Time and time again, it has been said that Valentine’s Day is a “greeting card” holiday. Every year, people scramble to find the perfect last-minute flowers, reserve an over-booked restaurant or they simply forget the holiday and shoulder the burden of a disappointed significant other. This year, why not skip out on the materialistic struggle? Here at VME, we offer you and your significant other an escape from the trifles of everyday life. We suggest you give more than just flowers, give an experience. With one of our relaxing destinations, you gain memories that will last far beyond the sell-by date of those expensive chocolates.

With our San Antonio River Walk Cruise, you can spend some quality time with your loved one on the sparkling San Antonio River. During the guided tour, you’ll hear about the many historical sites along the river and connect with the past in a way that can’t be achieved with a history book. As the sun nears the horizon, you and your love can go to any variety of hotels, such as the grand Comfort Suites. There, you can stop in for a hearty cocktail hour or visit the luxurious waterfall-studded pool before going to your room and settling into a relaxing Jacuzzi tub. Among the other romantic excursions in San Antonio, the carriage tours stand out as a unique experience. The King William Carriage Tour offers views of old, gorgeous homes that seem to keep the tales of romances past behind their grand facades. The San Fernando Carriage Ride offers the option of a guided historical tour of the grand Cathedral or a simple, quiet ride with your Valentine.

In South Carolina, you can treat yourself and your loved one to the type of luxury reserved for the stars. The Seeing the Sights Limousine Tour gives you the opportunity to view historic Charleston in ease and comfort while cozying up to your special someone. While in town, you can celebrate a classic southern romance on the Gone with the Wind City Tour. On this tour, you can see historic architecture, The Battery and The Citadel while discovering the secrets of local lore and legend. Book your hotel early so that you can top off your romantic Southern evening with a soak in a Jacuzzi, furnished by one of these fantastic hotel options.

If you fancy a night under the stars in a warmer clime, you should try the Nightwatch Stargazing Adventure Jeep Tours in Palm Springs, California. Driving out into the sunset, you’ll watch the shadows move across the San Andreas Fault. When you reach the mountain landscape, you’ll be far from the lights of the city and the natural, astonishing light of the stars takes precedence. Your guide will tell you the names of the Greek gods and ancient legends immortalized in the constellations. During the day, you can get a bird’s eye view of the majestic Chino Canyon on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. At the top of the canyon, you can even have a meal at 8,500 feet at the lovely Peaks Restaurant. 

With so many unforgettable romantic getaways available, why buy flowers? Give a fond memory to your Valentine this February.