Rose petal baths and his and hers massages are traditional ways to share time together over the Valentine weekend. But why not add a little adventure and make some memories.
Here is our selection of five Valentine destinations including a three-day party with your beau, a wild adventure, or a sunset picnic on a Caribbean beach.
Las Vegas — for risk takers
Las Vegas Strip (c) wikimedia/Lasvegaslover
Ah, Vegas — the hub of shotgun weddings and hungover regrets. Sin City, as it’s affectionately known by its visitors, is the perfect Valentine destination for the risk-takers; for the lovers who want to stay up all night partying and stay in all day revelling in the excesses of a luxury hotel suite. If you’re a stickler for traditional romance (and you can tear yourself away from your en suite hot-tub), then head down to Lake Las Vegas where there’s a whole village modelled on Italian architecture, complete with authentic Venice-style gondola rides for two. End the visit with a candle-lit Italian meal by the water’s edge, or if you’re ready to start partying again — head right back to the strip for a night of risque entertainment to get you in a loving mood.
Sydney — for adventurous lovers
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains (c) wikimedia/Anne Dirkse (www.annedirkse.com)
Just outside the buzzing metropolitan area of Sydney, stand the rugged Blue Mountain. Enjoy the scenerey with a trip on the Katoomba Scenic Railway (the steepest railway in the world) over towering sandstone cliffs. The view from the top is incredible. Then venture off the beaten track and go rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and mountain biking. This is the ideal place to get away from it all and share fun times with your sweetheart in a stunning natural environment.
Mumbai —for the culture vulture
Fort Road, Mumbai (c) wikimedia/Neeraj Pattath
Mumbai, known as the ‘city of dreams’ offers an intriguing blend of ancient culture and modern innovation. While it may be the economic and corporate capital of India, Mumbai is also home to a number of stunning temples, palaces and beaches where you can escape the bustle of the streets and explore a more traditional side of India.Visit the Mahalaxmi temple, an exquisitely ornate shrine to Mahalaxmii, the Goddess of wealth and fortune, or head to The Flora Fountain. At night the extravagant sculpture is lit up, perfect for an evening stroll on Valentine’s night. One romantic quirk is the growing demand for Parisian-style cafes which means you can step off the hot, crowded street straight into a chintzy patisserie to while away a whole afternoon drinking coffee and tasting macaroons as if they were in the city of romance itself.
St Lucia – have your own fairy tale
St Lucia (c) pixabay/31774
Picture this: clear shallows, pristine sand, warm sun and a never-ending stream of exotic fruit cocktails. St Lucia is the very idea of paradise. You can enjoy a truly relaxing holiday on one of the most scenic islands in the West Indies. Head to one of the island’s warm volcanic springs or a mud bath for a his and hers pamper treat, or arrange to have your supper on the beach so you can watch the magnificent Caribbean sunset while sipping on glasses of champagne. Make it your own fairytale romance.
Cape Town – for wine lovers
Stellenbosch Vineyard, near Cape Town (c) wikimedia/Dfmalan
South Africa’s Cape Town isn’t just for surfers and shark lovers; it’s also one of the most romantic cities in the world. Here, you can take a horse-drawn carriage and ride Jane Austen-style right through the city centre to see the main historical sites such as the South African National Gallery, St George’s Cathedral, the Grand Parade and Church Square. And hop in a cable car for a trip up the iconic table mountain to watch the sunset with panoramic views over the city. A trip to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without a spot of wine tasting, so head to one of the many farms and vineyards in the area to sample award-winning wines and explore historic cellars. End the day at one of Cape Town’s open air cinemas, where you can huddle up together in a blanket and watch cult classics beneath the stars.
Where will you be this Valentine? Leave a comment below…