Valentine's Day Vacations Include Key West

Severely cold weather over a large percentage of the country and the romance of the upcoming holiday has played part in making the Keys of Florida one of the top Valentine's Day get-a-way spots this winter.

The winter of 2014 will make its mark in history as one of the most frigid seasons on record. As schools closed, roads became impassible and multiple vehicle pile-ups were reported from Atlanta to Minneapolis, people began to think of getting away. With an excuse for a tropical get-a-way offering itself in mid February, many chilled Americans have planned a romantic (and warm) Valentine's Day vacation in the Florida Keys.

"I'll use any reason at all to leave this behind," commented smiling Minneapolis resident, Jackie L. as she pointed to the ever present Minnesota snow. "The Keys sound like a little taste of heaven. Valentine's Day in Key West is ideal for us right now."

Traditionally enjoying an increase in tourism during the romantic holiday, businesses on the utmost Southern point of the US, the island of Key West, Florida, are reporting higher than usual reservation numbers at both Key West restaurants and the historical Inns for the 2014 Valentine's Day weekend.

"I'm not sure if it's due to the cold up North or if people have just realized the island is extremely romantic," commented an always smiling Executive Chef, Brendan Orr of the Roof Top Cafe. "Either way, welcome to the island. Be sure to catch a sunset, there's nothing like a Key West sunset."

The awarding winning Chef of the Roof Top Cafe reported a substantial jump in reservation numbers beginning with the first Arctic blast felt by the central and eastern parts of the country in late 2013. Many resorts and restaurants in Key West have also felt the surge of Northerners fleeing the bitter cold for warmer temperatures.

"There was a sudden and out of the ordinary increase just weeks after the cold hit," added Orr. "We haven't slowed down since the holiday season and as long as that frigid air is stuck, there will be folks coming to see us."

Anticipating an extraordinary crowd for the romantic Valentine's Day weekend, Orr stated that Roof Top Cafe and many of the businesses around historical and trendy Mallory Square are preparing for the increased tourist trade.

For more information on a Valentine's Day get-a-way in Key West, Florida, visit www.keywest.org and/or www.rooftopcafekeywest.com


JD Arbuckle is a freelance journalist who specializes in consumer education on a variety of topics including Florida, Valentine's Day and vacationing.

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