Valentines Special
February 3rd 2012
A dozen red roses and a nice meal just won’t do – the only way to woo that special someone this Valentine’s Day is to whisk them off on a romantic weekend away. Best in Travel plays cupid with a selection of luxury breaks guaranteed to bring magic to the season of love.
Higher love
Seal famously proposed to Heidi Klum in an igloo he built on a glacier in Whistler – but just because the flame of Hollywood’s golden couple has petered out, shouldn’t deter you from heading to the snow for romance.
For the ultimate luxury Valentine’s, charter a private helicopter, head to Courchevel 1850, and stay somewhere like Chalet Cristal de Roche, a rustic retreat favoured by rock stars and royalty. After tucking into a hearty breakfast, you and your piste partner can explore one of the world’s most magnificent ski playgrounds.
Venice without the crowds
Venice’s reputation as the world’s most romantic city leads to overcrowding and price hikes over the Valentine’s period. For a more relaxed, yet equally romantic ambiance, head to Bruges, the “Venice of the North”. In winter the medieval city is gloriously atmospheric. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets or wintry walks by the canals. The best address in town is the sumptuous Kempinski Hotel Dukes Palace, voted “Belgium’s Leading Hotel” by World Travel Awards.
California dreaming
California is bursting with romantic destinations, and its mild climate, even in February, makes it ideal for a Valentine’s getaway. Drive the stunning coastline of Big Sur and soak up the sweeping views of the Golden Gate spanning the San Francisco Bay. For a retreat of utter indulgence stay at Madrona Manor, set in the heart of northern California’s gracious wine country.
The Romantic road
Romantic moments need romantic scenery, and the gently undulating hills of the Cotswolds provide the perfect landscape for love to blossom. Drive the Romantic Road, a circular route taking in the area’s most charming sites – peaceful river valleys, quaint villages of honey-coloured stone, grand manor houses and traditional pubs. The ancient Ellenborough Park is ideal for romantic interludes and set in the heart of classic Cotswolds country.
World Travel Awards 2011 Winner - UK’s Leading Country House Hotel
