Think Bigger Than Godiva
14 February 2011
Do the obligatory flowers and chocolates seem like an acceptable but still ho-hum way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Plan a trip to one of R. Crusoe’s top-five romantic destinations. These places are bound to inspire your adventures — in travel, and in love.
• The Amalfi Coast & Rome: Prepare for sensory overload of the best kind. Italy's most vertical town, Positano, cascades 1,000 feet down to the blue sea. John Steinbeck escaped here (until other writers caught on). Stay at Le Sirenuse, where everything is done with grace and style. Follow the coastline to Ravello to see the 11th century Villa Rufolo garden. Wagner came here for inspiration as he wrote “Parsifal.” Head inland and end the trip in Rome — a profoundly rich, dense, worthy, deeply layered city. Observe life as the world new it: a forum, a colosseum, a pantheon.
• India & The Maldives: Visit Agra to see what Shah Jahan did 400 years ago when his beloved wife died bearing his 14th heir. In her honor, he put 20,000 laborers to work for 17 years. The tomb they built is the architectural masterpiece, the Taj Mahal. See it at sunrise and again as the sun sets for the full effect. After the bustling streets of India, with its bazaars and mosques, head to the quiet paradise that is the Maldives. These islands in the Indian Ocean have some of the most pristine beaches in the world. You can’t help but unwind with your own private sundeck and plunge pool. After spa treatments, snorkeling, and lounging with a book (or your companion), enjoy the exotic Indian and Sri Lankan flavors of the islands.
• Iguazú Falls & Buenos Aires: How many waterfalls does it take to astound even the most jaded traveler? Try 275, all cascading over a two-mile wide precipice. The spray alone is enough to nourish an entire rain forest (and a continual rainbow). It is a sight and sound not soon forgotten. While you’re getting to know our neighbor to the south, visit Buenos Aires, a throwback to glamorous 19th-century Europe. Experience the spectacle of tango, the lifeblood of the country’s nightlife. Stay at the historic Alvear Palace Hotel, full of old-world charm. And pause in the lobby to watch one stunning Argentine after another.
• Fez & Marrakech: Looking for something truly exotic? Head to Morocco, a warm, welcoming country full of astonishing cities. It has won the hearts of millions through the ages. Start in Fez, a city that has barely changed for a millenia. Today, it is spooky and intoxicating. Make your way to Marrakech, an oasis of palm and olive groves steeped in colorful Berber traditions. Fabled gateway to the Sahara. Wander the winding streets and buzzing souks and you’ll find a healthy dose of romance, ample mystery (and history), and a delightful culture.
• Coastal Vietnam: Was the concept of enchanting invented here? Take in the ancient city of Hue, an architectural wonder. As dusk softens the sky, visit the Forbidden Purple City and Thien Mu temple. Retool your sense of romance at dusk on the Perfume River. Head south to Da Nang, and The Nam Hai, a tropical resort with unobstructed views of the South China Sea. A spa surrounded by lily ponds will delight your senses. Don’t miss Hoi An, a trading post five-centuries old. And stop at My Son — like a smaller Angkor Wat, it is home to the country’s most ancient monuments.