How to Plan a Romantic Getaway to Williamsburg, Virginia

Catch up on romance with a horse-drawn carriage ride.

They say Virginia is for lovers, and a trip to Colonial Williamsburg is just the thing to rekindle that spark of romance in a relationship. Williamsburg is a trip back in time to Colonial America, and whether you are a young couple or a couple with a youthful outlook, Williamsburg has the a recipe for romance. Colonial Williamsburg is an 18th-century village with a surrounding modern town. It has an array of restored Colonial homes, a working plantation, taverns, horse drawn carriages, gravel streets for evening strolls, and plenty of workers dressed in costume willing to relate stories of the town's history, its lovers and its scoundrels.

Things You'll Need

• Map of Williamsburg
• Your someone special

Instructions

1. Get there. Traveling by car, Williamsburg can be reached via Interstate 64, U.S. Route 60 and State Route 143, all major highways. Airports are at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport approximately 20 miles away, and at Richmond and Norfolk airport, 55 miles. Both airports offer limousine service to Williamsburg, as well as rental cars.

2. Check the weather reports. Winter highs in January and February average around 50, while lows average about 29. Summers in Virginia are warm and dry. The hottest months are July through September, when the highs average 88 and lows are in the mid-60s. The peak travel times are the summer vacation months and Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

3. Find a place to stay. Look for romantic small hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses or timeshares. Many offer special packages for romance, especially during February. Some offer wedding, elopement and anniversary packages.

4. Dine out. Nothing says romance than a candlelit dinner at a tavern. The King's Arms Tavern, which once catered to Virginia's Colonial elite, is a charming finish to a day of sightseeing with your loved one. The King's Arms' historical atmosphere radiates from the mahogany wood walls, fireplaces and wood floors. The menu is filled with semi-authentic period food choices served on china, silver and pewter. During summer there is a garden for al fresco dining.

   Whitehall Restaurant is a great place for that special occasion. The elegant, European-style restaurant is furnished with fine antiques, Chippendale chairs and a vast wine cellar.

   The Trellis on Merchant Square is an American Bistro style restaurant. The Trellis has good food and a handy location. It is a great place to pick up lunch while wandering through shops and the historical area. Merchant Square shopping village hosts more than 40 shops and an art gallery, as well as other restaurants.

5. Take in the museums and demonstrations at over 80 houses and gardens in the historic area. Spend the day at Busch Gardens, an old-country European style theme park. The park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Take in the live productions at the Music Theatre of Williamsburg or a comedy mystery at Mystery Dinner Playhouse. Finally, take a tour of the Williamsburg Winery, which has tours and wine tastings daily. A reserve wine tasting in the private cellar is also available by appointment.

6. Try the candlelight tours to conjure ghosts as well as passion. A guide will lead you through the streets of Williamsburg by a candlelit lantern.
   Finally, stroll hand in hand through Waller Mill Park. It's great for an afternoon picnic, a hike on one of many marked trails, or boating on the lake.

Tips & Warnings

• Web Help -- http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/free-visitor-info/index.aspx http://www.history.org/ http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ http://www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/United-States/Timeshares/Virginia/Williamsburg/

References

• Frommer's: Williamsburg
• Colonial Williamsburg
• The King's Arms Tavern