Under the stars

FALLING asleep in the arms of your lover under a clear African sky of twinkling stars is probably one of the most romantic things you could ever do.

An elaborate, four-poster bed, dressed in crisp, white luxurious linen, draped in an elegant mosquito net, is placed in a stunning location - normally just far enough from the main lodge to feel alone. Dinner is then served, either at the location, or before you leave for the location. Then you are left to re-connect with open space, the nocturnal sounds of nature and of course with your loved one.

Nkwichi Lodge, located in northern Mozambique (on the banks of Lake Malawi), offers this incredible experience to their guests. There is a choice of three different locations:- on a rocky outcrop (surrounded by water); or a deserted beach (surrounded by baobab trees); or a-top the elevated viewpoint with an incredible sunsets and morning vistas over the lake – the location is determined by the elements, and which is most suitable at the time.

Another Mozambican Star-Bed experience to watch out for is at Anantara Medjumbe, located on a tiny island in the Quirimbas Archipelago. They have taken their star bed concept one step further, where you are left alone on a completely different, nearby island. 

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Hide-aways just for Valentines

FOR couples planning a West Country get-away over #Valentines, Toad Hall Cottages has properties just for two. 

New for 2016, Rose Cottage is a #luxury bolthole in Newton Ferrers on the South Devon Coast. 

The Cutch, few miles from Polperro in #Cornwall, is in a secluded spot – surrounded by pretty gardens – on a farm. Both the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are within a 30-minute drive. 

For people who want the convenience of being in a town, Riverside Loft in Totnes could fit the bill.  Totnes has historic buildings, cobbled streets, art galleries, museums, alternative health practices, and live music venues. The house overlooks the River Dart in the heart of Totnes.

www.toadhallcottages.co.uk   

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Picture Credit: www.toadhallcottages.co.uk

Greek Villa chic

GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION enters its 48th season with a range of #villas which the company says will suit every possible type of guest: single travellers, couples, multi-generation families, or groups of friends. On the Ionian Islands, the Sporades, Crete, and in mainland #Greece and #Cyprus, most of the houses have private swimming pools, and all of them have been chosen for privacy and high standards of comfort. 

New for 2016 is Costa Navarino’s high-end villas on the coast of the Western Peloponnese on the Greek mainland. They come with a butler service, private chefs, a spa and a golf course a mere buggy ride away. The Costa Navarino Ithomi & Sapientza villas (each sleeps four) cost from £5,741 pp (four sharing) including seven nights’ self-catering, return flights (Gatwick), private transfers and full use of the resort’s exclusive facilities.

For total seclusion, there’s Villa Boukari (sleeping six) on Corfu’s south-east coast. Close to a 13th century village with its low-key taverna, it has views down to the sea. Rates start from £632 pp (four sharing) for seven nights’ self-catering, flights (Gatwick) and car hire. 

Call GIC The Villa Collection on 020 8232 9780 or go to www.gicthevillacollection.com

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Island hide-aways

THE #MUSTIQUE COMPANY is flagging up holiday rental properties it says would suit couples and small families planning breaks on the privately-owned Caribbean #island …

Lavender Hill Cottage – At the northern tip of the island, this retreat is newly available for rental. It has colonial style interiors, an infinity pool, and unrivalled views.  

Samambaia – Set in tropical gardens, it has great views and an easy-going Caribbean feel.  

Messelia – Bright, breezy, and beachside, this recently refurbished house is in Britannia Bay.

Cotton Hill Residence – An opportunity to rent a private villa in the grounds of the Cotton House Hotel. It has a private pool … and a butler service.

Flights from London to Barbados are available from £520 per person return, with return flight transfers from Barbados to Mustique costing £350 per adult and £270 per child.

www.mustique-island.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/84108876@N00/4132507727">Macaroni Bay, Mustique</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Premium Paris

VACATION rentals provider LuxuryVilla.com is now offering private #luxury #apartments in some of the best locations in #Paris. The apartments have views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and the Champs Elysees.

Samuel Cohen, CEO of LuxuryVilla.com, says: ‘Our Paris vacation properties are perfect for couples who want to get away from it all and live luxuriously in one of the most famous cities in the world. Whether they're doing the tango on the Seine, listening to blues in the oldest jazz club in Paris, or eating in a sidewalk café, couples will love the endless adventure that the city has to offer.’

The company also manages holiday rentals in the US and Jamaica.

www.luxuryvilla.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23682502@N04/3826682915">paris</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Honeymoon prize … on Tenerife

A NINE-DAY, 5-star, Canary Islands honeymoon is the prize in a social media competition announced by the Tenerife Tourism Bureau.

All couples have to do to enter is make a video explaining why they would very like to have their honeymoon in – you’ve guessed it – Tenerife.

The downside for couples in Britain, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Russia, China and everywhere else except the US, is that entrants must be residents of the – you’ve guessed it – the US.

Entries can be uploaded to http://www.adventureontenerife.com/win-free-honeymoon, or posted to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, tagged #tenerifehoneymoon. The winning entry will be chosen by popular vote in September.

The lucky honeymooners can look forward to:

· A tour of Tenerife's capital Santa Cruz and La Laguna for shopping and 

  sightseeing

· A whale-watching trip and vineyard tour

· An evening under the stars at Las Can~adas National Park

www.adventureontenerife.com
www.questtraveladventures.com

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Picture Credit: "Playadelduque" by Josemi1711 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Budapest best for low-cost romance

HUNGARIAN capital #Budapest is the cheapest destination for UK couples to have a #romanticget-away, say the “relationship” site eHarmony.co.uk and travel search engine Skyscanner, which analyzed the typical costs (including a meal, flowers, chocolates and hotel room, and average flights prices from UK airports) involved with a date across 20 European cities. The results reveal that Budapest offers the best value for lovers.

On average, a two-night Budapest break will set you back £390, with a three-star hotel room costing just £36 and a quality three course meal for two with a bottle of house white coming to £31. Twelve red roses and a box of chocolates come to £38 and travel around the city for two totals £8. Finally, return flights for two add on £277.

According to Skyscanner flight price data, it is cheaper to fly from a UK airport to Budapest and have a date there than it would be for people within the UK to travel to London for a romantic rendezvous (£547).

Following Budapest are Warsaw and Brussels.

The true value in holidaying as a couple can be found beyond your wallet though, with a quarter (24%) of respondents saying a trip away helped them realize whether their partner was right for them. This will certainly be familiar to the five percent of people who admitted they have broken up with a partner as a direct result of a holiday together!

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: Brussels for a romantic get-away? Is it April 1?

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14454795@N05/9246510823">DSC_0109</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Italian hide-aways - Special Offers

A little something for 2 in Umbria?

La Stalla (The Stables) converted into a studio apartment for two with a large terrace surrounding the cottage with views down in to the valley.

Discounted rate of €450 for the week Sunday 24th May to Sunday 31st May  
www.casasangabriel

STILL searching for an Italian villa for a large family or group holiday?

This eight-bedroom house – Chiesa del Carmine – is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in Umbria. 

Comprising an 11th century church with adjoining 18th century farmhouse, and sleeping up to 14 guests. 



It also has a pool, a children’s playground, gardens, terraces … and a 21st century kitchen.

The normal weekly rental is £3,969, but 20 percent discounts can be had for stays between May 30 and June 20.     

www.chiesadelcarmine

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Picture Credit: www.chiesadelcarmine & www.casasangabriel

Top cities for romance!

IN a survey of more than 2,000 Londoners by travel money provider International Currency Exchange, Paris, Rome, and Venice were voted the most romantic holiday cities in Europe. 

Paris also scored highly for value for money, just behind Amsterdam, which was voted top for those on a budget.

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Picture Credit: From Top: 'Notre-Dame île de la Cité' by Benh LIEU SONG (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons; "Amstelpark water" by Arthena - Own work via Wikimedia Commons