Traveling over the pond

If you're traveling in the U.S., there are 50 states to choose from and there's no limit on how much history, art and culture you can really absorb. The Caribbean is great when you need to just step out of reality for a few days and feel the sun on your face and your toes in the sand. But Europe... ah, Europe -- with so many places to go, so many things to do and so much to absorb, traveling there can be very overwhelming.

Here are some of our top picks to complement your travel plans!

Portugal

L'and Vineyards Wine Resort is a five star hotel with 22 suites and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. L'and Vineyards invites guests seeking romance to enjoy their “sky view suites” located in a vineyard garden where the bedrooms have a retractable ceiling that completely opens, exposing the beautiful stars of the Alentejo region.

Italy

Set a short distance from the center of Capri in the private area of Anacapri, Hotel Caesar Augustus occupies a historic site that dates back to the 9th century A.D. and features bird's-eye views of Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento and Ischia. With its unparalleled setting 1,000 feet above the bay, it’s the ideal setting for romantic getaways and honeymoons.

Spain

A Ritz-Carlton property, the Abama Golf & Spa Resort is tucked away in Guía de Isora, a tranquil and little known area of the island of Tenerife. With a spectacular location on the West Coast of Tenerife on the smooth slopes of the Teide, the highest peak in Spain, this Tenerife hotel is set on a breathtaking landscape that runs all the way down to the ocean and features its own exclusive beach. This Canary Islands hotel's 478 guest rooms and suites are divided between the Citadel (328) and the Villas (148), most of which enjoy magnificent views over the Atlantic, the golf course and the beautiful gardens.

United Kingdom

The Lake District in Northern England is the perfect destination for a romantic break set against a stunning backdrop and nestled in an incredible area of natural beauty. Located in close proximity to picturesque Grasmere and Ambleside, The Lawns is a charming cottage that provides the ideal base for exploring this unique part of Europe. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Lake District National Park during the day and then snuggle up at night in front of the woodburner in this charismatic countryside hideaway.

Sweden

Located in Skinnskatteberg in Central Sweden, Kolarbyn is a natural refuge for silence, wilderness and adventure in a beautiful forest setting just a couple of hours away from the capital of Stockholm. The setting is utterly romantic: There is no electricity, only candles and a crackling fireplace that will guide you to sleep. And after a silent night, you slowly wake up to the birds and a refreshing swim in the lake. The highlights are the tours on offer: a wolf howling tour, a moose safari, a beaver watching tour, a lynx adventure or a wolf safari by horse.

France

Located in Nimes, Languedoc-Roussillon, Jardins Secrets is a spacious 18th century Coaching Inn – recently turned into a splendid boutique hotel and conveniently situated in the center of Nimes. Tucked away in a flowered secret garden with garden pool, lemon and orange trees and bougainvilleas, it is a most romantic setting. The Chateau is famous for its 18th century interiors with silk drapes, pendants, antique renderings, baldachin beds and beautiful Montpellier marble floors.

Greece

Located in Mykonos, Drakothea is carved on a hill in a beautiful, peaceful spot, on the southeast side of the island. Expect breathtaking, panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and numerous other islands (Naxos, Paros, Ikaria, Donusa). These villas blend uniquely into the rocky topography of its hillside setting and the impressive infinity pool, which hugs the entire length of the main house, tantalizes your senses into believing you are swimming in the crystal clear blue waters below. The property offers extreme privacy, impeccable grounds and is constantly cooled by the Aegean breezes and bathed all day long by the world famous Cycladic sunlight... offering the very essence of Mykonian living.