With just four days to go, time is getting tight to plan the perfect valentines day date. We’ve rounded up a few unique, last minute valentines day ideas to help you out! Have something you’d like to add to the list? Like us on facebook and post your event photo and details to our wall!
1. Explore the History of Romance in the Annapolis Valley
Ghost tours aren’t just for Halloween! On February 13th March 27th (Sorry, Valentines, the date was just changed), hear about some of the greatest love stories from the Annapolis Valley. From the man who walked across the ice in the Minas Basin for love to the woman whose wedding dress was saved in the great Windsor fire, you will hear stories of true love. However, not all love stories are happy tales, you’ll learn of: Turkish Harems, kidnappings, and of course murder!
This is an indoor show created by valleyghostwalks.com and is a part fundraiser for the Randall House Museum. Tickets to all shows are available online at Ticketpro.ca and at every Ticketpro outlet.
2. A Winter Wine Tour
February 15th and 16th also happens to be the second weekend of Nova Scotia Ice Wine Festival. Try wine samples from six NS wineries paired with appetizers from award winning restaurant Le Caveau. We attended the first day of Ice Wine Festival last weekend. Get a glimpse of the festival here. Last week, the pairing theme was ‘savory’. This week, all the pairings will be sweet. Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours and Go North Tours both have tour packages that will get you there. Festival tickets are $20, which gets you 12 tickets to trade in for food and wine samples and a branded tasting glass!
3. Plan Your Own Local Wine or Local Beer Tasting
Sometimes, nothing is more romantic than a night in with a great glass of wine or a new local beer. Why not gather a few new bottles that you’ve never tried and have a little pairing picnic! Check out our Complete Nova Scotia Wine Guide or our Complete Nova Scotia Craft Beer Guide to find bottles and prices from around the province. Once you’ve picked up your wine or beer, get to work on pairings. We recommend local finger foods like That Dutchman’s Cheese, fresh bread from the Seaport Farmers Market, and these adorable handcrafted local chocolates from Jill’s.
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4. Fire and Ice Dinner and Getaway in Guysborough
DesBarres Manor Inn is hosting its 7th annual Nova Scotia Icewine Festival Fire & Ice dinner and getaway on February 15th. DesBarres Manor Inn’s 1837 hearth fireplace sets the stage for a romantic evening of Nova Scotia food & wine. Check out the five course dinner below! Food will be paired with Nova Scotia wines from Luckett Vineyards, Gaspereau Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré and Jost Vineyards. The dinner (including wine pairings) is $89 per person, or make a night of it with the Fire & Ice Getaway Package from $169 per person. Reservations required – [email protected]
Fire & Ice Dinner Menu
PEI mussels steamed in Jost Avondale Riesling Gold and served with a garlic butter Riesling reduction cream sauce
Paired With: Jost Vineyards Avondale Riesling Gold
Mesclun Greens topped with goat cheese, roasted pecans and a Cortland apple and Haveracres Farm maple syrup vinaigrette
Paired With: Luckett Vineyards Phone Box White
Cornect Family Farms honey glazed Chedabucto Bay shrimp with a lemon pepper mango salsa
Paired With: Gaspereau Vineyards Muscat
Seared pork tenderloin with a Torbay cranberry Grand Pre Reserve Castel reduction, roasted rosemary fingerling potatoes and steamed market vegetables
Paired With: Domaine de Grand Pré Reserve Castel
Traditional Nova Scotia lemon curd tart topped with Mascarpone cream and fresh raspberries
Paired With: Jost Vineyards Vidal Icewine
5. Local Food, Comedy, and Chocolate
We got to try out The Westin Nova Scotian’s Valentines Day package a few weeks ago. This year, they have a three course dinner at Elements Restaurant (made with local produce!) and a glass of bubbly, a comedy show at Yuk Yuk’s, a box of local chocolates for their “Chocolate Inspired Turn Down Service” and overnight accommodations. You can read about our experiences (and see more mouth watering photos) here.
6. A Night In Paris
Swingology is holding a Paris-inspired Valentine’s Day swing dance on Friday February 14 2014 at 8:00 PM. It will be held at The Lord Nelson Hotel in the Imperial Ballroom. The night will feature vocals by Cynthia Myers and the Parisian accordion styling of special guest L’Accordéoniste Voyageur Steve Normandin (from Montreal). There will also be a free swing lesson at 7 pm! The event is open to both couples and singles. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Order advanced tickets at [email protected].
7. Love and Lobster – Sold Out
Get a local lobster dinner to take home! For the past few years, this has been a popular valentines take-away! 1 1/3 pound lobster sourced from a fisherman in Sambro, potato salad, veggies and a brownie for $20 per plate. Pick-up is at the Chocolate Lake Rec Center from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Valentines Day. Email [email protected] to get your tickets.
8. A Late, Music Filled Celebration
Not all of us have Valentines Day free. Drew and I have only once celebrated V-Day on the day. So we thought we’d include a late way to celebrate. Zuppa Theatre is holding Mirth! Songs of Joy and Other Happy Hits. Mirth will be the seventh annual Music Room Concert & Silent Auction in support of Zuppa Theatre Co. The evening includes an online + silent auction with items from local businesses. The evening will feature performances by:
Erin Costelo
Jennah Barry
Tanya Davis
The Heavy Blinkers
Dark for Dark
Kim Harris
cactus flower
Doors open at 7:30pm, with music starting at 8:00pm.Tickets are $35 and are available online.
9. Season’s Atlantica Valentines Day Pop-Up at Flip Burger:
Luis Clavel, the chef at Season’s Atlantica, will be taking over Flip Burger (Argyle St Location) this Valentines Day. He’s cooking up a five course dinner with wine pairings. Choose from two sittings – one at 6:30 and one at 9. $125 per person.
10. La Vista Valentines Day Dining for only $38
Not to be outdone, Atlantica Oak Island has a three course Valentines Day dinner for only $38 per person! If you live in Halifax, Atlantica OI is only about a 45 minute drive, making it a great romantic adventure. Drive up just for dinner, or spend the night in their cozy guest rooms or lounging by the pool!
11. Valentines Day Under $20:
Bella Roma in Windsor has a mouthwatering dinner for sweethearts looking for a deal. They’re serving up this delicious plate of Greek food with a glass of wine or a glass of beer for only $15.99 per person (plus tax) on February 14th.
12. A Sweetheart Snowshoe
The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal is holding a Moonlight Sweetheart Snowshoe Trek on the French basin trail this Valentines Day! The event starts at 7:30 at the old train station. After the hike, they’ll help you warm back up with cider and snacks. Annapolis Royal is beautiful any time of the year and we loved how knowledgable and hospitable the Historical Association was during our last visit. Register in advance by emailing Brian at (902) 532-3144 or [email protected]
13. A Weekend Getaway at White Point:
White Point has a 2 night package for sweethearts who want to celebrate a little longer. Their Valentines Day package includes live entertainment in the Founder’s Lounge on Friday evening, Chocolate Tasting with Chef Alan Saturday at 3 pm, a Valentines Dinner Buffet on February 15th, and Intimate Evening with Ian Sherwood (Feb 15). Packages start at $369 per couple.
14. Wine Flights and Chocolate Boards
Unless your sweetheart has a rare aversion to chocolate, you can’t go wrong with this one… Obladee has $15 flights of wine and chocolate boards. The boards also feature Le French Fix Pâtisserie‘s Macrons, and the wines have been hand-picked by the staff as their “Ode To The Wine I Love“.
15. Stay and Dine In Wolfville
16. Valentines Day DIY
The Halifax Seaport Market is holding a few Valentines Day themed Lunch and Learns. Each Friday, the market has a different $2 session from 12 – 1. This week, guests will be taken through some hand made crafts for Valentines Day! Learn something new, and make something for your valentine!
Last Minute, Locally Made Gifts:
Thanks to Global Halifax for having me stop by Valentines Day to talk about local gifts and getaways:
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