From an indulgent cruise, to a cosy gondola ride, discovering the romance of Lisbon and delving into the passion of Tango, LOTUS has rounded up the best Valentine's Day experiences.

TAKE A ROMANTIC STROLL IN THE ALGARVE

There are few things more romantic than a stroll with your significant other around the swaying flower meadows and tree-lined paths of the Algarve, and this trip allows just that. This self-guided walking holiday allows couples to enjoy one another's company whilst exploring the unique surroundings of the Rota Vicentina and Fishermen's Trail. These easy-to-follow trails take in rich verdant valleys, pine forests and rugged coastlines, making exploring on foot very rewarding. Couples will find themselves feeling relaxed and refreshed and can treat themselves, each evening, with a variety of delicious, authentic cuisine, complemented by a superb choice of Portuguese wines.

Headwater (Headwater.com, 01606 369400) has a four-night, self-guided Short Break in the Algarve's Wild West holiday starting from £935 per person. The price includes international flights, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and airport transfers. Based on departures on 13 February 2020.

CHOOSE LOVE IN FUERTEVENTURA

The picturesque island of Fuerteventura in the Canarian archipelago is home to the luxurious five-star Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real. Surrounded by turquoise waters and the soft white sand dunes of Corralejo Natural Dune Park, the hotel is set in an idyllic location for couples to enjoy a romantic sun-soaked break away.

Favoured for its culinary offering, couples can enjoy an intimate dinner this Valentine's Day at the hotel's fine dining restaurant La Cupula that celebrates the island's rich seafood. Under the helm of Michelin-star chef, Carles Gaig, guests can expect a five-star experience complete with a wine collection to complement each flavour combination and menu choice. But, for an added touch of indulgence, loved-up holidaymakers can spend their days relaxing at the hotel's state-of-the-art Spa Bahia Vital. In addition to the hydro-therapy circuits, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, treatments for two with locally sourced Aloe Vera are also available. Couples can choose from a selection of beauty and body treatments, exclusive to Bahia Vital, including the dual sensations relaxing massage and wellness massages using hot volcanic stones, warm oils, herbs and spices.

On the Beach offers four nights in Fuerteventura, from £516 per person based on two adults sharing a double room. Stay at the five-star Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real (atlantisbahiareal.com) on a bed and breakfast basis, flying from London Stansted on 12 February 2020.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN COURTYARDS OF LISBON

Often overlooked as a Valentine's destination, Lisbon provides the perfect city break for a romantic getaway for two. Famous for its quirky tram system, Lisbon offers culture, gastronomy, hidden courtyards, charming twisting back streets and colourful houses, oozing charm and romance. Staying at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, travellers are spoilt with a beautiful rooftop overlooking the city and will find themselves in the heart of historic Lisbon, walking distance from local bars and restaurants.

Sovereign Luxury Travel (01293 832 459, sovereign.com) offers a luxury three-night holiday to Lisbon staying at the five-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, on a bed and breakfast basis, from £695 per person. The price includes return flights. Based on departures 13 February 2020. 

ENJOY A ROMANTIC DINING EXPERIENCE ON THE GALLEON

The unmatched beauty and magic that has made Venice famous throughout the world make this city the ideal destination for a romantic getaway. From a private gondola ride on a traditional Venetian boat, where lovers can cosy up together and admire the wonderful views of this city on the water, to a romantic dining experience on an authentic galleon. The Galleon has three evening dining events (13-15 February) dedicated to lovers, with a delicious menu specially created for the occasion, rose petals and candles covering the ship and a perfect view of the Grand Canal.

Citalia (01293 831 970, citalia.com) offers a five-night holiday to Venice from £965 per person, staying at the five-star Londra Palace, on a bed and breakfast basis. The offer includes return flights. Based on departures 13 February 2020.

SOAK UP THE EXPERIENCE OF A BATHOLOGY

BLESS Hotel Madrid opened last year in the exclusive district of Salamanca and is the perfect destination for a Valentines break. Guests can indulge in the ultimate romantic package, Bless Your Love, which includes roses, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a flavour-filled breakfast. Those staying in the hotel can also immerse themselves in BLESS Madrid's unique experiences, such as Bathology, in which a 'Bathologist' will draw a bath complete with freshly cut artisanal soaps and unique fragrances. Or for a hedonistic dining experience, there is the hotel's destination restaurant, ETXEKO, which is run by Martín Berasategui. The Spanish chef is an expert in Basque cuisine and he currently has 12 Michelin stars - more than any other chef in Spain.

A deluxe double room with the Bless Your Love package starts from £320 per night based on two people sharing, on a bed & breakfast basis. 

blesscollectionhotels.com

FALL IN LOVE IN THE CITY OF PASSIONS

Buenos Aires, sometimes affectionately known as the 'Paris of the South', is the perfect place for travellers to spend a romantic, alternative Valentine's Day. Visitors can begin with a romantic stroll through Tres de Febrero Park, home to the Rosedal de Palermo, a rose garden with over 8,000 roses. If roses don't ooze romance then lovebirds can enjoy a picnic with a selection of porteño delicacies such as choripan (chorizo sandwich), empanadas (similar to pasties) and alfajores (biscuits with dulce de leche). During the evening, couples should head to Piazzolla Tango for dinner, a Belle-Epoque-style theatre that honours the tango legend Astor Piazzolla before finishing off the evening sipping a cocktail atop the Trade Sky Bar overlooking the Buenos Aires cityscape under moonlight. turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en

OPT FOR TRANQUILLITY AND CHARM IN GUERNSEY

For a romantic, flight-free, break a little closer to home over Valentine's weekend, the Islands of Guernsey are an ideal hassle-free romantic getaway. The islands seem a world away from the hustle and bustle of life on mainland UK, despite being relatively close in both distance and travel time.

One of the most romantic spots on the island of Guernsey is the southern bay of Moulin Huet - a beautifully tranquil piece of coastline that inspired Renoir with some of his finest paintings. Next to Moulin Huet is Petit Port, an idyllic, sandy and secluded bay which is where two characters from the bestselling novel 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' first met. The bay and surrounding coastline are perfect terrain for a romantic wintery walk. The island of Sark – a 50-minute ferry from Guernsey's capital St Peter Port – is a step back in time with no cars, unspoilt landscape and unpaved trails, and best explored on bike or by horse drawn carriage.

La Barbarie Hotel, a former farmhouse sitting in a quaint village among tranquil green lanes, is just a stone's throw from the island's southern coast and the romantic spots around Moulin Huet and Petit Port.

CondorBreaks.com offers a three-night break at La Barbarie Hotel from £215 per person by sea from Poole. The offer includes breakfast and a free night and is based on two adults sharing, valid for travel from 1 January – 25 April.

visitguernsey.com

ROCK AND ROLL WITH YOUR BABY AT HARD ROCK HOTEL TENERIFE

Located on Tenerife's sunny south coast near Adeje, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is an ideal romantic retreat for couples this Valentine's Day.

For the ultimate romantic surprise, guests can choose between four different romantic room decoration packages. These start from 65€ / £56 which includes ten red heart balloons, sweets, a personalised letter, and a bottle of Cava. For further indulgence, guests can choose the 'Golden Star' package (150€ / £128) to receive a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, strawberries and chocolate, a personalised letter, 30 transparent balloons and ten golden balloons.

Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife are on hand to add romantic touches across the Valentine's Day weekend. From gifts such as the Rockmantic box (95€ / £81), which includes wine, macaroons, a personalised letter and fresh flowers, to the 'Do You Love Me?' package (120€ / £102) which invites guests to take in the beautiful views with a private table and personalised music at the rooftop bar.

Jet2 Holidays (jet2holidays.com) offers seven nights at the five-star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife (hardrockhoteltenerife.com) starting from £747 per person based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Gold room with side sea views. Prices includes flights departing from London Stansted on 7 February 2020.

TAKE TO SEAS WITH YOUR LOVED ONE WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Stunning Caribbean blue seas, perfect sunsets and 24-hour romance are on offer this Valentine's Day on board Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. The four-night Western Caribbean cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale and cruises gently to Cozumel in Mexico whilst guests make the most of the onboard romantic opportunities. The Chef's Table offers a sensational private five-course tasting menu; Vitality Spa offers an extensive range of wraps, massages and facials and one of the greatest romances of all time is replayed in the show Thrills are Multiplyin' from Grease. Those wanting an action-packed Valentine's Day can enjoy the FlowRider Surf Simulator and race down the Perfect Storm dual racer waterslides.  

The cruise departs on 13 February 2020.  Royal Caribbean's WAVE* deal is offering a buy one cruise fare and get 60% off the second. Prices start at £749 for four nights (cruise only). Second person travels from £299 (cruise only).  The offer includes access to the complimentary dining options. 

For information and reservations visit royalcaribbean.co.uk. Terms and Conditions Apply.

FED UP OF THE ROMANTIC CLICHES? HEAD TO PALMA

Free from the romantic clichés and with a more authentic feeling, the cosmopolitan city of Palma de Mallorca is perfect for a Valentines break. The Cathedral, Almudaina Palace and the historic centre, which is one of the largest in Europe, are some of the attractions worth visiting in Palma. Palma is renowned for its gastronomic offerings and is a city full of art and culture.

Located in La Calatrava, one of Palma's most sought-after neighbourhoods, the recently opened El Llorenç Parc de la Mar hotel is an ideal option for couples looking for a boutique experience. From €235/night, couples can stay in one of the hotel's signature rooms with views of the Dalt Murada City wall from the privacy of their own balcony. Guests can watch the sunset over the city from the hotel's rooftop bar with a cocktail in hand or soak up the atmosphere of the city with an evening stroll through the streets and traditional courtyard. For that extra indulgence guests can visit the spa for a complete thermal circuit. The hotel also offers a couple's treatment and provides a wide variety of beauty and wellness services using the prestigious Spanish brand, Natura Bissé products.

Easy jet offers return flights from London Stansted to Palma priced from £100 per person departing 14 February.

visitpalma.com/en

READY, STEADY, SKI IN THE PELOPONNESE

Ski, trek and enjoy the starry nights in the Peloponnese. Kalavrita nestled in a dramatic mountainous region of the Peloponnese is a fantastic luxury and romantic destination in the ski season.

With excellent ski slopes for skiers of all abilities, the Kalavrita Ski Centre at Mt. Helmos offers excellent slopes and facilities with charming luxury chalets and infamous Greek hospitality.

For non-skiers, there is also excellent hiking, trekking and climbing. Part of the European E4 route crosses the region, which is dotted with charming villages with local character – perfect places to enjoy local cuisine and wines and a rich taste of local life, very different from the usual alpine experiences.

 On the top of Mt. Helmos at an elevation of 2340 meters is the Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications, and Remote Sensing (IAASARS), an independent research institute of the National Observatory of Athens where, due to the lack of light pollution, some of the darkest skies in Europe can be found.

Five nights in the Peloponnese including private transport to the mountains, stylish mountain accommodation including ski passes and ski rental starts from £1630 per person based on two sharing. Flights not included.

www.flymetothemoontravel.com

COSY UP IN IBIZA

Ibiza's multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wholesome local produce and laid-back vibe make it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, especially in the winter season when the island reverts to its more authentic and unhurried self. Visitors wanting to make the most of their stay, and experience the island as a local, can head to one of its renowned food markets which are open all year round, such as the Hippie Market in San Juan de Labritja in the north of the island or Forada Flea Market in Sant Antoni de Portmany, to pick up some fresh and seasonal food.

Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel with a unique, rural vibe located in Sant Joan in northern Ibiza. The hotel offers one- or two-night romantic specials which include a stay in a double superior bedroom, a la carte and buffet breakfast, a bottle of Cava upon arrival, lunch and a romantic dinner, yoga and wellness classes and 50 minute-long full body massages. Prices for a romantic package start from £312 per couple for a one-night stay. 

British Airways provides an all-year-round connection from London City Airport. Prices start from £175 per person (one-way) departing 14th February.

illesbalears.travel

For more information on LOTUS or any of the brands mentioned please contact:
Amber Martin on amber@wearelotus.co.uk or call 020 7953 7470.