The peninsula welcomes lovers with its sun-kissed beaches and lakes, tempting restaurants and spa resorts, among other facilities.
According to ancient Roman mythology, Cupid is a god who is the son of Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Venus, the goddess of love. As a good son of both, his specialty is romance and the passion that he sends in “messages” to mortals in the form of crushes.
If you have received one of those crushes and want to celebrate your love with a trip this year, Florida may be your ticket to a legendary romantic getaway with your partner. Boasting more romantic spots than Cupid has arrows, the peninsula always welcomes lovers with its sun-kissed beaches and lakes, tempting restaurants, and excellent resorts with spas and other facilities. Here are some ideas for romantic getaways for a Valentine’s Day , anniversary, honeymoon or other special occasion that my husband Humberto and I have enjoyed in five popular Florida destinations:
Florida Keys
This beautiful chain of small islands that stretches from Key Largo to Key West is famous for its bohemian atmosphere, superb restaurants, endless ocean views and dramatic, romantic sunsets that inspire and delight lovers. Humberto and I have enjoyed two resorts here on romantic getaways over the years. One is Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, with rooms, suites, and villas, which we love for its location in the middle of the chain of Florida keys: a few minutes from Marathon and about an hour from Key West. It has a magnificent lagoon-style beach, an opportunity to swim with dolphins, tennis, and a spa. Reports: Hawks Cay Resort: Florida Keys Resort & Marina. Another popular resort for couples is Little Palm Island on a private island with a beautiful beach where a couple told us they loved feeling there “away from it all, like in a paradise in another world.” Little Palm Island is reached by resort boat from Little Torch Key, a cay near Key West. We love their accommodation which is in thatched bungalows with private al fresco showers as well as décor and facilities reminiscent of the British West Indies and the legendary island of Bali in Indonesia. There are no phones or televisions to distract lovers. The resort has a Spa and restaurant with beautiful views, tables by the sea and gourmet cuisine.
Orlando
The city of those eternal romantics, Mickey and Minnie, always welcomes couples. For lovers who know that their love transcends time, an ideal accommodation is Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Disney World , with its ultramodern atmosphere in an iconic “A”-shaped building that seems to come out of a future century and through which silences cross the monorails that lead to the Magic Kingdom (you can also walk to the park for a romantic dose of fantasy). The rooms are themed after the popular film “The Incredibles” and there is a pool with a slide and tennis as well as golf on the courses on the Disney grounds.From the hotel you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks that lovers can enjoy with a glass of champagne from their room (there are rooms with views of the Magic Kingdom) or with dinner at the superb California Grill restaurant on the 15th floor of the hotel . Couples who prefer French and Italian Riviera-themed accommodations can opt for Disney’s Riviera, a beautiful Disney Vacation Club hotel that looks like it’s straight out of the beautiful French city of Nice. Reports: www.disneyworld.com .
Another option in Orlando is the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin , a resort of the Marriott chain. The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin is located on a lake just steps from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Swan & Dolphin, designed by noted architect Michael Graves, has beautiful settings for lovers, including lakeside hammocks and a beautiful adult pool with a grotto and waterfalls, and five other pools. Travelers can choose one of three resort resorts: the Swan, the Dolphin (each adorned with large sculptures of swans and dolphins respectively that architectural experts have called “colossal works of art”), and the Swan Reserve, plus boutique style.Another delight for couples is the Mandara Spa, a 10,500-square-foot facility inspired by the beautiful and legendary island of Bali. Some rooms have views of the Epcot fireworks. There are a variety of restaurants including Il Mulino New York Trattoria where – from aged Parmesan cheese and minestrone soup, to pasta, ribs and salmon, and even gelato – diners feel transported to the beautiful region of Abruzzo, Italy.
Palm Beach
The Breakers Palm Beach is like a majestic castle, surrounded by royal palms and beautiful gardens by the sea. Lovers find a gorgeous private beach with half a mile of golden sands, opportunities for water sports, four pools, private bungalows, five whirlpool spas, elegant boutiques, a Spa with a variety of treatments including massages for couples, and more than half a dozen of restaurants serving Italian and Asian culinary specialties, as well as seafood and beef steaks among other delicacies. One of them, The Circle, is fit for an opulent European palace, with 30-foot-high ceilings frescoed and murals depicting scenes from the Villa Medici in Florence and the Villa d’Este with its Tivoli Gardens in eastern Rome.
Sarasota
This beautiful seaside city on Florida’s west coast, affectionately called the “Cultural Coast,” greets lovers with beaches and cultural options that include museums, art galleries, concerts, theaters, botanical gardens, and much more.A romantic option is a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, in the heart of the city. This luxurious hotel pampers lovers with 276 spacious rooms and suites with private balconies; a Club level with lounge and dining; the Ritz-Carlton Spa, with skin treatments, massages and a beauty salon; Tom Fazio designed golf course and Golf Club; Beach Club on Lido Key, an oceanfront oasis; four restaurants with local specialties, seafood and views of the sea; and two tennis courts.
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