By Will Estell
The big day of candy hearts, rose boutiques and stuffed bears is right around the corner; however, that doesn’t mean you have to celebrate this year just like everyone else. Here, I’ve chosen a short selection of unique and fun-loving activities, happening right here in your area, that any couple can find to be a memorable addition to those flowers, cards and sweet treats… Yes, even us guys.
Pose with Your Valentine
What better way to make a memory last than to pose together for a Valentine’s Day special mini photo session with Savvy Leigh Photo? Savannah Smith of Savvy Leigh Photo has become one of the most requested and reputable photographers in our area for unique couples’ photos. Savvy Leigh Photo has previously been featured as one of the Destin area’s Top 10 photographers, and as such is sure to provide you and yours with photos to treasure for years to come. Best of all, you receive all the edited digital images! Savannah also does family, baby and bridal photos.
Visit SavvyLeighPhoto.com or text (205) 567-2779 to book.
Take a Romantic Dinner Cruise on SunQuest Cruises’ SOLARIS
How is cruising aboard a yacht, indulging in a wonderful chef-prepared meal, and dancing under the stars on a 125-foot yacht for a little local celebration on the water? You and yours can experience romance between the sea and sky aboard SunQuest’s SOLARIS yacht. All three Valentine’s Day events aboard SOLARIS are adult-only, exclusively for guests 18+. You can choose between a sunset dinner cruise on February 10 or a moonlit dinner cruise on February 16.
SunQuest’s Valentine’s Day dinner cruise includes the three-hour cruise, a chef-prepared four-course meal, live entertainment, and iced tea, coffee, and water. A bar is available onboard and beer, wine, and cocktails are available for purchase. A guaranteed private table by the window upgrade is available for $75/table, for up to 10 guests per table. If your party is larger than 10 guests, an additional table upgrade will be required. Romance packages are also available to be delivered to your table on-board. As a plus, the SOLARIS yacht is conveniently docked at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Marina, making it a great opportunity to stay at Hotel Effie or another Sandestin property after your romantic dinner on the water. Did I mention there’s music and dancing too?
Start booking at www.SunQuestCruises.com.
Chill With Your Significant Other at CRYO850
If you’re ready for something chill (literally), and a little out of the ordinary, the two of you can have some fun getting your health on at Destin’s CRYO850. Amy and her attentive staff at CRY0850 are offering some great V-Day specials for couples, so the two of you can experience the remarkable benefits of CRYO Therapy together this year. For more information about these specific specials and more, call (850) 279-4145, or simply visit www.Cryo850.com to book your special session today!
Take a Weekend Getaway Without Going Far at All at Hotel Effie
This impressive staple of Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort’s property, Hotel Effie, is offering a Love’s Retreat: A Valentine’s Stay at Hotel Effie special package for you and yours.
Unlock the perfect Valentine’s getaway and get 20% off your stay, a late checkout, and complimentary strawberries with sparkling wine in your room. Make your Valentine’s celebration special with a scrumptious dinner at Ovide Restaurant while you’re there, and you never even have to leave the Sandestin Resort property the entire day and night, once you arrive.
The Ovide Valentine’s Dinner Experience is specifically crafted for you and your special someone, and you will enjoy a specially arranged table, a delightful menu and a complimentary sparkling wine toast. Secure your spot for this intimate evening for just $120! That’s definitely something to celebrate!
Call 1-833-873-3343 or visit www.HotelEffie.com.
Hit the Gulf Waters with Your Own Favorite Catch
Hit the Gulf together and experience what “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” is perhaps most famous for! V-Day is a great time to do some deep-sea fishing as a couple, and there are more than a few charter businesses to help you and your catch, snag a catch for your table. Start planning your upcoming excursion by checking out www.Destin-Fishing-Fleet.com, or call (850) 837-1995, or the friendly folks at www.CharterBoatOuttaLine.com, (850) 837-2320. The fish are waiting!
Rub it In With a Romantic Couples’ Massage
Inhale, exhale and let it all go! It’s time to relax this Valentine’s Day. Check out a romantic couples’ massage for the two of you, complete with champagne and chocolates at Destin’s Beverly Hills Day Spa, (850) 654-8544.
For Valentine’s Day away, the Hotel Effie spa will sparkle with candles and rose petals before sunset. Then the two of you can indulge in side by side massages. Something I bet you don’t do every weekend away! February 14, 2024 from 5-7:30 p.m. Reservations required. Call 850-351-3020 to secure your spot.
Take in a Performance at Emerald Coast Theatre Company
I Only Have Eyes For You: Valentine’s Day Musical Revue is being performed as a special one night show allowing you and yours to celebrate the day with love songs from yesteryear performed by top vocalists and ECTC’s live musicians. This very special evening can be complemented with a bottle of wine and a sweet or savory charcuterie box. This is a fun way to celebrate with your Valentine–or Galentine–and avoid the packed restaurants.
ECTC has everything you need to spend a memorable evening with the love of your life… or just another date! Tuesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. Valentines Day show is Wednesday, February 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org/special-events to grab your tickets today. Visit www.EmeraldCoastTheatre.org or call the box office at 850-684-0323.
Get Your Gumbo On!
Grab your tickets to pursue the roux with your significant other at the 35th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival Saturday, Feb. 24, 12-4 p.m. You’ll have fun voting for Gulf Coast restaurants’ top-secret gumbo recipes, live music and Bloody Mary’s! Visit www.SandestinGumboFestival.com for tickets and details!
Rock it Out with Duchess at AJ’s on the Bayou!
If you love 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s rock, then you’ll really love catching one of Northwest Florida’s hottest rock bands, Duchess. The hard-rocking musicians play all your favorites, and do it as well, or better, than anyone I know. Best of all, you can enjoy a great Valentines Day dinner and some drinks, right beside the water while taking in the sounds and awesome stage show. Duchess hits the AJ’s Bayou Stage from 6-10 on the Friday right after V-Day, making it a great celebration for those of you who may not do your partying during the week night work phase. Tell them I sent you! Check them out at www.DuchessBand.com.
