GlobalSpa
19-Jan-2023
Valentine's day is an important day for all the lovers out there! Whether it is the confession of love or celebration of love make your D-Day even more special with an excellent romantic getaway that will always always be memorable for you and your partner!
There are two kinds of people in this world. The first kind expresses their love with grand gestures. The other kind believes in tiny thoughtful moments spent together. Whichever category one falls into, there’s always a way to make valentine’s day special. We have curated a list of experiences picked from each side of the hemisphere for a memorable Valentine’s Day in 2023.
Island hovering and a dreamy photo shoot in Seychelles
It’s not for nothing that Seychelles is touted as the site of the original Garden of Eden. Sweep her off her feet and express your love in the air, literally. Book an aerial limo service or a luxury helicopter ride with Zil Air to enjoy the breathtaking views of the archipelago from the top and slip that ring on her finger. With access to over 21 licensed helipads and 7 landing strips, it is an unparalleled way of island hopping. Frame the cherished trip by getting a romantic photoshoot done on Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue islands by a professional photographer.
Step into the Kenyan wild close to Maasai villages
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 is not just located inside the Amboseli National Park in Nairobi, Kenya, but also close to the Maasai villages, ensuring a true African experience. 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. Spot the wild animals on game drives and go on nature walks for birdwatching. 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.
A train ride through the Alps and skiing in St. Moritz
This idea is recommended for couples who simply love train journeys, especially that wind down majestic mountains. The unforgettable ride on the Bernina Express, which is also the highest railway line across the Alps, starts from St. Moritz in Switzerland, meanders through glistening glaciers, Val Poschiavo, and ends in the palm tree-lined Italian city of Tirano. The lovers can soak the sights even as the crisp mountain air caress their faces. Get cosy as the train runs through 55 tunnels and crosses 196 bridges.
Why miss the fun in the snow when you are in the Alps? St. Moritz, the alpine resort town, also has some of the best skiing spots, not to forget the night skiing option.
Escape to a castaway island and renew the vows 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 day dipped in luxury and romance in Muscat
What better way to spend the day of romance than to check into a royal suite at an adult-only resort? A clifftop retreat, Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat is meant exclusively for guests over the age of 16. Begin the day with a rejuvenating treatment at Oman’s first and only Luban Spa. Profess your love during an intimate dinner date – either on a clifftop overlooking the ocean, on a private beach or in a lush garden – tailor-made with Dine by Design experience offered at the hotel.
Add a magic touch with an enormous flower bouquet available at the hotel’s florist.
Enjoy your 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.
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, 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 4x4 vehicles. Other sand-based activities include 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.
