Romantic getaways in the Midwest
Save your euros and frequent flier miles by skipping the trip to France and shacking up at Chateau Chantal instead. Perched on a vineyard about 300 miles away in Traverse City, this B&B and winery is ideal for oenophiles. More than a dozen wines are available at the chateau, where complimentary tastings are held daily and popular cooking classes and wine immersion seminars are scheduled year-round. In February, $560 gets you the "St. Valentine's Rescue" package, including a night in the B&B, massages and a five-course gourmet dinner. Chateauchantal.com or (231) 223-4110.
WISCONSIN
Just outside Milwaukee is the newish (2006) Delafield Hotel, a luxury boutique property made up of 38 spacious suites. The Delafield's year-round romance package calls for one night in a deluxe suite. Rose petals surround your decadent spa tub, and you and your sweetie can enjoy a bottle of wine while munching on a tray of fruit, homemade bread and Wisconsin cheese. The hotel throws in a $150 certificate for its restaurant, Andrew's, as well as breakfast in bed and chocolate-covered strawberries. Package costs $495. Thedelafieldhotel.com or (800) 594-8772.
INDIANA
Modeled after a Florentine estate, the Villa is an elegant little gem tucked away in Indianapolis. You can stay in one of four rooms in the villa or two in the carriage house at this intimate property, which includes a restaurant and spa. Rooms are $200-$250 a night, and an extra $230 gets you the "Amore" spa package: a couples' Swedish massage, two glasses of sparkling wine and chocolate dessert. Lots of other spa treatments are available, too. Thevillainn.com or (866) 626-8500. Call Blue Ribbon Carriages to arrange a half-hour horse-drawn carriage ride around Indy's downtown and picturesque Monument Circle for $45 on weekends, $35 during the week, (317) 631-4169.
ILLINOIS
You'll need one big bank account to afford Swissotel Chicago's "One Enchanted Moment" Valentine package. The highfalutin' weekend kicks off with a candle-lit bubble bath drawn by your personal butler in the Presidential Suite, where six dozen red roses, Cristal Champagne and strawberries await. You'll be whisked away in an Aston Martin for a $15,000 spending spree at Bloomingdale's and Barneys. Then relax with a 90-minute couple's massage before your in-room dinner and night on the town at the Signature Room at the 95th. Silk pajamas and personalized robes are yours to take home. So is a 9.5-carat diamond necklace (valued at $70,000) for her and a $21,500 watch for him. This Valentine costs a cool $150,000. Swissotelchi cago.com or (888) 737-9477.
For folks whose last name isn't Vanderbilt or Rockefeller, the quaint town of Galena is full of places for a romantic escape. Check out packages at Eagle Ridge Resort, Eagleridgeresortonline.com or (800) 892-2269; Aldrich Guest House, Aldrichguest house.com or (815) 777-3323 and Stoney Creek Inn, Stoneycreekinn.com or (800) 659-2220.