Southern Vermont offers luxurious lodgings for special romantic getaways

At the Manchester View, perched high on a hill between the Green and Taconic Mountains, they want couples to have the perfect romantic getaway. That’s why they offer celebration enhancements, from cakes and handmade candies to bouquets and balloons. Just let the friendly staff know your ideas, and they’ll do the rest. You’ll fall in love with your romantic suite, with a gas or wood-burning fireplace and perhaps a two-person soaking spa tub. Most have spectacular mountain views, some from private balconies. Nearby activities include scenic hiking trails, including to a waterfall, antiquing, skiing in winter and swimming in summer. There are intriguing shops to explore in towns and villages and great places to dine al fresco or by candle light.

Prescription for a romantic getaway, courtesy of the Lanmark Trust USA properties: Book the cozy, rustic 1915 Sugarhouse, which sits at the edge of a stand of maple trees still used for spring sugaring. (Yes, you may bring your two dogs.) Add in a local treat basket with all the essentials for a hearty breakfast (local maple syrup, pancake mix, coffee, cream, milk, eggs, cheese and more) or the Just Dessert basket with an apple pie and ice cream. Stir in some hiking, biking and, in season, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, all of which are conveniently nearby. You’re on the historic Scott Farm property, so head over to the Market for coffee and locally made goodies. The farm is where they filmed key scenes in “The Cider House Rules.”

A cozy room in an historic inn nestled in a straight-out-of-a-storybook Vermont village: That’s the backdrop for your romantic getaway at the Grafton Inn. Add in a hearty New England breakfast served each morning, sharing a meal in a charming pub in a renovated barn or in an elegant tavern dining room. Now add an evening by the fireplace or at an intimate table for two in the historic Pine Room Bar, and perhaps returning to your room where you have ordered up wine, flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries. With your days spent skiing, riding in a horse-drawn sleigh, playing tennis, going on scenic hikes or biking along picturesque paths, or swimming in the inn’s pond, you will always remember this escape to Southern Vermont.

Romance is in the Vermont air at The Reluctant Panther Inn and Restaurant, an idyllic setting for your couples getaway. The boutique inn’s 20 luxurious rooms and suites all feature antique furnishings, fireplaces, marble baths and original artwork. Fall asleep on sumptuous bedding, and wake up to a complimentary in-room breakfast basket for two. Make your stay even more special by adding a bottle of wine or champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, house-made truffles or flowers to your room. Or, arrange for an on-site massage. Dine in the relaxed, elegantly upscale restaurant, then enjoy a cocktail on the terrace or in the cozy bar. Plan to spend your days kayaking, golfing, horseback-riding or, in the winter, going for a sleigh ride or ski run. Check the website for seasonal packages and promotions.