Romance, chocolate, wine and food — there’s lots to celebrate with your loved ones this February. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday so there’s an entire weekend to plan something special

Need a little inspiration? Here are some ideas you’ll love:

Sample the good stuff (chocolate, of course!)

Leave the heart-shaped box on the store shelf this year and find out why chocolate tourism is a tasty trend. If you can’t be in famous-for-their-chocolate countries like Belgium, France, Switzerland, Belize or Venezuela, look for chocolate sampling events and destinations across Canada and the U.S.

For instance, many major cities offer chocolate tours — like Muddy York Walking Tour’s Chocolate Tour of Toronto. Another option: visit a local factory like Soma Chocolatemakers in Toronto’s Distillery District, the Chocolate Museum in St. Stephen, New Brunswick (open March 1) and Quebec’s Le Musée du Chocolate de le confiserie Bromont and Choco-Musée Énrico. Many hotels feature chocolate or dessert buffets too.

If you want a chocolate gift, go upscale at Whistler’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Rogers’ Chocolates, Calgary’s Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut and Chocolaterie La Cabosse d’Or in Otterburn Park, Quebec.

Want to order in? Look for chocolate sampler packages — like the “Love Clusters” ($12.95) collection from Sugah! Or be a little naughty and try the “Tantric Tablet Collection” ($39.95), which pairs seven exotic flavours of chocolate with some new suggestions for the bedroom. (Visit Sugah!’s online store for details.)

Learn about everyone’s favourite confection

Connoisseurs and home chefs alike can also learn more about this special ingredient. The DC Duby “Wild Sweets Theatre” in Richmond, British Columbia offers “Edu Tasting” sessions that teach you about the tasty (and artfully-constructed) treats you’ll be sampling. (Visit the DC Duby website for details.)

For even more hands-on experience, try a workshop at Stubbe (in Toronto). The chocolatiers offer classes for all ages — including truffle making and children’s workshops — as well as tastings and private lessons.

If you’re looking for a gift instead of a getaway, look for courses and classes at your local college or community centre.

Wine and dine

Of course, chocolate isn’t the only sweet indulgence. The icewine season isn’t over yet — and the Nova Scotia Winter Icewine Festival presents a nice opportunity for a romantic getaway. Running from February 2-12 in 2012, you’ll find a variety of events, dinners and workshops that incorporate other themes and flavours to get you and your loved one “in the mood” — like icewine paired with chocolate, international cheeses, rich desserts or oysters.