Enjoy Romance Across the Globe with Iconic Destination Dupes

January 22, 2026 Vacationer Staff

National Spouse Day is January 26, and, of course, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Thankfully, iconic and expensive destinations traditionally associated with romance also have their dupes!

What are travel dupes, you might ask? Destinations that swap crowds with less-known romantic alternatives. After all, we are not known for making the ‘obvious choice’ when it comes to anniversaries, honeymoons, or Valentine’s Day long weekends.

Swap Napa for Sacramento, CA: Valentine’s Wine Tasting Just Got Less Crowded

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Sacramento shines as a refined yet approachable base for couples seeking luxurious California escapes without the Napa price tag. With its farm-to-fork excellence, boutique stays, and direct access to wine country, the city invites couples to unwind, reconnect, and savor something special.

Head to the Clarksburg and Amador wine regions for intimate tastings, vineyard strolls, and seasonal Valentine’s flights at Bogle or Heringer.
Blend romance with light adventure on a sunset kayak and bike-and-picnic outing on the American River Parkway, or hop on a Valentine’s Day train ride.
Relax and unwind with an untraditional spa experience at Asha Urban Baths – enjoy a cold plunge or sauna cleansing at this modern take on the old-world bathhouse.
In the city, award-winning restaurants elevate date night with hyper-seasonal cuisine, chef’s tasting menus, and curated wine pairings with top-tier restaurants Localis and The Kitchen.

Swap Miami for Roatan, Honduras: Explore the World’s Second-Largest Coral Reef

Spend a romantic weekend away at the new luxury beach resort, Acqua di Mare Resort, a WorldHotels Distinctive Collection resort on Roatan’s West Bay Beach. Previously a collection of vacation rentals, Acqua di Mare has been reimagined as an elegant full-service resort—now featuring 10 brand-new guest rooms in a modern wing and transforming into a sophisticated, nature-integrated escape.

Nestled on Roatán’s West Bay Beach, the resort offers direct access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest coral reef system, placing guests steps away from some of the Caribbean’s most vibrant snorkeling and diving.

Swap the Screen for Canada: Heated Rivalry-Inspired Canadian Cabins

Set Jetting takes a romantic spin with a Canadian getaway inspired by the hit HBO show, Heated Rivalry. Across the country, travelers will find beautiful, bookable cabins for a romantic winter experience that will have couples everywhere saying “I’m coming to the cottage”.

Ontario (where the real-life Heated Rivalry cottage is): Go directly to Muskoka where Heated Rivalry filmed and pick a modern lake cabin from Jayne’s Rentals or a nordic-inspired cabin from Kawartha Lake Cottages.
Quebec (where the show takes place): Québec makes loving winter an art form even developing their own wellness practice –Winterapy, combining all the benefits of winter and vacation to completely reinvigorate visitors. Check out cabins like Fern Resort offering cozy romantic packages or Bayview Wildwood on the lake.
Saskatchewan (where the book first takes place): Winter stays in Saskatchewan are guaranteed to deliver snowy magic so try an off-the-beaten path cabin in Ness Creek, or go deep in the Boreal Forest at Elk Ridge.

Swap City Energy with Providence, RI: Find Big Romance in America’s Smallest State

Once overshadowed by its bigger neighbors, Providence is no longer a detour—it’s the destination. Fueled by a new wave of chefs, artists, and civic ambition, the city is leaning into its nightlife, culinary grit, and revolutionary past to offer big-city energy with a small-city soul. Travelers should consider a romantic trip to the Ocean State for:

Nostalgic fun – go ice skating with a loved one or even try ice bumper cars, before hitting up a throwback 70’s-inspired cocktail lounge.
Warm & cozy dining – cold air can’t reach inside romantic spots like the newly James Beard nominated, Claudine—a fine-dining tasting menu restaurant from a married couple and Paula’s at Courtland Club– a new restaurant bringing greek-ish food and jazz together to create the perfect atmosphere.
Big acts without the traffic – the Providence Performing Arts Center hosts major national touring production for dinner and show, check out Hadestown and Stomp this February and stay the night at the boutique luxury hotel, The Beatrice.
Handmade gifts – February brings the return of Providence’s Winter Flea, the city’s weekly vintage and handmade market.

Swap Paris for Portland, Oregon: Cosmopolitan Without the Price Tag

Portland delivers many of the same romantic ingredients as Paris – walkable neighborhoods, café culture, wine bars, and a deep love of art and books – without the crowds or transatlantic flight. February’s cooler weather makes it ideal for slow, cozy travel: lingering over coffee, ducking into galleries and bookstores, and sharing candlelit meals. Valentine’s Day in Portland also coincides with winter dining specials and seasonal cultural programming, making it an easy, intimate city escape.

Stroll hand-in-hand through Powell’s City of Books, then warm up at nearby wine bars and bistros in the Pearl District and Northwest Portland.
Book a tasting at an urban winery or a Willamette Valley-focused wine bar, spotlighting Oregon pinot noir during its winter sweet spot.
Stay at The Hoxton, Portland, where design-forward rooms, an atmospheric lobby, and on-site dining make it easy to keep evenings relaxed and romantic without overplanning. When booking a minimum three-night stay before February 8 (travel by May 3, 2026), guests receive a $50 credit and welcome cocktail.

Swap the Riviera for the Cayman Islands: Stingray Swims, Secluded Sunsets, Oceanfront Dining

The Cayman Islands deliver the French Riviera’s luxury and turquoise-water romance without the winter uncertainty or crowds. February offers ideal conditions for couples: calm seas perfect for snorkeling vibrant coral reefs together, consistent sunshine for beach picnics, and warm evenings made for oceanfront dining under the stars. Valentine’s Day in Cayman means intimate marine adventures you can’t experience in the Mediterranean, plus effortless Caribbean luxury that feels both exclusive and accessible.

Escape to one of the sister islands, Cayman Brac or Little Cayman for a romantic day trip or weekend-long retreat, with world-class diving, secluded hiking trails, and then sail back on a sunset catamaran.
Unwind at Meraki Wellness opening February 1, home to the Caribbean’s first Snow Room and largest Panoramic Sauna with seven hydrotherapy spaces, then stroll Seven Mile Beach at golden hour with champagne – no beach club reservations required.
Stay at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa (our featured image), where the “Dream in Cayman” package includes daily breakfast for two and up to $200 resort credit. Or escape to Botanica Luxury Cottages for slow-living intimacy with holistic experiences and three-night minimums.