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VALENTINE
GETAWAYS FOR ALL BUDGETS |
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Valentines Day is quickly
approaching and you just finished with the December holiday season. OUCH! Moreover the economy is heading for
the dumpster and you may (or may not) be broke. But your sweetie doesn’t want
to hear that noise. What to do, what to do! Here are a few suggestions for
Valentine getaways for those still rolling in dough, willing to hock their
kids tuition money, or flat out broke. |
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Fly off to Monaco and enjoy a
weekend at the Hotel
Hermitage right n the Rivera! This
historic Belle Epoque Palace, facing the Mediterranean Sea, was built in 1900
and upholds its legendary status with the finest of amenities and has
recently completed the renovation of the Excelsior rooms and a breathtaking
harbor view golf practice. The top floors offer eight Monte-Carlo Diamond
Suites including one Duplex that has a private terrace with Jacuzzi and
sea-views. Suites and junior suites have harbor view terraces and Jacuzzi. Grab
the weekend for only $1546 with breakfast included. Stay there but eat at Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hotel de
Paris. The exceptional menus and wine-list guarantee
rare moments at table that are etched forever in diners’ memories. The
cuisine this essential, simple, clear and comprehensible to everyone; it
creates a subtle balance between tradition, evolution and modernity. You can fly into Nice on American, United, Air France, Delta, or
SwissAir for under one thousand dollars per person*. |
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The Hotel Hermitage in Monaco |
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You don't have to travel 5,000 miles
to enjoy a great stay at a hotel named Hermitage - just to Nashville TN. Stay
at the perennial great Hermitage Hotel located
blocks from the state capital. Named after Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate
just outside Nashville, it was the cities first million-dollar hotel. Now
it's Tennessee's greatest - perennially rated one of the best hotel in the US. Grab an 800 sq. ft. suite with
fabulous appointments including Molten soaps and Frette linens for only $2400
for the weekend. Expect champagne and chocolate truffles to be awaiting you
in the room. For dinner go no further than the
fabulous Capitol
Grill downstairs. Be sure to check out The Worlds Greatest Men's
Room. Yes, even women are welcome to see the very comfortable men’s room
before supping on the Kobe beef short ribs, pork osso bucco and truffle mac
& cheese. If you can't have dinner be sure to wake up to one of the
greatest breakfasts in America. The eggs Benedict Commander Style will knock
your socks off. Nashville bills itself as Music City
and you'll find plenty of venues either offering live entertainment or
honoring Country Music and the Grand Old Opry. Visit the sights were
romantics like Crystal Gayle, LeAnn Rimes, Dolly Parton and others belted out
love songs country style. The wander around an hit some of the famous honky
tonks like Tootsies, Legend’s
Corner or The Stage. Better still
join in a line dance at the Wildhorse Saloon before retiring
back at you comfy digs a few blocks away. |
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Did you know Venice celebrates Carnival? In the 18th century, during Venice's
decline in power, pleasure seekers took over. But Carnival's
significance declined gradually through to the 1930s, when Mussolini banned
it. In 1979, a group of Venetians and lovers of Venice decided to revive the
tradition. Why not combine
Valentines Day, Carnival and the romance of Venice in one trip? Check into the Hotel Metropole positioned where the Grand Canal flows into Bacino
S Marco. Check into the exclusive Damasco suite (with a fabulous mosaic bath
with Oriental overtones) overlooking the lagoon. The hotels offers a
Valentines Day special that includes a bottle of Spumante Franciacorta, red
roses, scented candles and a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Two nights
for only $2466. Of course you could get a lesser room from only $1172. Don't go any further than the hotels
own Met Restaurant for the best cuisine and service in Venice. Chef Corrado
Fasolato creates spectacular feasts amidst a theatrical setting. Try the fettuccine di seppie alla carbonara which is cuttlefish shredded
like pasta. Magnifico! Do allow for plenty of time and let the waiter match
wines to each course. |
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Stroll over to Doge's Palace on San Marco Square, only a
short distance from the hotel and surrender to the moment. Then take in the
Bell Tower and Basilica of San Marco. Finally enjoy Carnival Venetian style! Fly into Venice on Alitalia, Delta, United, Northwest,
KLM, Lufthansa, and Iberia for under $1000 per person*. |
Enjoy a romantic suite |
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They say that few places are as
romantic as New York. Maybe so if you escape to the Ritz
Carlton Battery Park for their
Chocolate Lovers Package. For $475 per night you can Entry
to The Chocolate Bar in the fourteenth floor award-winning Rise
bar. An all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet showcasing the most
unforgettable chocolate desserts complimented by bottomless champagne. Indulge
in this sinful selection while experiencing the most breathtaking views in
Manhattan. You could stay and dine at the hotel's mediocre 2 West Restaurant,
but instead continue the romance at Jean-Georges
and dine on their 3 course prix fixe. Suggest the Japanese Snapper for
starters, perhaps Turbot and Crunchy Rabbit. Top it off with the Balsamic
Roasted Strawberry Cheesecake. Let your loved one know that reservations were
impossible and they’ll really appreciate the treat. Re-create a moment from "An Affair
to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle" by taking a ride to the top of the Empire State Building. Though it is no longer one of the top ten tallest
buildings in the world it still affords one of the most romantic moments and
views in the country. It'll set you back $56 per person but is well worth it. |
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Valentine's Day lands on a Sunday
this year which is perfect for a weekend getaway to the Big Easy. You can
combine the fun of Carnival with the romance of Valentine's day. Stay at the International House for a truly great NoLA experience. Grab a Superior
King room with champagne, flowers and chocolate covered strawberries for only
$713 plus tax. Renovated in the Fall 2007, by Los Angeles-based designer LM Pagano
with influences from Africa, France, Spain, and Italy. It meets a distinctly
contemporary style inspiring a new New Orleans enthusiastically taking shape.
Keep
everything going with either breakfast or dinner at Afrotrek Favorite Brennan’s on Royal Street in
the French Quarter. For breakfast sup on Oyster Benedict or the Eggs Hussarde
and finish off with the original Banana's Foster. If it’s dinner consider
starting off with the best Turtle Soup in the world, ease into the Blackened
Redfish or Crab Bearnaise and finish with Crepes Fitzgerald. No visit
is complete without a visit to Erzulie's Authentic Voodoo
shop on 809 Royal Street. Anna's oils and soaps are more than just
wash-and-go spirituality. They allow people the chance to slow down, relax,
and focus on and eliminate the negatives in their lives. |
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Bananas Foster at Brennan's in New Orleans |
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Santa Fe is one of the top art
venues in the world. It is where you'll find the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and
some of the best examples of adobe architecture in New Mexico. It is also
where you can check into the La Posada de Santa Fe Hotel. After recently completing a $6 million renovation
you’ll immerse yourself in our traditional
Southwestern aura, complete with kiva fireplaces that invite you to linger in
the warmth and soothing comfort. Step out onto your shady patio for a breath
of crisp air and the sight of brilliant cobalt-blue skies. The best part?
Each of the rooms and suites is unique! Get a classic suite at the winter
rates that includes breakfast for two, smores kit (for your fireplace) and
includes the resort fee for only $890 for two nights. |
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For great dining and a eerie step
into a Georgia O'Keefe painting head over to Geronimo in a venerable landmark 250-year old building. The food is remarkable,
fusing the distinct culinary influences of Asia, the Southwest and the
Mediterranean. Start off with the foie gras on pound cake, then share the elk
tenderloin and pork tenderloin with pepper jack polenta. Finish off with the
chocolate textures dessert. |
La Posada Suite |
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You can't
visit Santa Fe without visiting the O'Keefe
Museum. Check out the new Modernists in New Mexico exhibit opening the day
before Valentines Day (how convenient). It will provide an excellent
selection of American Modernist visions of New Mexico during the first half
of the twentieth-century. Santa Fe does not have commercial
air traffic into it’s airport, however there is a brand new rail link from
the Albuquerque Sun Port on Rail
Runner. It runs, with limited
stops into the heart of Santa Fe ending at the Rail Yard only a few blocks
from everything! |
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The best deal on the continent will
be found in Wisconsin's Door County at the Village
Green Lodge in Ephraim WI. From
the delicious "full" breakfast buffet and afternoon tea, to the
special touches you will find in every room. The innkeepers provide a special niche for
people wanting a peaceful, relaxing getaway, without children. Grab a suite
for only $140 per night, which includes nibbling on the basketful of fresh
homemade cookies. Toss in a VIP tour of four of Door County's award winning wineries
and a delicious lunch at the Inn at Cedar Crossing in Sturgeon Bay for an
additional $53 per person. It’ll be cold so be prepared for plenty of snuggling. Fly into Green Bay and make the scenic 2-hour drive to Ephraim. Do
stop and grab marvelous delicacies at the various shops along the way.
American Airlines, United, and Northwest all serve Green Bay with fares under
$300. |
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Finally, consider a ride off into a sunset in the
beautiful Saguaro National Forest surrounding Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson. Most rooms have a wood burning kiva
fireplace. Don't worry about mind numbing
television to disturb the weekend, each room is equipped with Sirrius XM
Radio and the comfort of your loved one. Of course, being a guest ranch
you’ll never be short on out of room activities which center on horseback
riding. Take the traditional breakfast ride and enjoy a genuine cowboy
breakfast, then consider teaming with your partner for some cattle penning
events. After a long day riding the saddle, enjoy the ranches La Sonoran Spa
that features dessert oriented treatments to soothe the body and soul. All
for under $1000 for the weekend; meals included! American Airlines, United, USAir and
Southwest all fly into Tucson for under $400*. |
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