READERS' CHOICE: Which Destination Is The Most Romantic?

Name: Budget Travel LLC
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By Budget Travel

October 3, 2012

We get to share our travel picks with you all year long. Now it’s your turn.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be asking for a few of your favorite things, both large (airline, cruise port, national park) and small (which hotel has the best toiletries?). Then we’ll compile your suggestions and let you vote for your top pick in May. Come back often—we’ll be posting a new question almost every day.

Today’s question:

Which destination is the most romantic? Sunsets, couples' massages, gondolas for two—define what romance means to you, then tell us where we can find it.

Previous questions:

What's the best volunteer trip?

What's your favorite theme park?

What's your favorite secret beach?

What Is Your Favorite Under–The–Radar Girlfriend Getaway?

What's the most underrated American city for travelers?

What is your favorite ski area? Foreign or domestic.

What's the most useful free travel app?

Which is the most improved hotel chain?

What is your favorite cruise port?

Where can you find the friendliest locals?

Which hotel chain gives you the best value?

The most beautiful airport terminal(s).

What is the best airport to get stuck in?

What is your favorite cruise line?

Which airline has the nicest flight attendants? We know you have your favorite.

Which city has the most user–friendly public transportation system?

What is your favorite rental car company?

What is your favorite historical spot in America?

What's the top destination on your bucket list?

Which airport features the best food?

—Marc Peyser

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Inspiration

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the Caribbean

Yes, the most famous St. Patrick's Day festival is in Dublin. But did you know that there's a Caribbean island that celebrates the holiday with great fanfare? Montserrat is the only country in the world besides Ireland where St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday. The volcanic island, which has the nickname of "The Other Emerald Isle," was colonized by Irish Catholics from nearby St. Kitts in the 1630s and by 1678 half the residents were Irish. March 17 also has an additional significance to the people of Montserrat beyond the Irish heritage. The celebrations here also commemorate a failed slave uprising on that day in 1768. Today, locals and tourists celebrate with a weeklong festival that lasts until Montserrat Day (March 19). Things are a little different here than on the island on the other side of the Atlantic. The weather is decidedly sunnier, for one. Instead of pints of Guinness, revelers drink rum punch and fresh juice straight from coconuts. It's also doubtful that spear fishing tournaments or goat water competitions have ever factored into the Irish celebration. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 26 Stunning Ireland Photos 15 Things You Didn't Know About Ireland Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2012

Cruises

River Cruises Return to the Mississippi

This year, river cruising returns to the Mississippi River in a big way. Since 2008, river cruises on the Miss have been nearly non-existent. But recently three companies have brought the concept back to life, launching new and refurbished ships on a broad array of Southern and Midwest routes. In April, an American Queen paddleboat will resume service, carrying up to 436 passengers. In more good news, its owner The Great American Steamboat Company, announced this week that construction has started on a 150-passenger paddlewheel ship. One sample deal is a 6-night voyage May roundtrip from New Orleans, plus 1 hotel night, from $1,695 per guest. greatamericansteamboatcompany.com In August, American Cruise Lines' new 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi will introduce a range of cruises, with a few lasting up to 14 days and sailing up to St. Paul, Minn., or Pittsburgh (via the Ohio River), and typically starting in Memphis. It’s been 15 years since the last new ship came into service on the Mississippi. americancruiselines.com Give credit where credit is due: This trend in Mississippi cruising was kickstarted last year by Blount Small Ship Adventures, which ran three departures on the 96-passenger Grand Caribe. This year, the company is back, offering double the number of cruises over last year. One current offer is for a twelve-day cruise from New Orleans to Nashville, from $3,699 per couple. blountsmallshipadventures.com SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 6 Best River Cruise Lines Secrets to the 10 Most Popular Cruise Ports Ask Trip Coach: River Cruises

READERS' CHOICE: What's The Best Volunteer Trip?

We get to share our travel picks with you all year long. Now it’s your turn. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be asking for a few of your favorite things, both large (airline, cruise port, national park) and small (which hotel has the best toiletries?). Then we’ll compile your suggestions and let you vote for your top pick in May. Come back often—we’ll be posting a new question almost every day. Today’s question: What's the best volunteer trip? "Voluntourism" is helping to reverse the negative image many people have of travelers. And it's not just slave labor—the best volunteer trips combine service with cultural and historical activities, so everybody goes home happy. What's your best voluntourism experience? Previous questions: What's your favorite theme park? What's your favorite secret beach? What Is Your Favorite Under–The–Radar Girlfriend Getaway? What's the most underrated American city for travelers? What is your favorite ski area? Foreign or domestic. What's the most useful free travel app? Which is the most improved hotel chain? What is your favorite cruise port? Where can you find the friendliest locals? Which hotel chain gives you the best value? The most beautiful airport terminal(s). What is the best airport to get stuck in? What is your favorite cruise line? Which airline has the nicest flight attendants? We know you have your favorite. Which city has the most user–friendly public transportation system? What is your favorite rental car company? What is your favorite historical spot in America? What's the top destination on your bucket list? Which airport features the best food? —Marc Peyser MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 8 Cool New Tools for Finding the Perfect Hotel World's 16 Most Picturesque Villages Secrets to the 10 Most Popular Cruise Ports

READERS' CHOICE: What's Your Favorite Theme Park?

We get to share our travel picks with you all year long. Now it’s your turn. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be asking for a few of your favorite things, both large (airline, cruise port, national park) and small (which hotel has the best toiletries?). Then we’ll compile your suggestions and let you vote for your top pick in May. Come back often—we’ll be posting a new question almost every day. Today’s question: What's your favorite theme park? From Legoland to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, theme parks have seen a number of high–profile openings in the past few years. Has one of these newer parks caught your fancy, or do you prefer the old–timers? Previous questions: What's your favorite secret beach? What Is Your Favorite Under–The–Radar Girlfriend Getaway? What's the most underrated American city for travelers? What is your favorite ski area? Foreign or domestic. What's the most useful free travel app? Which is the most improved hotel chain? What is your favorite cruise port? Where can you find the friendliest locals? Which hotel chain gives you the best value? The most beautiful airport terminal(s). What is the best airport to get stuck in? What is your favorite cruise line? Which airline has the nicest flight attendants? We know you have your favorite. Which city has the most user–friendly public transportation system? What is your favorite rental car company? What is your favorite historical spot in America? What's the top destination on your bucket list? Which airport features the best food? —Marc Peyser MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 8 Cool New Tools for Finding the Perfect Hotel World's 16 Most Picturesque Villages Secrets to the 10 Most Popular Cruise Ports

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