The “Day of Love” is a global phenomenon — from where it all began in the Eternal City to the natural beauty in Costa Rica.
Who says professing your love is limited to Valentine’s Day?
One of the greatest ways to grow your love includes sharing new experiences with each other, so here’s a selection of off-the-beaten-path excursions to share with that special someone.
Live Well Couples’ Retreat: Las Catalinas
The Live Well Couples’ Retreat at Las Catalinas is a 4-day retreat focusing on nurturing one’s wellbeing in a multi-dimensional and holistic way. The retreat aims to establish a healthier and more solid relationship with one’s inner self and your partner. Following Las Catalinas’ well-living pillars: movement, nourishment, meaningful connections, simplicity and beautiful surroundings, this couples’ retreat is designed to make both feel emotionally and physically balanced while connecting with nature. During the retreat, guests will experience various activities, treatments, and journeys. From bio-energetic holistic sessions that include acupuncture, energy balance, aromatherapy, circulatory-lymphatic and scalp massages to sound healing journeys that will help individuals release tension and blocks located in the body, this couples’ retreat also offers an array of outdoor activities like hiking on over 42 km of tropical dry forest trails, paddle boarding, yoga, forest bathing and meditations, delicious, healthy, and thoughtful meals and more. The couples’ retreat includes: 3-night stay at Santarena Hotel, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 private yoga lessons, hiking, SUP or kayak, bio-energetic holistic session, forest bathing, meditations, sound healing journey and breathwork. All activities are private for the couple. Prices start from $3,444USD per couple. This retreat at Las Catalinas is available throughout the year except Easter Week, Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Booking upon request subject to availability. For more information, visit www.lascatalinascr.com.
Adventurous Romantic Pursuits: Ananda in the Himalayas
For adventurous-minded couples, Ananda in the Himalayas offers The Ananda Active, a multi-day apt experience perfect for health-conscious travelers. It involves the best of outdoor fitness workouts that are great for those who function best on adrenaline. The dynamic program includes activities like guided treks in the Himalayan foothills, white water rafting across the mighty Ganges and outdoor bootcamps with trained experts. These are complimented with aquatic workout sessions inside the property, physiotherapy sessions and deep tissue massages. The massages can also be done for couples in their specially designed Kama Suite, a complete couples’ therapy room with twin shower areas. Private candlelight dinners can also be arranged, with customized healthy cuisine that will help in supplementing the body with food that is rich in protein, good fats, and complex carbs to ensure that the body gets the requisite fuel for the invigorating schedule. The program starts with 3 nights and goes up to 14 nights. Additional activities like kayaking, jungle safari and ziplining are also available on request. Prices start from $1330USD per night in double occupancy on an all-inclusive basis for a 3- or 5-night stay in a Deluxe Palace view room. Please note: This program also runs throughout the year except during the monsoon season (mid-June to mid-September) as treks and rafting are prohibited due to rains. For information, visit www.anandaspa.com or email reservations@anandaspa.com.
Pick Your Passion: Calabash Cove Resort and Spa
One of the most popular all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotels in Saint Lucia, Calabash Cove Resort and Spa offers seclusion, beauty, and mesmerizing views. With old Caribbean charm, 26 villas are accompanied by the Windsong restaurant, lively C-Bar, and the peaceful Ti Spa. Ti Spa offers special Valentine’s spa packages – with treatments including the Chocolate Decadence Body Polish ($100USD pp), with a chocolate full body scrub; a Couples Moonlight Escape ($300USD), combining a hot stone and Swedish Massage, a chocolate peppermint foot scrub and champagne and chocolates under the moonlight; and the Couples Massage Lessons ($100USD), where lovebirds learn how to pamper each other with techniques to help reduce tension and stress. The all-inclusive concept includes a Valentine’s Day dinner, with highlights including a grilled half spiny lobster, five-spiced foie gras with papaya chutney, and escovitched shark with sweet potato chips and edible moringa flowers. For more information, visit www.calabashcove.com or email info@calabashcove.com.
Two Hearts in Rome: Bettoja Hotels
Rome is one of the most romantic destinations in the world – and the resting place of Saint Valentine. The Eternal City earned its name because of the belief that no matter what happened, Rome would always persevere…a fantastic metaphor for love. Celebrate romance in the heart of Rome at Bettoja Hotels with their new Two Hearts in Rome package for Valentine’s Day. Choose from Hotel Mediterraneo or Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio – all within walking distance from the Colosseum, Opera House, Forum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. The package features 15% off the hotels’ best rates for a stay between February 14th – 19th, 2024 in a premium or deluxe room at Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio or a premium, deluxe, junior suite or suite room at Hotel Mediterraneo. The chefs at Ristorante Massimo d’Azeglio will offer a special four-course Valentine’s Day Menu for €50,00 per person (VAT and service included). Guests can also choose to order a la carte from the special menu. One of the oldest restaurants in Rome, Ristorante Massimo d’Azeglio is a member of the Historical Places of Italy Association and Historical Shops of Excellence. For more information, visit www.bettojahotels.it or booking@bettojahotels.it.
Morocco’s Enchanting Southern Route: Naya Traveler
Naya Traveler’s experts craft unique experiences far beyond the well-trodden romance resort path. Discover Naya Traveler’s romance-inspired journeys, a different and refreshing take on couples’ travel to unchartered destinations including Cambodia, Myanmar, Kashmir and Ladakh, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and more. Each curated trip is fully tailor-made. Journey with Naya Traveler through Morocco’s lesser-known southern route, passing through some of the most remote towns and villages of the country such as Tata, Guelmim, and Assa. Staying at private properties along the way, spend a week on a fully serviced, exhilarating road trip that will introduce you to Morocco’s secret essence – one that is seldom described in the guidebooks. Couples check into the ultimate romantic oasis, Dar Ahlam, and continue for an exhilarating few nights in Marrakesh. They’ll experience the romance of an ultimate Moroccan Hamam experience, explore the winding alleys of the Medina, and hear enchanting stories from the Jmaa el Fnaa fortune-tellers. Itineraries include accommodations at beautiful private homes (La Maison des Arganiers, La Maison de L’Oasis, La Maison Rouge), a private luxury nomadic camp in the Sahara Desert, two nights at Dar Ahlam in the Skoura Valley and two nights at Villa des Orangers in Marrakesh. From $1200USD per person per day, based on two people in double occupancy. For information, visit www.nayatraveler or email info@nayatraveler.com
