10 Most Romantic Activity Holidays for Couples
On the cusp of the most romantic day of the year, it’s easy to think that we should cram in all those candle-lit dinners, moonlight walks on the beach and extended weekend getaways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your significant other in style, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
With so many spectacular cruising grounds to choose from at any given time of the year, you have the luxury of continuing your romantic escapades on your own schedule. Take a look at our crème de la crème romantic holiday destinations that make for the most unforgettable moments on the water.
Hunt for black pearls in French Polynesia
The Islands in French Polynesia exemplify the very concept of a far-flung, South Pacific romantic escape. A place where glittering archipelagos of volcanic islands, stunning turquoise barrier reefs and fabled lagoons converge is nothing short of paradise.
Once you’ve experienced the Marquesas traditional fire dancing off the shores of Bora Bora and had your fill of freshwater shrimp in coconut sauce, head towards Raiatea’s west coast to see the rare aquatic reserve of Anapa Perles, (Anapa pearl farm) for a different kind of romantic excursion. Visitors are welcomed to search for black oyster pearls in their natural habitat, getting the opportunity to snorkel with pearl divers and swim with manta rays, green sea turtles and tropical reef fish. You can even take a look at their collection of handmade Raiatea pearl jewellery for a special memento of your trip.
Enjoy an explosive culinary experience from Procida
It’s no surprise that the pastel-hued Amalfi coast and outer lying Aeolian Islands continue to attract loved-up couples year in and year out. However, we’d recommend for couples wanting to live out their best “Dolce Vita”, they should explore the quaint shores of Ischia, a brief 25-miute sail from Procida.
The somewhat hidden culinary talent of a select few Ischia locals, aptly named “the culinary curators of Campania”, have continued the unique tradition of cooking recipes on hot underwater fumaroles underneath the volcanic sands of Le Fumarole Beach. Head to one of our local favourites, Ristorante Emanuela, for an unforgettably romantic feast where you can choose from succulent chicken, steamed fresh seafood or blue lobster, ending your meal with homemade limoncello under the moonlight.
Romance in St Lucia’s rock pools
With its iconic Pitons, gorgeous palm-fringed beaches and balmy tropical climate, St Lucia is the ideal backdrop for that much needed romantic getaway.
After you’ve enjoyed St Lucia’s thermal mud baths, hiked to the cascading Diamond Waterfalls and taken a Bean-to-Bar chocolate making class, why not top up your experience by booking a romantic evening for two at Rock Maison.
With its warm natural rock pools, tiki torches and candle lit lanterns, couples can expect fresh cocktails and champagne zip-lines to meet them. After enjoying a delicious meal brought down by waiters from Cap Restaurant, all that’s left to do is sit back, take a dip and enjoy the spectacular sunset overlooking chic Martinique and Pigeon Island.
Kayak to hidden lagoons in Thailand
With a Moorings yacht charter experience, your romantic adventure doesn’t end on the yacht, couples can hire an intimate 2 person kayak for their whole holiday that provides the perfect chance for nature lovers wanting to explore Thailand’s turquoise lagoons and exotic wildlife up close. If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of fruit bats, tropical lizards and macaque’s monkeys, we’d recommend kayaking in the spectacular National Park of Ao Pang Nga. While there, we’d also urge couples to go towards Hlam Tang to bask in the beauty of other-worldly stalactites.
If you’re looking to up the romance even further, some evening kayaks in Phuket offer the opportunity of releasing kratongs, tropical flower offerings with candles into the water under a canopy of stars, ending with a delicious post-kayaking buffet of tom kha gai and fresh jackfish cooked on a traditional hot stone pot to finish the night on a high.
Take a dive on the wild side in Belize
After you’ve explored the ancient Mayan cities in Belize and paid a visit to their resident howler monkeys, we’d suggest you take to the water for a couple experience like no other.
If you and your other half are keen divers, we’d recommend visiting Belize during the full-moon in springtime to swim with whale sharks up close, as they are frequently known to inhabit Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve during this period. But don’t worry, these gentle giants are docile creatures already very accustomed to swimming alongside humans, providing the ultimate experience for thrill seekers travelling in the Americas.
Raise a toast to Martinique
Natural hot springs, exotic black sand beaches and scenic hiking trails aren’t the only activities made for two at the cosmopolitan, ever-smouldering Martinique.
Once you’ve wandered hand in hand along the colourful flowered village of Ajoupa-Bouillon and enjoyed an afternoon dip in the cascading waterfall near Falaise River, you should take romance to the next level with our exclusive Martinique Rum Experience. This tour allows you to venture into the Rum Factory Clement at Le François to experience their antique distillery in the heart of the island’s sugar cane plantations. Prepared on the estate since 1917, spend a romantic day discovering it’s rich history and tasting Habitation Clément’s flavoursome aged rum amidst it’s pyramid of barrels that house more than two million litres of the beautifully distilled West Indies liquor.
Experience Seychelles’ garden of Eden
With its impressive granite boulders, talcum-powdered beaches and coral coloured sunsets, the Seychelles would leave any couple speechless.
But, nestled in between the luscious greenery of its gardens and beaches, you’ll find Eden, a hub of gastronomic creole experiences that’s perfect for a party of two. This beach-side sanctuary offers the ultimate romantic atmosphere. Overlooking the beautiful sands of Beau Vallon Beach, we’d recommend trying their scrumptious Tajima Wagyu beef carpaccio and yellow fin tuna with asparagus. After a day of exploring the islands by mini mokes, there’s no better way to unwind.
Embrace Klapa from Agana
Just a stone’s throw away from the terracotta rooftops of Marina Agana, lies the beautiful, historic city of Trogir. Known for its mix of Baroque, Renaissance and Roman architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is feast for the eyes and a perfect hidden gem for that extended romantic weekend in the summer.
We’d recommend heading to artisan restaurant, Tipify Škrapa, for its konoba ambience and home cooked Dalmatian delicacies. While there, you will get the chance to sample the house rakija brandy that comes around on a little tray, complete with bicycle bell. Afterwards, head to the courtyard of Garagin-Fanfogna Palace to enjoy an authentic Dalmatian cappella singing experience called “klapa”.
With scheduled concerts advertised across the town during the sizzling months of summer, a group of 4-10 men in traditional dress, gather in courtyards to offer harmonious praise to the Adriatic, for a truly evocative and melodic performance you won’t want to miss.
Explore Corfu Old Town the traditional way
Imbedded with Venetian class and elegance, you’ll find that the famed UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Corfu Old Town is peppered with fine-dining gems, lively bars and quaint fashion boutiques amidst a wash of glittering marble alleyways that make the perfect romantic backdrop.
After you’ve enjoyed an evening wandering in Spianada Square (the largest square in Greece), one of the most unique ways to experience the beauty of Corfu Old Town is by taking a romantic horse drawn carriage ride. Step back in time, cuddle up together and soak in the iconic Venetian architecture to experience what it was like when horses were the city’s main mode of transportation.
Taste guavaberry liquor in St Martin
St Martin simply oozes cosmopolitan flair with its vibrant nightlife, fine-dining and a seemingly endless selection of picture perfect beaches, which are just some of the reasons why this island is an attractive hot-spot for travelling couples.
Once you’ve wandered around the haute boutiques in Marigot, marvelled at planes flying overhead in Maho Beach and zip-lined across the verdant landscape in Rockland Estate , no romantic trip to St Martin is complete without trying their legendary guavaberry liquor from St. Maarten’s Guavaberry Emporium. Sourced from rare guavaberries found in the island’s centre, the drink is then mixed with traditional oak aged rum and Caribbean sugar cane to give it that irresistibly sweet kick. Located in an old cedar house in Phillipsburg that was once the Governor’s residence, the Emporium is the perfect way to while away an afternoon with your loved one.
We’d recommend ending your St Martin experience by heading to turquoise shores of Pinel Island, situated in Orient Bay. For a blissfully romantic evening, head to the coastal restaurant, Le Karabuni which specialises in lobster, fresh Mahi Mahi and sinfully good conch frites, topped off with delicious guava coladas. If you’re feeling generous, you can also feed fruit to the roaming wild iguanas.
Contributor
Leslie Montenegro
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