Trip Coach: February 6, 2007

For a bird's eye view of the area, head up to the top of the recently renovated Tower of the Americas. There's a bar at the top as well as a revolving restaurant, perfect for a romantic dinner.

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Salem, Ore.: Hello--My husband and I are planning a trip to New York and Washington D.C. this fall. We'd love some advice on romantic hotels, romantic but inexpensive restaurants and romantic things to do. This will be our first vacation together since getting married five years ago, so we'd like to make it special and fun. Thank you, Sally

Paris Permenter & John Bigley: The key to any romantic getaway is a romantic spirit you bring to the trip so don't feel that you have to spend a lot of money to have a memorable, romantic getaway. (After all, romantic fun like hand-in-hand strolls don't cost a cent!)

NYC & Company, the tourism department for the city, has a long list of free activities here. From free trolley rides to free museums and gardens to free special events, you'll find fun to make your vacation budget stretch further. Another budget stretcher we love? Pack a picnic for Central Park (then splurge on a snuggly carriage ride!) Similarly, the official Washington DC tourism site also includes many free attractions.

Both resources can be good starting points for budget saving packages. And don't rule out business hotels for romantic weekend getaways; rates are often far lower on the weekends so you can splurge at a hotel might have thought was out of reach.

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Paris Permenter & John Bigley: Thanks so much for all your questions! You can always find us over at Lovetripper.com and our Texas travel site, TexasTripper.com. Happy Valentine's Day! Paris & John