Peaceful and romantic: Tuscany.Credit: iStock
If you don't want the stereotypical romantic holiday with a run-of-the-mill hotel and candlelit dinner, you might want to consider some of these more unusual escapes.
ISLE OF SKYE
Staggering scenery, dreamy castles and luxurious accommodation make the Isle of Skye 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 (canowindraskye.co.uk), just outside the island's 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 Point Lighthouse in Glendale. From April, Loch Lomand Seaplanes will run a new seaplane 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, unspoilt 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 (adler-thermae.com). 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 that you can snuggle up in the lap of luxury in your search for the Aurora Borealis. Northern Lights specialist The Aurora Zone has just launched a heated Aurora sleigh with transparent windows cocooning you at the sides and above, giving you an amazing view of the night sky at Lake Inari. 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. In February the company launches 10 glass Arctic view 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 available for couples who want to be alone and is available exclusively for one couple every evening for private dining under the stars from a dinner menu especially designed for the romantic.
NORTHERN CHILE
Be with someone you love to admire the stunning starscapes above the deserts of northern Chile, whose dry, crystal clear skies and high altitude 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, which is peppered with colonial towns. Those seeking adventure can go horseback riding, trekking, bike and jeep tours. 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.
PA
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