By Kara Chalmers

What’s the best way to get away from it all, to enjoy a romantic escape from everyday life? The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area offers hundreds of options. My fiancé, Nate, and I experienced three: a secluded and serene bed-and-breakfast inn, a private beachfront cottage and an upscale resort in the heart of the city.

Pasa Tiempo
We stepped into the courtyard at the 10-room Pasa Tiempo in St. Pete Beach and knew immediately that we had come to the right place for romance. Just a few blocks off the main drag, the adults-only bayfront resort is a lush oasis that feels worlds away from reality.

A winding brick path led us through tropical foliage, making us feel as though we were walking through a jungle. Inside, a bright, cozy living room greeted us. A bottle of Australian chardonnay chilled in a silver cooler. It didn’t take us long to relax. Not in a place like this.

Later, at Alfredino’s, an intimate, family-owned Italian restaurant on Gulf Boulevard, we listened to the guitarist’s soft strumming as we sampled fresh bread dipped in a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and several types of chopped, fresh herbs – whatever the chef happened to have handy that day, our server said.

The lights dimmed and we dined on Caesar salad prepared tableside, homemade gnocchetti with a creamy gorgonzola sauce and tender filet mignon and shrimp cooked with white wine and lemon.

Back at Pasa Tiempo, we toured the resort in the moonlight, the soothing sounds of fountains providing our soundtrack. At the pool and spacious deck, we paused to stare out over Boca Ciega Bay.

The next morning, we enjoyed a complimentary European-style breakfast of fresh fruit, breads, pastries and yogurt as we watched dolphins arc gracefully in and out of the bay.

Sarah’s Seaside
We pulled up to Sarah’s Seaside in Indian Rocks Beach and I was surprised to see the perfect beachfront cottage. It was my exact romantic ideal, a mental picture come to life.

The yellow bungalow, right on the beach, was next to a pool with tropical landscaping. A small patio by the back door overlooked the dunes. A curving path led down to the shore, where wooden chaise lounges and a sea kayak awaited our use.

The cottage door opened to a modern and cheery ceramic-tiled kitchen and a living room filled with sunlight streaming through the huge windows.

After a light beach picnic of wine and cheese, we opted to stroll through the nearby Florida Botanical Gardens. Besides the herb, rose, palm and tropical fruit gardens, there was a “wedding” garden. Here, a bride and groom posed for a photographer in the late afternoon sunlight.

Back on our cottage’s deck, we watched the sun set into the Gulf and then hopped aboard the local trolley for a 10-minute ride to the Wine Cellar, a dark-wood paneled restaurant with oak wine barrels as décor. We feasted on melt-in-your-mouth beef medallions with mushrooms, and succulent shrimp and feta cheese in pastry. After dinner, Nate and I danced to the live band’s rendition of “Beyond the Sea” before hopping on the trolley back to the cottage.

The Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club
True to its reputation, the elegant Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg offered luxurious accommodations and countless amenities, including a day spa and salon, a fitness center, tennis courts, golf, award-winning restaurants and a marina.

From our spacious guest room, we had a terrific view of Tampa Bay. At dusk, we took a refreshing dip in the heated pool with a cascading waterfall and watched the sky above us turn shades of pink and orange. At that time of day, we had the whole pool to ourselves.

Later, we sat sipping drinks in comfy wicker rockers on the historic hotel’s veranda. It was an easy walk to Redwoods, a downtown restaurant with a superb, eclectic menu and a romantic, cozy atmosphere. Redwoods is located on lively Central Avenue, but as soon as we stepped inside, we felt we entered a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Our St. Petersburg/Clearwater area escapes were unique, but each romantic in its own way. From leisurely garden walks to intimate, candlelit dinners, Nate and I found true romance in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area.

For more information on the above accommodations, dining and activities, or for help in planning your own romantic getaway, call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 877-352-3224.