Valentine’s Day ideas - from a weekend on the Italian Riviera to shark diving proposals
Lotus UK has been searching for the most romantic ways to spend this Valentine's Day, whether it’s whisking a loved one away for one night of romance or ideas for unusual ways to propose, here's our pick of the best:
Propose whilst diving with tiger sharks at The Chester Grosvenor The five star Chester Grosvenor in Chester, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is offering couples the chance to become engaged in a scuba diving session with tiger sharks! The one night package takes couples in a chauffeur driven car from the hotel to the nearby Blue Planet Aquarium for a scuba diving session with 10ft tiger sharks. While underwater, the surprise question can be popped! The newly engaged couple are then driven back to the hotel for a celebratory meal at its Michelin star restaurant. The package costs from £1,066 including the scuba dive, chauffeur transfer, overnight stay in a junior suite with breakfast, the Michelin star meal and romantic gifts. For further details: www.slh.com
Three night northern lights break in Finland What could be more romantic than watching the northern lights from a remote log cabin in the Finnish wilderness? Discover the World offers three night trips to Finnish Lapland over the Valentine’s weekend, with accommodation in a traditional log cabin and the option for snowshoeing, ice fishing and an exhilarating rally drive across a frozen lake. The cabin’s remote location with very little light pollution means that there are high chances of seeing the northern lights. The trip costs from £705 per person including half-board accommodation, return flights from London and airport transfers. www.discover-the-world.co.uk. For further information on Finland and Lapland: www.visitfinland.com/ www.onlyinlapland.com
Romantic weekend in Genoa Forget the tourist traps of Rome and Venice and instead head to Italy’s sixth largest city, Genoa in Liguria. Free from the romantic clichés of Rome and Venice, the coastal city in northern Italy is perfect for a romantic break. Couples can wander the narrow cobbled streets of the UNESCO branded historic centre, ride the funicular up the surrounding hills for incredible city views and eat in the tiny trattorias offering authentic produce. Hotel Locanda di Palazzo Cicala is offering a Valentine’s package from £289 per person including two nights accommodation in a superior double room, chocolates in room on arrival, room service for breakfast, late checkout and a city tour. The hotel is set within the walls of the 16th century Palazzo Cicala and offers spacious rooms with high arched ceilings and views over the Piazza. Genoa is easily accessible on a two hour flight from London Gatwick. Returns start from £147 with British Airways. www.palazzocicala.it/ www.britishairways.com. For more information on the region: www.turismoinliguria.it
One night of romance in the Channel Islands Those who are pushed for time over the Valentine’s weekend can take advantage of Guernsey being just a 45 minute flight from Gatwick. With just a quick hop over the Channel for an overnight stay, couples will have plenty of time for romantic clifftop walks, shopping in the capital, St Peter Port and sampling the delicious seafood including fresh oysters, the ultimate aphrodisiac! Guernsey’s five star hotel, the OGH in St. Peter Port, is offering a one night Valentine’s package for £295. This includes luxury suite accommodation with a bottle of Champagne, box of handmade Sark chocolates and red roses in the room on arrival, full English breakfast, a romantic three course dinner in The Brasserie Restaurant, use of the sauna and steam room and 10% discounts on spa treatments. Flights from Gatwick to Guernsey start from £155 return over the Valentine’s Day weekend with Aurigny. www.theoghhotel.com/ www.aurigny.com. For more information on the island: www.visitguernsey.com
Culinary masterclass in Knightsbridge Anyone looking for an alternative to a candlelit dinner can join chefs Valentine Warner and Nathan Outlaw for a cooking masterclass at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The exclusive event on 12th February has just 34 places and will include a drinks reception, cooking demonstration and five-course dinner with carefully selected wines. The event costs £255 per person and bookings can be made at www.slh.com/hotels/the-capital-hotel/.
Castaway island romance in Florida Why not combine Valentine’s Day with some winter sun? The small island of Captiva off the Florida Gulf Coast is ideal for a couple’s holiday with its desert island atmosphere. The island is so narrow that no accommodation is more than a few minutes walk from the beach and it really is an island haven with no buildings taller than the tallest palm tree and no traffic lights. British Airways Holidays offers a seven night stay at the South Seas Island Resort for £1,649 per person including accommodation with a private balcony and return flights from Gatwick to Tampa. www.britishairways.com/ www.fortmyers-sanibel.com