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Close-to-home getaways offer couples romance

Luxury suites, gourmet food a mere car ride away.

HANDOUT Murphin Ridge Inn in Adams County, Ohio.

ENLARGE PHOTO

HANDOUT Murphin Ridge Inn in Adams County, Ohio.

ENLARGE PHOTO

HANDOUT Kentucky's oldest family-operated bed and breakfast, the Beaumont Inn near Harrodsburg.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 7:29 PM Friday, January 27, 2012

Whether you just recently walked down the aisle or you have been walking hand-in-hand for decades, keeping the romance in your relationship is important.

But between the stresses of work and family obligations, financial issues and time constraints, your romantic life can easily take a backseat to real life. But with Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, now might be a good time to reconnect with your partner and what better way to do that than a romantic getaway?

And you don’t have to spend a small fortune or travel far from home to rediscover romance with the one you love.

Romance

Two Ohio resorts are perfectly suited to host royalty and come complete with castles — Landoll’s Mohican Castle and Ravenwood Castle.

Located in Loudonville, 90 minutes northeast of Columbus, Landoll’s Mohican Castle is an 1,100-acre wooded estate where privacy and tranquility blend with romance and luxury.

Suites are luxuriously appointed with hand-carved beds, tapestries and chandeliers. While each suite and cottage is unique, all of them have hardwood floors, gas fireplaces, Jacuzzi bathtubs and heated tile bathroom floors. Some have private balconies, gas fireplaces, even turrets and spiral staircases just as any castle would.

The resort has an indoor pool and hot tub as well as a restaurant. Sleigh rides and carriage rides can be arranged seasonally.

Mohican country is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking and golf nearby. Or you can venture into the quaint Amish shops and restaurants nearby. For information, visit http://landollsmohicancastle.com or call (800) 291-5001.

Romance is also abundant at Ravenwood Castle in the Hocking Hills region. There are castle guest rooms as well as Medieval cottages and fairytale cabins scattered around the wooded grounds.

The fairytale can continue into the honeymoon in the King Arthur Suite with a grand king-sized bed, Jacuzzi for two and a second-floor sitting room. Or relax in the Silversmith’s House with its heart-shaped whirlpool tub.

Enjoy fine dining in the Great Hall or take an afternoon break at the Tea Room.

The natural splendor of Hocking Hills State Park is 10 minutes away. Peaceful waterfalls, awe-inspiring caves and miles of hiking trails await visitors to the park — the perfect place for a walk hand-in-hand with your new spouse.

For information, visit www.ravenwoodcastle.com.

History

Modern luxury meets grand southern tradition at Kentucky’s oldest family-operated bed and breakfast — the Beaumont Inn.

In the heart of the Bluegrass Region, the historic inn, which first opened its doors to guests in 1919, has 31 guestrooms and suites and a luxurious spa.

Grab a drink at the quaint Old Owl Tavern, schedule a wine tasting with the innkeeper, relax by the pool or taste your way through the nearby Bourbon Trail. Historic downtown Harrodsburg is just minutes away as is horseback riding, hiking and shopping.

According to the Kentucky Distillers Association, 95 percent of all bourbon is produced in Kentucky. Several bourbon distilleries are near the Beaumont Inn offering tours and tastings including Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey Distillery and Maker’s Mark, the only operating distillery in America to be a designated National Historic Landmark.

Settle in to one of the antique-filled platinum suites in the Greystone House complete with king-sized beds, two-person whirlpool bathtubs and cozy electric fireplaces.

With 48-hours notice, the innkeeper will have chocolate covered strawberries ($24 a dozen) a floral bouquet ($25) and a bottle of champagne ($28) waiting for you. All accommodations include a full Southern breakfast in the dining room. For information, visit www.beaumontinn.com.

Luxury

From Five-Star dining to a luxurious spa and accommodations that range from a boutique hotel to a chateau inspired by the Ritz Paris, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort brings together all of the finest things.

Tucked into the Laurel Highlands of Southern Pennsylvania, Nemacolin Woodlands offers six lodging options, three fine-dining restaurants and a premier spa on its 2,000 wooded acres.

Resting in comfort and style is a given at Nemacolin. Chateau Lafayette has 124 elegant rooms, a Tea Room, Cigar Bar and pieces from the $45 million dollar Hardy Family Art Collection on display. A tribute to the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, boutique hotel Falling Rock is the recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award 2012. Butler service is available at Falling Rock and on the Club Level of the Chateau. Your butler can even draw you a bath, complete with rose petals and champagne.

Lautrec is one of only 20 restaurants in the world to hold both the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards simultaneously. From the wood-fire roasted venison and Chilean sea bass to the salted caramel cheesecake, the menu, which changes seasonally, is packed with delicious decadence. Arrange for a chef’s table experience and couples can watch part of the preparation and interact with the chef.

A day at the spa can be together time as well with couples massages and facials or, better yet, have a Guided Massage experience where couples learn the art of massage from one of the spa’s experienced therapists. Learn basic massage strokes and take that knowledge home with you to practice long after the honeymoon is over.

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