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Forget harbour cruises and the ferry to Lamma, hop in a cab to Sai Kung, HK's seaside getaway. Enjoy seafood on the waterfront or ideally hire a sedate sanpan/racy speedboat to ferry you out along the bay, past the country park (HK isn't all urban jungle!) to the beautiful islands off the east coast. Sail back at sunset, so romantic !
Sai Kung. Hong Kong New Territories. East coast. If you don't want to take a taxi, nearest MTR is Hang Hau/Choi Hung plus bus 101/1a) wander along Sai Kung waterfront and the sanpan hawkers will find you!
Small ecological island reserve 40 minutes off Zanzibar. Only 14 tourists at any time, staying in romantic beach bandas stylishly constructed from natural materials.
One of the finest beaches on Zanzibar, the best food I sampled and superlative nature trails in the mangrove forest and over best coral in east Africa. Relatively expensive but a must for any holiday, particularly a honeymoon.
Croatian design team Gharani Strok designed the interiors for the recently opened five-star Hotel Bellevue.
The hotel itself is like something from an old James Bond film with its lift to the private beach below built into the rock face.
The cocktails served in Vapor's bar are something quite special. The terrace is split in two with Vapor on one side and the other side being home to one of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik. The terrace has a wonderful view out over the Adriatic where you can sip your cocktail while watching a whole variety of craft from tall Pirates of The Caribbean ships to little island-hopping taxis moving in and out of Dubrovnik harbour framed by a glorious sunset.
The Adriatic's most friendly barman made us the perfect Vodka Martinis and told us tales of having to fight in the Balkan war and then finding work on a cruise ship where he learned the art of perfect mixing. My boyfriend and I spent a magical evening sipping amazing cocktails and watching the moonlight dance over the Adriatic. Bliss!
Hotel Bellevue - Pera Cingrije 7, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
T +385 20 330 000 F +385 20 330 100
www.hotel-bellevue.hr
The Circle Line is wonderful for a tour around Manhattan Island. It should not be missed. But much more exciting was our cruise on the Schooner Adirondack. There are some four sailings a day and we chose the sunset one.
You board at Chelsea Piers (on the Hudson near West 23rd). The two-hour cruise goes to the Statue of Liberty and returns, with champagne served by the crew.
The sunset cruise is particularly beautiful because you see the sunset to the west over New Jersey and to the east looms the skyline of lower Manhattan which is lit up brilliantly by the time you turn around and head back.
Unfortunately the cruise only runs from the end of April through the end of October. Cost is around $50, champagne included. We will never forget it!
Directions to one of Paris’s best-kept secrets: Take the Metro's Line 5 and get off at Laumière. Climb up Rue Laumière until you reach the main entrance of the most beautiful Parisian garden: Les Buttes de Chaumont.
Climb up the hill around the lake, up to the view point. Now the real secret: if you happen to be there on August 30th at about 8.20pm, you'll see the sun setting right behind the Sacre Coeur and the Montmartre hill, now that's a view that will stay with you for a while.
Paris is the city of love but, whether you find yourself there with that special someone or on your lonesome, make your way down to La Coupole at Montparnasse.
The famous haunt of Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir has stunning internal décor and takes you back to another era. The food is delicious and if you are seeking the true Parisian experience then there is nowhere better to dine.
And, even if you end up alone there on Valentine's Day, indulging in their silky hot chocolate, at least the waiters know the way to a girl’s heart. Dessert on the house!
When visiting Paris, try to visit Montmartre in the early evening. There are lots of wonderful street artists and street sellers selling their wares and if you reach Sacre Coeur as it is turning dusk, it is a truly beautiful sight to behold. So much so that it's where my husband proposed.
Visit just before Christmas - the town is sprinkled liberally with tiny sparkly fairy lights and friendly handicraft stalls.
Enjoy some ice-skating on the main square followed by a rich Belgian hot chocolate to warm you and soothe any bruised knees/egos if you fell over.
The Terrass Hotel in Montmatre is a fantastic hotel - service, food and staff are all superb in this beautiful region of this most romantic city.
Take the lift up to the 7th floor and onto the roof terrace in the evening and watch the Tour Eiffel light up in the evening surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the Parisian skyline.
On a relaxed & warm summers evening, there's nothing better!
Do not, under any circumstances, propose to your beloved on top of the Eiffle Tower.
Everyone will make you feel like the grand-standing person you are.
And it's not very romantic with all those bloody tourists around anyway.
Plus, you'll have to queue for ages just to get down.
Springtime in Paris for two using Eurostar offered two fairly newly-weds blue skies and perfect weather - Heaven!
We stayed at the modes Hotel des GrandsHommes in the Latin Quarter, exploring my student-day haunts, well off the tourist-trail: the lovely Canal St Martin to the north, with its crazy foot-bridges, "turning-bridge" and the beautiful old Hotel St Louis nearby - eating out at the Degres de Notre-Dame (steak Charolais!), with a view of the great cathedral itself - kissing on the Pont des Arts!
Formerly a railway track linking the Bastille Square to Saint Maur, the "Promenade Plantée" is a hidden oasis of Paris.
Climb the concrete steps from the bustling rue de Lyon, and stumble upon an enchanting winding path filled with an explosion of marigolds, pink roses and trailing vines.
Over the course of about 3km you will be able to gaze over the rooftops of Paris and discover a plethora of small gardens, ageing viaducts and strolling lovers, young and old, arm in arm.
The path finishes at the golden gate and the Vincennes park to the east of the city.
The most romantic place in Paris is the Pont des Arts.
This pedestrian bridge lies betweens the Louvre and the Academie Française. Go there at sunset with a bottle of wine and enjoy youselves!
Take a bottle of wine to the Sacre-Coeur Church and watch the sunset over Pairs - it is the most romantic location in Europe.
For a truly romantic dinner try Restaurant Lapérouse overlooking the Seine - you will not find a place like it anywhere in Paris.
It is unique in that it still has private dining rooms in the rear of the building for clandestine dinner parties.
However, the best place to eat is in the main room for the view of the river. After a superb traditional French meal, I proposed to my fiancée on New Year’s Eve just as the fireworks were starting to explode all over the city – we are to be married next year!
Paris is one of the most romantic cities I have ever visited. I got engaged there in February 2007.
Any visitor must visit Le Marais which is a stones through away from the Lourve. It is a trendy district in Paris now celebrated for its nightlife.
Vins des Pyrenees is a little charming bistro nestled in a tiny street just off Saint Paul Village - A former wine warehouse with an authentic decor serving a classic but good French bistro cuisine –with very friendly casual staff and great wine.
I would recommend the Cotes de Rhone to drink. Bon appetite!
Paris is a city made for walking, and, after a stroll around the Citroen Gardens, you will see a different side to the city by walking along the river path back towards the centre.
You will enjoy a new outlook on the city; passing houseboats bedecked with flowers and a good choice of cafes, while keeping your distance from the traffic.
Surprising the other half? Searching for the perfect quick and inexpensive (but importantly decadent) weekend getaway?
Forget Paris and the congestion, take a Friday late afternoon train to Lille and enjoy this hidden gem of a city.
Saturday morning surprise him/her and pick up a car and head two hours east to the Champagne district, but be sure to book your tour at Verve Clicquot in advance so not to disappoint or if last minute and want a cheap laugh, head to the Piper Factory for a tour on their Campaign Train, it will not let you down.
Enjoy Sunday slowing working your way back to Lille before enjoying a much earnt Champers on the last train back to London.
For a really romantic day trip take the tram through the trees down Avenue Tervuren.
One of the most romantic cities in Europe, Bruges a great place to take a date. It's a little off the beaten path so you don't get crowded with tourists, and it is a very walkable city.
Spending an afternoon drinking fantastic beer (second only to the Germans) outside at any one of the bars on the plaza is a perfect way to get to know someone. Tip is to just pack a change of clothes and your debit card.
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