These Romantic Cruise Ports Are Full of Flavor

Everyone needs a getaway after the endless cold, and perhaps pressure, of January. When February finally arrives, it can be a reminder to rekindle romance — and the perfect excuse to plan a vacation with your fellow food lover. Our culinary travel experts have curated the best destinations for far-flung dates, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and Hawaii, promising enchanting settings, jaw-dropping views, and unforgettable food and drink experiences.

Choose the island or coast you’ve been craving and plan an itinerary that ensures time together over local bites and beverages, beachside and beyond. Start a day with a customary cocoa beverage on a chocolate-filled trip to St. Lucia; dine on an open-air lanai with live music in Hawaiʻi; stroll cobblestone streets to take in Croatia’s culture and cuisine; or have aperitivo on a rooftop with panoramic views overlooking Palermo.

Choose from fairtytale-like terraces, secluded coves, candlelit dining rooms, or patios under the stars for dinner in Waikiki, Dubrovnik, Isola d’Elba, and the West Indies. Swoon over specialties in France and Italy, from a 70-year-old family recipe for bouillabaisse in Marseille to homemade focaccia and wine made on site in Elba, or pasta with the protected local Genovese pesto in Portofino.

The ultimate destinations for dinner dates offer captivating daytime activities for couples, too. Embark on adventures in Spain or Mexico, touring an olive grove and vineyard in Mallorca or taqueria hopping in Cancún. Make your own chocolate bars then relax with spa treatments in St. Lucia. Or learn to roll cigars after sampling rums from around the world in St. Maarten.

Finally, you can end each day with artisanal gelato or an affogato in Tuscany, sacred Mayan honey in the Mexican Riviera, or an almond granita in Sicily. Pair Prosecco and dancing in Dubrovnik, Mai Tais and tiki torches in Honolulu, or a Creole cooking class with rum punch on St. Maarten. The pair of you deserves a delicious vacation, and these are tantalizing trips to book.