LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

By Kimberly A. Suta

Everyone Loves Chocolate

First stop: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for the everpleasing chocolate covered strawberries that always sing, “I love you.” In truth, we love them more! Giant, juicy chocolate and white chocolate dipped and drizzled strawberries are available for pre-order as well, along with a variety of gifts and 15% off a box of chocolates.

Spa Day

However, if you truly wish to spoil that someone special, take them to one of the premiere River Walk hotels for a luxury spa day. A couples massage from Dasa Spa on the Riverwalk at the Hyatt Regency, Mokara Spa at Mokara Hotel & Spa, the Thompson San Antonio Spa or The Hotel Contessa can really put one in the perfect mood for love.

For example, The Spa at Hotel Contessa will be featuring a “Love is Forever” package that includes an 80-minute couples massage with your choice of enhancement, a kissable lips treatment, champagne and, as you might expect, chocolate. Additionally, couples will leave, not only relaxed and refreshed, but with a complimentary CBD massage oil and gratitude cards to exchange. Just make sure to schedule your massages as soon as possible.

Love Boat

Of course, the best romances are aways filled with fun and adventure, which is why I recommend hopping on a river barge for one of GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises’ Valentine’s or Rodeo cruises coming up.

The annual Valentine weekend pop-up tour called “A San Antonio Love Story” includes a tour, drink ticket, dessert and rose. Tours run February 11 to 14 at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30pm.

Alternatively, the new Rodeo Tours take place February 17 to 19 and 24 to 26. For this one, guests meet at the famed Briscoe Western Art Museum and take off on a tour wearing a complimentary serape while learning about the cowboys, vaqueros and cattle drives of a bygone era. It might be a bit chilly for these, which is why hot cocoa will also be provided for your refreshment. Again, make sure to get those tickets before they sell out!

Dream A Little

Our friends at DreamWeek will be filling hearts throughout the entire city with their annual multi-day celebration of the collective dreams for the common good. DreamWeek takes place this year on January 13 to 29 and includes a multitude of inspiring events.

On January 29, the Briscoe Western Art Museum will be hosting “Art in the Wild; Write in the Wild.” Join San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson in the McNutt Sculpture Garden where guests will commune with nature and work hands-on with clay sculpting, sketch drawing or watercolor painting. Be inspired to explore DreamWeek’s themes of Representation and Identification.

After a short break, guests will be immersed in the exhibit “Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life In The Wild” for that last day of the show. After presenting an original work of poetry inspired by these images, Vocab will invite guests to choose an animal for their own poetic inspiration.

1:00 to 2:15pm: “Art In The Wild”

2:30 to 4:00pm: “Write In The Wild”

For another DreamWeek celebration right along the River Walk in La Villita, the San Antonio African Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) is hosting a DreamWeek History

Day Party & Boat Tour on January 14. Meet at the SAAACAM exhibit space at 218 S. Presa for a self-guided tour, appetizers and other surprises followed by a river boat tour. This event takes place from 11:30 to 3:30pm and tickets are $45.

To discover more tantalizing DreamWeek events and Briscoe and SAAACAM exhibitions, make sure to visit their websites for details.

ARTFUL ROMANCE

An affordable yet still equally romantic excursion can be had in the River Walk Public Art Garden, which is located near the intersection of Market and Alamo Streets. The new garden showcases nine installations by 12 San Antonio and international artists that represent connectivity and creative expression through free-standing sculptures and wall-mounted art, as well as a plaza.

Think of it as an open-air art gallery of beautiful treasures created for visitors near and far. It is an immersive cultural experience in the heart of downtown along the San Antonio River Walk, a global destination that includes 15 miles of stone paths that connect hotels, retail shops, some of the city’s best restaurants and more.

LOVE LOCKS

While on the River Walk, a unique romantic opportunity comes in the form of a symbol of devotion called the Love Lock Bridge. Similar to the renowned Ponts des Arts bridge over the River Seine in Paris, San Antonio’s version is situated right above the River Walk near the courthouse on Kallison Walk between Market and Villita Streets, and is adorned with hundreds of locks from newlyweds and akin love birds. Bring your own lock to impress your sweetheart and lock in your love at this San Antonio landmark.

Tie The Knot

For those ready and willing to take the ultimate amorous leap of faith, the River Walk is, perhaps serendipitously, home to Marriage Island, also known as the Ceremony Tree, conveniently located outside of The Hotel Contessa on an idyllic and picturesque stretch of the river, between Navarro and Presa Streets. This islet in the San Antonio River is said to bring good luck because it is heart-shaped, and more than 200 weddings occur here every year. So, if you are ready to tie the knot, this is the place to do it. Just make sure that leap is not a leap into the river!

WRITER’S BIO

Kimberly A. Suta of Sutapants Productions is a local and national food writer, awardwinning filmmaker and publicist for the culinary industry. She is the co-creator of Homegrown Chef, a culinary series and catering and events company, featuring our city’s best chefs and delicious eats. Kimberly also hosts River Walk Culinary Adventure Tours, walking food tours that highlight the fantastic offerings along the River Walk for both ticketed events and private groups. Go to HomegrownChefTV.com/culinarytours for details.

Click On This

DASA SPA ON THE RIVER WALK www.DasaSpa.com

DREAMWEEK www.DreamWeek.org

GO RIO RIVER CRUISES www.GoRioCruises.com

MOKARA SPA www.OmniHotels.com

RIVER WALK PUBLIC ART GARDEN www.GetCreativeSanAntonio.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY www.RMCF.com

SAN ANTONIO AFRICAN AMERCIAN COMMUNITY ARCHIVES AND MUSEUM www.SAAACAM.org

THE SPA AT HOTEL CONTESSA www.HotelContessaSpa.com

THOMPSON SAN ANTONIO SPA www.ThompsonSanAntonioSpa.com