Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14^th, a day when candy, flowers, cards and gifts will be exchanged between lovers—and not just in America. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Austria. The Greeting Card Association estimates that one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent worldwide each year. So, how did all of this begin? The origin of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in legend, beginning with an ancient Roman fertility celebration that eventually became a Christian feast day circa 496 in honor of St. Valentine, a Catholic priest. Then in the 14^th century, the holiday became connected with love and romance by Chaucer who composed a poem in honor of the engagement of a royal duo in England and associated the occasion with a feast day.

I’ve researched some unique ways to celebrate this centuries-old day of romance with your sweetheart, along with some truly romantic getaways for you to enjoy:

 

The Freeport Princess Valentine’s Day Cruise
85 Woodcleft Avenue
Freeport, NY
516-378-0555
Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm
$55 (tax and fees included)

The Freeport Princess, a yacht in elegant luxury matched only by the best catering halls, is offering a romantic open dinner cruise with hors d’oeuvres, three entrees, potato and vegetable salad and assorted pastries. Cash bar available. Music with on-board DJ. Enjoy an unforgettable time! Call for reservations.

 

Valentine’s Day Singles Comedy Show
Brokerage Comedy Club
2797 Merrick Rd.
Bellmore, NY (at the corner of Bellmore Ave.)
Telephone: (516) 781-LAFF (5233)
Tuesday, Feb. 14
8 pm – 10pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
$20

Singles, friends and groups will enjoy stand-up comedy with headliner comedian and rising star, Chris Monty at the Brokerage Comedy Club.  Mix, mingle and enjoy a great evening!

 

“Ripe Love” Annual Valentine’s Day Group Show
Ripe Art Gallery
67 Broadway
Greenlawn, NY
631-239-1805
Tuesday, Feb. 14
11am – 6pm

Ripe Art specializes in folk, outsider and self-taught artists.  Ripe is dedicated to showing local Long Island-based art and to creating a cool, fun low-key art scene. An unusual and fun way to spend time with your special someone!

 

Valentine Mansion Tours at Oheka Castle
135 W. Gate Dr.
Huntington, NY
631-659-1400
Sunday, Feb. 12 and
Tuesday, Feb. 14
10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm

Oheka Castle is offering two options:  guided mansion tour with coffee tea and selection of Valentine's Day Sweets prepared in Oheka's pastry kitchen for $25 pp, plus tax (seniors $20 pp, plus tax) –or- guided mansion tour with coffee/tea and selection of Valentine's Day Sweets prepared in Oheka's pastry kitchen plus champagne and chocolate covered strawberries served to your own reserved table in the refreshment room for $50 pp, plus tax (seniors $45 pp, plus tax). Reservations by phone or online.

 

Beatles Love Celebration
Dix Hills Performing Arts Center
305 North Service Rd.
Dix Hills, NY
631-656-2148
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012
2 pm
$20

In seamless vocal harmony, Gathering Time will perform over two dozen of the Beatles’ most beautiful love songs in a romantic performance at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center. Bring your sweetheart and rediscover the joys of youthful love!

Sparkling Wine and Cupcake Pairing
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery
39750 County Road 48
Southold, NY
631-765-0200
February 11 & 12 11 am – 6 pm

The Water Mill Cupcake Company and Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery present delicious and decadent cupcakes for Valentine’s Day. Share a cupcake with your significant other while listening to live music. Three cupcakes paired with three sparkling wines are $20 per person or pay only $14 for the cupcakes only. Admission is free. For more information, please call (631) 765-0200 or visit www.sparklingpointe.com.

 

Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery is also presenting
Jazz on the Vine Concert
Nilson Matta Brazilian Voyage
Sunday, Feb 12
3:30 pm – 5:30pm

Tickets $15 pp purchased at the door (cash only) includes glass of 2007 Brut.
 

Have a romantic evening for two at one of these premiere Long Island destinations:

 

Valentine’s Day Packages at Danfords Hotel and Marina
25 East Broadway
Port Jefferson, NY
631-928-5200 x 170
Feb. 12 – 14

Danfords Hotel and Marina is offering several Valentine’s Day packages: The Valentine’s Day Hearts Package, starting at $399, is offered Saturday, Feb. 12 through Tuesday, Feb. 14. It features overnight accommodations, a four-course Valentine’s dinner and breakfast the following morning. The Hearts Brunch Package, starting at $419, is offered on Saturday, Feb. 11 and includes overnight accommodations, a four-course Valentine’s dinner and a delicious Valentine’s Sunday brunch the following morning (seating at 11:30 am).

Hyatt Place East End: ChocoVino: Sweetheart Sleepover!
451 Main Street
Riverhead, NY
631-208-9200 ext. 426
Effective Dates: Friday, Feb. 10 – Saturday, Feb. 11

The Hyatt Place East End  package includes two -2 ChocoVino Tickets: Chocolate + Wine = One Sensational Experience. So, what better way to spend Valentine's Day weekend than sipping on wine, giving into sweets, and enjoying a five-course dinner with your sweetheart?
- 1 Night at Hyatt Place East End
- Continental Breakfast
- Complimentary Overnight Parking
- Swimming Pool / Fitness Center
$250.00 Reservations by phone or on the web

 

February is for Lovers in Wine Country!
Ellis House Bed & Breakfast
47100 Main Road
Southold, NY
631-765-6106
Effective dates Feb 1 – Feb. 29

Escape with your love to Wine Country during the most romantic month of the year. A February stay at Ellis House includes: A cozy fondue lunch for two at the Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane, delicious chocolates from the Love Lane Sweet Shoppe, luxury accommodations, a delicious three-course breakfast each morning, and complete concierge service to make dinner reservations, arrangements for flowers, spa treatments, winery tours, or anything else you can dream up for your lover! "Escape to Ellis House!" Call for rates and reservations.

 

Love is in the Air Package
Glen Cove Mansion
200 Dosoris Lane
Glen Cove, NY
516-674-2990
Available Through Feb. 29

Love is in the Air at the charming and historic Glen Cove Mansion. The package includes: One or two romantic nights in one of Glen Cove Mansion’s newly renovated, spacious guestrooms, sweet and tempting chocolate-covered strawberries, chilled champagne upon arrival to the Mansion, a $50 gift certificate towards The Pub 1910 restaurant on the Mansion’s third floor with views of Long Island Sound, and breakfast in the beautiful Garden Room Restaurant. Packages for one night from $199 per couple per night (based on availability.) For more information or to make reservations, please call (516) 674-2990 or visit www.glencovemansion.com. Packages based on availability.

 

Lover’s Overnight Special
Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa
290 Old Montauk Highway
Montauk, The Hamptons, New York
631-668-2345
Sunday, Feb. 11 – Tuesday, Feb. 14

Enjoy beautiful ocean vistas in an oasis of calm and bliss at historic Gurney’s Inn.  The Lovers Overnight Special includes one night accommodations, a one-hour couple's Swedish massage, an oceanfront breakfast for two and Valentine in-room amenities $425++.  Call for reservations or online.

 

Getaway Valentine’s Day Package
Southampton Inn
91 Hill Street
Southampton, NY
631-283-6500
Tuesday, Feb. 14

Enjoy a romantic getaway with your sweetheart at the charming and unpretentious Southampton Inn nestled on more than five acres of manicured lawns and landscaped grounds. The package includes an overnight stay, breakfast at OSO Restaurant on Sunday morning, and two tickets to the "Hearts Desire" poetry reading at the Rogers Mansion Southampton on Saturday at 2 p.m. The poetry event, moderated by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan, includes a reading by Andrew Botsford of A.L. Gurney's "Love Letters," and original poems by Brenda Simmons and Nuzzo-Morgan. $179 (plus tax and gratuity.) This deal is available for Saturday, Feb. 12, only, so book early at 631-283-6500, and look forward to your Valentine's-themed Great Escape!