25 romantic escapes
From the ultimate honeymoons to cheeky weekends away, get inspired with these ideas designed for every relationship on any budget
New York, USA
The top of the Empire State Building is the romantic rendezvous point in films such as An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle. But for an updated, urban view, the Peninsula’s new rooftop bar, Salon de Ning (700 Fifth Avenue, +1 212 903 3861, peninsula. com) is reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai with dramatic views over Fifth Avenue. Go early to secure a daybed and celebrate over a mandarin-flavoured cocktail. ££
Bora Bora, Polynesia
To secure a ‘yes’ with no expense spared, reserve a thatched-roof bungalow on stilts over dreamily clear water at the just-opened Four Seasons. Or push the boat out completely – and literally – by hiring (privately or shared) a chic yacht to cruise the lagoon and sail to islands such as Tahiti. They’ll even set you up with a mattress and meals on a secluded island… for the right price. Boomerang Tours via Thomas Cook, thomascook.co.uk £££
Turin, Italy
The capital of chocolate, pastilles, the Slow Food movement and nostalgia in general is a charming setting for a proposal. Stratta (Piazza San Carlo 191, +39 11 547 920, stratta1836.it) is the classic sweet store and pop into the fabulous La Terra Delle Donne vintage store (Via San Domenico 18, +39 11 347 418 13 08) where some of Chiara Bertello’s pieces date back to the 18th century. You may even stumble across the perfect ring. £
British Colombia, Canada
Glamorous Scarlett Johansson proved just how seductive the great outdoors can be when she tied the knot at a wilderness resort on Vancouver Island. Nearby, Sonora Resort’s luxury lodges are perfectly conducive to life-changing proposals: cosy and full of alpine charm. There’s a hot tub on a wooden balcony and endless Champagne, lake and mountain views. That’s pretty hard to say no to. tcsignature.com £££
Paris, France
It’s a cliché, but the Eiffel Tower’s is the classic proposal spot. Do one better than Tom Cruise (who proposed to Katie at the top) and follow with a celebratory meal at one of the city’s top dining spots on the second floor, Alain Ducasse’s Le Jules Verne (+33 145 556 144, lejulesverne-paris.com). Lunch is more affordable and will avoid crowds, but expect a six to nine-month wait for a window table.£
Mauritius
Stay at Le Touessrok and have your wedding ceremony on their private island, Ilot Mangénie. Think dreamlike shores, aqua lagoons and the scent of frangipani in the air, and you’re halfway there. The Givenchy spa will take care of make-up and treatments. The resort is also famed for its candlelit dinner on a pontoon in the water – perfect for some private time. tcsignature.com ££
Skiathos, Greece
The island with more than 70 beaches has catapulted to romantic fame since Mamma Mia!. If you’re Greek is not great, Ionian Weddings (+44 208 755 3113, ionianweddings.co.uk) can help you recreate that chapel wedding, or opt for a beachfront taverna, for any budget. The original chapel (actually on Skopelos) isn’t very accessible, but the Bourtzi, a small peninsula with incredible views, is a top alternative – as is Kos, which has beautiful chapels and private beaches. How could you resist it? £
Phuket, Thailand
For less conventional types, Suanluang (sl-weddingphuket.com) organise ‘spiritual unions’ on the beach, Kate Moss-style (if you can cast your mind back to her life with her ex, Pete Doherty). Prices start from £1,130 or splurge on an upgrade at the Cape Panwa Resort where they take care of the whole shebang, including a traditional drum parade with monks. tcsignature.com £/£££
Las Vegas, USA
Sin City has become incredibly affordable, so if doing a ‘Peaches’ or ‘Britney’ appeals, now’s the time. Getting hitched at the strip’s infamous Little White Wedding Chapel (thomascook. com) will set you back £195. Elvis impersonator optional. Celebrate in style, though, with a three-course set menu at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. The reduced £65 cover will also get you tickets for the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret show (+1 877 880 0880, mgmgrand.com). £
Cape Town, South Africa
Situated on the trendy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the new One&Only Resort that opened in April (elegantresorts.co.uk) offers the ultimate jaw-dropping backdrop for your big day – Table Mountain. Continue the celebration at the hotel’s big-name steakhouse, Jason Atherton’s Maze. It’s everything you’d expect from the Gordon Ramsay protégé, with lots of local seafood and game meat.£££
Riviera Maya, Mexico
For the drop-dead gorgeous beach factor with a culture and nature fix, and deliciously hot food, you’d be hard pressed to beat this coast. There are lots of all-inclusives to choose from but for a more intimate and affordable option (doubles start from around £130), Azul Beach Hotel (thomascook.com) is a 20-minute car ride south of Cancun, with 97 rooms, all of which, they promise, are less than a minute from the beach. ££
St Lucia, Caribbean
Rose petal baths, sunset cruises, picnics on private islands, beachside dinners, Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort (tcsignature.com) is the special touch specialist. Our favourite? The ‘In Each Other’s Hands’ massage treatment where couples are taught the basics steps of massage with a customised oil in the Red Lane Spa. But if you’d rather leave it to the professionals, make sure you sign up for the Champagne massage. ££
The Maldives
If you need another reason to make the number one honeymoon destination more irresistible, Raffles is set to open its Konottaa Hotel (elegantresorts.co.uk) this December – a 50-minute flight and 15-minute speedboat
ride south of Malé on the Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. Expect super-sexy, over-the-water villas and maximum indulgence. If you don’t want to break the bank, the refurbed Lily Beach offers affordable luxury – something of a first for the Maldives. tcsignature.com £££/££
London-Paris-Venice on the Orient Express
Journey to two of the world’s most romantic cities on these vintage carriages for the ultimate journey from a bygone era. After all, it was sexy enough for James Bond, who famously let off some steam (sorry) with a double agent in From Russia with Love. Think art deco furniture, black-tie dining carts and you’ll need your Louis Vuitton trunks. tcsignature.com £££
Mombasa, Kenya
An adventure under the African sun doesn’t have to cost the earth, especially if you can travel during off-peak season (November). Kick back on the coast at Mombasa’s five-star Sun N Sand Beach Resort (thomascook.com), where honeymooners get a free dinner and room upgrade. Then venture into the wild for a two-night safari in Tsavo National Park (tcsignature.com). Do all this for less than £1,150 including full board. Big Five checklist at the ready. ££
Istanbul, Turkey
Why go to Pizza Express for a second date, when Istanbul is a four-hour flight away? Balikçi Sabahattin (Seyit Hasan Koyu Sok 1, +90 212 458 1824) is a charming little fish restaurant in a wooden house down a winding street behind Haghia Sofia. Or order a raki (anise-flavoured aperitif) in the cosy W Lounge and follow with dinner at the local offshoot of New York’s Spice Market in the new W Istanbul (Suleyman Seba Cad 22, Akaretler, +90 212 381 2121). £
Limassol, Cyprus
For carefree, coastal fun without blowing the budget, the Amathus Beach Hotel (thomascook.com) has just re-opened after a huge refurb, which includes furniture from big name designers such as Philippe Starck and Zaha Hadid. Order a sushi platter and Laurent Perrier Rosé on your own super-sized terrace overlooking the sea (a sea view room is a must). Or head for the spa, which offers one, two, three and four-day programmes. ££
Ibiza, Balearic Islands
The isle of debauchery has a perfect mix of trendy and low-key options to suit every hedonist’s budget for a naughty weekend. Splurge: mingle with the perpetually tanned at Las Salinas beach and sip lychee martinis at chic rooftop hangouts such as L’Elephant (Plaza Iglesia, San Rafael, +34 971 198 056). Save: head out of town to the cosy, cliffside Restaurante Es Boldado (Playa Cala d’Hort, +34 626 494 537) for a rustic, seafood dinner by candlelight.
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
After working up a tan at Puerto de Mogan beach, hire a bike (or walk) and find your own hidden spot in the real gem on this island – the breathtaking volcanic crater Caldera de Tejeda. After all that rambling, rest weary feet and heads at Cordial Mogan Hotel (thomascook. com). It’s romantic license? The marina it’s on is known as the ‘Spanish Little Venice’. £
Cairo, Egypt
The affordable Barceló Pyramids Cairo opens in July on the doorstep of the pyramids and Sphinx, so laying on some old-world charm costs less. But if you want to explore the great river and land of the pharaohs, but still keep to budget, a Nile cruise is a must.
A week on board the laidback MS Nile Saray starts at just £549 with flights and full board. thomascook.com £
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