My husband and I recently bid our babies adieu and hit the road for two blissful nights away—no laundry or laptops in sight—to reconnect and recharge at a fancy-schmancy resort. 

Instead of preparing every meal and immediately diving into dish duty, we were the ones being pampered (so refreshing…and slightly surreal!). Gone were the mornings of being woken way too early by our two bright-eyed, bushy-tailed girls; rather, it was the birds beckoning us out of bed. And bath time? Finally, the warm, bubbly water was for me and didn’t include rubber ducks! Did I mention our days started with yoga and actual hot coffee? 

While another two nights would’ve been welcomed, we took the 48 hours and made the most of it—relishing the quality, carefree time together, and returning better parents and better partners to one another. 

The takeaway? If you, too, are struggling to connect with your lover; or feeling stuck in the stagnancy of your routine, then I highly suggest going on a romantic getaway. It doesn’t need to be your anniversary or a milestone birthday, your work can wait, and your kids will survive; you and your plus-one deserve to sleep in the lap of luxury and make new memories together. 

Wondering where you should go? Turn to “Passport to Love” for ideas both near and far (but still a direct flight away). Whether it’s blissed-out beach days, bustling big cities, or fine wine and even finer food that get your heart fluttering, we have you covered. For each destination, we recommend where to stay and what to see, do, eat, and drink—ensuring the planning is as effortless as the early days of your courtship. 

And if a closer-to-home, couple-of-hours adventure is all that’s attainable, check out “It’s a Date!” for 10 activities that run the gamut from go-kart racing to grocery shopping at an international market, followed by Korean BBQ and perhaps a side of karaoke. Whatever your budget and babysitting situation allows for, the goal is simple: carve out quality time together.

Is food your love language? Don’t miss this month’s Eat & Drink section, featuring tons of delicious diversions, from winning sports bars to can’t-miss cakes that’ll satisfy every sweet tooth and a casual grill on Sutter Street that—according to our writer—serves what may be the best fried chicken sandwich in town.

Happy reading—and happy Valentine’s Day. Here's to spreading love, finding connection, and making the most of every moment. Cheers!

Megan

[email protected]

@meggoeggowaffle