Fort Lauderdale a romantic getaway with lots of waterways

Can’t afford a trip to Venice, Italy? Get yourselves to the “Venice of America” - Fort Lauderdale. The city has more than 300 miles of inland waterways that run from the Intracoastal to the Everglades.

Enjoy a night at The Renaissance Fort Lauderdale, a AAA-Four Diamond Award winner with European-styled guest accommodations. The hotel is located 20 minutes from the beaches and Port Everglades - Florida’s largest cruise port.

The hotel offers an affordable package to indulge foodies at rates from $214 per night, double. Packages include overnight accommodations, a special chef created menu for an intimate dinner for two, and breakfast the next morning.

http://www.renaissancehotels.com/fllrp

Top off the weekend with a romantic gondola ride through the canals. Tours with Gondola Man depart from Stork’s Cafe. http://www.gondolaman.com , http://www.storkcafe.com

For a romantic swim and a picnic under a shady tree, get to the John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, http://www.floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach

Deerfield Island (once owned by Al Capone) in Deerfield Beach is a great spot for lovers. Accessible only by boat, the island has mangrove nature trails, picnic tables, bbq grills, and rest rooms. A free boat shuttle is available on Wednesdays on the hour from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, and on Sunday, also on the hour, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A guided 90-minute tour is offered on the last Saturday of each month, $6. Phone: 954-360-1320 http://www.broward.org/parks/di.htm

The revived Fort Lauderdale area features 23 miles of Blue Wave Beaches, more than 4,000 restaurants, top shopping, and a thriving arts and culture scene. http://www.sunny.org