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Thinking of taking a last minute Valentine's Day trip? Whether you're of the adventurous kind or of the relaxing spirit, spending some quality one-on-one time with your loved ones is important to sustaining any relationship so get your sexy on...or back. Let romance ring at some of great couple spots, aside from the obviously overdone Paris.

Verona, Italy- The setting of Romeo and Juliet's balcony, a stream of tourists flocks to Verona every year to visit the famous courtyard at Casa Giulietta on Via Cappello in the Old Town. Located in the Veneto region in Northern Italy, Verona is only half an hour's drive from Lake Garda, one of the country's most beautiful lakes. It is also surrounded to the north and east, by the hilly landscapes of the famous Valpolicella and Soave wine districts. The city's old castle, Castelvecchio, is a famous attraction in its own right too, built by the powerful della Scala family in the Middle Ages and restored in the 20th century by world-famous architect Carlo Scarpa.

Belize- Riddled with romantic rainforests and canopies, exotic, English-speaking Belize is an adventurer's paradise, just a couple of hours away from three major United States cities. Almost half the country has been preserved as nature parks and reserves, including tropical forests teeming with wildlife and hiding mysterious Mayan ruins, and 174 miles (280km) of coastline featuring the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, which makes for an exciting Valentine's Day expedition.

Tahiti - A popular honeymoon spot, Tahiti's best white sand beaches are between Punaauia and Papara, but most visitors get more of a thrill out of visiting the famed black sand beaches on the east coast, particularly renowned Pointe Venus. Besides enjoying the seaside, Tahiti also offers some interesting sightseeing, including magnificent Botanical gardens, museums, archaeological sites, the tomb of the royal family Pomare, a lake containing unique eared eels, lava tubes, and a host of other unusual sea creatures.

Seychelles- This often overlooked group of 115 islands lies right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 932 miles off the coast of Africa. The Seychelles archipelago nurtures unique species of flora and fauna including the giant tortoises of Aldabra atoll, 11 unique species of birds and 200 species of fish and aquatic life. Ashore there are amazing granite structures mostly protected in nature reserves. Not surprisingly some people refer to this pristine sanctuary as the "Garden of Eden."

Phuket- Commonly referred to as the 'Pearl of South' and the largest island in Thailand, Phuket is also a truly tropical wonderland for honeymooners or Valentine's Day couples. Diving, golf, sailing and sun tanning are just some of the plentiful activities to enjoy. You could also take a couples cooking class or indulge in one of Thailand's world-class spa treatments. Aaaah serenity. 

It is past that time of year when good little girls and boys are sending letters to the North Pole to ask Santa to fulfill their deepest desires. But what about the South Pole?   Did you know Antarctica is the only continent which has no species of indigenous ants? Weighing in at twice the size of Australia, most people do not know much about the isolated land of ice. Antarctica is also one of the windiest places on Earth, so prepare to be blown away by these crazy cool facts.

Sooo.. Do People Actually LIVE there?

Because of Antarctica's extreme weather conditions, there are no permanent residents or even an indigenous government. However, scientists and other research experts sometimes stick around for up to a few years at different research stations. The stations provide all of their supplies.

World's Coldest Desert

As you know, a desert is a region which receives extremely low precipitation (less than 16 inches annually) and because of this, most plants and living things cannot survive.  Antarctica only receives about 2 inches of precipitation each year which classifies it as the coldest desert on Earth. Blizzards are frequent because of strong winds which pick up the snow which has already fallen and move it around. Antarctica doubles in size each year because of the sea ice which forms around the coast making the coastline itself not the actual defined boundary.

 

How Cold is Cold?

The coldest recorded temperature on Earth was recorded at -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit July 21^st 1983. The temperature was recorded at the most isolated part of the continent and the furthest from any coast.

 

Animals

Despite Antarctica's extreme conditions, an abundance of wildlife is able to call the icy landmass their home. The animal population comprises mostly of little critters such as ticks and mites. The most famous animal found on the coasts is the penguin.  There are no land based animals in all of Antarctica, so all animal species have to rely on the ocean in some way to survive. Crabeater seals thrive in Antarctica and actually have the second largest mammal population next to humans. Krill are found in mass quantities and their population outnumbers humans.  Most animals have anti-freeze in their bodies to survive the low temperatures.

 

Take a Trip

Despite the ridiculous cold of Antarctica anyone is able to book a trip to the isolated continent.  How would like to say you hiked through old glaciers, polar plunges into volcanically heated waters and walk among arctic wild life? A cruise to Antarctica is not your average week away from the office. Try the 11-day Antarctic Explorer, Antarctica's Ross Sea, discover the peninsula, or even take a mini expedition.

By Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

Who's ready to embrace the full traveling experience? All Aboard! Traveling by train is mildly outdated and under-appreciated in North America, but it's one of the most commonly used forms of transportation in Europe, and other parts of the world. Not only is it convenient and environmentally friendly, but there's something very charming and old-fashioned about riding along those tracks. If there's one thing for sure, traveling by train is definitely the most scenic form of transportation. Here are some routes that will have you canceling your airline reservations in no time!

Bernina Express

This train runs from Davos, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy at a blistering speed of 20 mph. The Bernina Express may be one of the slowest trains, but you won't be complaining as it runs through the Southern Alps, over 196 bridges and 55 tunnels! The staggering views from this zigzagged track are among the best in the world, so impressive that it has become a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Bernina Express is definitely one of the best places to travel by train. Forget the drama at the airport, and hop aboard this 4-hour train to Italy.

 

Hail to the Chief: Southwest Chief

 

This 2,256-mile trip runs halfway across the US from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois via Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. At around $300 a train ticket, the Hail to the Chief: Southwest Chief route is clearly not a bargain, considering the 43 hours of travel time, but this scenic route through middle America takes you into the lonely beauty of the Mojave Desert, through red-rock canyons, National Parks and Monuments, and passes through the backyards of quaint, little towns. A journey for those who want to experience every corner of the globe, forget the mantra, "Time is of the essence" for a second to take in true Americana. However, I would highly recommend a book, or two.

 

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

 

This train runs from Siliguri to Darjeeling, India and is nicknamed the "Toy Train." In another lifetime, this old steam train used to haul expats escaping the summer heat to Darjeeling for the summer. This route takes you alongside tea gardens and teak forests with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the world's third highest peak of Kanchenjunga. This, too, is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. This restored steam train really is the little engine that could!

 

Whether you're traveling in Europe, North America or South-East Asia, always consider alternative forms of transportation, like trains. A lot of the time they'll be cheaper and all of the time they'll be more fun. Remember, traveling by train is an experience in itself!

By Julie Bass, Contributing Author

Derived from the Latin word mediterraneus for "inland" or "in the middle of the earth," the Mediterranean Sea covers an approximate area of 2.5 million km². An important route for merchants of ancient times, the Mediterranean region allowed for trade and cultural exchange between emergent people. Today, the area is full of gems for the  discerning traveler.

Aeolian Islands, Italy

One of our favorite places of the Mediterranean for their exceptional beauty, the archipelago, not far from Sicily, consists of eight islands of volcanic origin, with incredible and unique views that have the power to astonish even the most skeptical traveler. A beach with azure waters, the mountainous islands are also home to ancient historical towns with narrow streets, Mediterranean-style homes and fine restaurants. If you are a lover of beach holidays, you should visit the Aeolian Islands at least once.

Tarifa, Spain

Tarifa is the Spanish city from which you can easily see Africa located only 13 km away, and one of the most fantastic places on the Mediterranean coast. With the wind constantly blowing (due to its location and meeting  of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean), the city has become a mecca for windsurfing and kitesurfing addicts. However, Tarifa is equally gratifying for lovers of the sea with a beautiful old town and beaches of white and green sand.

Cassis, France

For those who love the French style of holiday, Cassis is a place that will not disappoint. Located near Marseille in the south, the town of Cassis is famous for its spectacular cliffs, many coves with hidden beaches and wine. Apparently, the city was the first of three French vineyards to benefit from the designation of origin (label of origin) introduced in 1930. Today, the famous white wine from Cassis is the symbol of this fascinating region.

Malta

Lonely Planet Malta is called "a microcosm of the Mediterranean." In fact, they're right. Malta is a mix of Europe and North Africa with Arabic influences, which make it a place so different, fascinating and unique. Particularly rewarding for history buffs, admire the beautiful architecture from the Norman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, while also enjoying ancient buildings dating back to 6,000 years ago, with several museums from archeology to modern history.

Hydra, Greece

The first reason to love Hydra is that cars and motorcycles are not allowed by law on the island. Hydra is truly a special place among the islands of the country, making you feel the spirit of traditional Greece with a coast full of small ports, clear waters and a number of excellent restaurants.

Tetouan, Morocco

One of the most beautiful and exotic lands surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea is Tetouan in Morocco. In comparison to the European counterparts, the coast of Morocco remains untouched and virgin. Tetouan, which means "eyes" in the Berber language, is one of the two main ports of Morocco, and also a beautiful city, with the old section being of world heritage designation, full of traditional charm and quaint buildings.

Obviously there are many more, Palmarola, Ponza, Ischia, Taormina, many islands of Greece, Egypt, but this would only be a brief introduction to the many beauties of our Mediterranean sea to serve as inspiration for a priceless trip. 

Guest blog provided by tripandtravelblog.com.