This dreamy archipelago sits just off the
Cornish coast. Head to car-free Tresco for romantic strolls
along the sandy beaches and heathland and fairy-tale 17th-century
castle ruins.

Where to stay: Cute one-bedroom cottages are
dotted throughout verdant gardens at Tresco Sea Garden Cottages.
Views stretch across the sea and the lighthouse, so there’s little
reason not to stay in bed all day…

In the Gulf of
Naples, this Italian island promises beaches, trattorias and
walks aplenty, but it’s largely known for thermal waters and hot
springs. Come to wash away your single past and enjoy a sparkling
new relationship.

Where to stay: The latest venture from famed
the Pellicano Hotels collection, Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal
Spa offers Ischian
hospitality with an opulent twist. Set among 16th-century ruins,
it’s the perfect place to divide your time between exploring nearby
rocky territory and bathing in the hotel’s natural hot waters.

This charming
Croatian fishing port oozes Mediterranean romance. Wander
through the old town’s cobbled alleys to find hidden restaurants
and bars, walk along Lone Bay’s pebbled shores or take a boat ride
to any of the archipelago’s nearby islands.

Where to stay: Set inside a renovated
16th-century villa, boutique hotel Villa Tuttorotto offers heritage
features and views of the harbour.

Straddling the border between Utah and
Arizona, Lake Powell is a tranquil reservoir on the Colorado
River. Soak up the dramatic views of the Glen Canyon and take a dip
– this is romance at its most secluded.

Where to stay: Sleek Amangiri slots in seamlessly with
its surroundings. The sandstone exterior houses a swimming pool,
sauna, library, art gallery, boutique and anything else you could
possibly desire in a desert retreat.

Just east of Innsbruck, this small Alpine town sets an
otherworldly backdrop for cosying up with your better half. Ski
until your heart’s content before warming up with a hot bath and an
evening by the fire.

Where to stay: A five-minute walk from the town
centre and 10-minutes from the Hahnenkamm lift, Hotel Jägerwirt is perfect for a
wintertime retreat.

This pretty little village is tucked away amid the Cairngorms.
Ringed by towering mountains, this destination is for those couples
who love hiking up hills and exploring Scottish hinterlands.

Where to stay: Quirky and eclectic hotel
The Fife Arms brings a touch of eccentricity to the
highlands. Pairing dark tartan walls with gallery-worthy art
(think: an original Picasso), this is a weirdly wonderful place to
conjure up some romantic magic.

The epitome of understated, inherent chic, Île de Ré
is the holiday playground of the trendy Parisian crowd. Zip around
cobbled streets on old-school bicycles before hitting sandy beaches
fringed by dense pine forests.

Where to stay: In the heart of elegant village
La Couarde-sur-Mer, Hotel Le Vieux Gréement is
no-frills glamour at its finest.

You’ll struggle to find a more typically Italian
town than this. Spend days exploring caves and ravines of this
ancient Puglian
settlement and hopping between the cornetterias and trattorias,
before falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the
shore.

Where to stay: Despite being a half-hour drive
from Polignano a Mare, this Puglian hotel is too good to miss.
Castle-like Borgo Egnazia offers textbook
Italian romance, with candle-lit walkways to its rooftop
terraces.

Head into Ireland’s emerald countryside for a holiday filled
with history and heritage. From the shores of Lough Leane, hike
through the national park for sublime views of lakes, waterfalls,
woodland and towering peaks.

Where to stay: Perched on a hilltop with views
of Leane and peaks of Macgillycuddys Reeks, Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
is ideally located for romantic walks and evenings watching the
sunset.

A feast for the senses, the walled medina city of
Marrakech is known for labyrinthine streets and cultural
overload. While away the hours getting lost in the souks and
stumbling upon hidden gems.

Where to stay: Regal La Mamounia stands proudly in
central Marrakech. With lavish gardens, expansive hammams and a
vast glittering pool, this hotel is a haven amid the city’s
alluring pandemonium.

Craggy peaks form the backdrop to quaint coastal towns on this
Mediterranean island. On the southernmost tip, Bonifacio has a
medieval clifftop citadel, a marina bustling with activity and
sandy beaches on nearby uninhabited Lavezzi Islands.

Where to stay: Laze on one of two private
beaches at U Capu Biancu, where paddleboarding
is a must and canoeing to neighbouring caves is also recommended.
Return to the hotel for a Corsican
wine flight courtesy of renowned sommelière Vanessa Maloyer.

Italy’s best-kept secret, Pantelleria’s sunny island shores are
located in between
Sicily and Tunisia. Spend days cliff diving, rock pooling or
exploring Specchio di Venere – The Mirror of Venus – an
emerald-toned heart-shaped lake in Pantelleria’s volcanic
crater.

Where to stay: Above the small town of Scauri,
the whitewashed Sikelia Luxury Retreat combines
North African architecture with Italian finesse. Beneath domed
roofs you’ll find spacious rooms, a spa and the hotel’s restaurant,
Themà, which offers Sicilian cuisine with Arabic influences.

Brimming with history, St Petersburg is the cultural capital of
Russia. Cruise along the elegant canals of the Venice of the North,
walk around the historic centre or admire the city’s baroque and
neoclassical palaces that line the streets.

Where to stay: In a building dating back 200
years, Alexander House Hotel & Utopia
Spa is as iconic as the city itself. In the middle of the
neighbourhood where famed Russian writers such as Gogol, Pushkin
and Dostoevsky once lived, the hotel’s old-world aesthetic slots in
naturally among the historic streets.

The jagged peaks of the Dolomites
have much more to offer than simply a winter getaway. Amid the
mountains, jaw-dropping scenery and off-piste spas have a timeless
allure while, during the summer months, fields and meadows are
filled with lush greenery and colourful flowers.

Where to stay: In the verdant meadowlands of
Alpe di Siusi, bathe in outdoor thermal pools and kick back in
panoramic relaxation rooms at Adler Lodge Alpe – this is
holidaying at its most remote.

An idyllic Hellenic island, pedestrianised Spetses is about as
romantic as
Greece gets. Whitewashed buildings with shuttered windows look
out over undisturbed white-sand beaches, while charming port towns
are perfect for café- or bar-hopping.

Where to stay: Oozing Grecian grandeur,
Poseidonion Grand Hotel is
Spetses’ premier accommodation. Its columned facade, decorative
archways and a glass-tiled pool flanked by lavender bushes make for
a truly romantic retreat.

This rugged stretch of coastal dreamscape is
California‘s most romantic spot. Embark on long road trips
along the seafront to find iconic sites from Bixby Creek Bridge,
McWay Falls and the purple-sanded Pfeiffer Beach.

Where to stay: Cuddle up in remote wooden
cottages at Post Ranch Inn for views of starry
nights, the sparkling ocean and wildflowers. There’s no noise here
except for the crashing waves and the crackling fire.