Valentine’s Day Getaways: The Top 05.
Valentine’s Day has evolved into a genuinely global celebration of romance throughout the years. And there are plenty of fantastic spots to celebrate it all over the world. apartments
Here are my top five “getaway” spots for Valentine’s Day celebrations…
5) ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, USA — Historic Grandin Village is just outside of downtown Roanoke, a surprising city with a thriving food and cultural scene, as well as the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding it. The Grandin Theatre, a renovated 1930s movie palace that residents swear serves the greatest popcorn in the Blue Ridge, is the heart of Grandin Village. Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar can transport you and your date/spouse back to the days of Hollywood’s “soda shop” movies. Rockfish Food & Wine offers a taste of area wineries. There are various locally owned shops offering unique gifts for your loved one, such CUPS Coffee & Tea’s excellent dessert liquors and Viva la Cupcake’s delicious treats! The Hotel Roanoke, a lovely old Tudor-style castle that has been offering classic Southern hospitality — and romantic ambience — since 1882, is the perfect place to spend the evening.
4) ITALY’S AMALFI COAST — The Amalfi Coast is a 43-mile stretch of beautiful coastline filled with charming old villages. Many of these communities are perched on steep cliffs overlooking the sea, providing breathtaking vistas. Luxury hotels abound along the coast…and who does romantic getaways better than the French? Day trips to Naples or Pompeii can be taken from Positano, or you can take a boat to (as Frank Sinatra sung) “The Isle of Capri.”
3) MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA — On Valentine’s Day, Montreal is a fascinating mix of “New World” and “Old France.” If the weather permits, take a romantic trip in a horse-drawn carriage (complimentary blankets included!). You can watch the sunset from Mount Royal, which gives the city its name and provides excellent views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. The Marche Bonsecours, an 18th-century monument now filled with artists’ studios and beautiful boutiques, is a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift for your beloved. Then proceed to the cobblestoned streets of Old Montreal for dinner, where you’ll find charming bistros, stylish stores, and gas-lit streetlamps.
2) PARIS! — When it comes to romantic cities, Paris is always on the top of the list. Take a Valentine’s Day trip down the Seine River on the Bateaux Mouche as the lights turn on. Cross one of the old bridges to the Left Bank and take a stroll around the bistros. On the Ile D’Orleans, have a romantic candlelight dinner at one of the underground cafes. For a nighttime view of “The City of Light” in all its splendour, climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower (bundle up beforehand!). Don’t forget to stock up on chocolate at one of the many wonderful chocolate stores!
And now for my world’s best Valentine’s Day trip…
1) BRYSON CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, USA — LANDS CREEK CABINS If you’ve ever imagined an American Shangri-La, this is most likely what you’ve seen. Lands Creek Log Cabins is a twenty-minute drive up the mountain from Bryson City, via white fences and horses, and “hollers” (little valleys) packed with log cottages with chimneys. The 18 luxurious cabins are perched on stilts above Lands Creek. And, on Valentine’s Day, what could be more romantic than falling asleep to the sound of water running underneath you? The cabins are decorated with local artisans’ goods and handmade furniture, and most feature fireplaces where you can toast your loved one with champagne. Alternatively, you might cuddle up and enjoy your champagne on your deck, surrounded by a million stars in a black-velvet sky. Because it’s the off-season, Lands Creek is offering special pricing packages.
These are my top 05 Valentine’s Day favorites. Let the discussion begin!