Valentine's Day Experiences Around the World
TURKEY
Ahhh, the romance of Istanbul. I’d love to be swept away to the luxurious
Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. The
five-star hotel was a former Ottoman Palace, a perfect base for exploring the
city’s Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia. Shop ‘til you drop in the chic boutiques and
indulge in the city’s popular neighborhood cafes. With the hotel’s exclusive Valentine’s Day
Package for two you’ll explore beyond the city environs with an included
sightseeing tour by phaeton to Princes Island, filled with old wooden houses
and pine trees. At the hotel, you’ll enjoy four nights’ accommodations, daily
breakfast, dinner for two at Tugra Restaurant & Lounge (including a custom
menu and wine). Even more luxurious are the typically Turkish and extravagant
amenities that are part of this package: personalized handmade soap from a
selection of 12 scents – this Turkish ritual is presented by a private butler
who creates your selected scent and cuts the soap for you to use at the hotel
and take home for your return; personalized chocolate from a selection of 21
flavors (try the Chia tea truffle; chocolate baklava made with exclusive Turkish
ingredients; and a private traditional Turkish coffee cup reading. Still not enough? Melt away your cares in a
Turkish hammam along with a body scrub for two. Airport transfers
included. Priced starting at $3980. Must be used by February 20. 00 90
212-326-4500 or email reservation office.ciraganpalace@kempinksi.com.
http://www.kempinski.com/en/istanbul/ciragan-palace/welcome/
DUBAI
Drama is all yours in skyscraper-filled Dubai. With the Suite Surprise” package from The Oberoi you’ll have to have your camera ready to capture the incredible views from your room. Gourmet breakfast is included. A perfect setting for any romantic proposal or vow renewal. Rates start at $708 per person. 800-562-3764 http://www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_dubai/
FRENCH POLYNESIA
Bora Bora and Moorea are on my mind. French Polynesia speaks romance with its
white sandy beaches, strikingly blue waters, and thatched bungalow hotels on
stilts perched over the water. At the two
Hilton resorts, room service is delivered by outrigger canoe, and your bungalow
comes with a glass window in the floor so you can experience the underwater sea
world without ever donning a snorkel. Take the stress out of booking air and
hotel and let Islands in the Sun handle all arrangements inclusive of
round-trip air from Los Angeles and five nights at either the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (from $3999) or the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
($2999) in an overwater villa, breakfast included. All transfers are included, including
inter-island ferry between Tahiti and Moorea. Valentine’s Day gifts for your
special someone are already part of these packages: a romantic Motu Tapu Escape
with a picnic lunch in Bora Bora, and a black pearl pendant in Moorea. Upgrades
and spa services are available. http://islandsinthesun.com. 888-828-6877 http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/french-polynesia/hilton-bora-bora-nui-resort-and-spa-PPTBNHI/accommodations/index.html http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/french-polynesia/hilton-moorea-lagoon-resort-and-spa-PPTMLHI/accommodations/index.html
GERMANY
No jewels for Valentine’s Day? No worry, you can
be the jewels in Berlin with Rocco Forte Hotels Hotel de Rome’s private dining
and spa experience. The two of you will be “all alone” by candlelight in the
hotel’s preserved bank vault. Imagine the piles of money that could have
surrounded you as you indulge in a three-course meal with champagne. To get prepped, you’ll have a foot spa and
aromatherapy massage accompanied by champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries
from the hotel’s patisserie. Contact lwannemacher@roccoforteholes.com
or call +49-30-460609-1420 to book.
At another Rocco Forte hotel, The Charles Hotel in Munich,
you can pretend you’re true royalty by booking an executive suite with a
180-degree view of Munich from a king bed. Your meals are at your command with
breakfast and a candle-lit dinner at Davvero. You’ll also get an aromatherapy
couples’ massage. Do as royalty would,
by finishing your evening with a private indoor pool session decorated with
roses and candles, where you’ll also enjoy a Bento box with Asian snacks and a
fabulous bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 2004. This kingly package is offered on
February 14 for $3100, with add-on evenings available. Contact: kcool@roccofortehotels.com. https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-charles-hotel/
PORTUGAL
I’d jet to the city of Porto in a minute for this
luxury package. The Yeatman, a Relais
& Châteaux wine hotel and spa, has enticed me with its romance package.
Starting at approximately $857, the package pampers you with a five-course wine
pairing dinner in The Orangeries and a Caudalie spa massage for two. Your room comes with a private terrace with
views of the Douro River and Porto, discounts off spa treatments, breakfast
daily, and access to the indoor infinity pool (with its spectacular view of the
river and city), gymnasium, and well-being area. +351 220 133 185/00 http://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/en/
AUSTRIA, NETHERLANDS AND CZECH REPUBLIC
ITALY
Choose Sicily for a retreat away from the cares and
crowds of mainland Europe. At the seaside Rocco Forte Verdura Golf & SpaResort, you’ll enjoy a special sweetheart package that includes dinner at the
Zagara restaurant with pink champagne, and a signature couples’ spa ritual of a
Sicilian head massage and double bath with oils. All priced starting at $993.
Book at verdure@roccofortehotels.com.
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/verdura-golf-and-spa-resort/
HONG KONG
The always-alive city is pure electric romance even without Valentine’s Day. At the superlative InterContinental Hong Kong, you can try a “Cooking with the Culinary Stars” class or Baking Club class for couples where you’ll learn to make elegant Valentine’s Day desserts like vanilla/olive oil macaroons or a mango/chestnut Napoleon. If dessert’s not your thing, you can learn how to make some fantastic Japanese dishes at the hotel’s NOBU restaurant including Matsuhisa Nobu’s signature black cod miso. Nobu doesn’t forget sweets lovers (no worries): they’ll also teach you how to make Japanese-Peruvian desserts too. 877-834-3613 http://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/hong-kong/hkghc/hoteldetail
THAILAND
An easy flight from Hong Kong, consider extending
your romantic holiday at Paresa Resort on Phuket Island. Spa? Culinary?
Cooking school? It’s all there for you to enjoy, or disappear to the nearby
ZAZADA Beach Club where you can grab a private yacht for a leave-me-alone
island excursion. Put it all together in
the “Unforgettable Valentine’s Day” package with accommodations, flowers and
bathroom amenities, breakfast, bedtime sweets, and an infinity pool
dinner. Sweet. Your four days will be unforgettable. +66 76 302 000 http://www.paresaresorts.com/default-en.html
Would you like to get married on Valentine’s Day, or perhaps
renew your vows in a very different way? Trang, a province in Thailand, invites
you to try it underwater, complete with a Buddhist ritual. The highlight of the
Trang Season of Love, the entire renewal ceremony happens underwater. www.underwaterwedding.com
I’m not a diver but I do love animals. And Thailand’s
elephants are world renowned. The Wedding Registration on Elephants ceremony is
held at the Elephant Study Center in Tah Toom District, Surin Province. You’ll
be married on the back of an elephant, with the raison d’être the belief that a
wedding ceremony on elephants will bring good fortune and prosperity. After you
climb down, you’ll celebrate further with Thai dancing and a drum performance
to keep the energy moving. www.surinpao.org
MALDIVES
Indulge your diving or snorkeling urge at the
gorgeous Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, an exclusive island resort in the Maldives.
Your personal butler will ensure an amazing experience, whether you stay in
your beautiful suite, or venture to the garden or private beach for guided reef
snorkeling. Dinner, a foot massage, sparkling wine, and spa treatments are
included. In your room, you’ll be entranced by the romantic design left on your
bed, the bubble bath turndown, and various arrival and departure gifts. https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/maldives/jumeirah-dhevanafushi/
ST. LUCIA
MEXICO
Cabo’s Corridor area offers romance at the end of
the world, and Las Ventanas wants you to enjoy your holiday here with their
“Passion in Paradise” package. During
Valentine’s Week, your elaborate package gets you cocktails upon arrival, a
Hearts and Hands couple massage (outdoors), dinner, a romantic turndown with
rose petals and candles, a romantic bath for two with a honey sugar scrub,
breakfast in bed (with your own private butler), and Moet rosé champagne and
strawberries. +52 624 144 2800 http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos
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