Virginia is for lovers.  Sophisticated Washington, DC is perfect for a romantic city break.  Maryland offers a stunning backdrop for a getaway for to.  It’s easy to fall in love with – and in – the Capital Region.

 Dr Ruth appointed Secretary of new Department of Love & Relationships in Washington, DC and launches “Date Nights DC: A 28-day Stimulus Plan”

With Valentine’s Day not far away, it’s the time to spark new romances and rekindle relationships and the USA’s capital city, Washington, DC has to be the best place in the world with its new “Date Nights DC” promotion in February 2010.  On offer are value-added packages, discounts and fresh, original date ideas at DC’s hotels, restaurants and attractions.  A new “government-inspired” Department of Love and Relationships has been created, with well known sex and relationship expert Dr Ruth Westheimer taking the role of “Secretary”.

Date Nights DC was inspired by President Obama and First Lady Michelle who have frequently had “date nights” in the city, raising awareness of the great restaurants and culture scene there.  Says Dr Ruth “Barack and Michelle Obama set a good example by enjoying time with each other and with their children as they get to know this very romantic city and I encourage others to do the same.”

The Stimulus Plan is the brainchild of Destination DC, the city’s official tourism agency.  To complement it and explain the mission of the Department of Love and Relationships, Destination DC has also created a special website at www.DateNightsDC.org, with five key components:

Create a Date: a searchable database of more than 80 creative date ideas to help plan outings, organised by neighbourhoods and themes such as movies, politics, food & wine and LGBT.

• Date Concierge: an option to call, email or text the “Date Concierge” who will book each element of your desired date, from hotel room to dinner reservations to car service, at no cost through a partnership with the Washington Area Concierge Association.
• Date Night Deals:  special offers from hotels, restaurants, tours and attractions for “date-friendly” experiences.  For example, the luxurious Fairmont Washington, DC Hotel is offering a “Make Your Honey Happy” Date Night package, with honey cocktails and amenities sourced from the hotel’s own bee hives.  Date Night participants can also take advantage of discounts from City Segway Tours, Madame Tussauds, the Newseum and other organsiations.
• The Hook Up: a platform for information about events, promotions and happenings.
• Archives & Records: a place where couples who met, courted and/or married in DC can share videos and photos chronicling their relationship.

 “Date Nights DC” will run throughout February 2010 and the website www.DateNightsDC.org is already live. The hope is that the promotion will become an annual tradition.

 Romance on the Water: Share the thrill and awe of whale watching with your loved one this winter in Virginia Beach.

A shared memorable experience unites a couple in a unique way, so this February if you’re looking for some romance, why not try a whale watching expedition in the Chesapeake Bay, just off the coast of Virginia Beach.  The sight of giant humpback and fin whales surfacing and diving inspires awe and wonder and will never be forgotten.

 Thanks to the food-rich mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the warm Atlantic Ocean waters, humpback and fin whales can be seen diving, breaching, spyhopping and lobtailing off the Virginia Beach coast each winter.  These massive creatures can weigh up to 70 tons, range up to 79 feet in length and consume an impressive 1½ tons of food each day.  With speeds of up to 23 mph, the whales display amazing behaviours when searching for food and communicating with each other. 

The characteristic “singing” of humpback whales produces long, complex songs that are language between these animals.  Fin whales, otherwise known as the “greyhounds of the sea” are among the fastest of the great whales and can travel in groups of three to seven individuals.

To get up close and personal with the whales, it’s best to join an organised whale watching trip as the local captains are experts at knowing where to see these amazing animals and how to do it safely to not disturb them.  Packages are available from as little as $83 (£50) per person to until 14^th March 2010.  The package includes three days, two nights’ accommodation, admission aboard a 2–2½  hour Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Centre whale watching boat trip, and admission to the Virginia Aquarium, including the new Restless Planet exhibit and the 3-D IMAX theatre.  A wide range of other winter activities are also on offer, including ice skating at Neptune’s Park until the end of February.

To book a package go to http://www.virginia.org/site/features.asp?featureid=423

 For more Virginia Valentine’s offers go to: http://www.virginia.org/Site/features.asp?FeatureID=80

 From quaint and historic to high tech and high adrenalin – Maryland offers romantic getaways with an adventurous twist.

The historic town of St Michaels in Maryland was recently named as one of Life magazine’s Most Romantic Towns in America and so has to be the perfect location for a Valentine’s vacation.  Known as the “Hamptons” of the Chesapeake Bay, St Michaels is a Victorian maritime village and yachting haven, where quaint shops, antique emporiums, art galleries, restaurants and romantic B&Bs line the streets.

Local skipjack sailing boats provide a great waterborne adventure, whilst Maryland’s renowned crabs and oysters are an epicurean delight.  For more cerebral entertainment, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum offers a window into the seafaring history of the region. www.stmichaelsmd.org

A total contrast to the relaxed pace of St Michaels can be found in the town of Savage, also in Maryland, where Terrapin Adventures has put together a special Valentine’s Day package of high-adrenalin activities for couples.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, Terrapin Adventures specialises in outdoor activities with a high ropes challenge course, 330 foot zip line, giant swing and rock climbing tower all available at Savage Mills.  Also on offer are horseback riding, tubing, sailing, kayaking and myriad of other outdoor activities that get the heart pumping.

The special Valentine’s Day experience on Sunday 14^th February costs just $59.95 (£38) per couple, providing two hours on the high ropes, zip line, swing and climbing tower.  Hot chocolate drinks and Hershey kisses chocolates top off the experience, as does the chance to win one of the many special gifts being offered by local shops at Savage Mill.   Sessions start at 12 noon and 2pm.  www.TerrrapinAdventures.com