Romantic Getaway

Love is in the air: Luxe resort near Houston named as one of the nation's most romantic getaways

Score big on your next romantic getaway with a trip to The Inn at Dos Brisas. Only an hour west of Houston, the 313-acre Spanish Colonial-style ranch ranks in the Top 10 best romantic inns in the country, according to USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.

USA TODAY and 10Best asked its followers to vote for their ideal lovey-dovey rural escape from a list of 20 nominees handpicked by a panel of travel experts. The Inn at Dos Brisas came in at No. 10.

From picturesque views of rolling meadows to a charming rose garden with 150 different floral varieties, the luxe resort was made for love.

Cozy up under the light of the moon while stargazing. Wine and dine your date at the renowned, on-property five-star restaurant, take the magic to the next level with an in-room massage by a licensed spa therapist. And make it a night to remember in the sumptuous digs.

Nine lavish private guest homes offer cathedral ceilings, cozy stone fireplaces, French doors that open to a private patio overlooking lush meadows and king-size beds with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, perfect for snuggling.

The Inn at Dos Brisas was the only Texas property to make the list. No. 1 is the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond (St. Michaels, Maryland), a colonial-style 19th century manor house.

Seven Gables Inn (Pacific Grove, California), Belfry Inn (Sandwich, Massachusetts), Lord Jeffery Inn (Amherst, Massachusetts), Vintage Inn (Yountville, California), Belmond El Encanto (Santa Barbara, California), Fearrington House Inn (Pittsboro, North Carolina), Goodstone Inn (Middleburg, Virginia) and Twin Farms (Barnard, Vermont) follow respectively.

10Best.com provides users with travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Wine and dine your date at the renowned, on-property five-star restaurant.

Houston, Inn at Dos Brisas, August 2015, outdoor shot

Courtesy photo

Wine and dine your date at the renowned, on-property five-star restaurant.

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Texas coasts as 6th best summer road trip destination in America

Courtesy photo

Set up a good playlist, find your destination, and let's get cruising.

Those planning a good old-fashioned road trip this summer will be happy to know that the Lone Star State is cruising as one of the 10 best road trip destinations in the U.S. this year.

Texas ranks 6th in WalletHub's latest study, "Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips," which compared all 50 states based on their affordability, scenery, safety, and fun. The survey analyzed factors that road trippers prioritize for their vacation plans, such as the average price for gas, traffic congestion, the type of attractions in each state, among others.

Minnesota reigned as the No. 1 best road trip destination for 2026, followed by Utah (No. 2) and Louisiana (No. 3).

Nearly three quarters of Americans are planning a road trip this year, and traveling affordably is a big priority no matter where the destination, the report found.

"While deciding to travel is easy, choosing the right destination — and staying within budget — can be more challenging," the report said. "Gas prices remain a concern, with the national average still above $4.50 per gallon."

Gas prices will vary depending on the city, but AAA reports the statewide average price for gas is $3.42 for regular, $4.26 for premium, and $4.42 for diesel in June.

This is how Texas performed across the three main categories in the study:

No. 5 – Activities
No. 15 – Costs
No. 39 – Safety

There's no shortage of things to do around the state this summer, from going camping, indulging in as many food festivals as you can handle, taking the kids to a new theme park, or taking a trip down to the coast for a sun-filled getaway.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the best destinations for road trips are the places that similarly value affordability while "providing the best driving experience and most fun activities."

"Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable," Lupo said. "Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road."

The top 10 best states for road trips in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Minnesota
No. 2 – Utah
No. 3 – Louisiana
No. 4 – New York
No. 5 – Florida
No. 6 – Texas
No. 7 – Maine
No. 8 – Georgia
No. 9 – North Carolina
No. 10 – Ohio

travel vacation wallethub reports texas summer road trip