TripAdvisor recently posted an article on the “20 Ridiculously Romantic Getaways in New England.” We were happy to see some of our favorite places in Vermont included.  And, as knowledgeable about all things Vermont, we’d like to expand upon a couple of TripAdvisor’s choices.

The article first spotlights Stowe, home to Vermont’s highest peak and magnificent fall foliage displays. Stowe combines the best of resort amenities with a historic New England village. A combination that works perfectly to provide a long list of romantic lodging options. Consider The Green Mountain Inn – located on Main Street right in the heart of historic Stowe. Made up of 8 separate buildings, the Inn offers the charm of colonial New England with all the modern amenities. Amp up the romance by arranging with the hotel for flowers, chocolates or champagne in your room. Take a winter walk through Stowe Village and finish at the Inn’s firepit for a hot drink. Ski on nearby Mt. Mansfield and relax in the outdoor heated spa upon your return. Add a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make your romantic getaway really memorable.  How about a winter horse-drawn sleigh ride? Or a summer hot air balloon ride? Stowe offers enough recreational activities to satisfy any couple.

If your taste runs more towards resort luxury than classic New England, check out the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe.  Set amidst 60 idyllic acres, the resort provides upscale accommodations as well as a world-class, on-site spa. What could be more romantic than dining at the resort’s restaurant and selecting from the over 40 wines available by the glass?  (The resort’s wine cellar stocks over 3000 bottles from more than 10 countries!) Or plan a couple’s spa day to truly renew and refresh. The Stoweflake offers recreation, natural beauty, and luxurious amenities so you can decide the perfect combination for you and your significant other. Stoweflake also sponsors the annual Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival each July – an event which will add some “wow” to your getaway.

Want to explore Stowe further? Check out the Stowe Area Association’s website for answers to all your questions.

Another Vermont destination selected by TripAdvisor is Manchester - home to Vermont.com. As our home base, we are perhaps a little prejudiced, but believe Manchester offers a nearly infinite number of reasons to visit at any time of the year. Top of the list might be accessibility – Manchester is an easy ride from anywhere in the Northeast. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Equinox, Manchester, like many Vermont towns, is a mix of old and new. Selected as the perfect location for a summer home by Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln’s son), Manchester was a popular summer resort destination for the turn-of-the-century, Gilded Age society. The town maintains some of that same flavor today with mountain vistas, rolling fields, and lush river valleys. And, as in so many Vermont vacation destinations, the past is seamlessly coupled with up-dated comfort to assure a perfect vacation experience.

Manchester offers a large selection of lodging choices from modern hotels, to quaint bed and breakfasts, to country inns. What could be more romantic than a new boutique hotel which draws its inspiration from traditional New England architecture married with clean almost Scandinavian elements? I’m referring to the Kimpton Taconic Hotel right on Main Street. Add the hotel’s exquisite restaurant, The Copper Grouse, and you have the makings of a truly romantic setting.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Manchester was a popular summer resort community for the wealthy, Gilded Age society who arrived for the fresh country air and local golf courses.  Step into that past by selecting the Wilburton Inn as your lodging choice. Completed in 1902 as a 500-acre gentleman’s farm, the mansion and its gardens certainly hearken back to that earlier time. However, since being converted to a hotel, all modern amenities have been added.  Guests can still relax in the mansion’s living room or library and stroll the magnificent grounds.

Maybe you want your lodging choice to be all about the view.  After all, one of Vermont’s greatest assets is its scenery. Consider the 36-room Manchester View which sits high on a hill with sweeping views to the valley below. How romantic would that be during foliage season?

If convenience is your priority, you might consider the Hampton Inn, brand new and within walking distance of everything.  Or The Barnstead Inn, built as a carriage house in the 1830s, which offers all modern amenities as well as secluded setting, but is walking distance to shops and restaurants.

No review of Manchester would be complete without highlighting some of the many attractions which make this an ideal vacation spot. In winter, there are three ski areas within a short drive (Bromley, Magic Mountain, and Stratton). In summer there are a number of nearby golf courses including 27 holes at Stratton. Hiking trails and bike routes abound. The Battenkill, which flows through town, is known for excellent trout fishing. And the town itself is home to a large number of local shops offering handcrafted and unique items as well as outlet shops. There is local theater nearby in summer and concerts and art galleries galore. With many local restaurants offering everything from diner food to gourmet dining, you can pick the setting you deem most romantic. But most of all, the natural beauty of Vermont offers the perfect setting for creating memories with someone special at any season of the year.