REMINDER: GREAT LOVE STORIES NEED GREAT SETTINGS (remember to breathe)

Writer Jodie Mckague offers alluring advice on how to win your loved one’s heart this Valentine’s Day.

It comes as no surprise that Valentine’s Day, a holiday honouring the love and affection shared between intimate companions, was first celebrated thousands of years ago in Italy, a place that inspires lovers all over the world to sing “Amore.” Fortunately for today’s lovebirds, when February 14 rolls around, there’s no need to make a trans-atlantic voyage in search of romance. February in Alberta is the perfect time to explore the winter magic of the great outdoors. And it’s an even better excuse to cuddle up indoors and enjoy Cupid’s charm, while taking advantage of Valentine’s specials offered at a wide selection of attractions, boutique hotels and finedining establishments around the province.

CUDDLING IN CALGARY

If you have a hankering to hit the town with your sweetheart, book a room at Calgary’s Hotel Arts (hotelarts.ca). The posh, 175-room boutique hotel is located in the heart of downtown, close to shopping, spas, restaurants and the city’s arts and entertainment district. Take advantage of the special Romance Package which includes valet service and a bottle of Italian Prosecco sparkling wine to start. Then stop by Raw Bar to sample the infamous Thai Lobster Bisque or choose from the diverse cocktail menu before swinging on over to the Beatniq Jazz and Social Club (beatniq.com) where you’ll find live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Calgary Zoo is hosting In the Heat of the Night (calgaryzoo.com), February 13 & 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. This adult-only event includes a romantic dinner buffet in the ENMAX Conservatory followed by a naughty talk about mating rituals in the animal kingdom. Tickets start at $80 per person. Surprise your love bug with an animal themed stuffie for an additional $15. To reserve your table, call (403) 232-9300. For a luxurious quiet night in, book a room at the Kensington

Riverside Inn overlooking the Bow River. Down duvets, soaker tubs and turndown service are included in every luxury suite. Foodies won’t want to miss the special Valentine’s menu in the hotel’s award-winning Chef’s Table Restaurant, managed by Chef de Cuisine Craig Boje. February 14 will be a busy night for Chef Jan Hansen at the Selkirk Grille who will prepare a special table d’hôte for guests attending the Vintage Valentine’s Dinner. The restaurant is on the grounds of the Heritage Park Historical

Village (heritagepark.ca) and was recognized in 2009 as one of the top three regional restaurants in Calgary by

Where Magazine. Step out for a Valentine’s lunch date at Manuel Latruwe

Belgian Patisserie & Bread Shop (manuellatruwe.com). Get there early for traditional Belgian waffles or sample the hand crafted brioche and pain au chocolat. Even the Parisians would approve! If you prefer to get it on in the kitchen, sign up for a Valentine’s Day Couples Class at the Cookbook Co.

Cooks store and school. This hands-on group lesson is taught by Chef Chris Halpin of Manna Catering Services in a fun and informal environment. Tickets are $90. Call (403) 265-6066.

ROMANCE IN THE ROCKIES

If alpine settings get you in the mood, why not book a horse drawn sleigh ride with Brewster’s Adventures in uber

romantic Lake Louise? Snuggle up close in a private twoseat cutter while you breathe in the crisp mountain air and enjoy the unforgettable views of Chateau Lake Louise as you glide along the lake. Advance reservations are required, call (403) 762-5454. For further relaxation, head to Banff where the staff at Red

earth Spa (bestofbanff.com) will help you and your loved one melt away stress when you book their exclusive Deep earth

Romance Package. Enjoy a 30-minute private plunge in a bath filled with blends of essential oils, seaweed and sea salt, followed by a 60-minute massage, manicure and pedicure with your sweetie by your side. The package is $495 and includes lunch. If extreme indulgence is what you have in mind, Jasper is the place to be. Experience world-class hospitality when you book the Veuve Clicquot in the Snow Weekend Package available February 10 to 12 at the Fairmont Jasper Park

Lodge (fairmont.com/jasper). The two-night event starts with a Veuve Clicquot welcome reception featuring tastings of the finest bubbly. This is followed by a special gala dinner that will leave you feeling like a movie star by the time you hit the hay in your specially prepared Fairmont room. Rates start from $698, which includes accommodation and activities, valet parking and gratuities.

Enjoy a 30-minute private plunge in a bath filled with blends of essential oils, seaweed and sea salt…

AMORE AROUND ALBERTA

Next it’s over to Stettler for a five-hour rail adventure operated by Alberta Prairie Railway excursions. You and your sweetie will roll in style under the cover of moonlight across the Canadian prairies while enjoying a five-course meal served aboard the company’s old-fashioned diesel locomotive-powered train. Stettler is about two and a half hours from Calgary and two hours from Edmonton. The train departs Saturday, February 11 at 4:30 p.m. For reservations, call 1-800-282-3994. Take date night to a whole new level when you book one of three romantic packages available at Heritage Ranch (heritageranch.ca) in Red Deer. Choose a one-hour horse drawn carriage ride followed by a steak or salmon dinner and bottle of wine. The Ultimate Date Package also includes reservations in a Jacuzzi suite with shuttle service to and from your hotel. Call (403) 347-4977 to book your date package. Folks in the Westlock area will have an excuse to get all dolled up and bring out the snazzy attire for a night of live jazz performed by the Jesse Peters Trio. The event takes place at the Cultural Arts Theatre in R.F. Staples High School on February 14. Doors open at 7 p.m. Pre-concert festivities include a silent auction and wine & cheese reception. (780) 307-3703. Lovers of all ages are sure to enjoy the Valentine’s Fundraiser organized by the Kalyna Country Performing Arts

Association in St. Michael, located 42 km northeast of Fort Saskatchewan. Traditional Ukrainian fare such as homemade perogies and kubassa will be served, followed by a chocolate dessert extravaganza and dance performances by local Kalyna kids. The event takes place Saturday, February 11 at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, call (780) 895-7471. Also on February 11 is the Pioneer Valentine’s Tea, hosted by the Stony Plain Multicultural Centre, located about 45 minutes west of Edmonton. The annual event was started 17 years ago to honour local couples that have been together for 50 or more years. Make it a date with your special someone; and don’t forget to bring a notebook – they may be dishing out some valuable advice! Call (780) 963-2777 to reserve your spot.

ESPECIALLY ROMANTIC IN EDMONTON

Let the soothing sounds of the edmonton Symphony

orchestra (edmontonsymphony.com) serenade you and your Valentine during an evening performance of Let’s Fall in Love; a collection of romantic standards sung by John Pagano. Sit back and enjoy the exquisite acoustics of Edmonton’s

Winspear Centre while Pagano croons out favourites such

as Let’s Fall in Love, Time After Time, Night and Day, Call Me Irresponsible, and Wives & Lovers 24-84. The performance starts at 8 p.m. on February 11. Just down the street you’ll find actor Rebecca Northan performing her hilarious one-woman show Blind Date at the

Citadel Theatre, January 28 – February 19. The critically acclaimed show explores the strange and bizarre rituals of dating and the emotions that arise in the pursuit of love. Dine

& Play packages are available for $89.50 per person, and include a ticket to the play and dinner from a set menu at one of the Citadel’s nine partner restaurants. For reservations, call (780) 425-1820. Romance is never far away when you spend a night at the

Union Bank Inn (unionbankinn.com). The thoughtfully appointed boutique hotel is tucked away in a heritage building in the heart of downtown Edmonton, not far from the river valley. Book a table for two at Madison’s Grill on the main floor, or walk to nearby Tzin Wine & Tapas (tzin.ca) or Lit Italian Wine Bar (litwinebar.com) where you and your Valentine can share a bottle ( or two) of your favourite vino before calling it a night. Now that’s amore!