Travel

Romantic travel ideas for Valentine’s Day

From Blue Book destinations and a trip to Antarctica to Cork-style frolics

The Imperial Hotel. Photograph: Miki Barlok

Gemma Tipton's face
Gemma Tipton
Sat Feb 5 2022 - 00:00

Brought to book

When you've declared your love and ditched the little black book, opt instead for Ireland's Blue Book. Its members, a list of luscious Irish properties, have been ramping up the extras, so expect chocolate-dipped strawberries, candle-lit dinners and Champagne – or prosecco, depending on whether the establishment of your choice is going all "je t'aime", or "ti amo". Try Cork's Hayfield Manor from €254pps, Limerick's No 1 Pery Square from €299pps, The Mustard Seed, also in Limerick, from €149pps, or two nights in Wexford's Marlfield House from €407pps. irelandsbluebook.com

Poles together

Kayaking at the South Pole

Sometimes you may wish the love of your life would vanish to the North Pole, but surely those feelings are only brief and fleeting? Head instead down south, with Sunway's 13-day extravaganza taking you through the frozen blue waters of the Antarctic. Tours are limited, and sell out fast, with the next one departing November 11th and starting at €6,299, including accommodation, excursions and all meals. Expect albatrosses and penguins. sunway.ie/adventure

Sweet somethings

Roman holiday

Winning the prize for Adorable Alliteration this Valentine's Day, Cassidy Travel are suggesting everything from Passion in Paris to Romance in Rome. Too easy? What about Kissing in Krakow and Madly in Love in the Maldives? They've even gone as far as Darlings in Dubai. Departures are February 11th-13th, and prices, including return flights, are from €175pps for two nights in Rome, €180 pps for two nights in Paris (in a three-star Ibis), rising to €4,299 for seven nights if your love insists on infinity pools in the Maldives. cassidytravel.ie, or call 01-2910000

Special occasions Cork-style

Hedging its bets, Cork's Imperial Hotel has themed its Valentine's packages around the idea of crossing out the L-word and opting instead to lay on lashings of the other stuff – food, romance, fashion and fun. In practice this means the foyer is festooned with roses, and James Gunter, the special occasion butler, will be working his fingers to the bone to cater for your every romantic whim. His top 10 Cork romantic suggestions include a sunset harbour cruise, kissing the Blarney Stone, holding hands in Fitzgerald's Park and noshing on oysters somewhere in the city. The Imperial's All You Need is Love package costs from €194pps and covers B&B and your pick from a treat list, which includes rose petals strewn on your bed, dinner, cocktails and more – such as afternoon tea with Pornstar Martini verrine and pickled cucumber. How very romantic. imperialhotelcork.com

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Box clever

You don't have to love golf to love the PGA Catalunya, an hour up the Costa Brava from Barcelona (direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus and Ryanair), but I'm sure it helps. The golf and wellness resort is also all lush and lavish in a designer way, and has a nice spa – with everything from a thermal pavilion to cryotherapy, so you can heat your passion up and then truly discover the meaning of chill. Book a break and it comes in a nice gift box, with all the info on a scroll. The Romantic Getaway Gift Box includes dinner, B&B, a bottle of cava and a couple's massage, for €519, shop.pgacatalunya.com

Smart manoeuvres

Haddington House, formerly four Victorian houses for officers in the military, was converted into a hotel in the 1900s. One hundred years on, it is a fully made-over lovely spot on Dun Laoghaire's sea front, which is having something of a renaissance itself. Stay with their One Night Spring Break offer including a glass of bubbles, dinner, B&B and late check out from €150 for stays until the end of February. Stroll along the water front, eyeing up each other, and the sweep of the bay. And don't miss the just launched Parlour Afternoon Tea – or maybe save your appetites for later, as the chef at the in-house restaurant is Barry O'Neill, formerly of Bastible and Clanbrassil House. Yum. haddingtonhouse.ie

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