Even if you’re constantly on the road, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life, says Sameera Sullivan, CEO of LastingConnections.net, a matchmaking company that serves many clients with busy travel schedules. “Some of them date on the East Coast and the West Coast because they have homes on both.” But you don’t have to be wealthy to find a date while traveling. She says certain places are conducive to meeting new people, whatever your gender and orientation, and shares some favorites cities with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Houston
Sullivan lived in the Houston area, and says it’s a wonderful place for single women. “You really meet some amazing men, a lot of oil and gas guys.” But it’s important to know where to look. “You’re not going to find them in the suburbs. You need to be out in the city, Uptown, Downtown, the Galleria area and River Oaks. All the singles are there.” visithoustontexas.com
Milan
The Italian fashion capital can be a wonderful place to meet someone, but you have to make an effort, Sullivan says. Italian men and women are looking for someone stylish, and a little reserved. “You have to look good. It can’t be shorts and a T-shirt,” she says. “And you can’t be too bubbly.” turismo.milano.it
More: Rick Steves: Europe's most romantic destinations
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Sullivan calls this desert city a mini Los Angeles, with an active bar and restaurant scene, along with access to outdoor activities. “People are trendy and attractive and take care of themselves,” she says. “If you’re single and traveling, you want to go to Scottsdale.” experiencescottsdale.com
New York
Sullivan says it’s easy to meet someone in the nation’s biggest city, especially if you’re a guy. “Women are really deprived of love. They’re not finding men who want to commit, so they’re going out and having fun,” she says. And with residents from around the world, the variety of potential partners is astounding, she says. nycgo.com
Lucerne, Switzerland
Not only is the Alpine scenery good-looking, but so are the guys, Sullivan says. “There are a lot of single Swiss men — tall and dark and handsome.” It’s easy to strike up a conversation with one in one of the city’s markets, and there’s not much of a culture gap, she says. “They’re a lot like American men.” luzern.com/en
Portland, Ore.
Although Sullivan met her husband in a Portland gym, she says the city is a better place for single men than women. “There are a lot of slacker guys, who don’t really try,” she says. “If you’re a decent-looking professional man with a decent job, you’re going to have your pick.” And the city’s breweries and restaurants offer great date possibilities. travelportland.com
Berlin
With several universities attracting students from across the globe, the German capital city is a wonderful place for young travelers to find a date, be it an American studying abroad, or someone more exotic. “It’s very diverse. If you go to a bar or restaurant, you’re going to meet a lot of Germans and people from all over the world,” Sullivan says. visitberlin.de/en
Budapest
Sullivan says the Eastern European capital attracts people from across the continent, making it a natural spot for dating. “There are a lot of clubs and it‘s a great place to go out and meet people,” she says. But men seem to have the advantage here. “The women you meet in Budapest are some of the nicest you’ll meet almost anywhere in Europe.” Popular social spots include the city’s historic spring-fed baths and "ruin pubs" built in the shell of former derelict buildings. budapestinfo.hu
Paris
The capital of amour lives up to its name, at least for traveling ladies. Sullivan says Parisian women have a reputation for being uptight, which makes American women particularly attractive to local men. “If you walk around a market and look at someone and smile and make eye contact,” a conversation is likely to flow, says Sullivan. en.parisinfo.com
Los Angeles
Men will find lots of dating options in Southern California. “Women are less picky than anywhere else, because they’ve seen everything. There are so many narcissists who are so shallow,” Sullivan says. This means an accomplished, sincere guy will truly stand out, she says. discoverlosangeles.com
![10Best and USA TODAY readers voted for their favorite romantic North American getaway, and St. Paul took home top honors. St. Paul, the quieter of Minnesota's Twin Cities, offers romance a bit off the beaten path . . . and on the Mississippi River.]()
1 of 41![Pazzaluna in the middle of downtown St. Paul offers couples an award-winning Italian menu, an extensive Italian wine list and a romantic ambiance perfect for a night out.]()
2 of 41![Even in winter, St. Paul offers a dose of romance. An annual winter carnival showcases amazing ice sculptures and by its very nature, invites cuddling. ]()
3 of 41![Moss-draped oaks and sparkling fountains dominate the many parks and gardens of historic Savannah, Georgia, voted as the second best romantic North American getaway.]()
4 of 41![Savannah's always-busy River Street along the waterfront is the place to go for romantic dining, or a water taxi ride at sunset.]()
5 of 41![Strolling the streets of Victoria, British Columbia -- our third place finisher -- feels more like walking in Europe than North America.]()
6 of 41![Victoria's Butchart Gardens seem made for walking hand in hand.]()
7 of 41![It's impossible to list Santa Fe's romantic possibilities -- there are simply too many. That's probably why it came in at number 4.]()
8 of 41![Dozens of galleries, crisp high desert air, distinctive Southwestern architecture and fiery New Mexican food make Santa Fe difficult to resist.]()
9 of 41![Numerous gardens, flower-lined streets and an excellent foodie scene make fifth place New Orleans a memorable destination for couples on vacation.]()
10 of 41![After dark, New Orleans comes alive with one of the sexiest night life scenes in the South.]()
11 of 41![Couples paddling the Paradise Coast Blueway near Naples, our sixth place finisher, may choose from several beach islands to explore along their route.]()
12 of 41![With its tropical, walkable downtown, beautiful sunsets from the west-facing pier, and a plethora of water sports, sunny Naples, Florida is made from romance.]()
13 of 41![In seventh place, wonderfully walkable Bar Harbor, Maine, with its waterfront hotels and intimate B&Bs, is a favorite among romantics traveling to the northeast.]()
14 of 41![Stay in cozy Bar Harbor, and you'll have access to Acadia National Park just minutes away.]()
15 of 41![Eighth place Mendocino, Calif. attracts couples year-round to its dramatic coastal scenery, top notch dining and thriving art scene.]()
16 of 41![Mendocino is the perfect place for a bottle of Sonoma County wine and a walk on the beach.]()
17 of 41![When it comes to romance Southern style, it's hard to beach Charleston, South Carolina, our number nine ciy.]()
18 of 41![Charleston often finds itself at the top of romantic city lists, thanks in part to its oak-shaded streets, antebellum architecture and lush gardens.]()
19 of 41![Rounding out the top 10, honeymooner-favorite Honolulu has it all: stunning sunsets, white sand beaches and tropical temperatures.]()
20 of 41![By day, Honolulu offers plentiful water sports, shopping and garden tours, and once the sun goes down, a sultry nightlife.]()
21 of 41![The following 10 destinations earned nominations for best romantic North American getaway, but didn't quite make the cut. The quaint streets of Annapolis, Maryland are dotted with charming shops, marina views and restaurants serving succulent blue crab. History is everywhere . . . and so are sailors.]()
22 of 41![While just a few miles from Washington, DC, Annapolis feels worlds away, like you're stepping back in time.]()
23 of 41![Boston has everything a couple could want from a romantic New England destination, including world-class restaurants, cobbled streets, historic bars and beautiful architecture.]()
24 of 41![Even in winter, Boston's green spaces, like the Boston Commons, feel romantic.]()
25 of 41![Active couples whose idea of romance involves immersion in the glory of Mother Nature love Jackson, Wyoming for its proximity to some of the nation's most spectacular national parks.]()
26 of 41![In and around the town of Jackson, couples find sexy spas, art galleries, excellent restaurants and a hopping nightlife.]()
27 of 41![Historic Lexington offers lovers the chance to enjoy the scenery of picturesque Bluegrass Country and the opportunity to sample flights of Kentucky bourbon in nearly every bar.]()
28 of 41![A spring afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to sightsee around the historic areas of romantic downtown Lexington, including the very porch where President Lincoln wooed Mary Todd.]()
29 of 41![The island and town of Nantucket, Mass. charm with period homes, isolated beaches and a rich maritime history.]()
30 of 41![With fresh seafood, cozy inns and a bevy of sophisticated boutiques, Nantucket makes an excellent East Coast couples retreat.]()
31 of 41![With so much going on at all hours of the day and night, it's hard not to find romance in New York.]()
32 of 41![In Central Park alone, lovers can bask in the sun in summer, enjoy spring flowers or fall foliage, or ice skate hand in hand during the winter.]()
33 of 41![San Francisco, one of America's most beautiful cities is also a supremely romantic one.]()
34 of 41![Whether walking the Golden Gate Bridge, dining on seafood at Fisherman's Wharf or riding a classic cable car through its picturesque streets, San Francisco makes for a memorable romantic getaway.]()
35 of 41![Hiking, biking, Jeep tours and technicolor desert sunsets make Sedona, Ariz. one of the Southwest's best destinations for romance.]()
36 of 41![Couples looking for some relaxation along with their romance love Sedona for its assortment of sumptuous spas.]()
37 of 41![With wonderful weather, some of California's best dining, a charming town square and wine aplenty, Sonoma has become a favorite destination for a romantic weekend away.]()
38 of 41![Many of Sonoma's romantic inns and B&Bs enjoy an unbelievably sublime setting -- right in the middle of rolling vineyards.]()
39 of 41![Stowe is that quintessential Vermont town, beautiful no matter the season and brimming with artists studios and galleries, local eateries and a host of inns and B&Bs perfect for snuggling up together.]()
40 of 41![In winter, couples can hit the slopes of Stowe together for some of New England's best skiing.]()
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