With Valentine’s Day 2012 just around the corner, you might be dreaming of an exotic and romantic vacation in a far-off destination across the world. Here are seven destinations to help make that dream become a reality.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a dream vacation for anyone, and if you’re looking for romance it’s one of the best destinations on the planet. Located about 120 miles off the Greece mainland, Santorini is known for its villages’ whitewashed architecture and the surrounding turquoise Aegean Sea.
Take a romantic adventure and rent an ATV on the island, readily available for just 20 Euros a day. Ride past the incredible scenery, including picturesque volcanic beaches, historic cliffside villages and dramatic sunset views.
Inishmore, Ireland
Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Islands, just off Ireland’s west coast. The island is a ten-minute flight or a 45-minute ferry ride, yet it’s as if you’ve entered old world Ireland. Hire a horse and buggy upon arrival, and consider a stay at Joe and Maura’s cottages overlooking the north Atlantic and surrounded by beautiful and brightly colored flowers.
The Man of Aran cottage i s a Bed and Breakfast that gets its name from the film, Man of Aran, a documentary filmed on the island and released in 1934. The highlight of the island is Dun Aengus, a pre-historic fort built at the edge of a sheer cliff, 300 feet above the sea. Walk to the edge and you’ll feel like you’ve reached the edge of the earth.
In the evening enjoy Irish dancers and live music in town, and then come back to the cottage and cuddle up near the crackling fire.
Geiranger, Norway
Take a trip to wild and remote Geiranger, Norway, a small village in western Norway at the head of the Geirangerfjord. This region is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, and here you can experience both the beautiful fjord surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation.
Take a scenic boat trip or rent a kayak and float along the falls. Feel the mist and breathe in this magnificent piece of paradise. Numerous hiking trails await, taking you on a journey to the many lakes and rivers, as well as abundant wild life viewing opportunities. By taking the Trollstigen Mountain Road to the top, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the many waterfalls, Isterdalen Valley, and the surrounding mountains.
The Azores
The Azores are comprised of nine volcanic islands that sit in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, nearly 1,000 miles away from Lisbon, Portugal, but considered part of that nation. On Flores Island, you’ll find an abandoned 18th-century village of tumbledown stone cottages that have been renovated into a beautiful romantic getaway overlooking the ocean.
The island is known for its abundance of beautiful flowers, and here you’ll find secret lagoons surrounded by hydrangeas and natural hot springs where you can soothe your cares as waterfalls plummet over cliffs and wild landscapes of basalt. You might even spot a whale or two as you gaze out over the ocean.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
St. Vincent is a volcanic island in the Caribbean Sea between Grenada and St. Lucia. The island is small, but less touristy than most of the other Caribbean islands, and a true tropical paradise. It’s mountainous and forested, with tumbling waterfalls that lead to idyllic pools, turquoise lagoons, amazing beaches and coral reefs.
Just a minute’s boat ride from the main island is Young Island, an exclusive and secluded luxury resort. The entire island is a tropical garden paradise, with all cottages offering stunning views of the sparkling Caribbean in addition to complete privacy. The surrounding waters offer one of the best areas in the region for snorkeling, and it’s also famous for spotting sea horses.
Take the sunset cruise that skirts the coast of St. Vincent and the chef will pack you picnic basket with cheese and the home-made breads that the island is known for. Add a bottle of wine, and you’ve just found the ultimate in romance.
K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Yahoo!Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states, and many countries worldwide, and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.
More from this contributor:
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Beyond the Ordinary: Three Unique Romantic European Adventures
Ireland Side Trips: An Overnight Adventure to Inishmore in the Aran Islands