“Virginia is for Lovers” especially on Valentine’s Day

The state whose popular slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” is true to form in offering romantic options for Valentine’s Day the entire week. A few of the fun events across the state are:

February 9 in Berryville – The popular, annual Veramar Vineyard event “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” gives participants the chance to win a diamond. Activities include dipping treats into a chocolate fountain. Reservations are required.. http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/DiamondsAreaGirlsBestFriend/

February 10 & 14 in Harrisonburg – Lovers can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the woods with an experienced coachman at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. The arboretum will also offer blooming potted plants for your Valentine at a walk-in indoor sale on February 13.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/ValentinesDayHorseDrawnCarriageRidestheEdithJCarrierArboretum/

February 10-12 in Clarksville – Now here’s something unique to do for Valentine’s Day. Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern is offering a cooking school class “Valentine’s Day … Cooking with Passion – The Ultimate Aphrodisiac.” Chefs will teach hands-on techniques and you’ll eat the courses you cook. Their Valentine’s overnight special includes breakfasts, red roses, massage and more.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/CoopersLandingInnCookingSchoolClassValentinesDayFoodastheUltimateAphrodisiac/

February 14 in Richmond – The Tea House at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is offering a Valentine’s lunch and dinner on Valentine’s Day itself.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/TeaHouseValentinesLunchandDinner/

February 15 in Leesburg – The 26th annual “Chocolates Galore & More!” event will be held at West Belmont Place at the National Conference Center in Loudon County that Friday with lots of culinary treats from the area’s local restaurants and caterers.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/26thAnnualChocolatesGaloreMore/

February 16 on the Eastern Shore – Lovebirds can take Valentine’s Day to a new level participating in a Valentine’s Day birding event at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/LoveBirdsValentinesDayBirdingClass/

February 16 in Williamsburg – Tour the old James River plantations by candlelight and enjoy cider and cookies by the fire in the Valentine’s Candlelight Progressive Tour.

http://www.virginia.org/listings/Events/JamesRiverPlantationValentinesCandlelightProgressiveTour/

I dedicate this article to my brother, the late Andrew J. Green Jr., who encouraged me in writing this column and was such a sweetie before his death on January 19, 2013.