Valentine’s Day Specials

by Adele Woodyard

Men (and women, to be politically correct) how do you plan to pluck the hearstrings of your love interest this Valentine’s Day? If the flowers, candy and mushy card routine are losing flavor, how about trying one of these out-of-the-box ideas to add a touch of spice to your romance?

A little history here: In the days of the Pharaohs, slaves regularly anointed their noble masters with fragrant oils. Today we pay for the privilege in the name of spas. Anyone who’s had a massage knows how a sensual touch can stir the blood as it relaxes the muscles. What better time than Valentine’s Day to turn it into a romantic experience for two? Here are a few Florida spas that have done just that:

The Eau Spa by Cornelia, at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach even offers a private Garden Spa Villa. From Feb 1-20 only, a couple can enjoy a full body gloss massage, plus a literally head- to- toe treatment. No partner or friend to share it with? Then spoil yourself with such body cocktails as Sweet Orange and Wildflower Honey Beauty Glow or Organic Sugar and Champagne Sultry Glow. 561-540-4860. http://www.eauspa.com

At the Little Day Spa in Sarasota, a candlelit room is available for a couple’s Swedish side-by-side massage. A complementary side treat: champagne or other beverage.
941-363-9455. http://www.thelittledayspa.com

Margie’s Massage, Hollywood adds refreshments, appetizers, roses and chocolates to her Couples massage. Offered only Saturday, February 12, or Monday, February 14. 954-562-6197. http://www.margiesmassage.com

Innisbrook, the Salamander Golf and Spa Resort, Palm Harbor features a “Let’s Get Away” package for couples that includes, among other items, a 50-minute massage, welcome basket for two, and a $50 dining certificate on the Valentine Day’s menu. There’s also tennis and four championship golf courses for those staying longer than one night. 800-492-6889; http://www.innisbrookgolfresort.com

Curious about love in the animal kingdom? Take a Wild at Heart tour.

Enough people (ages 21 & up) are, for Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa to offer their sixth annual tour and progressive dinner, Friday, Feb 11, 5 and 7 p.m. and 5 and 6 p.m. on Sat. Feb 12. Interesting stories on animal pairings accompany romantic stops for refreshments, salads, candlelight dinner and dessert, on a tour of animal habitats. $50 per person. Reservations required 813-935-8552.
Have kids? The Zoo School at the Park offers a “Parent’s Night Out” those same nights from 4:30-10 p.m for ages 3-12. The professional child-care service charges $30 for the first child and $10 for each additional sibling The Zoo School supplies entertainment, pizzas and drinks while parents enjoy the Wild at Heart tours, or go elsewhere. Pre-registration required. 813-935-8552, ext. 268. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens presents “Sex and the ZOO” on Feb. 12. This adult-oriented show, includes reserved seating, appetizers, romantic dinner and two drink tickets. $150 per couple 21 and older. During the show, guests will learn about some of the fascinating and very unique ways animals manage to reproduce and keep their species going. Guests will also enjoy a fashion show by Fairvilla Megastore and gift bags to take home. 407-323-4450, ext. 100. http://www.centralfloridazoo.org

For February “freebies” click http://www.vacationfunflorida.com/bargains

Big Party Time

by Adele Woodyard

Halloween has always been a fun time to have a party and two affairs that can draw 50,000 or more celebrants occur in Florida. One even lasts more than a week If you’re on vacation, looking for a weekend break, or have just a day to get away from it all, here’s where you can find a BIG PARTY .

Key West: This year’s famous Fantasy Fest runs from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31, and its theme is Habitat for Insanity. Bars, restaurants, hotels, shops all get into the act, with madcap contests, big prize money, and creative costumes, or lack of same, that make you blush. Want to pretend you’re like Adam and Eve? You can dally at a Garden of Eden, clothing optional, rooftop bar–body painting for the modest–from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. And that’s every day. Despite Fantasy Fest’s reputation for adult entertainment, there’s plenty of opportunity for the whole family, even pets, to enjoy themselves. And much of it is for little or no money. For full schedule, click on http://www.fantasyfest.net

Oct. 22 & 23 start with GOOMBAY, a family friendly street party to the sound and taste of the Caribbean. Noon-midnight; FREE. Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m. there’s music, dancing, food and drink at Fort Zachary Taylor’s Vampire Ball. Plus a costume contest.

Oct. 25, local artists, decorate, model and auction off one-of-a-kind bras at the 4th Annual “Pinking of You.” 6 p.m. Money collected benefits WomanKind, Inc. for breast cancer education. .
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Pets join the party in a Pet Masquerade and Parade on Oct. 27 afternoon. FREE to watch, Fee to participate.Next evening Mom and Dad can enjoy the FREE Monster’s Ball, an annual costume party that starts at 10 p.m at the Green Parrot Bar.

Oct. 29 brings more Freebies, with the Fantasy Fest Street Fair from noon-10 p.m. and a Masquerade March that begins at 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 30 is a major event with the floats, bands and dancing groups in the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade. 7 p.m. FREE. Children’s Day wraps up the festivities from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.

Oct. 30 Ybor City/Tampa celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Mama Guava Stumble Parade, with Guavaween, a one day affair. The Family Fun Fest is FREE from 10 a.m.-3 p.m..with trick-or-treat, spooky story times, and a costume parade and contest. In between these activities, you can enjoy live entertainment on multiple stages.

After 3 p.m. the entry fee is $17. The Mama Guava Stumble Parade for adults begins at 8:30 p.m. Non-motorized this year in honor of the anniversary, it calls for the creative thinking so prevalent at its start in 1985. There are prizes in ten categories, including Best and Worst in Show, with a $3 rebate on admission for participants. A costume contest has a $2,000 prize for the first place winner. http://www.cc-events.org