What’s on the menu?
MORE ROMANCE ♥
Princess Cruises: Crown Princess ship
Copyright © by May DeLory
Royal Princess Naming Ceremony Live! : June 2013 Princess Cruises, The Duchess of Cambridge ow.ly/lTWjT www.princesscruises.com
Can you top this for ROMANCE? http://www.thestar.com/life/2013/02/14/will_you_marry_me.html
Italian style. http://wp.me/pDQWN-1EC
Who knew more about romance than William Shakespeare, an English poet and dramatist who died in 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England at age 52. What with thousands of visitors still to this day visiting the balcony in Verona, Italy said to be Juliet’s in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is it any wonder.
Hemingway’s Suite: Gran Hotel La Perla / Pamplona, Spain
If you’re looking for a bed made for romance, look no further than the suite Ernest Hemingway slept in during his visits to Pamplona, Spain for the annual running of the bulls event still held to this day in July. Hemingway stayed at the Gran Hotel La Perla in Pamplona, Spain. When I visited two-years’ ago I immediately fell in love with both Spain itself and Hemingway’s hotel suite. Mr. Hemingway’s room, with view to the Estafeta Street, has been preserve on its original structure, furniture and decoration. http://www.granhotellaperla.com/en/rooms.html
Canada’s own Christopher Plummer has played a leading role in many a romantic plot, winning the Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Beginners.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=883H6gNZyGM . Plummer made his debut at the Stratford Festival in the Canadian city of Stratford, Ontario Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 1956 in the title role in Henry V. Plummer has had a leading role in many stage and screen productions. One of my all time favorites is Murder by Decree.
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
If you missed The Matchmaker last year at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival theatre check out the 2013 schedule. Stratford, Ontario is one of Canada’s most romantic spots to live and to visit. Travel Info: www.viarail.ca travel to Stratford, Ontario (5 minute taxi ride to theatre.) http://bit.ly/N7jo90
Love is in the leaves! Have your tea leaves read by Canada’s world-renowned tea sommelier. Karen Hartwick has travelled to some of the world’s finest tea plantations. Is there a romance in your future? Tantalize your nose and expand your senses with a tea tasting workshop. Fine loose-leaf teas for sale in Karen’s tea shop. All Karen needs now is Johnny Depp to stop by; perhaps he has…Stratford is a mecca for celebrity sightings. Justin Bieber was born in Stratford…and Bieber is a very romantic kinda guy. From an intimate Italian-style picnic for two on the banks of the Avon River, chocolates galore www.rheothompson.com to pooching together in Stratford’s designer doggie shop for goodies for your pet peeve at The Barkery www.thebarkery.ca . http://www.savourstratford.com/blog/ www.welcometostratford.com/chocolatetrail www.kitchenconnaisseur.com www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com www.dugganplace.com www.theparlour.ca www.savourstratford.com https://stratfordsummermusic.ca/ Combine music with a culinary adventure.
Karen Hartwick, Stratford, Ontario
Stratford’s Avon River Swan Parade of Spring
April 6 – 7, 2013
Avon River, Stratford, Ontario
Bring your family to the Swan Celebration from 12 Noon – 3:00 pm along Lakeside Drive. Enjoy The Grand Parade, an original puppet show commissioned for
Stratford and presented by The Other Hand Puppet Troupe, children’s entertainer Madame Buskerfly (on stilts!), ventriloquist show, Festival City Twirlers, street performers, face painting, bouncy castle, swan hats and crafts for children. A charity BBQ, free popcorn and Tim Hortons coffee will be available. At 2:00 pm, the Swan Parade, organized by the volunteer Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee, begins as The Stratford Police Pipes and Drums lead the swans from their winter quarters along the parade route to the Avon River. Free parking is available in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival parking lot, corner of Lakeside Drive and Queen Street and along Lakeside Drive east of Front Street. People are encouraged to walk or ride their bicycles to the event.
Stratford salutes spring with a weekend of family fun on April 6 & 7, 2013 as graceful, yet feisty feathered ambassadors parade to the Avon River! The festivities begin Saturday April 6th with the Swan Quest, a search for decorated topiary swans in Stratford’s heritage district; free horse-drawn carriage tours; photos with the Swan Weekend Mascot BJ the Swan and inspiring spring family brunches. The highlight of the weekend is Sunday’s Swan Celebration, one of Canada’s most unique events announcing the arrival of spring along Lakeside Drive (between Waterloo St. and Morenz Dr.) from 12 noon – 3:00 pm. The Swan Parade, marking the return of the swans to the Avon River begins at 2:00 pm on Sunday, Saturday, April 6.
Be on the lookout for special swans in front of business store fronts. Shoppers are invited to find all twelve swans and nominate their favourite for the People’s Choice Award and a chance to win a $50 City Centre gift certificate. Ballots are available at each shop with a decorated swan and at Stratford Tourism Alliance where completed ballots will be received until 4:00 pm Sunday, April 7, 2013.
Guided Swan Walks. Stories about Stratford’s swans are shared as you view the swans in their winter quarters and see popular nesting spots. Tours begin at
11:00 am and 3:00 pm at the William Allman Arena. Tickets are $7 per person and are available on-line for tours on Saturday and Sunday.
Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered courtesy of the businesses of downtown Stratford from 12 noon – 4:00 pm (Sat & Sun) departing from Memorial Gardens, Ontario Street. A heritage enthusiast shares intriguing stories and unique architectural features along the way.
Swan Weekend Family Brunches: Participating restaurants offer special menus and features to mark the Swan Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Innkeepers Dinner: Chef Max Holbrook of The Parlour recreates a historic menu reminiscent of dinner in the Huron Tract Inns during the late 19th century. Music, short snappy speeches, silent auction and fun. Proceeds support the Stratford Perth Museum. Tippling begins at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm at Knox
Church. Sunday, April 7, 2013.
Enter a theatrical world of fantasy as you try on Stratford Festival Costumes and watch Stage Combat demonstrations inside the Kiwanis Community Centre from
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
For more information, a Swan Quest Ballot and a video clip of the swan parade, go to www.visitstratford.ca/swans<http://www.visitstratford.ca/swans>, call 519-271-5140 or 1-800-561-7926, or visit us at Stratford Tourism Alliance, 47 Downie Street, Stratford.
www.visitstratford.ca/swans<http://www.visitstratford.ca/swans www.visitstratford.ca
Princess Cays with Princess Cruises
Princess Cays Island / Princess Cruises
Rent a cabana for a few hours on Princess Cruises’s private island in the Bahamas. The ocean is but a few feet away from your front door. Cabanas are painted in primary colours, furnished and ideal for a most romantic picnic by the sea. Crown Princess sailed to the Western Caribbean for a Valentine’s Day cruise; the itinerary included Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman Island in the Cayman Islands; Roatan, Honduras; and in the Bahamian island of Eleuthera is Princess Cays–the private Princess Cruises’ island. www.princess.com http://bit.ly/Qu6gMo
- Stanhope Beach Resort, P.E.I. Canada
Tucked away on Canada’s sleepy east coast, you’ll find the perfect laid back ambiance of Prince Edward Island. The ocean is minutes’ away; but, you’ll still fall asleep in your lover’s arms with a pretty bay at your doorstep. Stanhope Beach Resort is approximately twenty minutes’ drive north of the Charlottetown airport. Golf course, cycle paths, hiking trails and best of all one of the prettiest soft-as-butter red clay ocean beach. Full buffet breakfast. Fine dining in the enclosed dining room overlooking formal intimate garden. Prince Edward Island is the home of author L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables novels. Anne knows something of romance; and, P.E.I. spells romance in its tiny coves and wide open ocean space and whimsical time-laspe ambiance. The saying goes on the red island that one is never further than a twenty-minute drive to a major tourist attraction or to water. I’ve tested this thought and found it to be true. There is much to do inside and outside on Anne’s red island. www.stanhopebeachresort.com www.confederationcentre.com www.golfpei.ca
Hastings House, Salt Spring Island, BC
Hastings House Country House Hotel / Manor Suite
A daughter getting married is a time where the emotional bonds between mother and daughter are strengthened. The wedding destination is serious stuff. If you need a year-round temperate climate, Canada’s west coast is ideal. Hastings House Country Country House Hotel is an historic manor house on 22 waterfront acres on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. They specialize in storybook weddings for two to 60 guests. There is a spa, separate cottages, forested walking trails, whimsical fruit, vegetable and flower gardens, and best of all a honeymoon guest house. Private helicoper will place you discreetly on the property. How romantic is this! www.hastingshouse.com www.vancouverisland.travel
Lunenburg Inn, Nova Scotia
Bed & Breakfast
Be My Valentine! At The Ritz London (150 Piccadilly)
The Ritz London
The Ritz Rose Champagne
www.cunardline
Transatlantic crossing with Cunard Line, New York City to Southampton, England. Then take a cab to The Ritz London! For those of you looking to create a romantic experience that is unsurpassed then look no further than ‘A Ritz Rendezvous’. This residential package has been created with romantics in mind and offers you and your significant other the opportunity to disappear into the stylish glamour of The Ritz. Guests can enjoy a night in the plush comfort of a room and will arrive to a chilled bottle of Ritz Rosé Champagne as well as a little romantic gift courtesy of The Ritz. Dress to impress for an unforgettable dining experience in The Ritz Restaurant before retiring to the seclusion of your own room where you can revel in conspicuous comfort that will have you longing for every day to be Valentine’s Day. With rates from £840.00 including VAT for two people sharing, please call +44 (0)20 7300 2222 for further information.
The Ritz Restaurant Valentine’s Day dinner dance: four-course meal of delectable seasonal delights complete with a glass of Ritz Rosé Champagne. The Ritz Restaurant Valentine’s Day dinner dance is available on 14th February 2013 and costs £195 per person. For more information or to make a booking, please telephone: +44 (0)20 7300 2370.
Valentine’s Afternoon Tea at The Ritz London in the Palm Court is served with a glass of Ritz Rosé Champagne and set to the soundtrack of our famous pianist’s repertoire of romantic tunes. Available from 14th – 17th February 2013 and costs £59 per person. For more information or to make a booking, please click here or telephone: +44 (0)20 7300 2345.
New Chocolate Workshops – Just In Time for Valentines at York Cocoa House
York Cocoa House has now launched new drop-in chocolate making taster courses. The workshop sessions allow visitors to try their hand at chocolate truffle making or even design their own chocolate bar whilst being told fascinating stories of how to this day the city of York became referred to as ‘the home of chocolate’. Suitable for all ages and abilities, visitors are able to go online to book a place onto one of Cocoa House’s regular workshops or alternately can pop along to one of its drop-in sessions – which are open to all with no need to book – for more information visit: www.yorkcocoahouse.co.uk/events
Mont Tremblant, Quebec is made for warm and cosy evenings!
Aux Truffes Restaurant / Mont Tremblant Resort
Aux Truffes Restaurant is a Four-Diamond gastronomic dining experience. The CAA/AAA recently awarded Aux Truffes 4-diamonds for the 11th year running. Restaurant guide Resto Voir awared Aux truffes 5 stars. Where to Eat in Canada is over the moon for chef-owner Martin Faucher’s romantic dining spot in the world renowned all-year resort. Farcher and his culinary team will tantalize guests with Quebec duck foie gras, venison, seafood, chocolate deserts, sweetbreads, the highest quality products selected by season, and, to be sure, truffle! A very romantic brunch menu is served 9:30 am to 3: pm. Kids have not been forgotten at Aux Truffes. Be sure to check out the kids’ menu. (Aux Truffes is very near to Le Westin Resort & Spa (Heavenly Beds®) in the Tremblant Village.)
The French Connection in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The city of Montreal is considered North America’s “Most European City.” To my mind this spells ROMANCE. With boutique and grand hotels, great food markets, exciting and very cool cafes and restaurants, you won’t have to look far for fun, frolick and a memorable adventure.
FYI
http://www.princess.com/romance/
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL62F6842067C9B8B4 (Princess Cruises Department of Romance video)
http://www.princess.com/learn/ports/caribbean/ports/RSD.html (Princess Cruises private island)
http://www.princess.com/ 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) Don’t forget to enter the Princess Cruise Escape contest. http://www.princess.com/escapecompletelycontest/
http://www.princess.com/why_princess/singles/details/23January2010.html Western Caribbean islands.
http://www.canadianliving.com/life/valentines_day_2013/
The Cranberry Golf Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada…one-hour north of Toronto on Georgian Bay.
Learn to write romance in rural Tuscany in romantic Italy. http://wp.me/pDQWN-9A
Romance à la carte http://wp.me/pDQWN-9A
Celine Dion sings romance! http://www.celinedion.com/ca/home
Modern Flavors of Arabia: recipes and memories from my middle eastern kitchen by Suzanne Husseini. Photography by Petrina Tinslay.
Nigella Lawson cooks naughty but nice! http://www.cravebyrandomhouse.ca/2013/02/12/a-valentines-day-menu/
Look for the feature article in Zoomer Magazine, KISS & TELL, April 2011 magazine issue. Note: KISS & TELL is only available in the printed copy of the magazine and may be SOLD OUT. www.zoomermag.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet
Christopher Plummer, In Spite of Myself: a memoir. Knopf Canada.
http://travelglossary.wordpress.com/
The ideal game to play for more romance! http://tommypinball.com/
Text and Photos Copyright © by May DeLory. All Rights Reserved
