Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – are you taking your sweetheart on a romantic vacation? If so, Travel + Leisure just released their list of the top 20 romantic cities in the world. Top on the list is Venice, Italy, with Paris, France coming in a close second. If you are planning on staying closer to home this Valentine’s Day, here are the U.S. Cities that made the list:
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California -- Picturesque cottages, quaint shops and art galleries plus pristine beaches are just a few of the great reasons to find your way there.
Honolulu, Hawaii – great nightlife, tranquil beaches, tropical atmosphere. Oh and did we mention Diamond Head Crater and three acres of Kawamoto Orchids nursery? And the mai tais there are out of this world.
Charleston, South Carolina – Cool architecture, beautiful streets lined with ancient trees, art galleries, award-winning restaurants serving low country cuisine and beautiful sand on Folly Beach or Sullivan’s Island. Are you seeing a trend here with beaches?
San Francisco, California – the Golden Gate Bridge is just a start … check out the farmer’s market outside the Ferry Building, paddleboats floating on Stow lake, the Victorian-era wood and glass Conservatory of Flowers, Bay Lights Show and the 210 foot Coit Tower which overlooks the Bay.
Santa Barbara, California – dolphins in the Pacific, the Santa Ynez mountains and the wineries that can be found there, kayaking or hiking in the Los Padres National Forest, or lounging along the Pacific Coast. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong here.
Savannah, Georgia – Cobblestone streets lined with Spanish moss covered trees, classic ins, historic downtown, antebellum architecture and the haunting story told in “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil” is enough to draw you to this beautiful city.
Sp what do you think? Does La Crosse qualify as a romantic city? Drop me a line: john@kicks1063.com
Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. Each singer received five nods.
Among his nominations, Eric has nabbed his first for Entertainer of the Year; he's also up for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, for Mr. Misunderstood, among other categories. As for Chris, he's scored his first nods for Male and New Male Vocalist of the Year, and for Album of the Year, for Traveller. Cam, Chris Young and Little Big Town scored four nods each; Chris Janson, Thomas Rhett and Miranda Lambert each have three. The awards are changing a bit this year: the Entertainer, New Male, New Female and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year were previously fan-voted. Now, they will be voted on by the Academy's professional membership. The ACM Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will air April 3 on CBS.
Here are the nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young
Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Burning House" – Cam
"Buy Me A Boat" – Chris Janson
"Die A Happy Man" – Thomas Rhett
"Girl Crush" – Little Big Town
"I’m Comin’ Over" – Chris Young
"Take Your Time" – Sam Hunt
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brett Eldredge
Chris Janson
Thomas Rhett
Chase Rice
Chris Stapleton
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Cam
Mickey Guyton
RaeLynn
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
A Thousand Horses
Brothers Osborne
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion
Parmalee
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
"Biscuits" – Kacey Musgraves
"Burning House" – Cam
"Girl Crush" – Little Big Town
"Mr. Misunderstood" – Eric Church
"Riser" – Dierks Bentley
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
"Hangover Tonight" – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
"Home Alone Tonight" – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
"Raise ‘Em Up" – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
"Smokin’ And Drinkin’" – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Wild Child" – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter
