A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you have already made plans with your sweetheart months ago, choose to spend it with your girlfriends instead of your one true love, celebrate it on your or ignore it completely, that is of course entirely up to you. And sometimes Cupid.

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

We gathered all the Travelettes and asked them for their perfect romantic getaway from the past, the present, the future or for an imaginary date with Daniel Craig (wait, is that just me?!). Use it for Valentine’s Day inspiration, honeymoon, a solomoon or just as an idea for your next great trip.

Annapurna – Alila Diwa Resort, Goa

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

I recently spent a few days at the Alila Diwa Resort in Goa, India with my boyfriend. It was the perfect place to be together, completely relaxed, happy and absorbed in our surroundings. For me, travel and work are so intertwined that it can often be difficult to switch off and really be present with the person I am with, but here I managed to do that. We spent a few days eating well, walking the dirt path to the beach, reading on the balcony beneath the trees and swimming to the edge of the amazing pool looking over farm fields. It was blissful, romantic and the perfect getaway for us both – before we threw ourselves back in the chaos of India.

Rose – Iguazu Falls, Brazil

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

We’d been to the Brazilian side during the day and it was heaving with tourists. Later that afternoon we had delicious cocktails at the Belmond hotel and then snuck back into the park at sunset. The sky was candy floss pink and there were beautiful birds hovering above the mist of the falls. We were alone and my boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed. It was the most perfect, romantic setting.

Annika – Train Journey

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world
I fell in love with Daniel Craig ever since he first shook Vesper’s hand on a train in Casino Royal. Actually, I also fell a little bit in love with her when she said: “I am the money”. As it is, I have a thing for train journeys and would love to take a date on one. Mind you, not the kind of train with bunk beds, pleather seats and soggy bread for dinner.
Luckily I am currently traveling on the Maharajas Express, an ultra-luxurious train in India. Think olde-worlde charm, dressing up for dinner, white linens on the table, and proper beds with someone bringing you tea in the morning. And while I don’t quite have date (in fact the last time I saw the Taj Mahal I was heartbroken), I am traveling with my good friend Nikki from Pin the Map Project who promised me a cat for Valentines Day.

Katja – Maldives
A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

One of the most romantic places in the world notoriously and literally is the Maldives, I’ve known this since the first time our incoming plane flew over those incredible deep blue atolls inside turquoise water. It’s a magical place in every sense of the word. My favorite Maldives memory is also my perfect date: swimming in the warm Indian Ocean as rain falls gently. I once spent two hours like this, only talking, swimming and loving life. Simply the best.

Constanze – Village in the South of France

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

Maybe not the classic beachy destination you’d expect, but I can’t imagine a more romantic and stunning setting than a Southern French village, tucked aways in the mountains. The tiny alleys that want to be explored, living off baguette and crepes all day and drinking Cafe au Lait while listening to old french couples – especially if the terrace of the Créperie is overlooking the enormous Gorges du Verdon canyon and you can watch eagles circling in the air.

L’amour est la poésie des sens. – Balzac

Sara – Palolem Beach, Goa

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

The most romantic place I’ve ever been was Palolem Beach, Goa. This is where I first kissed the man who’s now my husband, after taking the overnight train from Mumbai, finding a beach hut and drinking ourselves silly on cheap cocktails. Gorgeous, empty stretches of sand framed by huge coconut palms, friendly little tan-and-white dogs everywhere and locals so content and relaxed they’re practically horizontal made this an easy place for romance to bloom. When we sat together drinking beers at a beachside bar on our last night, the proprietor came up to tell us we had a “good energy” between us. The hippy vibe of this beautiful part of South Goa helped us feel that our love was meant to be, and the magic of this beginning to our story has never quite dissipated.

Kathi – Scottish Highlands

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

When it comes to romantic getaways I’m all in for a winter weekend like in the videos of Wham’s Last Christmas or Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas. Wearing chunky knitwear and playing around in the snow during the day are followed by a bottle of wine in front of a wood-burning stove or a fireplace in a cozy cabin. This winter, I did just that! For my birthday, my partner and I stole away for a weekend in the Scottish Highlands. We rented a little cabin in the woods and spent a day snowshoeing underneath Britain’s highest peaks in the Nevis mountain range. Trying a new activity together, helping each other out of the waist-high snow and warming up by the soothing fire was a perfect way to begin a new year together!

Emma – Anywhere during a meteor shower

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

My best-ever-date-place would be tenting in the forest or desert during a meteor shower. Nothing is more romantic than lying on your back next to someone who you fancy in the middle of nowhere while counting shooting stars and drinking hot chocolate. I wouldn’t recommend doing this on your first Tinder date (you will seem creepy and your date might be even creepier) but as soon as you have gotten to know each other – this is the most romantic date you could ever have. It will be cold, snuggle-friendly and a night of sharing your most important wishes for each star you see falling. The next big meteor shower is the Lyrids Meteor Shower on April 22, while the biggest one this year will be August 12 when you can see around 100 shooting stars per hour. You can view the meteor showers over the whole world, as long as the sky is clear of clouds and you are as far away from disturbing city lights as possible. However, two of the most known places for camping under clear skies for stargazing is the Joshua Tree National Park in California and the Western Australian Outback.

Tabea – Maui, Hawaii

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

The islands of Hawaii are for lovers. For those in love with each other, themselves, mama earth or just life in general. Everybody will find his or her special spot here. Intimate and tender moments are awaiting all those hungry hearts just everywhere and nature is creating backdrops, so perfectly romantic it hurts. My pastel pink favorite was watching the sunrise in Haleakala national park, located on the island of Maui. You have to make a reservation in advance to protect the wildlife and should pack some really warm clothes and a big blanket – if you are with someone the temperatures up there will give you plenty of reasons to get really close!

Caroline – Roadtrip Date

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world
I’ve never actually had a traditional Valentine’s Day in my life. In fact, my best dates were the most spontaneous ones, the ones where you have no idea where you’ll end up 12 or even 24 hours later. Roadtrip kinda dates. I can’t think of a better way of getting to know somebody than if you’re both in a car, discussing each other’s taste in music and literature, laughing about weird situations on the motorway, sharing childhood memories and then finally, being all quiet and just enjoying each other’s company. So I don’t have a particular place I’d like to be on Valentine’s Day, but a car or a train is a pretty good start. But of course, I wouldn’t mind hitting southern France by the end of the day…

 

Where would you like to spend Valentines Day? Tell us in the comments!

A Valentine’s Guide to the most romantic destinations around the world

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