Top 5 Valentine's Day Getaways in America Revealed

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It's that time of year, again, when there's a run on flower shops - and probably jewelry shops, too - all over America. Valentine's Day!
 
Here are my Top 5 places to spend V-Day this year. And one or two of them will surprise you...they're hardly traditional Valentine's Day getaways that usually come to mind!
 
 
#5 - HYATT CENTRIC THE LOOP CHICAGO, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Cities can be very romantic on Valentine's Day, with their thousands of sparkling lights, and, if you're in Chicago, a cozy, romantic ambience inside while there's snow - and the majesty of Lake Michigan - outside. For instance, how about the sensation of walking into a guest room in one of the city's best hotels and seeing fine chocolates and champagne waiting for you? The Hyatt's "Romance at Centric" package includes breakfast in bed in the morning. And in the days leading up to Valentine's, the hotel will stage a Vosges Haut-Chocolat pop-up shop in the lobby.
 
#4 - LAS OLAS BOUELVARD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - This is Fort Lauderdale's beautiful European-style boulevard, right downtown, and one of the few places in America where you'' enjoy walking on this day. It's lined with superb restaurants - serving everything from classic French to Asian fusion - with outdoor seating if you desire. With trendy spots near the New River to enjoy a cocktail. And with interesting, one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries. Perhaps you'll want to start off the evening with a horse-and-buggy carriage ride. Then move on to the wonderful Café De Paris (inside or out) for a gourmet dinner. Then dance the night away at Mango's, where the music is live and the vibe is incredible. Then, to top it off, stay at one of Fort Lauderdale's excellent beach-side hotels, where you'll hear the waves caressing the dark beach on Valentine's Day evening.   
 
#3 - DELUXE ARIZONA CYCLING & HIKING TOUR, ARIZONA - This is an unusual - but fun! - way to spend Valentine's Day...and to stretch it out to five days! You'll get a good workout during the day, and relax in the lap of luxury in the evening. This tour includes transfers, luggage service, planning, and orientation with expert staff covering GPS (Garmin touring). You get two nights lodging each at Four Seasons Troon North Scottsdale, nestled into the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, and Enchantment Resort of Sedona (the most spiritual place in America). And Pure Adventures, which offers this tour, will be available to assist you every step of the way. Here's a different kind of Valentine's Day...and a very special one!
 
#2 - EAGLE HARBOR INN, EPHRAIM, WISCONSIN - Across from Green Bay, on Ephraim's main street, the lovely Bed & Breakfast called Eagle Harbor Inn beckons to romantics looking for a warm, cozy place to spend Valentine's Evening. In the daytime, you can button up and explore the trails in nearby Peninsula Park. Get a suite with a fireplace; in the evening, you can warm up in front of it in your antique-decorated suite. Many rooms also have double whirlpools. You can sleep in on Valentine's Day - breakfast is served until 2:30 p.m. And on your special evening, enjoy a candlelight dinner. Eagle Harbor's Nature of Romance package (running through March) includes two nights, full breakfast each morning, a private horse-drawn carriage ride, dinner or fish boil for two one evening, a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in your room, and a $25 gift certificate valid at hundreds of businesses in Door County (which many folks call Wisconsin's prettiest).
 
And now, my choice for America's best place to spend Valentine's Day...
 
#1 - THE BROADMOOR RESORT, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - What can be more romantic - any time of year - than an Italianate castle surrounding a beautiful lake, and itself surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains n America (including 14,110' Pike's Peak)? In the heart of the West, The Broadmoor is a peach-colored Renaissance palace (nonetheless filled with the greatest Western art in the world!)...which automatically gives it an aura of romance. The 16 gourmet restaurants don't hurt, either. Nor does the world-class spa (where you can get couples massages!). Nor do the outdoor firepits, which are beautiful places to warm up with a cool cocktail. For dinner, you may want to try the elegant Penrose Room, one of the finest restaurants in America - with perhaps the most magnificent views of any restaurant in America, as well. And if you're lucky enough to have snow on your romantic weekend, you'll experience a genuine Rocky Mountain Winter Wonderland.
 
Do you have a favorite spot for Valentine's Day? Well...don't keep it to yourself! Tell us about it!