Top Valentine’s Day destinations
1. Napa, USA
What screams Valentine’s Day more than a trip to one of the top wine regions in the world? That’s right – nothing, folks. Crammed with over 450 wineries and a ton of luxurious restaurants and resorts, Napa Valley is probably the most romantic place in the USA, if not the world, and they go all-out for Feb 14. Book a ticket for their Napa Valley Wine Train for a vineyard tour, take a couple’s-only dance class on the Big Day itself and book onto a luxury resort for a treat: Silverado Resort’s ‘Romance in the Valley’ package will likely have you in your partner’s good books for the rest of eternity. February is the Wine Country’s off-peak season, by the way, so now’s the prime time for an intimate trip.
2. Finland
V-Day can be a hard time for all the singles out there, but they still need some lovin’. Finland celebrates Ystävänpäivä on Feb 14, which translates to ‘Friends Day’. Best pals share meals, presents, and tokens of affection with one another, instead of romantic partners. Celebrate by exploring the winter gardens in Helsinki, take a trip to Lapland to catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights, or go for a romantic skiing trip in Ylläs. But the best V-Day activity there in our opinion? A day at a sauna – and the Finnish take their saunas very seriously indeed. For something different, check out the SkySauna in Helsinki, inside a ferris wheel car.
3. Florence, Italy
The birthplace of Renaissance and quite possibly the most Valentines-appropriate city in Italy, head to Florence in February for architecture, charming churches, and some of the most famous artworks ever made. Start the perfect V-Day by exploring the Florence Botanical Garden, escaping the cold in the Uffizi galleries, watching a glorious sun set over the city at the Piazzale Michelangelo (no heavy petting here please, folks), and stroll along the River Arno on your way to a seriously romantic candlelit dinner. Our top spot is the lovely Trattoria Cammillo – perfect for a bit of Lady-and-the-Tramp style spaghetti sharing. It’s touristy, it’s Italian, and it doesn’t get more romantic than this.
4. Goa, India
From beaches to hiking and once-in-a-lifetime kinds of experiences, Goa will give you a Valentine’s holiday that basically covers it all. The best part? This is the party capital of India, and the clubs come alive across the entire Valentine’s week. If you book a hot air balloon ride, jump in a kayak or take a cruise, have dinner with a view and end up dancing into the night? Well, that’s a pretty good Valentine’s Day celebration with your other half, we say. Look up February events before you go: the Goan carnival and the Grape Escapade (a huge wine festival in Panjim), fall around the same time.
5. Madeira, Portugal
This small Portuguese island has an airport named after local footy legend Cristiano Ronaldo (that’s not relevant to Valentine’s Day, but it’ll impress your partner if they’re footy inclined). Due to its location, the island has a slightly warmer climate than mainland Portugal this time of year – with the occasional bit of rain – which basically means you can actually enjoy the mountains, volcanic pools and marvellous beaches without getting heat stroke, then cosy up and watch the sunset from a black sand beach. Feeling extravagant? Splash out on a Valentine’s Day package at Savoy Palace Hotel.
6. Japan
If a traditional V-Day isn’t really your thing, Japan celebrates a little differently. On Feb 14, women give all the men in their lives chocolate, and have to wait till March 14 for the favour to be returned. It’s considered a pretty big deal, but parts of Japan are pretty romantic year-round. Discover the futuristic metropolis of Tokyo or the ever-romantic Kyoto, or get stuck into one of its underrated destinations.
