It’s that time of year again: Love is in the air, and clients are looking for romantic destinations to escape to with their significant other for Valentine's Day. We’ve collected some notable travel packages couples should keep in mind when planning their holiday getaway.
Valentine’s in Vegas
Farraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Las Vegas is offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner on February 14.
The restaurant will open at 4 p.m. and will provide guests a prix-fixe menu for $75 per person, as well as the full regular menu. As an extra, each couple dining that evening will receive a single red rose.
The prix-fixe menu includes:
- First course – Strawberry gazpacho, kusshi, oyster, basil blossom and crispy guanciale or beef Carpaccio, arugula, shaved parmesan and truffle oil
- Second course – Lobster ravioli, chanterelle mushrooms, pea shoots or homemade small veal ravioli, parmesan cheese reduction, truffle sauce
- Third course -- Five-ounce seared filet mignon, butter-poached Maine lobster, asparagus and goat cheese mashed potatoes
- Dessert – Coconut panna cotta, compressed pineapple, passion fruit sauce
Farraro’s also offers guests a selection of Italian wines from California and France.
NYC’s “Sweeter than Sugar” Dessert Tour
Millennial couples looking for romance this Valentine’s Day can check out Sugartooth Tours’ "Sweeter than Sugar" dessert tour in New York City.
Beginning in Chelsea, tour-goers will enjoy views of the city, all while tasting some of Manhattan’s best cupcakes, macarons and various snacks. The walking tour runs one and a half miles through Chelsea, and into the Chelsea Market. During the tour, guests will also learn about the neighborhood’s culinary past, as well as Valentine's history. Later on, travelers can check out the party scene and see how Valentine's Day is celebrated in the trendy Meatpacking District. The tour winds down in the West Village, where participants have the option of adding a wine or beer pairing to their final dessert for some extra one on one time with their partner.
The Valentine’s Day tours are scheduled for February 6th and 13th at 4:00 pm, and February 14th at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.sugartoothtours.com
Hawaii Hot Spots For Valentine’s Day
The islands of Hawaii continue to be a popular destination to pop the question.
At the top of Leahi, commonly referred to as Diamond Head, is a 760-foot tuff crater that is often considered one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks.
Recently reported by Joe Pike, adventurous couples can take a bus ride to get to Diamond Head Crater from Waikiki. The moderately challenging trail includes two sets of stairs, totaling 175 steps, as well as dark, underground tunnels and old military bunkers that require a flashlight.
Couples can also visit the Kapiolani Community College Farmer’s Market, offering up locally grown food and produce.
Located on the island of Oahu are Turtle Bay Resort and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
Turtle Bay Resort recently completed the construction of its Beach Cottages, situated in a secluded parkland on the shore of the bay. From private lanais, guests have views of Turtle Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Each 740 square foot cottage has vaulted 15-foot ceilings, polished Brazilian walnut floors, contemporary furnishings and upgraded marble bathrooms with Kalista deep-soaking tubs.
Guests also receive a fresh lei and local artisan snacks upon arrival, an amenity-of-the-day exclusive to the Beach Cottages, robes and slippers, Hawaiian aromatic teas and a selection of Hawaiian coffees, and an assortment of beach accessories.
Also on the island of Oahu is Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, which completed a massive renovation in 2012.
The resort now has all newly renovated guest rooms and corner suites with views of Diamond Head, the Pacific Ocean or views of Waikiki.
A new oceanfront swimming pool is surrounded by a new pool deck tiled in natural stone with a glass surround for unobstructed ocean views. The interior of this property also has received an updated look, with all guest rooms receiving new carpet, furniture, draperies and paint, along with new glass lanai railings in all oceanfront rooms and suites, which help showcase the impressive view from these rooms.
Good to know: Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is slated to open its doors in mid-2016, representing the first Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts property in Oahu. It replaces the old JW Marriott Ihilani Ko Olina Resort & Spa.
For couples looking to tie the knot this Valentine's Day, a place to keep in mind is Kawaiahao Church, the first Christian church built on Oahu in 1842.
Known as the "Westminster Abbey of the Pacific," Kawaiahao Church is made of 14,000 coral slabs from ocean reefs that were taken from the sea by native laborers and missionaries. The church and the grounds were named a National Historic Landmark in 1962.
Situated on Kauna‘oa Beach on Hawaii Island, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is widely considered the best hotel on The Big Island. The property recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Plumeria Beachfront Suite has two bathrooms, a living room with a dining area, and a bedroom with a king-sized bed, along with a terrace affording both garden and full ocean views.
The spa has four single treatment rooms and one “luxury” couples suite, which includes a whirlpool Jacuzzi tub. Couples can also enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail; Mauna Kea’s signature drink, The Frederico, which is made of Bacardi Light rum, Jack Daniel’s, pineapple, passion fruit, guava and orange juices with a splash of grenadine.
In addition, for couples who book a three-night stay, full wedding coordination services are available, including assistance with venue location, bride and groom lei, photography services, cake, music and salon services. Packages are also available.
Visit www.princeresortshawaii.com
For adventurous couples, Paradise Helicopters, which just wrapped up its 15th year in business, can arrange romantic transportation for guests.
The Volcano & Kohala Landing tour allows guests views of lava activity, along with a landing at one of the many waterfalls on the way. Joe Pike reports that rainbows are also quite common to spot.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Announces New Couples Package
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain has unveiled a new romance package for Valentine’s weekend, offering up an all-inclusive shared experience for guests.
The southern Arizona resort’s Ultimate Couples Adventure is presented February 11-14, 2016 and is the first all-inclusive package ever to be offered by the destination. The limited-edition itinerary includes a three-night stay for two guests valued at $4,400.
The package is ideal for lovers of spa, outdoor wellness and culinary delights. The Ultimate Couples Adventure includes the following itinerary:
Day One – Thursday, February 11 at 3:00 pm:
- Check In
- 4:00 p.m. Meet with Dove Mountain Spirit Ranger for Sunset Vista Tour
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner at Cayton’s at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain
Day two – Friday, February 12, 2016
- 7:30 a.m. Meditation and/or yoga at the Spa Pool followed by breakfast at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
- 10:30 a.m. A round of golf or Signature Massage and manicure/pedicure (couple may enjoy separate or together activities)
- 12:00 p.m. Choice of lunch on the Ignite Terrace or boxed lunch at the Golf Club
- 4:00 p.m. Couples cooking class at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
- 5:15 p.m. Gather on the Ignite Terrace for the Spirit of Adventure Celebration
- 6:30 p.m. Sushi dinner at Ignite
- 8:00 p.m. Stargazing
- 9:00 p.m. Rose petal turndown service
Day Three – Saturday, February 13, 2016
- 7:00 a.m. Sunset hike or mountain biking
- 9:00 a.m. Choice of breakfast at CORE Kitchen or To|Go
- 10:30 a.m. Aromatherapy class followed by a Signature Couples Massage
- 12:30 p.m. Lunch in a private poolside cabana
- 2:30 p.m. Afternoon at leisure
- 5:00 p.m. The CORE Wine Experience
- 6:00 p.m. Culinary Adventure Dinner at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
- 8:30 p.m. The Dove Mountain Chocolate Experience
To reserve the Ultimate Couples Adventure at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain, or call 1-800-241-3333.
Franciacorta & Caviar in NYC
On Sunday, February 14, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, guests will enjoy Italian luxury foods with Vittorio Marzotto, brand manager of Ca’ del Bosco, and Calvisius Caviar.
Vittorio’s lineup of DOCG Franciacorta sparkling wine offerings will include rosés, zero dosage bruts, and vintage cuvees, all of which are paired with Calvisius’ caviar and other sturgeon products, procured from sustainable farms in Lombardy’s lake district.
Romance in the Windy City
For the first time in Willis Tower’s 42 year history, the Chicago skyscraper (formerly Sears Tower) is announcing the first ever opportunity for couples to formally marry atop the world-famous Skydeck this Valentine’s Day.
Couples looking to tie the knot (or renew their vows) can submit video entries via the Skydeck’s Facebook page for a chance to win an opportunity to get married on February 14th 103 stories above Chicago in a private ceremony.
For more information or to enter the contest, visit the Skydeck’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Skydeckchicago/?fref=ts