As the cold and snow blanket the East Coast, embrace the season’s romantic spirit and plan an intimate winter weekend in solitude at the tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown, Mass.

In a world that is rushed and hurried, there are very few places people can escape the crowds. Many vacation sites mistakenly suggest travelers must go to all ends of the Earth to destinations such as Northern Australia, Thailand or Costa Rica to find seclusion. In fact, in just a short trip to Cape Cod, a traveler can find one of the most enchanting places to seek solitude – Provincetown.

The seaside charm of America’s First Destination becomes candlelit and cozy this time of year, as award-winning local inns, B&Bs and boutique hotels light their fireplaces, welcoming guests for a weekend retreat. This is surely one reason why Travel + Leisure Magazine named P-town one of « America’s Most Romantic » destinations.

Experience the peace that comes from browsing art galleries or cuddling up with a favorite book that’s gone waiting. Find serenity along the National Seashore and discover species that flourish without crowds in watch of a sighting. Rejuvenate with exercise along historic pathways or modern gyms. And, don’t forget a spa day or giving way to a new hairstyle, easily found along village streets.

This February, spend Valentine’s Day with loved ones and hide out among Provincetown’s fine selection of well-appointed accommodations, which are by turns charming, cozy, elegant, luxurious – and generously hospitable. And a number of Cape Cod’s best restaurants are keeping the hearth warm, too, with some offering an intimate dining experience and others serving up innovative local fare alongside lively entertainment.

Enticing off-season accommodation rates make a visit to Provincetown that much easier, and the eclectic shops and galleries offer world-class ways to spend your time in any season. Far from the fashionable frenzy of summertime, getting snowbound in Provincetown means simple pleasures and laid-back luxury surrounded by the stunning beauty of this haven in Cape Cod. And for those who want to « Get Outta the Cold and Into the Heat! » check out Snowbound Leather weekend XVIII to be held Feb. 20-22.

Make a getaway trip to Provincetown and you’ll be all set for an intimate weekend in what Smithsonian Magazine, Fodor’s and others have called one of the best small towns in America.