Isn't It Romantic?

By Robert J. Nebel

“At last, I’m safe from holidays and special occasions,” I said to myself as I was doing my errands right after New Years. My neighborhood dollar store put the kibosh on that feeling. As I pushed my cart, I came upon the store‘s promotional area. Tables that were once filled with mini Christmas trees were replaced with heart-shaped boxes containing sweets. It was all a reminder that I needed to do something for Valentine’s Day. Since sweets are forbidden in our house due to dietary restrictions, I like to take romantic trips.

Romance in Augusta

If you’re looking for an affordable, quiet getaway, Augusta is the answer. Augusta has grown in recent years, but not too much. The city that’s known for its Masters Golf tournament has been going through a downtown revitalization that includes new shops, restaurants and its romantic Riverwalk that overlooks the Savannah River.

When you visit Augusta, take a romantic stroll down the long path at Riverwalk. Follow that walk with a meal at the nearby Boll Weevil or Blue Sky Kitchen restaurants. Dishes including Tuna Carpaccio are popular at the Boll Weevil while the Mojo Shrimp and Rice take center stage at Blue Sky.

If you plan to stay overnight, many hotels offer Valentine’s Day packages including the historic Partridge Inn on Walton Way, near downtown in the tree-lined Summerville neighborhood. The Partridge Inn is a renovated late 1800s structure which sits on a hilltop that provides sweeping views of the city.

While the Partridge Inn’s staff boasts about their comfortable rooms, high-speed Internet connection, and pool, I was sold on the Verandah Grill. To me, nothing makes a weekend more romantic than dining on their Valentine‘s Day meal which has dishes like Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut and White Chocolate Passion Fruit Mousse for dessert.

The Partridge Inn offers an “Amour Package.” This Valentine’s Day special includes accommodations, dinner, a bottle of champagne, and an assortment of chocolates, and a keepsake pair of champagne flutes, and a long-stemmed rose.

Love is in the “thinner” air

If you have the time, funds and energy, look into a romantic ski getaway. Park City, Utah is my favorite ski destination because it isn’t crowded like other resorts and the area is simple to navigate.

To get to the town that holds the annual Sundance Film Festival, you must book a flight to Salt Lake City’s airport, which is only 40 minutes to Park City. Driving from the airport to Park City is easy, but I prefer to take the Park City Transportation shuttle to my hotel. The last time I visited, I checked into the Canyons Grand Summit Hotel -- home to suites that make you feel at home with fluffy beds, state-of-the-art kitchens and fireplaces where couples can warm up with hot cocoa after a day of skiing.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced, there’s a slope for you at the Canyons. Since my wife and I have little skiing experience, we were grateful for the resort’s accommodations including easy access to its lifts and a ski equipment storage room.

The Ski Butlers made our experience in Park City even more enjoyable. The Ski Butlers provide everything that you need for your skiing adventure. Tell them what you want over the phone and they deliver the goods to you in a timely manner.

When you’re not on the slopes, hit Park City’s main street which is home a number of shops and restaurants including filmmaker Robert Redford’s Zoom, Jean Louis and The Riverhorse.

Gorgeous Greenville

If skiing is not your idea of a romantic getaway, drive up the road to Greenville, South Carolina. Just like Augusta, Greenville has been sprucing up its’ downtown and the results are showing. When I arrived in Greenville, I was amazed that this metropolis has over 50 shops and restaurants in its downtown area.

The Westin Poinsett Hotel is my property of choice for a romantic weekend. This hotel has everything that you would expect from a Westin including a stylish lobby, elegant king and junior suites and a great restaurant. At this Westin, it is the popular Spoonbread restaurant that attracts locals and visitors alike.

You can’t beat the Westin’s location. The Bi-Lo Center, The Peace Center for the Performing Arts and the Greenville County Museum of Art are close by. Admission to their public art museum is free. This museum’s collection contains American art only and is currently displaying the works of native South Carolinian Jasper Johns and Andrew Wyeth.

After walking through the art museum, visit Trio-A Brick Oven Café. Duck Sausage and Penne pasta, Smoked Norwegian Salmon and Bow Ties and a selection of wood-fired pizza are all delectable dishes that draw patrons here on a regular basis.

Romance for anyone

So this year, forget about the box of chocolates and hit the road or the sky for a romantic escape.

Links

The Partridge Inn

1-800-476-6888

The Canyons Grand Summit Hotel

Ski Butlers

The Westin Poinsett

Did you know?

*Augusta was established in 1736 by General James Edward Oglethorpe.

*The Partridge Inn is the first hotel in Georgia selected for inclusion in Historic Hotels of America.

*Park City, Utah’s Canyons Resort has 11 new slope side lodging/housing projects under construction.

*Over $10 million in improvements have been dedicated to The Canyons Resort including their new DreamCatcher quad chairlift.

*The Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville, South Carolina was constructed by W.L. Stoddard in 1925.

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