By Jacques Bérubé
Maybe you didn’t have time to book a table at the restaurant, or you simply wanted to do something different this year. Here are a few unique ways to reinvent Valentine's Day so you and your significant other can spend it simply being starry-eyed in love.
Held at Marché Bonsecours from February 10 to 12, 2017, Je t'aime en chocolat! is your chance to discover what Quebec’s finest chocolatiers can do and take part in the Mode et chocolat fashion show. It’s also a great opportunity to pick up the perfect je ne sais quoi of the chocolate or clothing variety.
Whether it's urban and exotic like Bota Bota, a floating spa in Montreal’s Old Port, or more back-to-nature and wellness-inspired like BALNEA, why not spend a day at the spa with your loved one. Hammam and massage (using hot stones, four-hand technique, seaweed or chocolate body wrap) are a few of the pleasures offered sure to melt away the stresses of the day.
Whether it's the timeless Kamasutra; a classic such as Justine; The Misfortunes of Virtue by the Marquis de Sade; or even Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence, why not take your Valentine on a date to your favourite bookstore to find these and other such spicy works to spark your romantic imagination. Imagine being nestled together under the same cozy blanket, tucked into a book, nibbling on chocolate, and sipping on some bubbly.
For Valentine's Day, why not offer one of these not-to-be-missed experiences: snowshoeing by starlight along the trails of the North River Regional Park; an Alaskan dog sledding adventure followed by a night spent in a luxury teepee; or a horse-drawn calèche ride followed by a cozy night spent at Quebec City’s Hôtel de Glace. Fans of winter are sure to find something that pleases them, but more importantly, their sweetheart!
Whether it’s dancing like nobody’s watching at Igloofest in the Old Port of Montreal; attending the Valentine's Ball organized by Fondation Québec Jeunes at the prestigious Windsor Ballroom; taking in a concert at the Quartier des Spectacles; or seeing a play in one of Montreal's many theatres – there’s so much to do in the city to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable and unique. And then there's always the majestic spectacle of the lights of Montreal, seen in all their glory from the Mont-Royal lookout.
They say home is where the heart is, so why not the feast? Treat your lover to a savory gourmet masterpiece at home by such skilled food artisans as Anoual or even from one of Montreal’s top-ranked caterers. Is your partner a fan of microbrewery beers? Then go no further than Les Assoiffés, a specialty store with plenty of selection. And what would Valentine’s Day be without sweets from some of the city’s best chocolatiers, like Dinette Nationale? Another reason to stay single.
Sometimes work commitments mean you can’t be with your significant other. Have flowers delivered to his or her office. The love of your life won't believe your thoughtfulness, caught up by the envious stares of colleagues! You could always up the ante by waiting outside the door after work with a little something special you picked up from the boutique at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal or even the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
If you both love hockey, have a look around the Habs Zone at the Bell Centre. While you’re at it, you could give each other the gift of your favourite Habs player's jersey then treat yourselves to a game at the Bell Centre. If “quiet” is more your style, you could always watch the game on TV, bundled up in your cozy CH pajamas, a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers on the bedside table, a plate full of chicken wings ready for their next goal… Go Habs!
With your better half by your side, you could always volunteer to help serve lunch or dinner to the homeless at the Accueil Bonneau or the Old Brewery Mission, simply to give back a little kindness and love
Take the time to say a heartfelt, "I love you".
If you and your partner are ready to discover Quebec’s self-proclaimed “capital of love,” you could always take a trip to l’érablière Saint-Valentin in the hamlet of Saint-Valentin, located in the Montéregie ouest region.
