Whisk your loved one off to a romantic island hideaway this year; whether you’re declaring your undying love this Valentines, plucking up the courage to pop ‘the question’ or looking for a heavenly honeymoon destination – these sumptuous islands will blow your mind!
Hawaii
Whether it’s the sheer humidity, the pristine beaches or the hikes in the lush interior forests, there’s no denying that Hawaii has a particularly unique magical quality. If you like the romance of the hubbub, want to soak up some superb watersports and want to tackle mighty Mount Kea then stock with Hawaii’s main island. If you want to experience serene natural wonders, sail on over to pretty Kauai, whose lush valleys are perfect for gentle strolling, and whose undulating coastlines are perfect for a spot of catamaran sailing a-deux.
Con Dao, Vietnam
So you’ve been to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Halong Bay, but did you know that Vietnam also boasts tens of mysterious little islands dotted around its coastline? And my ultimate escape has to be the remote Con Dao which has glorious (yet largely empty) sandy beaches, lush forests and undisturbed coral reefs. Get active and hike the Con Da National forest or sail over to Bay Canh Island to watch the turtles lay their eggs. Ahhh!
Corfu, Greece
This gorgeous Greek island has long tempted travellers, drawn to her beauty, history and mythology. And so long as you avoid the lively south, Corfu is the perfect romantic hotspot in Europe. The island boasts a rich Venetian heritage which is evident across the land. You and your other half can climb Corfu’s high point of Mount Pantokrator to admire the stunning views laid out below, before descending to grab a seafood supper in the sleepy village of Benitses. Or if literature is more your thing, check out the Gerald Durrell trail, the British author who most famous work is undoubtedly ‘My Family and Other Animals’. He lived and worked here and popularised Corfu with Brits in the 1960s.
Grenada
Loved up couples can’t fail to be wowed by the heady temptations of the Spice Island, aka Grenada in the Caribbean. Whether you’re hiking the lush interior rainforests, mooching around the many parks and gardens or checking out the traditional plantations, you’ll be acutely aware of the sweet spicy scent in the air, courtesy of the myriad of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg groves. Throw in the fabled Caribbean rum (sample Grenada’s speciality of spiced rum) and locally produced chocolate and you’ve got the perfect recipe for love!
Maldives
Probably the number one romantic destination, the Maldives certainly tops most travellers’ must-visit lists. Fortunately there are a myriad is islands to suit all budgets and all tastes. This is where the images from the travel brochure come to life – warm turquoise waters meets vast swathes of white sand beaches. And those seas hide their colourful haul of coral – perfect for popping on a (not so beguiling) snorkel mask. Snuggle up with your loved one to watch the sun set over the mesmerising Indian Ocean and listen to the gentle waves lapping against the footings of your private water villa.
