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- Valentine's Day: The Greatest Retail Conspiracy Ever Sold?
Valentine's Day: The Greatest Retail Conspiracy Ever Sold?
10 Romantic Destinations few People Know About
Alex Mustaros
February 13, 2025
In Partnership With:
Ah, Valentine’s Day.
That time of year when florists triple their prices, restaurants create overpriced “special” menus, and teddy bears flood store shelves like an unstoppable pink & red tsunami.
A true celebration of love… or perhaps just a masterclass in retail psychology?
Now, I’m not saying romance is dead (far from it!), but let’s be honest, Saint Valentine’s origins have about as much to do with modern-day Valentine’s Day as a budget airline has to do with luxury travel. The man was allegedly martyred, and somehow, that turned into a global industry of chocolates and greeting cards.
A true capitalist love story.
But here’s the thing: travel is the one Valentine’s gift that actually makes sense.
No expiration dates, no fake sentiment, just real experiences that last a lifetime. This is where Luxury Travel Advisors come in, because while anyone can book a dinner reservation, only an expert can craft an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind romantic escape.
So, when a client asked me where she should take her husband on a quick trip to a romantic destination, instead of promoting the usual suspects (Paris, Venice, Maldives), I tried to give her the most off-the-beaten-path, jaw-droppingly romantic destinations I could think of that would impress even the most discerning traveler.
Because if you’re going to sell romance, let’s do it in a way that matters.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on these destinations or any others you think are better suited for a romantic escape.
Ok, but before diving into the list, here are the latest luxury travel news:
Travel Industry News & Trends
Step into the Glamour of the Gilded Age at The Gold Room
The Gold Room, an iconic cocktail lounge within the historic Villard Mansion at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, offers guests a chance to experience New York’s golden era with its opulent décor and classic cocktails. Luxury Travel Magazine
The Gold Room
Australia's Byron Bay Is Still Magical After All These Years
Byron Bay on Australia's North Coast continues to captivate visitors with its blend of hip surf culture and stylish accommodations. The area boasts trendy hotels like Raes on Wategos and The Atlantic, chic shopping destinations, and innovative dining spots, all while maintaining its unique charm and laid-back vibe. CN Traveler
Photo by Moritz Neuhaus
The £3 million revamp of Heathrow's VIP terminal
Heathrow's VIP terminal, The Windsor, has undergone a £3 million renovation, featuring eight luxurious lounges with amenities like private bathrooms, Michelin-starred meals, chauffeur services, and notable artwork. Usage starts at £3,812 for up to three people for two hours, catering to passengers of airlines such as British Airways and Emirates. The Sun
Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur Opens
Anantara Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its first property in India—Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, providing guests with a luxurious experience that reflects Rajasthan’s royal heritage. Luxury Travel Magazine
India's Travel Boom Enters the Departure Lounge
Indian Hotels, owner of the Taj luxury brand, plans to more than double its properties to over 700 by 2030, with at least 10% overseas. The company reported a 29% year-on-year revenue increase, driven by domestic demand and high room rates. However, rising domestic tariffs are prompting affluent Indians to consider international destinations. Reuters
Now, let’s get into the list
The Ultimate Off-the-Beaten-Path Romantic Destinations
10. Isle of Eigg, Scotland 🇬🇧
Remote, rugged, and breathtakingly wild, this tiny Hebridean island is a haven for couples seeking complete solitude.
Highlights:
Eco-friendly cottages with panoramic ocean views.
Enjoy a private sunset walk on Laig Bay, with reflections of the sky shimmering on the sand.
Stargaze under one of the darkest night skies in the UK, with a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Stay: Take it slow and settle into Eigg Time
9. Monsaraz, Portugal 🇵🇹
This hilltop medieval village in Alentejo offers castle stays, fine wine, and stargazing in one of Europe’s most peaceful settings.
Highlights:
Stay in a converted castle or historic inn overlooking rolling vineyards.
Take a private boat ride on Alqueva Lake, the largest artificial lake in Europe.
Experience Dark Sky Alqueva, a stargazing.
Stay: São Lourenço do Barrocal – A 5-star countryside retreat with a spa and vineyard.
8. Fogo Island, Canada 🇨🇦
A remote Atlantic island with dramatic coastal scenery, luxury isolation, and a world-famous design hotel.
Highlights:
Stay at the architectural marvel, Fogo Island Inn, perched on the rugged coastline.
Experience starry skies and the Northern Lights in the winter months.
Take a private wildlife boat tour to spot icebergs and whales.
Stay: Fogo Island Inn – One of the world’s most exclusive remote hotels
Fogo Island Inn
7. Meersburg, Germany 🇩🇪
A charming medieval lakeside town on Lake Constance, offering wine, castles, and Alpine romance.
Highlights:
Stay in a historic castle hotel with lake views.
Visit Meersburg Therme, a thermal spa with outdoor pools facing the lake.
Take a private boat trip to Mainau Island, famous for its flower gardens.
Stay: Romantik Hotel Residenz am See – A boutique hotel with gourmet dining.
6. Annecy, France 🇫🇷
The “Venice of the Alps” offers canals, mountain scenery, and dreamy lakeside moments.
Highlights:
Walk across Pont des Amours ("Lover’s Bridge").
Stay in a château-hotel with spa and panoramic lake views.
Enjoy a private boat ride on Lake Annecy.
Stay: Hôtel Clos Marcel – A lakeside boutique hotel with a sauna and private beach.
5. Isla Holbox, Mexico 🇲🇽
A car-free island paradise with bioluminescent waters, white sand beaches, and tropical seclusion.
Highlights:
Relax in hammocks over the turquoise ocean.
Experience a night swim with glowing bioluminescence.
Kayak through hidden mangroves filled with flamingos and wildlife.
Stay: Casa Las Tortugas – A romantic boutique hotel with beachfront suites.
4. Albarracín, Spain 🇪🇸
One of Spain’s most beautiful medieval villages, perched on a cliffside with pink-hued buildings and Moorish charm.
Highlights:
Wander through cobblestone streets and ancient walls.
Dine in a cave restaurant with candlelit ambiance.
Hike to the secret waterfalls of Cascada del Molino de San Pedro.
Stay: Hotel Albarracín – A charming historic 3-star hotel in the heart of town.
FRANCIS RAHER - CC BY 2.0
3. Mendocino, USA 🇺🇸
A coastal retreat with dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and redwood forests.
Highlights:
Stay in a clifftop inn with ocean views.
Take a kayak tour through sea caves and kelp forests.
Enjoy a wine and cheese picnic by the cliffs.
Stay: Heritage House Resort & Spa – A secluded oceanfront retreat.
2. Lord Howe Island, Australia 🇦🇺
A remote, untouched island with only 400 visitors allowed at a time.
✨ Romantic Highlights:
Stay in a luxury eco-lodge with private outdoor baths.
Snorkel in the world's southernmost coral reef.
Enjoy bioluminescent night walks along the beach.
Stay: Capella Lodge – The most exclusive stay on the island.
1. Hallstatt, Austria 🇦🇹
A fairytale lakeside village with breathtaking Alpine scenery.
✨ Romantic Highlights:
Take a private boat ride across the lake.
Stay in a wooden chalet overlooking the mountains.
Explore hidden salt caves and scenic viewpoints.
Stay: Hallstatt Hideaway – A lake-view suite retreat.
Do you have any Golf Crazy clients? Or maybe you are a Golf Enthusiast yourself.
I do have a couple of Golf Fanatic clients, and they love the Bobby Golf leather accessories.
Use the code “GUILD” or pass it to your Golf-loving clients to get 10% off on all Bobby Golf leather accessories.
Until next week.
— Valentine’s Day Grinch
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