Let there be Love

The 10 Most Romantic Destinations In The World
Victoria Ugarte

Ahh, Romance, that deep and bottomless emotional maelstrom that knocks you from pillar to post, hijacking your logic in the planning and pursuit of pleasurable reward, remarkably displaying all the symptoms of an obsessive compulsive disorder. This disruptive and deliciously tormented state of mind is reported to be as effective at blocking pain as cocaine and other illicit drugs, little wonder that we find every opportunity to recapture its first flush with our significant other.
Enter the romantic destination. While there are certain destinations in the world that immediately conjure up images of romance, a myriad of places still await discovery. Whether renown or not, there are certain key elements that combine in the making of a successful romantic destination, not dissimilar to the qualities we look for in a lover: beauty, sensuality, and the element of surprise.
Whether it be in majestic mountains with stunning panoramas or a ragged coastline, a romantic destination needs to be breathtakingly beautiful. Untouched. Unspoiled. It needs to give the sensation of being away from the world, the illusion of delicious isolation.
A romantic destination needs to engage the senses: Delicious massages with fragrant essential oils ease tired muscles during the day while charm-filled restaurants sparkle under fairy lights and candles at night, offering an array of mouthwatering delicacies as intoxicating music wafts across the tables.
A romantic destination needs to have the element of surprise. Associated with surprise is the sense of motion, lightness, being swept up in the moment, or indeed off your feet. Think narrow, character-filled cobblestoned streets that appear to meander aimlessly, suddenly revealing charming little pockets when we least expect it.
Below are a handful of my favorite escapes that positively reek of romance. Perhaps you may like to add a few of your own.

1) Shangri-La Hotel, Boracay Island, Philippines - Voted the best beach in the world on numerous occasions and dubbed the new Bali, Boracay Island’s natural beauty is unsurpassable. Only seven kilometres long and, at its narrowest point, one kilometre wide, its powder white sands and turquoise crystal-clear waters combine to soothe, heal and recharge ones mind, body and spirit, while a plethora of restaurants cater to every taste, lining the shores of the glorious beach. As a romantic getaway, one cannot go past the Shangri-La Resort and Spa. Situated on a lush hillside within an eco-reserve on the northern end of Boracay Island, the complex took five years to build and is considered to be the island’s crown jewel. Rich with sprawling grounds and secluded private beaches, the resort is a destination all on its own with an impressive variety of restaurants and leisure facilities that include a tranquil spa village.

2) Eden Rock, St Barths, Caribbean - In 1953, aviator and Dutch adventurer Remy DeHaenen purchased the dramatic rocky promontory jutting out over the Bay of St Jean that nobody wanted, in the independent island of St Barthélemy, for a few hundred dollars. While the locals at the time thought he was crazy, Remy ignored public opinion and built the Eden Rock Hotel on the site. Designed in the style of a French farmhouse, he created a bolt hole for the jet set, entertaining the likes of Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Robert Mitchum, and de Haenen’s great friend, Captain Jacques Cousteau. Now owned and operated by the prestigious hotel group Relais & Chateaux, Eden Rock sits amongst a secret paradise of tropical landscapes, perfect panoramas, living coral reef and brilliantly pink and white coral sand. One can do much worse than snorkeling with the turtles or indulging in relaxing massages at the edge of the sand.

3) Island of Kuai, Hawaii - They don’t call Kuai, in Hawaii, the “Garden Isle” for nothing. Defined by its spectacular scenery - 50-miles of magical beaches from Poipu Beach to Hanalei Bay, soaring cliffs of the Napali Coast to the vast chasms of Waimea Canyon - it is only 25 miles long and 33 miles wide. Given this diversity, deciding where to stay in Kauai deserves some careful consideration for a romantic vacation. Enter Pure Kuai, the custom luxury and spa vacations company that do everything from picking your very own private villa to choreographing your stay based on your personal needs. Whether arranging private surf lessons to coordinating your yoga sessions and exercise workouts, providing soul guidance and healing, organizing adventure activities, or engaging the services of a private chef, Pure Kuai delight in arranging a customized experience for their guests. With Kuai’s emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires, jagged cliffs, rain forests and cascading waterfalls, you’re guaranteed to fall in love all over again.

4) Paris, France - Okay, okay, so I snuck in a city. Dubbed the city of Light - la Ville Lumière - Paris is well known as one of the most romantic places on earth. A city made for strolling hand-in-hand with a loved one, the largely car free 1st Arrondissement on the right bank of the River Seine includes some impossibly iconic sites such as the Louvre, Jardin des Tuleries, Colonne Vendome and Le Palais Royale. The quieter 3rd Arrondissement, home to the ancient Marais neighborhood, is a foodies paradise, hosting some wonderful specialty food stores and open air markets, including the Enfants Rouges Covered Market, one of the oldest in Europe. A wonderful area to explore on foot, the 5th Arrondissement is the perfect place to enjoy a drink on the cafe terrace in one of Europe’s oldest universities before exploring the back streets of the Latin Quarter behind it. The 6th Arrondissement, commonly referred to as the Left Bank, is the proud abode of Eglise Saint Germain des Pres, rival iconic cafes Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore, and Palais de Luxembourg. Filled with gorgeous little shops, eateries, art galleries, antique dealers and charming little boutique hotels, the narrow streets of the Left Bank is an idyllic place for lovers.

5) Playa del Carmen, Mexico - Skip brash Cancun and make a beeline for the jewel of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. A colorful, cosmopolitan town located about 35 miles south of Cancun, it’s small enough to walk everywhere but with enough to do so that you don’t get bored. With glorious beaches, white sand and cool waters, gentle ocean breezes keep the temperatures at bay as you sip an ice-cold Margarita the size of a wading pool on a beachside candlelit table, gazing longingly into the eyes of your beloved. Accommodation runs the gamut of backpack hostels to exclusive boutique hotels, all within yelling distance from the pristine, white-sand beach. If you love your food, then “Playa” offers a plethora of dining establishments to choose from, from traditional Mexican, Italian, French, Argentinian to Thai and vegetarian. If music is your thing, there are a myriad of live bands playing every night, from mariachi, reggae and rock, to salsa and jazz. If shopping is your bag, you will be spoiled for choice on the town’s Quinta Avenida or 5th Avenue, which has no resemblance to its New York counterpart. If you’ve the means to really spoil your loved one, go no further than Esencia, arguably Mexico’s best hotel. Originally the coastal retreat of an Italian duchess, the 50-acre estate that looks out on to a deliciously secluded, two-mile-long beach comprises two swimming pools, an organic spa with Mayan-style domed steam rooms and a gourmet restaurant. What more can you ask for? 

6) Prague, Czech Republic - If Paris is romantic, then Prague is a city that positively brims with color, romance and nostalgia. With a history that spans several millennia, its Old Town begs aimless wandering, its character-filled cobblestoned streets home to the finest examples of European architecture in the world - Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau. Book the attic suite of the charming Savic Hotel, right in the heart of Old Town Square. Surrounded by Prague’s iconic landmarks - the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square, National Theatre and Powder Tower - you’ll feel embraced by the city’s heritage. With the room’s romantic high wooden beamed ceilings, refined polished floor boards, tasteful white damask furnishings, and marble bathroom, you’ll feel like you’re in another world away.

7) Saint-Paul de Vence - Forget about the chaos of the French Riviera. Only 12 km west of Nice Airport lies Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Provence, in southeastern France. Built on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by its ramparts, it’s reputation as a haven for artists, due to the quality of life and exceptional light, runs deep. Soak in the exquisite views from its ramparts over the surrounding hills and beyond to the Cote d’Azur and the sea. Lose yourself in the maze of charming streets as you drink in the sight of roses rioting in sunny corners and scrambling up courtyard walls. Delight in little shady squares, ancient fountains, and magnificent stone facades. Owned by the Roux family since the 1920’s, the Colombe d’Or is THE place to stay in Saint-Paul de Vence. Located at the threshold of the village, it boasts a strong artistic heritage, proudly displaying works by Miró, Picasso, Dufy, Signac, and Calder. Its rustic-inspired rooms and suites feature elements of traditional Provençale decor in the form of romantic wooden bed frames and patterned canopies. Rather than cutting-edge cuisine or exotic experiments, its restaurant is renown for its traditional Provençale dishes, proudly served under the dining room’s exposed beams or the terrace’s age old, overhanging trees.

8) Santorini, Greece - There’s a reason why travelers the world over respond to the mention of Santorini with a nostalgic sigh. A volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands, and located between Ios and Anafi Islands, its known for its dramatic views, spectacular sunsets, breathtaking coastline, and its very own active volcano. Fantastic beaches, such as the beach of Perissa, and black pebble beach of Kamari, and perfect weather all year round, make it a favorite destination for sun worshippers and lovers alike. Small enough that it can be thoroughly explored by bicycle, or with a few bus trips, by foot, Santorini has consistently ranked among the top wedding destinations for the past 4 years.

9) The Maldives - If you’re looking for unbridled pampering and romance, the secluded islands of the Maldives fits the bill. Nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are made up of a series of ancient coral reefs of incredible natural beauty which make up the elements of the perfect barefoot paradise: bright blue skies, year-round sunshine, powder white sand, lush tropical vegetation, crystal clear waters. For your accommodation, look no further than the eco-friendly and luxurious villas of Six Senses Laamu, private abodes that sit either on the beach or over the turquoise water of the lagoon. With its chefs dishing up the best organic, fresh food in their restaurants, a spa centre that offers the latest treatments with all-natural products in secluded rooms nestled within the island’s natural vegetation, virgin beach, pristine waters and untouched reefs, you will never want to leave.

10) The Seychelles - A group of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean that lie off the coast of East Africa, the Seychelles are an escapist fantasy. Blessed with luscious coastline and all the classic features of paradise, you’ll be spoilt for choice with activities: deep-sea fishing, bird watching, diving, mountain biking to sailing the most beautiful archipelago in the world. If you’re not the active type, you can relax on one of the 65 beaches and secret coves on the island of Mahé alone, where silver sands are framed by some of the oldest granite boulders on earth. Accommodation ranges from ultra-luxurious hotel options to some quaint, affordable self-catering facilities and Creole guesthouses. Out-of-the-way romantic restaurants and sunset strolls along fabulous strands will leave you with enough memories to last a lifetime.
Victoria Ugartwww.ExploreMyWorldTravel.com