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Home / Travel

Six risque and romantic Valentine's destinations

Herald online
12 Feb, 2016 04:00 AM3 mins to read

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The infamous Moulin Rouge in Paris. Photo / Supplied

The infamous Moulin Rouge in Paris. Photo / Supplied

Valentine's Day is approaching fast, and it seems love is in the air in New Zealand.

Recent research from cheapflights.co.nz indicates a 135 per cent increase in Kiwis searching for that special Valentine's weekend getaway.

Read more: Kiwis lust for romantic getaways

There appears to be a divide between the North and South Island when it comes to choosing a destination - Auckland-based couples are more likely to visit Naples for a romantic break, but couples from Christchurch prefer to head to Bali for their dream getaway.

And it seems Christchurch itself is an up-and-coming romantic destination - there was a 78 per cent increase in couples heading there for Valentine's Day.

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If you're still searching for romantic inspiration, here are six romantic destinations to tempt you for next year.

1. Atame Restaurant, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Whether or not you're a believer in aphrodisiacs, the romance of the Atame Restaurant is likely to seduce any couple. Its mansion-like decor, performances, music and food are sure to leave a long-lasting impression.

The menu features ingredients to spice up your love life, as well as your dinner - including herbal aphrodisiacs maca, damiana, tribulus terrestris and epimedium.

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2. Hidden Beach Resort, Rivera Maya Mexico

The Hidden Beach Resort is a great place to be nude. Photo / hiddenbeachresort.com
The Hidden Beach Resort is a great place to be nude. Photo / hiddenbeachresort.com

If you feel like spending Valentine's weekend naked, this is the destination for you. The Hidden Beach resort creates a safe place where couples can enjoy nudity and total freedom. It's sure to re-energise your love life.

3. Museum of Sex, New York

New York's Museum of Sex. Photo / 123RF
New York's Museum of Sex. Photo / 123RF

Become a true master of the art of love by learning everything there is to know about love-making. The Museum of Sex has a mission to preserve and present the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality. There's everything from the sex life of animals to the evolution of pornography to "Funland: Pleasures and Perils of the Erotic Fairground" - a hands-on exhibit designed to stimulate the senses in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Dulhadeo temple in Khajuraho, India. Photo / Wikimedia Commons
Dulhadeo temple in Khajuraho, India. Photo / Wikimedia Commons

The ancient temples of Khajaraho are covered in intricate erotica carvings that date from 950AD to 1050AD. You'll see heavenly nymphs and cavorting couples in all sorts of athletic poses, recreated in sandstone. The city was built by the Chandellas dynasty and is in a remote and dusty plain, to keep it safe from disapproving eyes. Fly in from Varanasi to reach this unique Valentine's Day destination.

5. Moulin Rouge, Paris, France

Dancers at Moulin Rouge. Photo / Supplied
Dancers at Moulin Rouge. Photo / Supplied

First opened in 1889 in the seedy part of town, this infamous nightspot was where the first can-can was danced. These days, the show stops at the chorus line curtain, but it's still a memorable experience. And conveniently located next door is the Museum of Eroticism.

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6. The Secret Room, Naples, Italy

In Naples' Archaeological Museum, the Gabinetto Segreto, or Secret Room, houses a selection of erotic treasures from the volcano-hit ancient city of Pompeii. The items from this treasure trove only became fully accessible in 2000 and many interesting items from ancient Rome are on show. There are amorous frescoes, depictions of the god of fertility Priapus, sexually explicit symbols, inscriptions and even provocative household items, like phallic oil lamps. It's where culture and sex combine for a truly pleasurable experience.

- nzherald.co.nz

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