While Bald Head and Kiawah are no secret to North Carolina and South Carolina natives, Northeasterners looking for a romantic island getaway without venturing as far as the Caribbean will be thrilled to discover this Southern duo.

Bald Head offers plenty of peace and quiet thanks to its no-car policy. Instead, visitors here make their way around on golf carts, which are usually included with vacation rentals—a popular way to go for couples who value their privacy and want to stay beachside. Charming boutiques and island activities like sailing and fishing are easy to come by, and there’s plenty to be had in the way of dining options. But the best days here include beach time, a golf-cart run to the Maritime Market for sundries and wine, a home-cooked dinner, and watching the sun set over Cape Fear from the comfort of your own porch.

If golf factors into your dream-vacation plans, then Kiawah is the spot for you. A 45-minute drive from Charleston, the island is home to five championship courses, including the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course, which will host the PGA Championship this year. When you’re not on the course, try your hand at deep-sea fishing, bike along the coast, or just relax and soak up the sun on the island’s ten-mile-long beach. Accommodation options range from condos and villas to beachfront vacation homes, as well as rooms at the Sanctuary Hotel, which also boasts a five-star spa with a private suite for couple’s treatments.

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