Whether you’re looking to impress your new beau, rekindle the romance in your long-term relationship, celebrate a significant anniversary, or just create some great memories with the most special person in your life, taking a Valentine’s Day getaway has to be one of the best ways to achieve it! Let’s take a look at some of the planet’s best spots to do so – whether you want to get out into nature, pamper yourself, or just make room for a little romance.
Bruges, Belgium:
If strolling hand in hand along quaint cobblestone lanes and charming canals while you drink in historic architecture sounds right up your alley, then you definitely need to add this romantic city to your Valentine’s Day list. With day tours also available from Paris and Amsterdam, it’s an easy addition to a preexisting European holiday too.
Make sure to spend at least one night in the city to take in the spectacular floodlit night-time streets. The stunning Belfort tower and superb classical artworks of the Groeningemuseum are just some of the dozens of historical treasures to delight the senses.
Samara Private Game Reserve, South Africa:
Voted one of Hello! Magazine’s Twelve Most Romantic Places in the World, this luxury game reserve in Eastern Cape of South Africa is a real over-achiever when it comes to romance! From their flair for outdoor dining, be it romantic picnics in the bush to a candlelit dinner by the river, to the once in a lifetime opportunity to cuddle up with your beloved under the stars of the Milky Way in your own four poster canopy bed out in the open, it’s the kind of setting that inspires marriage proposals!
Renowned for their commitment to conservation, including their impressive cheetah and elephant reintroduction programs, you’ll also be supporting a really worthy cause. Enjoy private guided walks and game drives with experienced park rangers, or hike up the adrenalin level with some stunning mountain biking trails and helicopter rides over the stunning Karoo landscape!
Colchagua Valley, Chile:
Valentine’s Day falls in the southern hemisphere’s summer season, making South American destinations a great option for North Americans seeking a little sunshine – and the wine lands of Chile’s Colchagua Valley are the perfect spot to do so! An easy traveling distance from the capital, Santiago, it’s great for a romantic excursion on Valentine’s Day itself or to spend your entire stay here.
With a similar climate to Napa Valley in California, the region is famous for its bold and robust red wine varieties, with Carmenère (their flagship vintage), Syrah, Cabernet, and Malbec a particular specialty. Enclosed on all sides by breathtaking mountain views and boasting a variety of hotels and excellent infrastructure in the picturesque town of Santa Cruz, this special place really is built for romance. In fact, Travel+Leisurerecently voted the valley as one of their top 50 romantic getaways – so if you are and your significant other love your wine almost as much as each other, then this is the destination to choose!
Nyungwe, Rwanda
Okay, Rwanda isn’t exactly the first place that springs to mind when you mention romance, but imagine this: your very own in-room Jacuzzi spa, fireplace and private balcony, all nestled within a tea plantation sitting right on the edge of the Africa’s largest protected high-altitude rainforest, complete with infinity pool. Well, that’s just some of what Rwanda’s 5 star Nyungwe Forest Lodge has on offer!
If you and your beloved share a passion for nature, then a romantic getaway doesn’t get more exciting than this. Experience chimpanzee tracking, guided tours and the magical canopy walk through the pristine Nyungwe rainforest, as well as exotic bird watching right on your doorstep. The hotel has every amenity you could ask for, from room service and an on-site restaurant to Wi-Fi and satellite TV, so you can enjoy all the creature comforts of home while getting a chance to meet some of nature’s most exotic creatures too!
French Riviera, France
France has and always will be one of the world’s favorite places for romance, and the beautiful French Riviera or Côte d’Azur which runs along the country’s Mediterranean coast must be the best place for lovers of sun and sand to park themselves. From the glamorous beach resorts of Saint-Tropez and Cannes, to the tiny hill villages dotting the coast and the flower markets of Nice, there’s a huge variety of ways to entertain your Valentine!
How about creating your very own perfume at one of the perfumiers in Grasse, Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard? Or watching the sun go down over the Bay of Angels from Castle Hill? Or just strolling hand in hand with your love through charming markets before settling into a cozy spot to enjoy a cocktail? It’s all up to you!
From Europe to South America to Africa, love is a language we all share – so we hope you find the perfect spot for you and that special someone this year!
