10 alternative romantic holidays for adventurous couples

Romantic trips with a twist to inspire Valentine’s Day getaways (and beyond)

Yes, a whirlwind weekend in Paris might be classically romantic, but what about couples looking to get away from all the clichés? Swap rose-scattered suites and candlelit dinners for alternative activities with your special someone, from cosying up in an Arctic Circle cabin to riding around a ranch in Montana’s modern Wild West. Unforgettable, unusual, and sure to set your heart racing…these retreats redefine the romantic holiday.

1. Dine in the desert at Dar Ahlam, Morocco

On the fringes of the Moroccan desert, shaded by the palms, lies Dar Ahlam. A traditional Kasbah set in a haven of manicured lawns and fragrant almond blossom, it is easy to understand the Arabic meaning behind the hotel’s name, ‘House of Dreams’. With no menu or dedicated restaurant space, meals are crafted from local ingredients sourced from the souk or grown in the hotel’s garden, while guests are invited to dine in the dozens of private spaces dotted in and around the hotel at any time they wish. Treat your loved one to the spectacular ‘1,001 Night’ dinner, take in the greenery at an alfresco lunch in the garden, or venture outside the hotel on camelback or an Arabian stallion with a picnic to the Sidi Fla volcanic basalt gorges, or beneath a private tent on the shores of the Ouarzazate lake.

2. Help with the harvest at Susafa, Sicily

Get an authentic taste of Sicily from Susafa, a 200-year-old family-run farmhouse which harvests and presses its own olives and cherries, and where chefs pick herbs and vegetables from the gardens, ready for dinner. Take a stroll around the idyllic grounds of fragrant orchards, before settling down to a picnic of homemade jams, organic oils, freshly baked breads and just-picked herbs and vegetables beneath the cherry trees. Time your visit for July if you’d like to lend a hand with the wheat harvest, when you’ll learn the ancient agricultural secrets surrounded by a sea of golden fields. After working up a sweat amongst the crops and kneading fresh bread in a cooking class, sink into the sun loungers beside the lagoon-like pool for a well-earned cocktail.

3. Make chocolate with the Mayans at GAÏA Riverlodge, Belize

Wake to the sound of cascading waterfalls and tropical birds. Watch the sunset turn the skies crimson and gold over the mountains. The unspoilt natural beauty of Belize flows through GAÏA Riverlodge, a recharging retreat that blends effortlessly with its surroundings. Many of the tranquil and technology-free bedrooms, created in the style of rainforest cabanas, come with views (and sounds) of the falls – while others look across at the mountains. While there is plenty of scope for adventure here, from tropical treks to waterfall chasing and Tikal tours, the resort’s cultural visits to nearby villages are not to be missed. Indulge your sweet tooth by learning to make chocolate from scratch at the Ajaw Chocolate Center, where locals teach chocolate lovers the traditional process brought about by the Kekchi Mayans of Southern Belize using raw cocoa beans. A more sustainable and satisfying experience than tucking into a typical box of Valentine’s chocolates…

4. Channel your inner cowboy at Riverview Ranch, USA

Images by @riverviewranchretreat

Perched above the banks of the Clark Fork River, Riverview Ranch is a back-to-nature bolthole where each experience is an authentic Western adventure. The hotel’s connection to the vast Montana landscape greets you at every turn, whether you’re toasting marshmallows around the firepit or enjoying farm-to-table cuisine in the Lodge Great Room. When the charms of big sky country beckon, there are ample opportunities to immerse yourself in ranch life – from horseback cattle drives, team penning, and scenic trail rides through the nearby Lolo National Forest, to horse-drawn sleigh rides with hot cocoa in hand during the winter. This is the place for year-round, yee-haw adventures, wrapped up in some of the most spectacular stateside scenery.

5. Meet the reindeer at Arctic Bath, Swedish Lapland

This one-of-a-kind hotel immerses guests in the postcard-worthy scenery of Swedish Lapland: its frost-crowned forests, where moose and reindeer leave tracks in the snow. Glass walls, floating walkways and sky-gazing decks connect the inside with the great outdoors at Arctic Bath, home to a set of striking over-water cabins frozen into the Luleå River during the winter. Wildlife enthusiasts can join a Sámi reindeer herder at an Arctic Circle camp on the outskirts of Jokkmokk, where you will be invited into the lávvu (tent house) to sit around the fireplace and listen to stories and joik (traditional Sámi singing). Learn about the Arctic way of life as you feed the friendly reindeer and simply soak up the magic of Northern Europe’s last remaining wilderness. You can also get to know the hotel’s resident moose whisperer here.

6. Surf the waves in Santa Teresa at Hotel Nantipa, Costa Rica

From dawn to dusk you’ll have the sand between your toes and the sound of crashing waves in your ears at Hotel Nantipa, an eco-friendly retreat in Santa Teresa surfer heaven. While you could choose to spend your days swinging gently in a hammock in your bungalow or beside the pool, the nearby beaches beckon seasoned surfers and novices alike. The conditions in Costa Rica are point break perfect, so if you’re looking to catch your first wave or bring your trusty board, this is the place to come. With its jungle-meets-ocean backdrop, you’ll also be within easy reach of Montezuma Waterfall, Blanco National Park and Curu Wildlife Reserve.

7. Whale watch from your window at The Marine, South Africa

Perched on a clifftop along the rugged Hermanus coast overlooking the picturesque Walker Bay, The Marine more than lives up to its nautical name with two refreshing saltwater swimming pools, and by offering some of the world’s finest land-based whale watching between June and November each year – often directly from the comfort of the sea view bedrooms. If getting closer to these gentle giants is on your wishlist, water-safaris and boat tours along the Overberg shore are renowned for whale-spotting, as well as seals, dolphins and penguins. Back on dry land, drink in the healing ‘Champagne air’ of Hermanus along 11km of crisp, cliff walks, or sample some of the bubbly itself at one of the local wineries in Hemel-en-Aarde (‘Heaven and Earth’) set in rolling farmland.

8. Pedal through Provence at Hôtel Crillon le Brave, France

A quintessentially Provençal hideaway with all the charms of a 17th century hamlet, stepping into the stone houses of Hôtel Crillon le Brave feels like visiting your most stylish French friend. Think terracotta tiles, colourful throws and handpicked antique furniture, bathed in the golden light this region is so renowned for. When you’re not sipping rosé to a soundtrack of cicadas overlooking Mont Ventoux, make like a local by heading for the hills by bicycle. The lovely little agricultural village of Bédoin is an easy downhill cycle from the hotel – the Monday morning market here is a must-visit if you’d like to pick up some of the region’s renowned soaps, olive oil, linens, and a sensory selection of seasonal produce from citrus fruits and cheeses to garlic cloves and honey. A rolling landscape of scented lavender fields, olive groves, and pine forests awaits in our cycling guide to Provence here.

9. Hike in the Himalayas at Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan

If you’re looking for romance in a remote setting, this Himalayan hideaway surrounded by mountains and forests is as off-grid as they come. A world away from the everyday, Gangtey Lodge is an all-suite outpost which takes farmhouse living to new levels of luxury. Log fires, exposed beams, and slate underfloor heating greet adventure-weary guests, who can look forward to traditional hot stone baths and and slow afternoons on the sun-soaked terrace overlooking the pristine Phobjikha Valley. This untouched corner of the eastern Himalayas lends itself to some of the world’s most spectacular outdoor activities, which means nature is the real heart-stealer here. Hike up ancient trails through blue pine forests and blossoming woodland, or meander past the crane roosting grounds for a romantic stroll like no other.

10. Swim with dolphins at Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand

Set in a tranquil cove with beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds, Bay of Many Coves is surrounded by an eco-marine haven, way off the beaten track. The clear cool waters, sheltered coves and native bush backdrops provide a spectacular setting for wildlife watching, where playful fur seals and island birds can be spotted from your private balcony. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for those looking to take to the water, while the half-day ‘Swim with Dolphins’ experience in Cloudy Bay and Cook’s Strait is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close with large pods of dolphins with an ethical marine guide. Meanwhile, nearby Motuara Island has a resident pod of Hector’s Dolphins, thought to be the rarest marine dolphin in the world.