Valentine's Day in Daytona Beach, Florida

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it's about showing the people you love that you really do love them. So often we go through our everyday lives and we take for granted those who are closest to us. This is the day to make up for the whole year and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Whether you live in Daytona Beach or you are just visiting, this is a romantic place to spend Valentine's Day, if you can. To begin with the weather will be a warm to moderate, 75* - 80* in February, so that is a big plus factor and there's miles and miles of beautiful beaches. If you are up early enough, you can see one of those awesome sunrises that the postcards all show!

If you are going to make a romantic day of it, start with breakfast at the Sunshine Diner on A1A, right on the beachside. They have a stack of pancakes, covered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream that will melt in your mouth! Of course, they have all the other usual breakfast trimmings available too. That's my first choice, but then there are eight Denny's in the area for the Grand Slam and on the north end of the beach, in Ormond Beach, there is a franchise IHOP that makes waffles fresh to order, with your choice of fresh fruit or chocolate chips and mounds of whipped cream on top. What a wonderful way to start the day. Then also they make all their breakfast specials to your order......so everything is tasty and delicious. You will definitely want to take a walk on the beach now which is right across A1A.

But what would Valentine's Day be without flowers and candy? If you want to surprise your sweetheart there are many florists in the area. Flowers Central is on Charles St. in Daytona Beach and there you can choose your own arrangement and then they will bundle it all up for you while you wait. The Village Florist on Nova Rd., is right in the middle of town, and they have been there for over 20 years. Their flowers are beautiful and they usually have a large variety of tropicals to choose from. Flamingo Florists is also a great florist who has been in the area for years. They are located on Riverside Dr., right in Holly Hill on the river. This is the older part of the Daytona area and the trees and the road right next to the river makes it nice for a drive. While you're in Flamingo's getting a beautiful bouquet, you can also check out their unique gifts and assorted items. Kill two birds in one stop!

But if you want to try something totally different this year, head on down to South Daytona to the Fruit Flowers shop. You got it right; it is tropical edible fruit on sticks made into a fruit bouquet! They are so full of color, and so absolutely delicious that all you need is some melted chocolate to dip them in and you will be in 7^th heaven! It is definitely unique and she won't be disappointed!

Now if you really want to top this day off for your sweetheart, you will have to go to a uniquely delicious candy cafe that is down in Old Daytona on Beach St. It is called Angell & Phelps's Café and they have been in business for over 80 years. What makes this candy truly special is that they make it all right there, behind the café. They make handmade chocolates, both light and dark, some with delicious fillings and some not, and it then brought out to the café. They of course sell the candy for you to purchase and take home, but you can also sit in old fashioned candy shop chairs and enjoy right there, after lunch, with a cup of coffee or tea. It is almost sinful, and it is by far the best chocolate for miles around, but they're not open for dinner, so plan on going for lunch and then taking some with you.

What could top this day off and make it anymore romantic? How about a nice walk on the World's Most Famous Beach just as the sun is setting. It will get chilly when the sun's down, so make sure to get in someplace where it's nice and warm. Happy Valentine's Day!