Valentine's Day is just around the corner and, let's be honest, a candlelit dinner in your usual restaurant is starting to smell a bit reheated (a bit like the sauce on the dish of the day). This year, why not mark the occasion with a getaway worthy of the most beautiful love stories? Whether you prefer a gondola ride, a sunset on the Aegean or a fiery tango under the stars in Buenos Aires, here are 10 destinations where love is lived, danced and savoured. And don't worry, I've included a few professional tips to help you avoid the tourist traps and experience romance at 100 %.
Venice, Italy - Love on the water (and a little underwater if the gondola capsizes)
Ah, Venice. A romantic film set where every bridge seems to have been designed for passionate kisses. A gondola ride on the Grand Canal, dinner in a trattoria where the smell of seafood risotto titillates the senses, and of course, St Mark's Square where the pigeons themselves seem to bless your union.
A word of warning, though: the gondolas are magical, but the prices tend to make you break out in a cold sweat (expect to pay around €80 for 30 minutes). To save money without sacrificing the experience, opt for a traghetto, the local boats used by the Venetians themselves to cross the canal more cheaply. Cheaper, just as romantic and, the cherry on top of the tiramisu, you'll feel like a real local.

Paris, France - The ultimate cliché (but admit it, you love it)

Paris is the stereotype of romance, but we're not going to say no to a cliché this beautiful. Bistros with red tablecloths where lovers gaze into each other's eyes, the Eiffel Tower glittering in the blue hour, strolls hand in hand along the banks of the Seine... Everything here exudes love, even the croissants, which melt like a heart in emotion.
Many couples flock to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but if you want an alternative that's just as spectacular and much more intimate, head to the roof of Galeries Lafayette. Less crowded, panoramic views guaranteed and it's free. Once you've taken your 'love goal' photo, all that's left to do is head down to Angelina's for a hot chocolate.
Kyoto, Japan - Zen romance with a hint of mystery
If you're the kind of person who shuns loud declarations and heart-shaped cuddly toys, Kyoto is your haven. Here, love is experienced delicately, between Zen gardens where time seems suspended and temples where incense perfumes the atmosphere. A stroll under the cherry blossom trees at the Fushimi Inari shrine can be enough to make your heart skip a beat, especially when the wind blows the petals away like a shower of natural confetti.
For an even more intimate touch, take a taxi to the Arashiyama district and lose yourself in the bamboo forest. It's a magical place, where the rustle of the leaves and the light filtering through the emerald-green stems create the most beautiful symphony of love.
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Santorini, Greece - When the Aegean Sea becomes a backdrop for love

If you want a postcard setting in which to declare your love, Santorini is the obvious choice. Whitewashed houses, blue domes and a sparkling sea under a brilliant sun, all enhanced by a legendary sunset.
Where many people are content to stroll around Oia, the famous village with its labyrinthine streets, I recommend hiring a scooter and exploring the island's secret beaches. Between Red Beach, with its bright red cliffs, and White Beach, accessible only by boat, you'll find a heavenly spot to share a bottle of Assyrtiko, the local white wine.
Prague, Czech Republic - The city of fairy tales
Prague is the quintessence of medieval romance, a spellbinding blend of history, mystery and good beer (because you have to drink to love).
Of course, you can stroll hand in hand across Charles Bridge, but for an even more magical experience, head up to Petřín Park. This green haven overlooks the city and is home to a lovers' wall where the most beautiful declarations of love are engraved. An ideal spot to carve your own oath (mentally, not with a knife, mind you).

Bruges, Belgium - The Venice of the North (with more chocolate)

If Venice scares you because of the crowds and the exorbitant prices, Bruges is an equally charming alternative, with a not inconsiderable advantage: chocolatiers on every corner. This small medieval Belgian town, nicknamed the "Venice of the North", is a maze of canals, red-brick houses and cobbled streets that make getting lost a pleasure.
Here, romance is as much to be savoured as experienced. A must? An artisanal hot chocolate on the terrace overlooking the Grand-Place. It's also the perfect place to try a chocolate fondue for two: a mouthful, a knowing glance, a giggle when one of you drops a piece of strawberry in the sauce... Now that's a gourmet Valentine's Day to remember!
But Bruges is also a city that can be discovered in a horse-drawn carriage. Settle down under a soft blanket while the coachman tells you all about the history of the place. It's like stepping back in time, to a time when love was still written on perfumed paper and not by text message.
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Tango, passion and XXL steak
Buenos Aires is the city where love is not just an emotion, but a way of life. And here, love is danced. There's nothing hotter than an Argentine tango, that explosive blend of sensuality and mystery where every step tells a story. If you want a Valentine's Day that will raise the temperature, all you have to do is slip into a milonga, one of those balls where the tango is danced until the end of the night.
But don't stop there. Buenos Aires is also the perfect place for a dinner for two in a traditional parrilla. Imagine a huge Argentinian steak, grilled to perfection, accompanied by a glass of local Malbec... If love is in the stomach, then this is the place for a romantic orgy.
And to round off the evening in style, head to San Telmo, one of the city's most authentic districts. With its narrow cobbled streets, period lampposts and bohemian atmosphere, you'll feel like you're living in a romance novel.

The Maldives - Love on stilts

If you dream of a romantic cocoon far from the world, where every morning is a postcard, then the Maldives is the ultimate destination. Here, there are no cobbled streets or historic monuments, just a turquoise sea, a bungalow on the water and a private beach where only the sound of the waves can disturb your peace.
For the perfect Valentine's Day, grab a clear kayak and paddle together over the colourful corals. If you're lucky, you'll spot a manta ray or sea turtle gliding beneath your feet. And in the evening, dine with your feet in the sand, under a shower of stars, with a waiter bringing you champagne... Admit it, it's better than watching a Netflix series on TV! An important detail: the Maldives is an ideal destination for disconnecting. Forget your phone, enjoy the moment and let yourself be lulled by the gentle rhythm of the waves and the unreal sunsets.
Discover our mini-guide to the Maldines for more great deals.
Istanbul, Turkey - Between East and West, a spicy Valentine's Day
Istanbul is love at a crossroads, a fascinating blend of cultures, history and intoxicating scents. Here, lovers lose themselves in the fragrant bazaars, exchange knowing glances atop Hagia Sophia and share a mint tea on a terrace overlooking the Bosphorus.
For a unique experience, board a boat at sunset and let yourself drift between Asia and Europe, one hand on your heart, the other in that of your other half. And for food lovers, don't leave without tasting a baklava dripping with honey accompanied by a Turkish coffee. It's intense, sweet, strong... a bit like a passionate love story.
Discover our mini-guide toa Turkey for more great deals.

Quebec, Canada - Frozen romance and a sugar shack

You might not think it, but Quebec is a wonderful playground for lovers in search of winter romance. Imagine the snow-covered streets of Old Quebec, houses with powder-coated roofs and a roaring fire to warm you up after a sleigh ride. If the idea of snuggling up to your other half under a woollen blanket appeals to you, then you've come to the right place.
The ultimate in Quebec romance? A weekend in a sugar shack in the middle of the forest. There's nothing like a breakfast of maple syrup, followed by a snowshoe walk through the fir trees, to melt hearts (and maybe a few stalactites on your scarf).
For a magical view, climb up to the terrace of the Château Frontenac hotel and admire the St. Lawrence frozen under the ice. It's a sight as grand as the love you share... or at least as impressive as the breath you'll feel after climbing all those stairs.
Udaipur, India - Royal romance in the land of the Maharajas
If Venice is the "City of Lovers", Udaipur is the "Venice of the Orient", a city set on the shores of Lake Pichola, where palaces float like golden mirages under the Rajasthani sun. It's a setting worthy of a tale from the Thousand and One Nights: finely sculpted temples, lush gardens and wooden boats gliding on water as calm as a love poem whispered in the moonlight.
For a Valentine's Day worthy of Bollywood, book a room in one of the city's palace hotels. The Taj Lake Palace, for example, literally seems to float on the water, offering spectacular views and a timeless atmosphere. In the evening, dinner on a terrace overlooking the lake, under a shower of twinkling lanterns, is the kind of memory that will stay with you forever.
And if you want to play a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, take a private boat at sunset and let yourself be lulled by the lapping of the water as the city slowly lights up. A magical experience.
Discover our mini-guide tohe Rajasthan for more great deals.

Marrakech, Morocco - A whirlwind of colours and enchanting fragrances

If love is an adventure, then Marrakech is the ideal playground for an escapade that's both mystical and intoxicating. Here, every alleyway hides a sensory surprise: the sweet smell of mint tea, the crackle of lanterns in the souks, the scent of spices that tickles the nostrils. It's impossible not to succumb to the charm of this city, which blends luxury and tradition with unbridled elegance.
For a Valentine's Day out of the ordinary, treat yourself to a riad with a secret patio, where only the sound of birdsong will disturb your peace. One of the finest pleasures in Marrakech is to sit on a terrace overlooking the medina, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in hand, and watch the sun tint the rooftops in a thousand golden hues.
And for an unforgettable evening? Dinner in a Berber tent in the heart of the Agafay desert, lit by candles and stars. Imagine yourself alone in the world, wrapped in the softness of the still-warm sand, with the promise of a magical night under an infinite sky... If that's not love, then I'm turning in my romantic apron!
So there you have it, 12 destinations to turn your Valentine's Day into a romantic masterpiece. Whether you're into gondola rides, hot tangos, sunset ocean views or Belgian chocolate, you're spoilt for choice. But let's be honest, whatever the destination, the most important thing is who you go with. Because an overwater bungalow in the Maldives with someone who spends all their time scrolling on their phone loses its magic straight away. Conversely, even a raclette evening in a remote chalet can be the height of romance if you're with the right person. And for singles, don't worry: all these destinations work just as well in 'self-love' mode. A good glass of wine, a breathtaking view and no arguments about which restaurant to choose... well, that's not so bad either, is it? Have a good trip and above all... love each other, whether you're alone or just the two of you! ❤️