Falling
in love can be an exciting experience and wherever you find yourself
when it happens, a romantic setting can definitely help point cupid’s
arrow in the right direction.
When couples look back on their past history, it is always the places
and experiences they shared together that shaped their relationships.
Planning a holiday that you are hoping will be romantic can be enormous
pressure. We at Escapist Traveller are here to help. Whether it is
seclusion or adventure you are after, here are Escapist Traveller’s top
five places to throw caution to the wind and fall in love.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia was featured in the Hollywood take of Louis de Bernières’
romantic novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. It was here that the young
Italian officer, Captain Corelli, played by Nicholas Cage, fell in love
with the beautiful Greek islander, Pelagia, played by Penelope Cruz,
during the German and Italian occupation of Kefalonia in World War Two.
This breathtaking Greek Island of sparkling turquoise sea’s and
picturesque villages has only around 32,000 inhabitants, so there are
plenty of places for space and privacy to let love blossom.
The best beach on the Island is Myrtos Beach, spectacular,
picturesque and enclosed by cliffs this beach has clear, blue water
gently lapping against fine, white sand. It is the perfect suntrap and
can get very hot but there is a beach bar, sun beds and umbrellas for
hire. As Myrtos is in the north of Kefalonia it is set away from the
more popular resorts, therefore it is more private and well worth a day
trip.
Fiscardo is widely regarded as the most beautiful fishing village on
the island. It was left untouched by the devastating Earthquake of 1953,
which damaged many of the traditional and Venetian-style buildings of
its neighbours. Beyond the rows of dainty fishing boats at Fiscardo
Port, the early evening ambience is delightfully set by candle lit
restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and local delicacies.
Stroll hand in hand around the many ancient monasteries and churches
that pepper the island, or take a boat tour of the underground lakes and
caves of Melissani and Drogarati to see incredible limestone
formations. With its unique charm and magical vistas, Kefalonia is
perfect for a romantic and relaxing escape.
Stay in Fiskardo Cottages a
beautifully restored
cottages for self-catering, set in terraced gardens with a pool, in a
quiet hamlet of northern Kefalonia (sleeping 2-6)
On a west-facing hillside above Kefalonia’s rugged northern coast,
the tiny hamlet of Markandonata gets stunning sunset views across fields
and woodland onto the deep blue Ionian Sea. Set in pretty Mediterranean
planted grounds with a pool, these charming whitewashed cottages have
been lovingly to combine traditional local style with tasteful antique
furniture and full modern comforts.
After spending the day at a nearby, unspoilt beach, return home for a
G&T on your private terrace, then either cook a meal or eat out at
one of the many local tavernas.
Rome
Rome’s past inhabitants and alumni include Romeo and Juliet, Casanova
and Sophia Loren. Nicknamed the ‘Eternal City’, it is probably the most
romantic place on our list; if love doesn’t blossom here, then it
likely never will. The city’s beauty, history and Italian cuisine,
however, are an unbeatable combination and will ensure that if you don’t
fall in love with each other, then at least you will fall in love with
the place.
Many of the Italian capital’s sights are close together and can be
discovered and enjoyed on foot, which leaves plenty of scope for kisses
on moonlit bridges over the River Tiber, where Audrey Hepburn and
Gregory Peck parted on a boat in the classic film ‘Roman Holiday’. Walk
around arm-in-arm while admiring the glorious architecture that
dominates each part of the city.
When The Coliseum, The Vatican and The Pantheon have all been seen,
escape the crowds by wandering down one of the many Medieval lanes
leading away from the busy squares around Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza
Navona.
It is said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach
and Rome offers some of the best local cuisine in Italy. Tuck into pasta
dishes such as tagliatelli with truffle, porcini and pork or share a
delicious classic Roman dessert,
crostata di ricotta (cheesecake
made with ricotta and seasonal fruits). In Rome you will find
everything from excellent family-run trattorias and pizza places to hip,
upmarket restaurants.
Situated within the exclusive Parioli district near Villa Borghese,
Lord Byron, a luxurious five star hotel, is home to Sapori del Lord
Byron – a restaurant which provides a wonderful romantic ambiance day or
night. It has an elegant Art Deco design that transports guests to a
bygone era where the focus is on traditional dishes as well as creative
new ones. It has spectacular views and outside dinning where you can
watch the sunset over a glass of prosecco.
For other ideas on where to dine under the sunset, try the website
www.rooftoprestaurants.com which has excellent suggestions together with photos and addresses of places in Rome.
For the best gelato in Rome, head down to Giolitti via Uffici del
Vicario 40, close to the Pantheon and Piazza Montecitorio. The
established ice-cream parlour opened back in 1890’s and is still run by
descendants of the original founders. It is continuously voted the best
gelateria by the locals.
Be sure to visit The Trevi fountain, as throwing a coin into this
magnificent stone structure is said to ensure a return visit with a true
love.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do and set up camp in a refined,
private apartment. A grown-up boutique hotel, Crossing Condotti gives
you privacy and freedom to do as you please – and it’s right next to the
Spanish Steps.
W Hotel, Courtyard
New Orleans, USA
A southern American city with balmy, sultry nights and atmospheric
jazz, the slow pace of New Orleans will capture the hearts of the most
reluctant lover. With a myriad of cultural influences from African to
French, ‘let the good times roll’ and enjoy the vibrant, old-school
panache of a music-loving city - an exuberating miss-match of flavours
and styles.
Bourbon Street is the city’s most famous address in the 80 block
French Quarter and is the oldest part of New Orleans. Enjoy the bars and
nightlife early on in the evening, as it can get slightly rowdy late
into the night.
During the day, walk around the French quarter for a true taste of
city life and visit the French market. For something a bit unusual,
visit the Voodoo Spiritual temple where offered services include
consultations, rituals, potions, tours, and lectures; all under the
direction of Priestess Miriam since 1990.
A great place to grab dinner is on a balmy evening cruise on the top
deck of the Steamboat Natchez – currently the only operating steamboat
in New Orleans. The steamboat will take you on a two-hour tour down the
Mississippi River and your evening will include vibrant jazz
performances from some of the best local musicians. You can purchase
lunch/dinner or simply do the cruise by itself (
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com).
Take a cooking class together and learn the basics of Louisiana cooking by trying out The New Orleans School of Cooking (
www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com).
Located in a renovated molasses warehouse, it was built in the early
1800s and is in the heart of the French Quarter. Creole/Cajun experts
teach New Orleans specialities such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and Pralines,
seasoning them with history, trivia and tall tales.
New Orleans is universally considered to be the birthplace of Jazz,
which is why the city has to be the only place for a Jazz National
Historical Park. Drop by the French Market Visitor Centre to inquire
about musical events around town. The park provides a setting to share
the cultural history of people and places that helped to shape the
development and progression of jazz in the musical city. Jazz National
Historical Park -
http://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm
Stay at the W Hotel. The W Hotel’s main selling point, apart from its
design a hip beach club in the middle of a city, is the location - you
are right in the centre of all the action of The French Quarter. As you
stroll down the romantic historic alleyways you will find the entrance
to the W hotel in the centre in the Vieux Carre. Refresh with one of
the W hotels signature cocktails by the pool or relax in your room
people watching from your balcony.
French Polynesia - Bora Bora, Four Seasons Resort
This is a collection of jaw-droopingly beautiful islands located in
the South Pacific Ocean. The islands, which include Tahiti, are
scattered over an area larger than Europe. One of the area’s claims to
fame is that Marlon Brando fell for his Polynesian female lead when
making Mutiny on the Bounty here.
For some luxury and self-indulgent pampering, head to the island of
Bora Bora or for simple unadulterated seclusion slope off to enjoy the
remoteness of the Austral Islands, where you can soak up the sun under a
palm tree at the end of the earth and bask in your very own Robinson
Crusoe romance.
Bora Bora has some very high standard luxury hotels. Four Seasons
Bora Bora is one of the best. Blessed with superb views and based on an
outer coral reef that encloses a turquoise lagoon, the hotel has private
over-water bungalow with their own plunge pools and a ladder into the
lagoon. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the privacy and
beauty of your bungalow the hotel has an onsite holistic spa. In
particular, it has a treatment specially designed for couples called
‘Kahaia Heaven’ - for sharing with a loved one in one of the double
treatment rooms. A skin-smoothing body treatment begins with cleansing,
using naturally exfoliating kahaia body scrub, legendary Tahitian black
pearl powder and native fragrant vanilla. Once the skin is prepared, an
exquisite massage of your choice is given. This experience concludes
with a holistic and de-stressing Water and Light express facial.
You can have meals served in your bungalow or you can eat in any of
the four on-site gourmet restaurants. Or as special treat, sip champagne
and enjoy canapés on a private palm-lined area of the beach as you
marvel at the romantic sunset. You will then be escorted down the beach
to your private table for two as the candlelight shimmers on the waters
of the lagoon. Surrounded by Polynesian flowers, your table is set for a
three-course meal specially prepared by the hotel’s executive chef.
Your personal server will provide the ultimate dining service, ensuring
that this is an once-in-a-lifetime experience, which can be further
enhanced with traditional Polynesian music and dancing.
If, after all that, your blissful love-in needs spicing up then
arrange a organised close encounter with some of the other island
inhabitants, sharks, rays and turtles. Tour guides can take you both out
in a motorised canoe for a snorkel trip and picnic.
The Plitvice Lakes - Croatia
This UNESCO World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty, just a
two hour drive from Zagreb in Croatia, is so beautiful that its seems
other-worldly with its 16 crystalline turquoise lakes and myriad
luminous waterfalls that will take your breath away. It is surrounded by
mountains and forms part of the Dinaric Alps.
In a place so splendid and in touch with nature it’s hard not to find
the beauty in each other and let love grow or rekindle. The area is
teeming with wild life such as brown bears, wolves, eagles, boars and
thousands of wild butterflies - this really is paradise!
The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from
azure to green or grey. The colours change constantly depending on the
quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of
sunlight.
There are wooden walkways across the lakes: you walk across the
natural pools (created, over thousands of years, by water flowing over
chalk and limestone and forming small dams. This creates stunning pools
of water which in turn create waterfalls.
The park is stunning at any time of year, be it during winter when it
becomes a frozen winter wonderland resembling a scene from Narnia, or
in summer when the whole park comes alive in technicolor.
Go off of peak, which is June, July and August, for a quieter time at the lakes and also accommodation is cheaper then as well.
Our suggestion for accommodation is a pine lodge/ranch only 15
minutes drive from the lakes. Here you will have time after sightseeing
at the lakes to explore the countryside, whether on foot or on the back
of one of the ranch’s horses. Take the opportunity to try different
leisure activities including cycling, fishing, canoeing, and exploring
the lakes.
