The most romantic Valentine’s Day destinations across the globe

With the chaos of Christmas and New Year behind you and the joys of spring ahead, February is the perfect time to relax and unwind – and Valentine’s Day makes a great excuse to sneak away for a romantic getaway.

Whether you’re into adults-only luxury resorts, sandy beaches or seeing some of the most beautiful cities in the world, this list of six of the most romantic holiday destinations will have something for you and your sweetheart.

The six most romantic holiday destinations

1. Santorini, Greece

Let’s start with one of the world’s most popular romantic destinations: the Greek island of Santorini. Home to a thousand honeymoons, this small island earns its claim to fame due to its unique volcanic landscape and small but thriving wine industry.

Perhaps the best reason to visit, though, the atmosphere. Whitewashed buildings wind down to the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, while azure church domes sparkle in the sun. For an unforgettable romantic holiday, there are few places better.

2. Isle of Skye, Scotland

This is another small island well known for producing excellent alcoholic drinks – but the similarities to Santorini pretty much end there. Except, of course, for the fact that both earn a place on this list of the most romantic holiday destinations!

While Santorini is known for its wine, the Isle of Skye is home to iconic, unmistakable whiskies. Each of the many distillery tours lets you make the most of the location – but don’t worry if you or your partner aren’t big drinkers. The island has plenty more to offer, from historic sites like Dunvegan Castle to hiking along the Quiraing hill circuit.

Once again, though, perhaps the best reason to come here is the jaw-dropping natural beauty. Scotland is absolutely stunning, and the Isle of Skye is the perfect place to experience that. From rugged mountains to beautiful beaches, there’s a lot to enjoy here – and the sunsets are some of the most romantic you’ll ever see.

3. Kyoto, Japan

Japan is one of the most unique places on the planet. Many who visit fall in love immediately, and few visit just once, returning to explore its inimitable mix of high-tech and traditional culture. You’ll see shinto shrines bedecked in cherry blossom alongside some of the busiest, most advanced cities in the world.

While the whole country is worth seeing, we recommend the city of Kyoto, which offers modern, luxury accommodation alongside astonishing natural beauty. If a long, lazy boat ride along the Okazaki Canal with your partner sounds good, for instance, Kyoto is the place to be.

Top Tip: Check out Kyoto Botanical Gardens for an incredible array of plants all year round. 

4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Imagine a scene. You wake up, your lover by your side, sun shining in around the edges of the curtains in the big bay window. You rise, feeling the cooling air-conditioning on your skin as the sunlight dapples the walls. You cross the spacious room and open the curtains to reveal a bright blue sky, lush green trees and the waters of the Pacific lapping at brilliant white sandy beaches. Your partner hugs you from behind, silk nightclothes brushing softly against you. You’re warm. You smile.

Scenes like this make Bora Bora perfect for a romantic getaway. With its lagoon and barrier reef, it can even feel like it exists solely for couples’ holidays. While this obviously isn’t true for the island itself, it’s spot on for the resort that graces it, which was built in the 1960s to cater to tourists.

Decades later, it still does a fantastic job, offering experiences like swimming with tropical fish, sharks and even manta rays to help you make the most of the natural beauty and abundance here.

5. Big Sur, California

California holds an almost mythical place in many hearts. For Americans, Europeans and others around the world, the name conjures images of a land of freedom, opportunity and prosperity somewhere over the western horizon.

Here, though, we’re focusing on one lesser known part of the Golden State: the rugged coastal area known as Big Sur. While we’d recommend taking a long, romantic adults-only California road trip, these 90 miles of Pacific coastline are worth visiting on any holiday.

It’s an incredible, picturesque part of the world – but don’t just take our word for it. The New York Times described the area as a ‘national treasure’, while the Washington Post went further, calling it ‘one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world’.

6. Paris, France

No list of the most romantic holiday spots would be complete without a quick look at the classic destination for couples’ holidays. We won’t go into too much detail, though, as there are already enough articles out there on how to have the perfect romantic getaway here to fill the Arc de Triomphe. Still, from strolls along the Seine and tours around the Louvre to seeing iconic buildings like the Eiffel Tower and enjoying world class cuisine, you really can’t go wrong with a trip to the city of love.

Even better, it’s easily accessible from the UK, making it perfect for all budgets. Whether you’re a young couple planning your first trip or an older, established pair treating yourselves, Paris is a great option.

We hope this article has gotten you excited about some of the best destinations for couples. If it has, what are you waiting for? Consider booking now to get in before Valentine’s Day for an experience you won’t ever forget.