Williamsburg, Virginis is great year-round Valentine's destination

Crim Dell Bridge on the campus of William & Mary captures
Williamsburg's spirit  (wikipedia)

GREATER WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA — If you're looking for an ideal romantic destination for Valentine's, Williamsburg, Virginia might just be the perfect spot. Combining Greater and Colonial Williamsburg, visitors get a lot of bang for their traveling dollar because it's like "having your cake and eating it, too."

Quaint streets with 17th and 18th century charm beckon visitor
(colonialwilliamsburg.com)

For those who grew up doing the traditional fourth grade field trip to Colonial Williamsburg, the entire area has matured to become a top-notch adult resort catering to the children in all of us. The historic village remains, of course, but the surrounding area has evolved into a site that makes Valentine's a year-round destination.

With "palate-able" pleasures galore, Williamsburg is no longer the haven of fast-food emporiums it was in the past. Thanks to a prime location between the James and York Rivers and its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, farm-to-table dining can be found everywhere, especially fresh fish and seafood caught daily in local waters.

Just desserts in Williamsburg
(greaterwilliamasburg.com)

With its plethora of choices, the variety and selection of menus make Williamsburg's palate friendly cuisine a food lover's paradise.

Add in the delights of wine, beer and smooth local distilled drinks and the culinary experience in Williamsburg is as rich as the historical outings in the famed colonial village are rewarding.

The Tasting Trail is a favorite for visitors to Williamsburg
(visitwilliamsburg.com)

The Williamsburg Winery wends its way through a serpentine driveway filled with 300-acres of vines where the road ends at the tasting room and store of the Gabriel Archer Tavern.

Tour the variety of varietals throughout the area, and never fear suffering the "wrath of grapes" during your visit because Williamsburg has wineries for all seasons.

Copper Fox Distillery
(copperfox.biz)

What was once the domain of wine alone has yielded to the popularity of local breweries and distilleries as well. If you feel the need for mead, Williamsburg's Silver Hand Meadery produces the ancient honey-based fermented drink in its very own establishment.

Local beers made in their own micro-breweries are becoming as popular and, in many ways, as sophisticated as wine. Williamsburg has kept pace with the times by offering kegs, drafts and growler selections in numerous taprooms, patios and beer gardens, many of which feature live music.

There's nothing like a horse and carriage to set the mood
(colonial-gardens.com)

For those desiring somewhat stronger spirits, Williamsburg boasts of an expanding number of distilleries, including Copper Fox Distillery which currently produces the first applewood-aged whiskey in the world.

In keeping with the "spirits" of the 18th century, Williamsburg's craft micro-distilleries, 8 Shires Distillery offers "American Heritage" recipes and techniques which produces the only bourbon in the world made with Indian corn.

B&Bs are captivating
(awilliamsburgwhitehouse.com)

To enjoy many of these establishments, be it wine, beer or something slightly more potent, Greater Williamsburg features the Williamsburg Tasting Trail where visitors can experience the art of creating handcrafted alcoholic beverages by many of area's liquid pioneers.

Naturally, food and drink are just the beginning. No destination is complete without first-rate shopping, especially on Valentines. With 135 stores, Williamsburg Premium Outlets is a browser's and shopaholic's nirvana featuring the likes of Burberry, Calvin Klein, the Coach Outlet, Ralph Lauren, L'Occitane and Waterford to mention a few.

Accommodations are elegant in
their simplicity
(greaterwilliamsburg.com)

If shopping is not your forte, Williamsburg is also an oasis for museum hopping with English and American portrait galleries of the 17th to the 19th centuries, European and American prints, drawings and paintings dating as far back as the 14th century up to contemporary 21st century pieces, Japanese prints and photography, African art and Asian ceramics.

Crim Dell Bridge captures the charm of Williamsburg
(greaterwilliamsburg.com)

Nearby Crim Dell Bridge on the campus of William and Mary, is an entrancing spot for a stroll and to stop and listen to the rippling water as it gurgles under the bridge.

For the "rest" of your romantic visit, luxurious accommodations abound with everything from quaint B&Bs to elegant hotels and spas.

The spa at Kingsmill Resort adds to its 4-diamond rating
(visitwilliamsburg.com)

Pamper yourself at Williamsburg's only AAA Four Diamond Resort, the Spa at Kingsmill Resort.

Each spa is unique with its own selection of themed treatments ranging down through the centuries to include wraps, herbal treatments, massages and other delights to soothe your cares away.

Whichever you choose, Williamsburg's spas are guaranteed not to  "rub you the wrong way."

Artisans are a major part of Williamsburg's ambiance
(greaterwilliamsburg.com)

All of that is just part of the adventure before a traveler even begins to enjoy the living-history of Colonial Williamsburg with its world famous re-enactors who take visitors on a time-travel experience that is second to none.

The 301-acre Historic Area includes 18th century buildings from the days when Williamsburg was the capital of Colonial Virginia, as well as 17th and 19th century structures that are an interpretation of a colonial American city.

Re-enactors make the past come alive
(greaterwilliamsburg.com)

The colonial village is different from similar sites because it is constructed from a living town whose inhabitants and post-colonial-era buildings were removed.

Furthermore, unlike many other living history museums, Colonial Williamsburg allows guests to walk through the historic district free of charge at any hour of the day.

Williamsburg is living history
(visitwilliamsburg.com)

Among the most popular attractions are the re-enactors (interpreters) who dress and talk just as they would during colonial times. Much like the Beefeaters at the Tower of London in England, these historical figures explain and demonstrate aspects of daily life just as it was hundreds of years ago.

Warning, you can try to trip them up if you like, but you will not win. Rather, savor the moment and indulge yourself in history as you have never experienced it before.

At the end of the day, a relaxing nap before dinner
(greaterwilliamsburg.com) 

When it comes to Valentines, there's more to romance than hearts, candy and flowers. Greater Williamsburg is a perfect example, because you can celebrate Valentines every day of the year.

After all, that's what makes Williamsburg even "Greater."