Think outside the box when planning your romantic summer vacation.

It might seem like spring has only just begun, but it'll soon be time to start booking your summer vacation! And what better time to enjoy a relaxing holiday with that special someone than during the warm summer months? If you and your partner are hoping to take a romantic city break somewhere in the USA, destinations like New York City, Miami, Las Vegas and Atlantic City are worth considering. However, why not think outside the box to plan a romantic holiday unlike any other? There are a variety of cities in the United States that make fantastic romantic destinations - all you need to do is pick one.

For instance, why not take a trip down to Charleston, South Carolina, for a taste of the Deep South on your vacation. Charleston is home to some of the most important landmarks in American history; Fort Moultrie, for instance, was crucial in the defeat of the British in the American Revolutionary War, while Fort Sumter is reputed to be the site of the "first shot" of the American Civil War.

Additionally, Charleston's Gibbes Museum of Art is one of the country's oldest art museums and is home to more than ten thousand pieces of fine art. So if you and your partner are art and history fans, Charleston is sure to appeal to you. Visit Charleston in May, and you'll be able to experience the joys of the Charleston Maritime Festival and the Charleston to Bermuda boat race. What's more, since 1995, Charleston has consistently been designated the United States' "best-mannered city" - so you might even experience some old fashioned southern charm on your romantic vacation!

Alternatively, Cape May, New Jersey, makes an excellent romantic getaway for two. Located at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula, at the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May offers couples a first-class beach location for their romantic vacation. You'll be able to take the Cape May ferry in between Delaware and New Jersey, and find a range of cosy lodgings for couples to share.

What's more, Cape May is home to a host of cultural festivals throughout the year, including the Cape May Jazz festival, the Cape May Music Festival and the Cape May, New Jersey Film Festival. And if you and your loved one adore the idea of spending your vacation relaxing on the beach, Cape May's summer beach bum culture is sure to appeal to you.

Or, if you and your partners love the great outdoors, why not take a romantic vacation this summer in the Black Hills, South Dakota. The romance of South Dakota's Black Hills was immortalised by Doris Day in Calamity Jane, and the region is still a popular tourist destination today. Known as "an island of trees in a sea of grass", the Black Hills are home to Mount Rushmore National memorial, Wind Cave National Park and Harney Peak, the highest point found east of the Rockies. Moreover, several major Hollywood pictures have been filmed in the Black Hills, including North by Northwest, How the West Was Won and Dances with Wolves - so you and your partner will be sure to appreciate the staggering scenery and stunning landscapes on your romantic vacation in South Dakota.

If you're planning a special romantic getaway - for instance, in celebration of an important anniversary or a birthday - then you'll be able to find a variety of romantic hotel packages in hotels across the United States, so you'll be able to treat your loved one in a manner they deserve on your vacation.

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels extensively.