Top 5 Romantic spots in Pensacola

Pensacola's allure is the waters surrounding its historic shores.
For centuries, many starry-eyed couples have headed to the beach to engage in romantic interludes, to propose or to tie-the-knot against a sunset-kissed sky. Not even the best wedding planner could conjure up a more romantic setting. Couple nature's treasures with the area's historic gems and you have a bounty of romantic spots to set love ablaze.
Here are my top three picks:
1. Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore on Pensacola Beach: Yes, the road is still washed away from Hurricane Ivan, but that makes this spot even more secluded. Pack some wine, cheese and a blanket and hike the shoreline to the point at the Pensacola Bay pass for an awesome view of the sunset.
2. Edward Ball Nature Trail on the University of West Florida Campus: Stroll this half-mile boardwalk through the hardwood swamp of Thompson's Bayou for some private chat time to get a deeper understanding of your sweetheart.
3. Downtown Pensacola: Book an early reservation at one of downtown's intimate restaurants to warm up your date. Crank up the romance meter with a horse-drawn buggy ride through the tree-lined avenues of the historic district with A 1derful Carriage of Dreams (944-5265). Take a few minutes for some public displays of affection at the fountain in Plaza Ferdinand. Then head to Seville Quarter for a twirl on the dance floor and a night cap.
4. Wayside Park in Gulf Breeze at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge: This is a great spot to set the tone for a special night out on the town. Snuggle up on a bench for a view of Pensacola Bay. This is one of the best spots to view a sunset, or after evening deepens to darkness, view the twinkling lights of Pensacola or the moon light reflecting on the water.
5. Bayview Park on Bayou Texar in East Hill: Bring a boat and have a dog day in the park by double-dating with your four-legged children and discover if your potential mate has the fun factor. Picnic while your pets romp in the dog park and then cast-off for a playful cruise.

Top 5 Romantic getaways on a one tank of gas

1. Adventures Unlimited, 8974 Tomahawk Landing Road, Milton.
Book a weekend rendezvous in the Old School House Inn for a romantic outdoorsy romp in one of these cozy, technology-free rooms, themed after famous writers such as Mark Twain, William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. Each of the eight rooms features a private screened porch, full bath, and no television or telephone. They are equipped with a microwave, coffeepot and mini-fridge.
Rates: $79.00 to 99.00 per night until April 1.
" Or for a more secluded and laid-back experience, check into the Tupelo. This one bedroom cottage is nestled on Coldwater Creek and has a fully-equipped kitchen, screened porch that overlooks the creek, a garden bathtub and gas fireplace. Cost: $139.00 per night until April 1.
And you can also canoodle in a canoe, tube or kayak on one of Adventures Unlimited excursions on a spring-fed creek.
For details or reservations call: 850.623.6197 or log on to www.adventuresunlimited.com
Distance: Take State Road 87 12 miles North of Milton.

2. Callaway Gardens and Resort, Pine Mountain, Ga.
For a romantic weekend that you'll never want to end, head to this Garden of Eden nestled in the Appalachian foothills. Callaway attractions include 13,000-acres of hilly woodlands in which you can take secluded walks or bike rides. It features three intimate, gourmet restaurants and bars. In addition, there are shops, golf, tennis, fishing, a shooting club, gardens, butterfly conservatory, horticulture center, chapel, inland beach, and special shows and seasonal events. For instance here are two events that are oozing with extra perks to bring out the lover in you and your partner:
" Chocolate Lovers Weekend set for Jan. 26 - 27 is a chocoholic's dream. The weekend features two days of unforgettable events including a chocolate cooking class; a chocolate and wine pairing session and tasting; a chocolate reception followed by a five-course dinner at which each coarse is paired with wines. Top the weekend off with a Breakfast of Chocoholics. This weekend package starts at $169 per person, per night at the Mountain Creek Inn.
" The Valentine's Weekend Dinner and Dance, Feb. 10 - 11. Hint to men: You won't have to worry about buying your sweetie a dozen roses or any other details if you spend the weekend in this floral paradise. The weekend package includes cocktails for two; reception, dinner, dancing, and admission to the gardens and fitness center.
Rates: Start at $310 per couple per night in the Mountain Creek Inn. Or call 1-800-CALLAWAY for special rates in the cottages, villas or the new luxurious Lodge and Spa.
For more details: log on to www.callawaygardens.com.
Distance: About 262 miles from Pensacola off of Interstate 85 in Georgia; 4 hours of driving time.

3. Josephine's French Country Inn, 38 Seaside Ave.
Escape to a getaway that was voted a one of the Top 12 Inns in America on one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Inn keepers Judy and Bruce Albert will indulge you in a romantic weekend full of pampering, extraordinary dining, breathtaking sunsets and little surprises. Pssst. All guests are treated to a bottle of champagne. Each of the nine rooms or suites is named after Italian and French figures including Romeo and Juliet. They're elegantly furnished with antiques and feature private baths, and most of them have fireplaces. Slip into the intimate dining room that features signature dishes embellished with scented herbs and edible flowers from Bruce's local pesticide-free farm.
Rates: $200-$250 a night.
For details and for reservations: Call 850-231-1940; or toll-free at 800-848-1840 or log on to www.josephinesinn.com.
Distance: About 72 miles east of Pensacola off of U.S. 98; or about a 1.5-hour drive.

4. Point Clear's Marriott Grand Hotel on One Grand Boulevard, Point Clear, Ala.
Leave your worries at home and step back into the romantic turn-of-the-century in this queen of antebellum Southern resorts. Fully-renovated after Hurricane Katrina, this resort on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay sits on 55-beautifully-landscaped acres and features deluxe accommodations, fine cuisine and recreational activities including a marina, spectacular pool complex, two golf courses and The Spa: a 20,000-square-foot haven where skilled clinicians and therapists provide dozens of treatments for relaxation and well-being including hydrotherapy, massage and skin care.
Discount rates: Range from $179 to $259 daily.
For details and reservations: Call toll free at 800-544-9933 or log on to www.marriottgrand.com.
Distance: About 62 miles; or roughly 1 hour west on Interstate 10 to Eastern Shore Boulevard.

5. The honey moon cottages at Seaside, 2352 County Road 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach.
Slip away and recharge the passion you would feel on a honey moon in one of these love nests overlooking the white sands and turquoise surf of the Gulf of Mexico. Designed for intimacy in mind, the cottages feature one bedroom, two baths and a Jacuzzi tub on a private screened porch, along with a shower that converts to a steam room.
Seaside resort's mantra is "Pamper, pamper, pamper.'' With that in mind, cottage guests are treated to: the local daily newspaper delivered; a complimentary bottle of champagne; luggage assistance at check-in and check-out; daily housekeeping service; and two bicycles on which you can wander the picturesque streets of Seaside.
Rates: Start at $816 a weekend.
For more details: Call 800-277-8696 or log on to www.seasidefl.com.
Distance: 72 miles east on U.S. 98 to Country Highway 30-A; or 1.5 hours.

More Top Fives  | Shane Hoffman

Nothing sets the mood for love like the right music. For this selection of sure-fire romantic CDs, we eschewed the obvious choices like Barry White, Norah Jones, Marvin Gaye and Kenny G to pick a few that might not have made it into your collection yet.

1. "Romanza"
Andrea Bocelli

Sinatra, Puccini, Casanova, Romeo and Juliet, Sophia Loren, Rudolph Valentino, Marcello Mastroianni-the Italians really do have a strong claim to the title of Most Romantic Culture. This CD furthers the case. From the first track, "Con Te Partiro," Andrea Bocelli's 1997 breakthrough album pushes all the right buttons. This is shameless romantic music at its best, and Bocelli's vocals practically drip with passion and yearning. In fact, we're betting that by playing this CD, you could make carry-out pizza and a bottle of Riunite seem like the most glamorous, romantic Valentine's dinner you ever had.

2. "Songs For Young Lovers"
Frank Sinatra

Before Old Blue Eyes became the swaggering giant of "My Way," he cranked out some of the smoothest love songs ever recorded. His years with Nelson Riddle at Capitol Records produced vinyl gems like "In the Wee Small Hours" and "Songs For Swingin' Lovers," but 1954's "Songs for Young Lovers" is among the best for pure romance-without a lot of pining over love gone wrong. "I Get a Kick Out of You," "My Funny Valentine" and "Violets for Your Furs" are just a few of the tracks that will have you slow-dancing on the living-room rug. To get the most for your money, look for the double CD that pairs this album with "Swing Easy" of the same year.

3. "I'm Still in Love With You"
Al Green

One of the sweetest voices in the history of rhythm and blues belongs to the Rev. Al Green. In 1972 and 1973, he recorded three absolutely magical albums in a row: "Let's Stay Together," "I'm Still in Love With You" and "Call Me." Any one of them would be a perfect soundtrack for Valentine's Day, but the middle of the three paints the rosiest picture of love, with songs like "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is," "Simply Beautiful," "Love and Happiness," "I'm Glad You're Mine," and, of course, the title track.

4. "Getz/Gilberto"
Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto

Featuring the velvety voice of Astrud Gilberto on the classics "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Corcovado," this bossa nova masterpiece from 1964 might be the smoothest jazz album ever recorded. If the mood turns to candlelight or a roaring fire, a bottle of champagne and the lights down low, put in the CD and set it to "repeat." There's not a track on this album that will break your romantic mood.

5. "Night and Day: The Cole Porter Songbook"
Various Artists

Each of the artists on this compilation would be worth of his or her own Valentine's Day CD pick, but the song lineup here is irresistible. Dinah Washington opens the album with her sultry recording of "I've Got You Under My Skin." The album heats up with Shirley Horn torch-song rendition of "Love For Sale," and then Louis Armstrong eases up the pressure with "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)." Other highlights include Billy Eckstein's haunting "In the Still of the Night" and Betty Carter's wistful "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye."

Top 5 Romantic DVD's

Sure, you could watch "Sleepless in Seattle" for the 200th time, but there are plenty of back-catalog romantic movies that you probably haven't seen in awhile-if ever. Here's a selection of some romantic classics to put you in the perfect mood for love.

1. "Sabrina"
Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond starred in a charming remake of "Sabrina" in 1995, but if you haven't seen the 1954 original before, get ready for a treat. Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina is dazzling as only she could be, and Humphrey Bogart was an inspired casting choice for the gruff Linus, who falls in love with the chauffer's daughter. William Holden plays Linus's playboy brother. It's the perfect Cinderella story from the golden age of cinema romance.

2. "It Happened One Night"
This 1934 masterpiece swept the Oscars and remains one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Claudette Colbert is Ellie Andrews, a spoiled rich girl on the run from her family. Clark Gable is Peter Warne, a hard-boiled reporter on the skids looking for the story that will put him back in the limelight. Sparks fly when they get together, and the chemistry between the two screen legends is uncanny. This is a great couples movie, especially for guys who usually need cajoling to watch any movie that puts "romantic" before "comedy." The famous "Walls of Jericho" scene has been referenced in many films since; even after more than 70 years, the comedy is right on target, with plenty of moments that will have you laughing out loud.

3. "Pillow Talk"
This romp of a bedroom comedy from 1959 is all candy-sweet, delicious candy. Doris Day is an interior decorator who despises the smooth-talking playboy who ties up the phone line they share. That playboy is Rock Hudson, who discovers that the cranky woman he's been taunting on the phone is drop-dead gorgeous. He pretends to be a wealthy Texan in order to woo her, but when the tables get turned, hilarity ensues. The brilliant Tony Randall plays Hudson's old college chum, and Thelma Ritter is a riot as Thelma, the drunk maid.

4. "Pride and Prejudice"
We're talking the BBC production from 1995-all five hours of it. For a tear-jerking, popcorn-munching romantic marathon, there may be no better choice than this authentic adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. All of the twists and turns from the novel are here, but the real joy is the cast. With his fine performance as the brooding Mr. Darcy, Colin Firth leaped to international heartthrob status, and Jennifer Ehle is perfectly heartwarming as Miss Elizabeth Bennett. This is British costume drama at its best, with passion smoldering behind genteel conversation and empire dresses. Just make sure you have a fresh box of tissues.

5. "The Princess Bride"
Director Rob Reiner produced one of the greatest romantic films of all time, "When Harry Met Sally." But since that classic can probably be found on most "Most Romantic" lists, we're giving a nod to the fantasy-comedy-romance-adventure classic "The Princess Bride." The fairy-tale romance between Westley and Buttercup is as perfect a love story as Hollywood has ever served up, and it's one that the whole family can enjoy.