Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so to inspire a getaway with your honey beyond the ordinary, here is a guide to the top 5 romantic getaways around the world. Paris is in there (of course) but there are a few others that may take you by surprise…

  1. Montmartre, Paris

     

    Parisian Love Birds. Photo: Fabrizio Verrecchia (via Unsplash.com)

Obviously, the City of Love needs to be on the list. And what better part of Paris than Montmartre, which sits atop a hill overlooking the rest of the city? You can visit the stunning Basilica of the Sacré Cœur (Sacred Heart), enjoy a hot coffee (or cheeky vino) at one of the cafes and, when the sun goes down, take a short stroll to the Moulin Rouge in Pigalle to top the night off with some risque cabaret.
Safe Travels extra: Being so close to the red light district does mean there is the occasional shady character getting around, so we recommend clipping your zips shut to deter sneaky fingers and locking your bag straps around a cafe table, or chair leg, with our PopNLock system. That little bit of extra security means you can worry about staring into your lover’s eyes instead of worrying about your gear. Styles that compliment Montmartre are theStylesafe Anti-Theft Crossbody for her, or theIntasafe Z400 Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag for him.

  1. Florence, Italy

     

    Florentine Bridges. Photo: Mark Tegethoff (via Unsplash.com)

Picture yourself strolling over Ponte Vecchio in Florence with a cold gelato in one hand and your partner’s warm palm in the other. The evening lights shimmer off the River Arno, while artists and jewelry makers try to sell their wares, and tourists snap photos of themselves with newly acquired selfie sticks. Apart from the selfie stick part, it’s the epitome of romance. There are so many amazing restaurants nearby you simply can’t go wrong. Just enjoy the stroll until you get hungry and duck into the nearest place for some traditional ribollita soup and local Tuscan Chianti to wash it down. The perfect Valentine’s Day date for foodies.
Safe Travels extra: Florence is almost as well known for its expert pickpockets as it is for its stunning renaissance art and architecture, so keep your mind at ease with lockable zips on your bags. We recommend theSlingsafe Anti-Theft Compact Tote as a great unisex option, or theCamsafe V9 Anti-Theft Camera Sling Pack for shutterbugs who want to capture the beauty of the area sans selfie stick. 

  1. Echo Beach, Bali

 

Bali suset. Photo: Resa Cahya (via Unsplash.com)


Echo Beach has become a favourite in Bali in recent years with its Sunday seafood buffet. You can listen to an Indonesian rock band play spot-on covers of Pink Floyd as the sun goes down and share a lobster tail capped off with a chilled Bintang. It doesn’t need to be a Sunday to head here either. Any day of the week is amazing, and with Valentine’s Day falling on a Wednesday this year, you’ll still be able to enjoy Echo Beach’s scenery and classic menu without the Sunday crowd. We recommend their chocolate mousse for dessert. It is probably the best choc mousse on the entire planet*. If you’re the adventurous type there is also the option to go for a lover’s surf beforehand at Canggu Beach to work up your appetite. To walk off dinner, head for a romantic walk along the sands.
Safe Travels extra: To keep your gear protected from both water and would-be thieves, we recommend the newPacsafe Dry Series. The ideal travel set for beach-loving adventurers.
*We have not tried every chocolate mousse on the planet, but we are trying.
  1. Hoi An, Vietnam.

 

Hoi An Lanterns. Photo: Vincent Guth (via Unsplash.com)


Hoi An has something for everyone – amazing beaches, ancient architecture, incredible food and bargain shopping. How can you go wrong? I recommend hitting old-town after sundown this Valentine’s Day. It’s right in the middle of dry season, so the weather will be stunning, and the city’s colourful lanterns produce a nighttime scene that will melt even the most cynical traveler’s heart. For an extra treat, visit a dayspa and enjoy a couples’ massage to wind down even more.
Safe Travels extra: If you want to fully relax during that twin spa session we recommend taking a little extra security in the way of our portable5L Travel Safe to stash your wallet, purse or jewelry. It can also double as a safe in your hotel room if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have one.

  1. A Hike In Your Backyard

 

Mt Zirkel Winterness Area, USA. Photo: Zach Betten (via Unsplash.com)


You don’t have to fly to an exotic location to enjoy a romantic getaway this V-Day. Most cities around the world have access to some kind of natural beauty mere hours away. If you’re in LA you have Big Sur, Sydney – Royal National Park, Hong Kong – Lantau Peak, London – Seaford to Eastbourne, the list goes on. The point is, get out into the fresh air and bond with a hike amongst forests, rivers and mountains. Take a picnic with you so you can relax, enjoy some company without distractions and generally share the wonder of this stunning planet.
Safe Travels extra: for hiking dates we recommend theVenturesafe X30 Anti-Theft Adventure Backpack which has plenty of room for a day’s worth of supplies, including a system to take a hydration pack full of champagne if where you’re headed doesn’t allow glass There are also plenty of anti-theft features in case you’re worried about hungry raccoons stealing your food.
So that’s it. Our top five romantic getaways. If you have a favourite we haven’t mentioned, feel free to give us a heads up in the comments below. We’re always up for taking new adventures to romantic places around the world, or letting people share secret treasures that aren’t far from where they are. Spread the love this Valentine’s Day.
 
By Tim Hawken

 
 
Tim Hawken is an Australian writer who enjoys surfing, Indian food and romantic midnight strolls to the beer fridge. He has clocked up visits to 23 countries on 5 continents (and counting). Find out more about his weird world by heading tohis website, or following him onInstagram andTwitter.



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