Calling all lovers -- Love is in the air and at fancy retreats for Valentine's Day/Weekend

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 9/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Calling all lovers, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so why not make it a memorable one?

   As love is in the air, innkeepers and hoteliers are stoking the fires for romantic escapes to a charming inn, boutique hotel or spa for Valentine’s.

Skaters share a kiss on the Rideau Canal Skateway during Winterlude in Ottawa.

    With the big day falling on a Thursday, many will hold their desires until the weekend.

   Enjoy a romantic tea for two at Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel overlooking the Parliament Buildings.

   Zoe’s, the “beautifully revitalized lounge,” offers signature cocktails, light bites and maybe add a glass of Champagne to mark the occasion, said Deneen Perrin, director of public relations.

   Afternoon Tea finds freshly baked scones, homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream with a choice of tea prepared tableside.

    While outside, lovers can take in Winterlude on Valentine’s weekend and skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

Discussing the selections with Afternoon Tea master Alexandre at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. (Barbara Fox photo)

   Come in from the cold with special menus offered at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Wildrids. fairmont.com/laurier

  

   Going first class

   Do it up big time at Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa in Cambridge.

   This property, nestled within the Carolinian Forest, is one of 14 in Canada recognized by Relais & Chateaux for a standard of excellence.

   It’s known for five-diamond dining experiences, exquisite accommodations and storybook architecture.

   You can escape to experience the luxury for Valentine’s with a special overnight and dinner package with sparkling wine and “love potion” in the guestroom.

Celebrate Valentine’s in luxury at the opulent Langdon Hall. (Jim Fox photo)

    The package, available Feb. 14 to 17, “treats your loved one to a restful retreat with overnight accommodation, a three-course dinner and country breakfast table.”

   Retreat to a luxurious guest room with feather bed and down duvet as well as those with wood-burning fireplaces.

   The package is from $665 a couple nightly, midweek, with overnight rooms from $340.

   Guests are encouraged to make special arrangements for flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries, wine and other specialty drinks. langdonhall.ca; (519) 740-2100

   Do not disturb

   Prestige members of Vintage Hotels are going all out with the Millcroft Inn and Spa in Caledon offering a Chocolate Lover’s Getaway.

   Available throughout the month, this is called a “decadent and chocolate-filled escape.”

   The indulgent getaway with overnight accommodations includes a chilled chocolate martini and shared chocolate tasting platter.

   Rekindle the Romance includes two nights in luxury accommodations, a “romantic dinner for two,” bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.

   There’s also a couple’s massage in the Centre for Well-Being.

   Similar packages are available at other Vintage Hotels including the boutique-style Parlour Inn in Stratford and the Prince of Wales and Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. vintage-hotels.com; (1-888-669-5566)

A snowy day to embrace winter in the country at Deerhurst Resort. (Jim Fox photo)

   Embrace winter at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville where they promise to “keep the sparks flying with our three-course romantic dinner and a trip to the Amba Spa with your special someone.”

   Feeling “snowed under” in the city, then try snowshoeing on a lighted trail around the bay, skating a two-kilometre ice trail on Peninsula Lake and learning to cross-country ski.

   There are also snowmobiles and fat bikes and take an old-fashioned, horse-drawn sleigh ride. deerhurstresort.com; 1-800-461-4393

   More Valentine picks

   - Ontario Tourism suggests a winemaker’s four-course Valentine’s Day dinner at the Adamo Estate Winery in Mono and Days of Wine and Chocolate at select Niagara Wineries on Feb. 15.

   - There’s also Across the Pond: Songs of the British Invasion with the Lonely Hearts Club Band, Feb. 12 to March 3 in Orangeville.

   - The Toronto Light Festival in the Distillery District is where there will be tasting tours at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Soma Chocolate Maker.

   - AValentine’s Rendezvous for Two is at the Birmingham Manor B&B in Stratford with an overnight, sparklers and chocolate-dipped strawberries, as well as checking out Stratford’s Chocolate Trail.

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca