Valentine’s Day is not just about hearts and cake. It’s also no more just about a day. It is a celebration which starts much before and even continues after. There are more ways to celebrate the season of love. Whether a grand gesture or tiny thoughtful moments, whichever you plan to celebrate, here is a curated list of experiences picked from each side of the hemisphere for an indulgent Valentine’s Day week in 2023.
A dreamy photo shoot in Seychelles
It’s not for nothing that Seychelles is touted as the site of the original Garden of Eden, thanks to it being home to the sensuously-shaped coco-de-mer. Ride on a ferry to La Digue, the third largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, and nearly car-free. Rent bikes on arrival at the jetty and set on a journey to Anse Source D’argent beach where you can tour through clear kayaks. Hike up the island’s trail and take a pit stop at the local bars and restaurants while enjoying breathtaking views. Don’t forget to visit the giant tortoise enclosure and feed them.
Frame the cherished trip by getting a romantic photoshoot done on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue islands by a professional photographer.
Renewing vows on a castaway island in the Maldives
How about a date on a castaway island in the Maldives with just the ocean and a canopy of stars for company, and of course a chef to treat you to a sumptuous candlelit dinner? Those wanting to tune the romantic vibe a notch higher can ask the staff of The Residence Maldives to curate a symbolic (non-religious, not legally binding) wedding ceremony on the beach. As you walk down the aisle amid the beat of traditional Maldivian bodu beru drums, the staff will take care of bridal hair and makeup, wedding cake and champagne, a symbolic wedding certificate, a turndown gift, and digital photographs to remember the ceremony by. Each couple also gets to plant a coconut palm to commemorate the ceremony.
Looking for an adventurous way to renew your vows? Ask for an underwater ceremony that concludes with a private BBQ dinner on the beach, and a couples spa treatment at The Spa by Clarins for two at the resort.
A romantic royal stay in Oman
Valentine’s Day is all about making an impression. Loved ones will be swept off their feet during this bespoke luxury experience involving an overnight stay in the Royal Suite of Shangri-La Al Husn. This exclusive offer includes luxury car and helicopter transfers, a personalised dinner designed specifically to the guests’ tastes, and paired with selected beverages in a gazebo overlooking the sea, along with a 90-minute couple massage with the precious Frankincense at the resort’s Luban Spa. It also includes a jewellery gift voucher from renowned Oman jeweller Majliya. The experience does not end there. Waking up in the sumptuous suite complete with fresh flowers, guests are invited to indulge in a gourmet breakfast tailored to the guest’s choice and coupled with the Executive Chef’s specials.
Witness the free-ranging elephants in Kenya
Much before Bollywood couples made a beeline to the African highlands, Kenya was a favourite of lovers with a penchant for wildlife safaris. The trick is to find a romantic resort nestled deep in the wild. Ol Tukai Lodge, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in the heart of Amboseli National Park, is one of the best places to witness majestic free-ranging elephants and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The lodge is where the film, Snow at Kilimanjaro (adapted from Ernest Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories) starring Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, and Ava Gardner was shot. Stay in a beautifully appointed room with a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, as the silence is punctuated only by calls of birds and animals. Interact with the Maasai community and learn about their fascinating way of life in a neighbouring village.
Feel closer to nature by planting a tree together that will always remind you of the beautiful sunrise and sunsets that you saw together.
Enjoy the scenic Alpine town of St. Moritz
St. Moritz, the Swiss Alpine resort town is for couples who are in love with mountains as much as they are with each other. While there are different regions and mountains that one can explore – Corviglia, Corvatsch, and Diavolezza Lagalb – Muottas Muragl, Engadine’s panoramic mountain, is just the perfect spot that offers a unique view of the Upper Engadine lake landscape and the Bernina Massif. Up at 2,456 metres above sea level, a breathtaking panorama invites days filled with romance and culinary delights. Along with snowshoe tours and hikes, there is Senda d’Inspiraziun path that has the most accurate sundial in the world. There are many cute-as-button restaurants with open seating and terrace serving delicious meals.
Don’t forget to buy the famous Caran d’Aache ballpoint pens with personal engravings for your better half.
Camp in the desert of Qatar, where the sea meets the sand
Immaculate beaches, magical sunsets, and scrumptious cuisine…Qatar has the perfect set-up for those looking for a unique spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Plan a desert safari in Khor Al Adaid, which is also known as the inland sea, where the sea encroaches into the desert. Ride a camel together on the soft dunes, before embarking on a desert safari over the dunes, accessible only by 4×4 vehicles. There are other sand-based activities to choose from including sandboarding, quad biking, ATV and dune buggy rides, paragliding, and kitesurfing. You can also choose to stay in luxury camps overnight in true Bedouin-style tents in the desert with a special dinner spread offered under the starlit sky.
If your lady love prefers a city break, then plan a twilight sailing on a traditional dhow boat. Follow it up with a romantic stroll on the Corniche overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf, and end the date with a visit to the jazz clubs in Doha.
Enjoy tea amid breathtaking Sri Lankan views
Did you first bond with your partner over endless conversations, multiple cups of tea, mountains, and sunrise? There is a perfect spot to relive those memories in neighbouring Sri Lanka. Take a seaplane from Colombo to reach Camellia Hills, a tea planter’s bungalow by Teardrop Hotels located in the Dunkeld Estate of Dickoya, Sri Lanka. The five-bedroom bungalow with an earthy 20th-century vibe sits pretty on the side of a long valley sliced by the Castlereagh Reservoir. Take long walks amid lush tea estate, or have an intimate lunch and sundowners at the Secret View Point. Mornings can be reserved for freshly brewed tea on the balcony overlooking the mountain and lake. Evenings can be all about conversations around log fires and sumptuous dinners served by butlers.
Need a little more active holiday? Ask the staff to arrange for canoeing on the Castlereagh Reservoir, a boat ride to the Warleigh Church, or a trip to the Horton Plains National Park for birdwatching.
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