Heat Things Up This Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day travel deals to romantic, warm-weather destinations are still to be had for last-minute travelers. From an all-new luxury retreat on the Mexican-Caribbean coast to Florida’s top beach town that is closer to home, couples will find a variety of romantic escapes to suit their unique taste and style.

Florida

A romantic getaway to the all-new, all-suite Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa has just gotten “suite-er,” thanks to Hyatt’s One Suite Deal, offering a premium one-bedroom suite or two-bedroom Gulf view suite at a very special rate now through 2014.  Each luxuriously appointed, oversized suite features a fully equipped kitchen, ample living space and private terrace or balcony with stunning views of Clearwater Beach’s world-famous sunsets.  A special Valentine’s-themed menu will be featured at the resort’s signature restaurant, SHOR American Seafood Grill, and the eco-coastal Sandava Spa will also treat guests in the month of February with a champagne toast, chocolate truffles and a 60-minute massage infused with “Pure Love” oil for $300.  For the ultimate romantic indulgence, guests can also rent one of 20 private pool cabanas.  Each comes complete with a private restroom, a wet bar, a flatscreen television, climate control, WiFi and personal call button service.  To book visit clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com or call 1-800-233-1234.

The Bahamas

Couples can unwind and reconnect during a romantic Out Island escape at Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina in the Bahamas.  From breakfast in bed to a candlelit beach dinner, every detail will be taken

care of to create a memorable weekend. 

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the Abaco Island Romance Retreat includes:

• Oceanfront accommodations for three nights
• Welcome tropical cocktail
• Flowers in your room upon arrival
• Daily breakfast for two at Angler’s restaurant
• Ferry transfer to nearby Elbow Cay & golf cart rental to explore historic Hope Town
• Romantic dinner overlooking the beach including a bottle of wine
• Morning couples massage overlooking the beach
• Center console boat rental and guide to explore surrounding beaches and cays
• Private gourmet beach picnic complete with champagne
• All taxes, service charges and gratuities on packaged items. 

Rates start from $859 per person based on double occupancy for travel before February 28, 2014.  To book visit www.abacobeachresort.com or call 1-800-533-4799.

Latin America

This Valentine’s Day, the all-new, all-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is offering a special package for couples to discover relaxation and romance in tranquil Riviera Cancun, Mexico.  An affiliate to the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World collection, Grand Residences features sprawling suites designed as private residences, blending all of the comforts of home with the luxurious amenities of a five-star resort. Nestled in a private enclave between scenic Riviera Maya and bustling Cancun, this exclusive hideaway is ideally located between the world’s second largest barrier reef and a tranquil nature preserve. The resort sets the new standard in luxury beachfront living:  spacious suites, all with private outdoor terraces and many with private Jacuzzis; gourmet dining; a world-class spa and salon; personalized beach and pool service; and much more.  The Grand Valentine’s Day package includes:

• Luxury accommodations for two in a spacious Junior Suite
• Welcome gift and complimentary champagne upon arrival
• Intimate four-course candlelit dinner on the beach prepared by Executive Chef Yann Michel Cozic, complete with live music and a bottle of champagne hidden in the sand
• Special turndown service of scattered flower petals and scented candles placed in the room
• Pampering 90-minute couples’ massage at The Spa
• Champagne sunset cruise abroad a private yacht

The package starts at $1,190 for two for a two-night stay and is exclusive of 19 percent taxes and 10 percent service fee. This special offer is valid February 1 – 28, 2014, and is subject to availability. To book visit www.grandresidencesrivieracancun.com or call 1-888-387-4702.

Couples can have their heads in the clouds and their toes in the sand this Valentine’s Day with a two-hotel getaway package to Costa Rica’s cloud forest and Pacific beaches. Greentique Hotels’ 7^th Heaven Vacation Combo is a seven-night vacation package that will allow visitors to discover two of Costa Rica’s most

beautiful regions:  Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Nature Reserve with Si Como No Resort, Spa & Wildlife Refuge. The package includes three nights at Villa Blanca and four nights more at Si Como No. Guests can test their spirit of adventure as they explore two of Costa Rica’s most amazing tropical forests and experience Villa Blanca’s authentic rural hospitality, with village style Casitas and hilltop Hacienda with gourmet local cuisine, and custom spa menus. Just a hop away from Villa Blanca is the Arenal Volcano; the 7^th Heaven Vacation Combo includes a full day tour of the area including time to relax in its natural thermal hot springs.  The second half of this adventurous romantic vacation is a four-night stay at Greenique’s Si Como No Resort, which features stunning hilltop views of the pacific and lux amenities including a private balcony overlooking Manuel Antonio beaches, designated  family and adult pools, restaurants, private theatre, wildlife refuge exhibits and dozens of area tours more to choose from. High season rates for this package begin at $1,040. For further information visit http://www.villablanca-costarica.com.

The Caribbean

Consistently recognized as one of the top ten most romantic resorts in the world by TripAdvisor, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts offers an intimate adults-only hideaway for couples to fall in love all over again.  Bucuti presents

guests with magnificent beach views and stunning tropical sunsets, placing them at the center of a number of natural wonders that create the perfect environment for all things romance.  With ideal weather year round and a tranquil environment, couples can focus on each other and their dream romantic vacation without a care in the world. Lovebirds can elevate their romance by adding the romance package component to their upcoming getaway to Bucuti for an additional $380.  Couples will enjoy a bottle of chilled champagne in-suite, romantic dinner for two on the beach, a sunset sailing cruise and a welcome flower arrangement on the bed upon arrival, just to name a few special components that are sure to help set the mood. For more information or to book your romantic escape, please visitwww.bucuti.com or call 888-4-BUCUTI.

Montpelier Plantation & Beach, a casually chic 19-room Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel located on the

intimate island of Nevis, will celebrate Valentine’s Day throughout the month of February with three romance packages and, of course, lots of chocolate. Montpelier Plantation & Beach offers an incomparable experience for couples seeking relaxing activities, exceptional culinary moments and a certain sophistication that will transform any stay into the sweetest memory. February marks the hotel’s second annual Chocolate Month where the hotel’s executive chef creates handmade chocolate confections daily.  Couples who book a romance package will be able to enjoy chocolate presentations and chocolate treats throughout their stay.  The romance packages start at $920 per person for a seven night stay in a premier room, daily breakfast, dinner at the acclaimed Restaurant 750, 60-minute couples massage and a private picnic on Montpelier’s beach.  Additional romance packages are $1265 and $1785 (depending on room category) and include all amenities above with dinner taking place in Mill Privée restaurant, the hotel’s original 300 year-old sugar mill.  For more information or to book, please visit www.montpeliernevis.com or call 869-469-3462.

Top 10 Wine Travel Destinations for 2014

Wine Enthusiast Magazine is thrilled to release its top picks for this year’s must-visit wine destinations in its third annual Travel Issue, hitting newsstands this week. With its diverse list of powerhouse wine regions as well as travel discoveries, the issue showcases the editors’ favorite wine finds from around the globe and offers readers unique insight into each destination’s distinctive epicurean culture. Profiles on the best places to stay and visit, where to dine and, most importantly, taste outstanding wines, transports Wine Enthusiast’s readers deep into each location.

Highlighting unexpected and emerging regions like Baja, Mexico and Texas Hill Country to more well-known destinations such as Sonoma, California and Mendoza, Argentina emphasizes, more than ever, the magazine’s dedication to providing surprising wine discoveries found nowhere else. Each destination is uncovered with exclusive tips on the region plus local-in-the-know suggestions that bring the reader to the heart of each featured must visit spot.

The 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations of 2014 are:

• The Aegean Islands, Greece
• Valle de Guadalupe/ Baja California, Mexico
• Hill Country, Texas
• Mendoza, Argentina
• Sonoma, California
• Baden, Germany
• Barossa Valley, Australia
• Walla Walla, Washington
• Languedoc, France
• Umbria, Italy

“Wine Enthusiast is committed to travel and wine is the ultimate entrée into the world’s most amazing destinations,” said Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa. “This year’s list represents the best—and in some cases still unknown— places in which to marry a love of wine, food and culture right now."

Top Travel Destinations for 2014

Want to know the top travel destination trends for 2014? 

Watch The Getaway Girl on this Daytime TV Show segment for all things travel.