a guest blog by Marti Mayne
Thoughout May, Distinctive Inns of New England, a collection of luxury New England Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns, is offering the perfect reason to celebrate love with Date Your Mate Packages.
From cocktails to roses, bubbly and massages, and breakfast in bed, Innkeepers across New England are ready to help you celebrate romance and rekindle the excitement of your dating years.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Finding a Valentine’s getaway just got easier. Travelers can now explore a selection of romance packages and specials available at North America inns by visiting Select Registry’s new website, http://www.selectregistry.com/valentines. Browse by inn location, package type, or amenities - such as a spa or culinary experience.
Select Registry B&Bs offer luxurious drive-to escapes in scenic locales across the United States and Canada. Rendezvous without the costs or romance-busters of air travel, rental cars and hasty breakfasts. Romantic ambiance, one-of-a-kind amenities and delicious breakfasts are all part of the package.
For couples seeking a one-of-a-kind retreat this Valentine’s Day and beyond, here are a few of the romance packages available:
Honor Mansion - Healdsburg, California
Escape to a romantic three-night retreat in the heart of California’s renowned Sonoma Wine Country. Honor Mansion’s Valentine’s Day Package pampers with candle-lit rose petal turndown upon arrival (or at another time upon request); handcrafted chocolates; local sparkling wine with keepsake flutes; and a romantic movie to enjoy in-room with popcorn and as a take-home gift. Guests choose from thirteen spacious guestrooms, private cottages and luxurious suites, all spread over four landscaped acres. Amenities include romantic sleigh and canopy beds, hand-carved fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, iPod radios, and private terraces with outdoor spa tub for two. This package is offered complimentary with any three-night stay, starting any time, Feb. 10 – 15, 2011.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Whether your resolutions are about reducing stress, shaving strokes off your golf game, enhancing knowledge of history, improving your ski skills, or rekindling romance, Marriott Hotels & Resorts offer a variety of packages to keep you motivated.
New Year’s Resolution #1: Stress-reduction therapy
Escape the everyday and experience a world of serenity at The Spa at Doral and Pritikin Longevity Center at The Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort in Miami, FL (Promotion code SPA).
Now through October 28, 2011, get away from it all with a package that includes the choice of a Doral Massage, Citrus Mango Body Scrub, Shirodhara, Doral Custom Facial, Express Manicure & Express Pedicure or Personal Training; a full breakfast buffet per person per night; complimentary access to spa facility; and unlimited use of spa fitness center and classes. Rates start at $149 per person, per night;$199 per person, single occupancy. For details, call (305) 592-2000 or visit www.doralmarriott.com.
New Year’s Resolution #2: Grand golf and commemoration of the Civil War
The venerable Dogwood and Azalea courses at Lakewood Golf Club have hosted President Gerald Ford, Dr. Billy Graham and Bob Hope and remain showcases for great golf in the South. Golf enthusiasts can discover the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail with The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa’s Escape! Package (promotional code SPO), which runs through October 28, 2011. Enjoy a deluxe room that includes one round of golf for two. Both the Dogwood and Azalea courses offer golf instruction to help hone your skills. Rates start at $239 per room, per night. For details, call (251) 928-9201 or visit www.marriottgrandspa.com.
What better place to learn about America’s past while playing outstanding golf than at The Grand on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, with commemorations scheduled from 2011 through 2015. The property first opened in 1847 as a Southern resort, but later became a Confederate hospital guarded by the Alabama Infantry and fired upon by Union troops. A Confederate cemetery is adjacent to the grounds near the Lakewood Golf Club. To honor the Grand’s military history, a patriotic procession travels through the resort each afternoon, culminating with the firing of an 1840’s-era cannon. The military salute is followed by afternoon tea in the hotel’s lobby.
New Year’s Resolution #3: Skiers’ paradise
Practice makes perfect. Now through April 23, 2011, ski buffs looking to improve their skills can take advantage of a special package at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort in Colorado (for 14 of the past 20 years, Vail has dominated as SKI Magazine’s No. 1 U.S. ski resort). The Stay More, Pay Less! package (promotional code SKI) includes daily lift tickets and resort accommodations. Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School offers private and group lessons and schools for adults, teens and children. Call 1-970-ski-vail or visit www.vail.com. After a day on the slopes, relax in one of the resort’s heated pools or whirlpools. Rates range from $185 per room, per night, for a seven-night stay to $257 per room, per night, for a three-night stay. The offer is blacked out April 17-18. For details, call (970) 476-4444 or visit www.vailmarriott.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
TWO COLORFUL ESCAPES FOR A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT: BIG SKY MONTANA AND THE COSTA RICA RAINFOREST
Book A Blue or Green Holiday Now and Celebrate throughout the Year
Enjoy the gift of a travel escape to either Montana or Costa Rica for a truly romantic experience full of elegance, relaxation, and adventure. Triple Creek Ranch (Darby, Montana) and Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort (Arenal, Costa Rica) are both offering packages that will let couples indulge to the fullest.
Triple Creek Ranch, Montana – Mountain Romance Package
The Relais & Chateaux adults-only hideaway in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains becomes even more romantic as a Valentine’s Day present. After a wonderful day of outdoor activities under the beautiful “blue” sky including horseback riding, cross-country skiing and hiking (or snowshoeing), indulge in Executive Pastry Chef Christopher Whitten’s chocolate selections or wine expert Jeremy White’s pairing suggestions with dinner.
The four-night “Mountain Romance” package includes:
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Elope-a-moon at The Inn of the Five Graces and Lake Placid Lodge
You’ve forgone the hundreds of guests, sidestepped the 
photo courtesy Inn of Five Gracesdozens of vendors clamoring for a dime, and successfully ducked the barrage of pastel colored taffeta bridesmaid dresses. But that doesn’t mean you’re left at City Hall. More and more brides and grooms seem to be opting for that “elopecation” – elopements combined with honeymoons – than ever before, and two Garrett Hotel Group Relais & Châteaux properties, The Inn of the Five Graces and Lake Placid Lodge, are helping those individuals skip the “big fussy wedding” and presenting couples with seductive elopement diversions, heightening the romance.
As Santa Fe celebrates its 400th birthday, excitement surrounds The Inn of the Five Graces, giving nuptials a whole new meaning this year. The popular Elopement Menu provides four colorful choices of distinctive ceremonies [$300 and up]. Couples who stay at The Inn of the Five Graces for three days or more will receive the wedding ceremony as a gift from the management. The elopement menu includes:
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Honeymoon packages in Riviera Nayarit offer great value and for an added free bonus, breathtaking Pacific ocean sunset views
Celebrate love in Riviera Nayarit with honeymoon packages offered in a variety of hotels from luxury resorts to intimate B&Bs. Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, is ideal for couples looking for a romantic Mexican beach vacation made even easier with the several hotel packages available to elevate romance, ensure fun and guarantee relaxation.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".