Valentine’s escapes
With Valentine’s Day looming, it’s time to treat your loved one to that unforgettable romantic valentines break.
Try some of these perfect destinations and see what your loved ones think of your inspiring ideas for 2010. We recommend the following top romantic getaways:
All the Raj
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at one of the world’s most iconic emblems of love, the majestic Taj Mahal. This beautiful example of Mughal architecture, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Propose at this site on the 12 day ‘Rajasthan at a Glance’ tour starts from £695 per person departing 13th February 2010, including 11 nights accommodation (ten nights hotel/guesthouse, one night sleeper train), transport (bicycle rickshaw, bus, jeep and train) and the services of an experienced tour leader. Entrance fees and local guide fees to some sites such as the Taj Mahal are also included. Flights are available from £414 per person. Book online at imaginative-traveller.com.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot…all the way to Rome
Combine a romantic weekend in the ‘Eternal City’ with watching the Italy v England RBS Six Nations action at Flaminio Stadium (Sunday 14th February 2010). Rome has become the most popular Six Nations city break for English rugby supporters due to the iconic sights, wonderful restaurants and lively bars to explore when the match winds down. England is undefeated here so let the man in your life embrace the passionate atmosphere of the fans and you may be rewarded with a romantic night on the tiles! Gullivers offer three night packages (12th – 15th February 2010) starting from £365 per person including 3* B&B accommodation, guaranteed supply of a match ticket (cost is extra, at face value) and the services of a Gullivers representative. For more information and to book online visit gulliverstravel.co.uk.
Lap it up in the Arctic Circle
Spend Valentine’s Day burning with desire in Lapland. Stretch those muscles with a spot of cross country skiing. Take a break in one of the many Kotas (Lappish tepees) dotted along the tracks for optimal snuggling up time. Getting close and warm to the one you love. The pine forest is home to an array of snowy wildlife and there is a great chance of skiing past reindeer, and a good chance of seeing the northern lights from the private hotel balconies.
Finland offers many unique experiences and the eight day ‘Cross Country Skiing in Lapland’ holiday starts from £958 per person tour only departing 14th February, including seven nights at the 3* Hotel Riekonlinna with breakfasts and evening meals, three cross country skiing lessons (two hours each lesson), a local bus pass, a ski pass and the hire of boots, skis and poles. With flights, prices start from £1334 per person Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki with Finnair. Flights are also available from most UK airports. Book online at headwater.com.
Rugby in Las Vegas
Head to the bright lights of Las Vegas this Valentine’s Day for the first ever Las Vegas Sevens. Famous for glitz, glamour and casinos, the city that never sleeps has now added the IRB Sevens World Series to the list of spectacular events. With plenty of action on and off the rugby pitch Las Vegas is an exciting place to take loved ones. Discover the Grand Canyon or restaurants, shopping, and shows on the famous strip. Sport Abroad offer four nights packages starting from £895 per person (11th - 15th February 2010) including Official Sevens Match Ticket, four nights 4* accommodation (room only), return international flights with British Airways and return airport transfers. For more information and to book visit sportabroad.co.uk.
A Vangroovy kind of love
Snuggle up on the slopes this Valentine’s Day and use Whistler as your own winter playground. As any ski pro knows, during Olympics one or two slopes are closed for the downhill races but the rest of the time nobody heads there as they worry about too many spectators. Get ahead of the crowds and head down ‘Seventh Heaven’ for a Passionate embrace, you might be the only ones on the slopes! Grab this opportunity for an Olympic experience with some awesome skiing. Sportsworld is exclusively appointed by The British Olympic Association as the official Ticket and Tour Operator for Great Britain for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Prices start from £1,875 per person staying in the pedestrian village of Whistler where there will be ceremony concerts and activities going on. Stay four nights on a B&B basis at the 5* Westin Resort & Spa which is located just yards from the cable car which takes you to the best skiing on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, return airport transfers, welcome drinks, pre-departure information, official merchandise, experienced Sportsworld representative and the opportunity to request your own selection of event tickets (at an additional cost. Flights are at an additional cost. Visit sportsworld.co.uk/Vancouver.
Romantic relief in Tenerife
For an elegant and intimate setting head to the little known area of Isla Baja in Tenerife this Valentine’s Day and save £75 per person. Be guided along ancient shepherd’s routes through rolling hills and pine forests, past small lakes and soaring volcanic cliffs before heading back to the stylish 4* San Roque Hotel on the edge of the Teide National Park. This 18th Century noblemans mansion with its heated swimming pool, courtyard, sauna and library is a romantic base for the quaint port and cobbled streets of Garachico.
The eight day guided ‘Secrets of Tenerife Walk’ holiday starts from £1213 per person (usually £1288pp) over Valentine’s Day (9th – 16th February 2010). This price includes seven nights accommodation at the 4* Hotel San Roque, all breakfasts and evening meals (including wine), five picnic lunches, Headwater route notes, Headwater map kit, briefing and local information. With flights and transfers, prices start from £1414 per person (usually £1489pp) Gatwick to Tenerife South Reina Sofia with Thomson Airways. Flights can be arranged from most UK airports. Book on line at headwater.com.
