It’s starting to be Valentine’s get-ready month around here, last week we posted about fantasy fabulous luxury getaways. Today we’ve rounded up some romantic places closer to home and a bit more affordable. So if you’re thinking of a 24-hour rendezvous or a weekend getaway we’ve come up a few interesting places from all over the state of Florida, starting here in our very own backyard of South Florida then heading over to Naples and up the Gulf Coast to Clearwater Beach and to the sugar sand beaches of Destin, then over to the quiet and quaint charm of St. Augustine and ending in Orlando. So whether you’re looking for activity, quite, beach or spa this Valentine’s Day we’ve got a round up of 14 places to check out and consider.

And if you love the South Florida food scene check out my  book, Food Lovers’ Guide to Miami & Fort Lauderdale (Globe Pequot Press, $14.95)

Valentine’s Day Roses, photo credit: google images

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is offering a Valentine ”Couples Getaway” package with rates starting at $479 per night and enjoy breakfast daily for two, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, complimentary valet parking and more. Valentine ”Couples Getaway” Package includes: an Intracoastal view room, Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, Breakfast buffet for two in Riva’s Restaurant, Complimentary valet parking, Late check-out until 2:00pm. Use the promotional code ROM making your reservation. Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 3030 Holiday Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

B Ocean Fort Lauderdale celebrates Valentine’s Day with the “B Mine” travel package. For $399 guests will enjoy an oceanfront room, a five-course prix-fixe dinner for two at SAIA with a complimentary glass of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for two upon retiring for the evening. B Ocean Fort Lauderdale 999 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

Valentine’s Day getaway at the Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale is offering an over night package in Oceanfront king room with a Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries greeting.  A 3-course Champagne Dinner in Via Luna and an American Breakfast the day after. The cost of this getaway package is $869. The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

Couples looking to escape to an intimate beach retreat in celebration of Valentine’s Day can spend a memorable holiday sojourn at Acqualina Resort & Spa with the Romance Inspired Package available during the entire month of February. Starting at $825 for an Oceanfront Room, the Romance Inspired Package includes: One intimate beachfront dinner for two (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). A bottle of Champagne upon arrival. In-room rose petal service at turndown on the night of your arrival and a welcome amenity. Acqualina Resort & Spa17875 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160

Valentine’s Day at ONE Bal Harbour “For Your One & Only” is where couples can indulge in a vacation set for two filled with romantic surprises; picturesque sunsets from a private balcony, romance in the resort’s iconic free-standing tubs overlooking the Intracoastal and Atlantic Ocean and a candle lit dinner in a private cabana for two. The “For Your One & Only” package includes: Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, candlelit dinner for two in a private poolside cabana and Breakfast Your Way the morning after. Rates start at $959 per night. 10295 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, Miami, Florida 33154

Glamorous and indulgent, surprise that special someone with a jaw-dropping, ‘clear-cut’ weekend getaway at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. The “To Di- For” package is a perfect way to dazzle with diamonds; This sparkling package includes a diamond infused facial treatment and an 18K White Gold and Diamond ‘Love Knot’ Ring with a total of 1.02 round pave Diamonds by Coralie, of Duchamp Jewelers as well as an ocean view suite. The Precious Ceremony Diamond Facial is a true sensory experience, featuring a relaxing foot ritual, a scalp massage and breathing techniques for total tension release. The Carita signature Renovateur exfoliation is applied followed by the Precious Ceremony Mask. Pricing begins at $4954/night. The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach One Lincoln Road Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Score a hole-in-one when you surprise your Valentine with a private dinner for two on a golf tee overlooking the signature 18-hole Island Green and spectacular 64-foot waterfall at the legendary Turnberry Isle Miami. The one-of-a-kind Green Tee dinners will be available throughout the month of February and take advantage of South Florida’s tropical weather. For evening dinners, tiki torches surround the green, setting off a romantic glow. Experiences and menus are customized from start to finish. Prices vary on menus. Tax and gratuity is additional. Private pool cabana dinners are also available. Turnberry Isle Miami is located at 19999 West Country Club Drive in Aventura.

Spend quality time together while indulging in side-by-side foot bath and massage in the four star spa’s soothing duet suite. Couples choose from a 60-minute customized Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy Massage or a combination of all three. A fragrant candle helps set the mood. Includes champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Two people. 60 minutes/$278, plus tax and gratuity. To extend the romantic experience, order spa cuisine served on the Spa’s outdoor relaxation terrace overlooking the tropical grounds of the resort. Turnberry Isle Miami 19999 West Country Club Drive in Aventura.

Valentine romance beachside at The St. Regis Bal Harbour. Valentine amenities include freshly cut flowers, a bottle of chilled champagne, complimentary in-room internet, and a daily full breakfast, including room service. Two night minimum length of stay required.  (starting getaway prices were not available at the time of publication). The St. Regis Bal Harbour 9703 Collins Avenue  Bal Harbour Miami Beach, Florida 33154

The Inn on Fifth in downtown Naples is offering a “Suite for Your Sweet” package for Valentine’s Day 2013, featuring the Inn’s exclusive Club Level Suites. Perfect for an extravagant getaway, the package starts at $842 and includes a one-night stay in a new Club Level Suite, a one-hour couple’s massage at onsite Spa on Fifth, sparkling wine in room upon arrival, and late check-out. Designed for two adults and available February 10 through 17. The package also includes Club Level amenities such as access to a private rooftop hot tub and sunbathing area, private check-in, concierge, and daily breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and snacks, and evening cocktails and appetizers. The Inn on Fifth 699 5th Avenue South, Naples, Florida 34102

Offering panoramic Gulf views, the all-new, all-suite Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa is an ideal romantic getaway destination for Valentine’s Day. Guests can enjoy the Hyatt Romance Package, which includes a welcome amenity of champagne and chocolates, full breakfast daily for two adults, valet parking and guaranteed late checkout at 1:00 p.m. The resort offers 20 private, state-of-the-art, poolside cabanas. Available for full- or half-day rental, each features a wet bar area, flat-screen television, personal restroom, wireless Internet and service call button feature. Food and beverage cabana packages are additionally available as well as in-cabana massage services from the therapists at Sandava Spa. (starting getaway prices were not available at the time of publication) Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa 301 South Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33767

The Hilton Sandestin Beach’s Romantic Rendezvous Package adds special touches that will have you falling in love: chocolates, champagne and roses, all set against a stunning backdrop of sugar-white sand and emerald-green water. The Romantic Rendezvous Package includes Beach-view accommodations, Breakfast for two adults at Sandcastles Restaurant, located in the hotel, a complimentary box of Godiva Chocolates, a complimentary bottle of Champagne, and one dozen Red Roses. Rates start at $199.00 per night for 2+ night stay (Code RT) , and $269.00 for a single night stay (Code RR) ; based on double occupancy and Beach-View Suite accommodations; reservations must be made at least seven (7)-days in advance. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa 4000 Sandestin Blvd., South Destin, Florida 32550

As a historic landmark centered in the nation’s oldest city, Casa Monica Hotel is St. Augustine’s only AAA Four-Diamond accommodation. The rich history of the iconic landmark shines through with impressive fortress-like architecture as it majestically overlooks the downtown district and Matanzas Bay. Culture, worldly flavor and art combine at the historic hotel, inspiring unforgettable beauty and alluring discerning travelers, such as celebrities, artists, musicians and political figures – similar to the guest list more than a century ago. The 138 timeless guestrooms and suites transport visitors back to an era of old world charm among Spanish-style romanticism, with custom designed interiors, including classical furnishings with gold accents and plush red velvet tufted headboards. Casa Monica Hotel 95 Cordova Street  St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Light Your Fire escape package at The Villas of Grand Cypress. Light Your Fire is available for the entire month of February and includes: two nights in premiere One-Bedroom Villa, Champagne and fresh berries upon arrival, personal “Fire Grilled” 4-course dinner for 2 prepared on your private patio with a candlelit table; after dinner drinks fireside at a personal fire-pit with a view of nearby fireworks; back to the room and you will find a drawn bath infused with romantic oils layered with rose petals, and breakfast in bed for two each morning. Rates for the Light Your Fire package start from $1499. Villas of Grand Cypress One North Jacaranda, Orlando, Florida 32836