AMOROUS ALERT/FEB. 2008

 “FADE TO LOVE” THIS FEBRUARY IN MONTEREY COUNTY -- NEW “FAN THE FLAMES” PROGRAM FEATURES HOT HOTEL ESCAPES, APHRODIASIAC MENUS & AMOROUS ADVENTURES

MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIF., - Let the flames begin this winter with an escape to nature at its naked best in Monterey County.  February 1-29, 2008 things heat up county-wide as area hotels, restaurants and attractions salute love with a month-long romance Rx --“FAN THE FLAMES IN MONTEREY.”

            From sunset kayak tours to Lover’s Point to safari digs with breakfast delivered by an elephant, booking a getaway is as easy as: www.montereyinfo.org/activities. 

PROPOSE or PEEL ME A GRAPE        

Boot the boring V. Day dinner and up the ante with a relaxing retreat boasting a backdrop of nature’s top assets.  February is fabulous for catching the annual Monarch butterfly migration in Pacific Grove or watching the grey whales ply the shoreline.  Also on tap this February are 33 love-inspired hotel packages and 15 restaurants featuring prix-fixe aphrodisiac menus from naked shrimp fondue to oysters Kama Sutra.  Hotel packages range from $100/dbl. to $50,000/dbl. 

On Monterey Bay, couples can overnight on the “Love Boat” ($100 dbl.), a private 32’ Celestial sailboat docked at Fisherman’s Wharf.  An escape to Henry Miller’s hideaway includes a two-day getaway at Ventana Inn & Spa with dinner and dual massages, renewal hikes and kick wines.  For lovers who opt for outback, the “Roaring Romance Package” features an upscale safari tent set on a 50-acre exotic animal training center.  Check in and clock out to the roars of lions and bears.  In the a.m., awake to a “love fest” breakfast delivered by an African elephant ($455/dbl., Vision Quest).  

Deep pockets can opt for Bernardus Lodge’s $50,000 five-day “Romantic Escape to Carmel Valley” complete with unlimited spa treatments, 10-course “Best Wines of the Century” repast at award-winning Marinus and shopping excursion at Carmel Plaza. 

            Pack those hiking boots and corkscrews.  Nearly 20 optional adventures include movie tours with a romantic twist to sunset kayak tours and wine tasting adventures.  Big Sur Guides offers a marriage purification ceremony hike deep in the redwood forest at the largest waterfall on the coast ($200/couple).  Couples can watch the sun sizzle into the Pacific with a private kayak tour to Lover’s Point and Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary($140/couple) or the “Sexy, Sandy, Sunset Surprise” package with a personal love valet on hand to create a beachfront bonfire complete with fresh roses, champagne and a gourmet sunset picnic on Carmel Beach ($785/couple). 

VISITOR INFO.

            Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor.  The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and nearly 200 lodging properties.  Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley.  The Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area’s major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver (DIA), Salt Lake City (SLC), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX and ONT), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO).  [Back to Press Releases Main]