A Guide to Valentine's Day in Mobile, Alabama

**Note: the following suggestions come from the writer's personal experience of living in the city of Mobile, Alabama for the past ten years. The writer is not receiving payment of any kind from businesses mentioned herein.

The month of February is fast approaching and we all know what that means: Valentine's Day. During the next several weeks, countless husbands and boyfriends nationwide will be busy shopping for gifts, reserving seats at fine restaurants and planning romantic getaways. The beautiful coastal city of Mobile, Alabama offers a wide array of romantic dining experiences and activities that couldn't be more perfect for your extravagant night out. Here are just a few of the places you might want to consider:

1. The Olive Garden: Fine Italian Cuisine and Wine
Festival Center-3701 Airport Blvd.
www.olivegarden.com

If delicious Italian food, an elegant atmosphere and unparalleled service sound good to you, then The Olive Garden Italian restaurant of Mobile is your destination! Perfect for romantic date nights, The Olive Garden boasts a wide array of fine dishes to choose from, including their famous Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara ($15.75) and Chicken Alfredo ($13.25). If you enjoy the classic Italian pizza, you simply can't go wrong with the "Create Your Own Pizza" option ($10.75). Choose from dozens of mouthwatering toppings, including pepperoni, bell peppers, Italian sausage, mushrooms, black olives and roma tomatoes. Each dish is preceded by The Olive Garden's signature, "never ending" salad and bread sticks.

And don't forget The Olive Garden's wide selection of fine wines, including Sparkling, Bianco (white wine), Rosso (red) and Principato (signature wines). Take it from me, this is one romantic dining experience you will not want to miss!

2. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
www.gulfshores.com

For the hopeless romantic beach lovers, an evening spent watching the sunset on the soft sandy shores of Mobile's beachfront cannot be beat! Alabama's Gulf Coast area offers a vast array of activities for your enchanting weekend getaway. Enjoy dining at any one of the area's renowned seafood restaurants, visit a local ice cream parlor or check out the popular nightlife and entertainment activities.

For the more adventurous at heart, why not rent a kayak and spend the day paddling through the beautiful coastal waters with the one you love? Or go for a walk across the 6,500 acre Gulf State Park, where you will find dozens of nature trails, beach pavilions perfect for picnic lunches, three freshwater lakes and even a campground.

Among the countless tourist attractions that can be found at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Orange Beach Art Center and museums and the historic Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. And don't forget shopping! The Gulf Coast's outlet malls are home to some of the most nationally recognized name brand clothing retailers, as well as plenty of local souvenir shops, boutiques, gift shops and furniture stores.

3. The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
26 North Royal St.
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 338-2000
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mobbr-the-battle-house-renaissance-mobile-hotel-and-spa/

Searching for the perfect romantic hotel getaway package for you and your lover? Look no further than the legendary Marriot Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, located near the nationally acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. This one-of-a-kind hotel offers 27,000 sq. ft. of "classic Southern charm" and will bring you back to "a simpler time when elegance reigned supreme and service was sublime," according to the hotel's official web site.

The Battle House onsite luxury spa is available by appointment and features body wraps, facial treatments, therapy baths, massages, manicures/pedicures, waxing, steam rooms and many more accommodations to spoil and pleasure you and your significant other. And with rates from $159-$199 (valid through December 3, 2010), this is one little piece of Valentine's Day luxury you will not want to miss. After all, you only get to celebrate this romantic day once a year. Make it worthwhile!

4. Three Georges Southern Chocolates
www.3georges.com
226 Dauphin St.
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 433-6725

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without roses and chocolate! And if you're hunting for that perfect selection of fine chocolates to surprise your lover, make a stop at Three Georges Southern Chocolates, located on historic Dauphin Street in the heart of Mobile. Three Georges offers a wide array of fine assorted chocolates and gift box sets, perfect for your romantic Valentine's Day activities.

5. Zimlich the Florist
www.zimlichbros.com
1910 Government St. Mobile, AL
95 North Sage Ave. Mobile, AL
(251) 473-3501

If money is no option when it comes to the perfect Valentine's floral arrangement for the one you love, then head on over to Zimlich Brothers Florist and Greenhouse. Here you will find dozens of rose arrangements as well as countless other flowers, all part of their Love & Romance collection. Bestsellers for Valentine's Day include the "Expression of Love" rose arrangement (complete with glass vase: $54.95) and the Dozen Premium Red Roses (with glass vase: 74.95). Check out www.zimlichbros.com for more information on various floral arrangements, descriptions, photos and prices.

So if you find yourself in the city of Mobile this Valentine's Day, be sure to check out the aforementioned activities and locations. And remember, if you are with the one you love, romance can be experienced anywhere!