Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, a day that each year puts fear into the hearts of men. Every year, you promise yourself that next year; you are going to do something different. If you still do not have any creative ideas for a special surprise, do not panic, but you had better start giving it some serious thought. Here is a Valentine's Day gift idea that is sure to please your love on that special day.
This one will require some money but probably no where near as much as you think it might and a little preparation, but is sure to be great fun for both of you. Plan a secret weekend vacation. If you have kids, arrange for babysitters without letting your love know about it. Book the airline tickets, make the hotel reservations and when Friday rolls around, surprise her by having her bags packed, ready to go.
On a romance scale you probably can not do better than a fairytale weekend at a French Chateau. The highest concentration of chateau in France are found in the Loire Valley 2 hours from Paris.
It is said that "The Loire is a Queen and Kings have loved her". The Loire has been the home of Kings since the 10th century. From the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, the Kings and Queens of the Loire Valley championed intellectual and artistic creation. The result is an endowment of accomplishments for all time in the arts and literature, as well as extraordinary examples of magnificent architecture and landscaping.
Some of these one-time mansions of kings are converted to lodging in various forms from huge chateau hotel chains, to small chambre d'hote bed and breakfast chateaux with less than six rooms available to be hired. Many are these chateau to rent are also near grand historic chateaux open for tours.
The further lure of the Loire is that you can pursue history and fine cuisine in equal portions, along with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The local fruits and vegetables, fish from the river, goat cheeses... all go well with the local wines.
The Loire river valley - the valley of Kings - was for centuries the highway of French history. Today it's a trail on which to chase royal ghosts in riverside chateaux or seek noble vintages on the Route des Vins. Or ideally to do both if time permits and provided you want to leave your hotel room.
Be sure to check how many rooms are available in the chateau that you are considering booking because it is not too romantic sharing your Valentine's Day getaway with thirty other couples. There are many smaller delightful chateau open for guests, so you have a greater choice than the big chateau chain hotels. Ask exactly where your room is located. Many chateaux have rooms available for rent or hire, but if you have not done your homework properly you can be handed the keys to a little room in the coach house above the stables. Some of the bigger chateaux have converted every little square inch of space into hotel rooms where you can brain yourself if you stand up too quickly in the hallway on the top floor.
Do not discount the smaller chateaux. It is more likely you and your partner will feel like a medieval lord or lady, king or queen in a smaller chateau than one with over 60 chambres.
Be sure to check the chateau's rules before booking, however. Many of the chateaux require reservations well in advance that includes a deposit, and some do not accept credit cards or young children. A handful of chateaux have no TVs or have medieval-era technology. But do not be put off because what they lack in chain-hotel amenities, they more than make up for in sheer ambience.
If you want to experience more than just the chateau that you are staying in, be careful not to chateau yourself silly. Two chateaux, possible three at the most if you're an energetic person, is the recommended daily dosage. Chateau Chenonceau is considered by many to be the most romantic of the Loire Valley chateau.
A getaway involving just the two of you will be fun no matter where you go.
Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic days of the year and the most popular gift to give, among new couples and married ones, is flowers. Flowers are possibly the most romantic token of your love and affection! Choosing the perfect flowers for your loved one can be difficult . . . do you go with traditional roses or something different? Here are the top seven most romantic flowers in our book.
1. Roses. Clichd perhaps, but still very romantic. The color of rose you select means different things. Red is for passion, perfect for the hot young couple who is just getting into their affair, pink is romance, ideal for chaste pairs and married couples, or anyone who is just in love. Stay away from yellow, these ones mean friendship and aren't very romantic at all!
2. Tulips. Tulips traditionally mean "perfect love" and are really a great alternative to the rose. Tulips come in a variety of hues, so it is pretty easy to find one that comes in your lover's favorite color, even if that's black. This simple flower really symbolizes the perfection of your love, with its sculpted petals and beautiful cup. A simple bouquet of three or five tulips is ideal to give to your darling this Valentine's Day.
3. Lilies. These elegant flowers are stunning when presented alone or in a cluster and do best when not combined with any filler. They are come in several colors, including red, white and yellow and symbolize beauty . . . just right for letting your girl know how lovely you consider her to be. While expensive, lilies really do embody beauty and create a very romantic environment.
4. Lilacs. These amazing flowers are most revered for their delightful aroma and tiny delicate flowers that grow in cone-like clusters. They can be picked directly from the bush and given to your sweetheart as a beautiful Valentine's Day gift. Traditionally available in hues ranging from soft lavender to dark purple, lilacs have now been bred to come in white and pink as well, all beautiful romantic shades.
5. Carnations. Another fairly traditional flower is the carnation. They are frilly and feminine and come in hues like pink, white, and red, as well as more stunning shades of purple, green and even blue. Some carnations even have dual colors, with the outer edge of the petals in red or pink while the main flower is white. They can be quite stunning, but tend to be the cheaper of the flowers available. These flowers last longer than most, up to 3 weeks after they've been cut.
6. Orchids. The meanings of this delicate flower are many, including seduction, love, beauty and refinement. Though often quite pricey, a single orchid can be a lovely way to tell someone that you care about them and is considered to be quite romantic. Plus, it's about as far from the traditional rose as you can get!
7. Wildflowers. This is more a variety of flower than a specific kind. There are literally thousands of different wildflowers growing in fields and yards across the country. What makes this so romantic is that you have to actually go out and take the time to select and pick the flowers for your sweetheart. Giving wildflowers for Valentine's Day is sure to impress your girl as it is a very romantic gesture.
In general Valentines Day Flowers are a romantic gift, but these flowers hold more romantic connotations than others. Whether you choose to go with the traditional rose or something a little more unique, you can guarantee that your gesture won't be misinterpreted if you give flowers.
Both Corina Clemence & Amy Nutt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Corina Clemence has sinced written about articles on various topics from Places to Visit in, Loire Valley and Dating and Romance. Chateau du Guerinet a romantic luxury chateau for up to 15 people perfect for visiting Loire Valley's fairytale chateaux and vineyards is run by Corina Clemence.