you choose to dine, it will be an experience you’ll treasure forever.

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There is a never ending list of things to do on the ship. For those of you who enjoy a little adventure try the Rock climbing wall. There is a state of the art fitness center, open-air basketball court, and an open-air track. The ship has two pools and two hot tubs for your enjoyment and of course the staff will be at your beck and call. There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking in the sun next to the pool while listening to island music and enjoying a tropical cocktail. If you feel the need to be pampered even more, just make an appointment at the spa and enjoy one of the luxurious manicures, pedicures or massages. If you love to shop you’ll be in heaven. They have several boutiques to choose from. As an added bonus you have duty free shopping aboard the ship.

Romance is in the air aboard the ship. Take a cooking class together or a wine pairing class and enrich your relationship through learning something new together. Dance lessons are a great way to bond with your loved one while laughing with each other along the way. These are but a few of the possibilities you can explore while aboard the ship.

Parties and themed nights will get you feeling young all over again. Masquerade ball, 50’s and 60’s night, toga party, and pirate themed night are just a few of the themed nights to enjoy dancing, laughing, loving, and eating with your sweetheart. There are themed lounges also and include disco, country, dance, latin, and piano lounges for your enjoyment. Try your luck at the casino. The staff there will be more than happy to teach you how to play the game.

If you like Broadway plays you’ll love there Las Vegas inspired shows and musicals. The comedy acts are hilarious. My husband and I can’t get enough of them. So the next time you are looking for a romantic getaway that features fabulous food and service, a variety of things to do, romantic activities, and world class entertainment, all while visiting exotic ports, please consider a cruise for your next vacation.

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