Love is a relaxing break in the Maldives. Photo / Thinkstock
Love is a relaxing break in the Maldives. Photo / Thinkstock
Hannah Stephenson suggests some destinations for more adventurous Valentines.
If you don't want the typical Valentine's Day present of flowers and chocolates, you might want to consider a trip to one of these more unusual romantic escapes as a gift for your beloved this Saturday.
Isle of Skye
Staggering scenery, dreamy castles and luxurious accommodation make the Isle ofSkye a romantic's paradise. The Misty Isle, the largest in the inner Hebrides, boasts wild seas, mountains and passionate sunsets even in winter.
Luxury B&B Canowindra, just outside island capital Portree, offers packages featuring a couples' photo shoot and half-day romantic ramble. Wildlife lovers can take a boat trip to admire the pods of dolphins and minke whales or admire them from the land at Rubha Hunish (the most northerly point of Skye), Waternish Point and by the Neist Pt Lighthouse in Glendale.
From April, Loch Lomond Seaplanes will run a new service with water take-off and landing.
Tuscany
Tourists may head for the romantic cities of Florence and Siena, but those in search of peace and tranquillity can discover the rolling hills, vineyards and off-the-beaten track villages of this beautiful, unspoiled region of Italy, where food and good cheer form the lynchpin of life.
Recharge your batteries at a romantic wellness retreat such as Adler Thermae. Set within the Val d'Orcia region, famous for its natural hot springs, unwind together in the thermal waters of the Grotto Salina, available for private reservation.
Keep active with mountain bike tours and guided Nordic walking or hiking, then rejuvenate with a yoga, pilates or meditation class.
Finnish Lapland
Seeing the Northern Lights on the edge of the Arctic doesn't have to be a frosty affair because tour operators ensure you can snuggle up in the lap of luxury in your hunt for the aurora borealis. Northern Lights specialist The Aurora Zone has just launched a heated Aurora sleigh with transparent windows on the sides and above, giving you an amazing view of the night sky at Lake Inari. Or bed down in a bubble, a heated see-through enclosure with a double bed looking directly up at the sky, without having to step outside.
This month the company is launching 10 glass igloos, allowing couples panoramic views of the Arctic night skies in comfort.
Maldives
Set in the Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka, the archipelago of coral islands with their high-end resorts is among the most romantic settings in the world.
Baros, named the Indian Ocean's Most Romantic Resort of 2014, has the added attraction of The Piano, a small wooden deck poised above the lagoon a short boat ride from the island. Shaped like a grand piano, it's designed specifically for couples who want to be alone and is available exclusively for one couple each evening for private dining under the stars. Visit Baros before April 30 and enjoy a 10 per cent discount.
The Adler Thermae Spa is in Tuscany's Val d'Orcia region, which is famous for its natural hot springs. Photo / Supplied
Northern Chile
Be with someone you love to admire the stunning starscapes above the deserts of northern Chile, the dry, crystal clear skies and high altitude of which make it a perfect match for astrotourists.
In the Elqui Valley you can enjoy the produce of a plethora of vineyards and orchards on the edge of the Atacama Desert, peppered with colonial towns. Adventure-seekers can go horseback riding, trekking, bike and jeep touring. Towns such as Algarrobillo, El Tambo, Peralillo, El Molle and San Isidro offer a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of vineyards and orchards, adobe architecture and beautiful churches. Rise early to visit El Tatio, the world's highest geyser field with 80 plumes of steam shooting into the air and a hot pool for bathing.
