Fredericksburg, Va. Area Stokes Romantic Fires

With Sites, Stories of Timeless Love

Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties, Fredericksburg offer get-aways for Valentine’s Day

(Fredericksburg, Va., January 24, 2008) – The Fredericksburg area was once considered a strategic location during the Civil War, but is now thought of as a strategic destination for couples looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day or weekend get-away, a place where stories and sites of timeless and enduring love will stir your romantic fires for years to come.  

            The area also is known for its close proximity to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond, and its award - winning wineries, chef-owned restaurants, and bed and breakfast inns that give you the opportunity to relax and reconnect with the one you love.

            The Kenmore Inn, a majestically - appointed nine-room 18^th century inn located in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg and only steps away from the city’s unique shopping and dining establishments, offers Valentine’s visitors a special spa package ranging in price from $248 per night to $293 per night. Included are a stay in one of their luxury rooms, a Swedish massage, a bottle of Grand Beck Brut Champagne and a complimentary breakfast in the Inns main dining room.

Potomac Point, a new winery with a fast-growing reputation for excellence, has the perfect Valentine’s Day excuse to sneak away from work with your sweetie – sparkling wines paired with decadent, chocolate–covered strawberries that are available throughout the day. Since Valentine’s Day is a favorite at the Winery, they’ve extended the holiday with another special pairing of wines and chocolates. February 15-17, deluxe chocolates will be paired with special red wines, such as Petit Verdot with salted bittersweet chocolate and pomegranate truffles, and Norton paired with chocolate framboise tartlets with fresh raspberries. Price is $15.99 per person and reservations are recommended.  

For more information regarding reservations, serving times and dates, please call 540-446-2266, or visit www.potomacpointwinery.com/events/upcoming_events.

The Fredericksburg area saw a real-life romance novel write itself in one of the area’s most prominent homes, Belmont, the residence of Gari Melchers, an internationally - acclaimed artist and his wife, Corinne. The story begins in the early 1900s. He was an already established artist. She was an art student on a cruise to France who, upon learning that he was on the same ship, arranged an introduction that led to a world-wide, life-long love affair. Married in 1903, they made Belmont their home in 1916. During their life together in the Fredericksburg area, they were seen as one of the area’s most loving couples, often times painting pictures of each other. After Gari’s passing, and to keep the love affair with the Fredericksburg area alive, Corinne willed the home, its grounds and gardens and the Melchers’ personal belongings to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Belmont is a special place for people wanting to find a new way to celebrate Valentine’s Day because the docents who lead tours through the home recall a tale of love and happiness that most certainly will inspire lovers and instill a new sense of appreciation for each other. In addition to the love story, visitors to Belmont will see the treasures from the Melchers’ life together, including a painting by Jan Brueghel, 19^th century works by Rodin, as well as a French Savonnerie carpet, a Dutch Rococo secretary, and stacks of Chinese export china, as well as other inter
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