Holiday & Travel

Celebrating the world's most outstanding hotels and venues in the romance travel space, the inaugural Love Travel Awards took place at Westin Europa and Regina in Venice as part of the first Amour travel trade show, dedicated exclusively to romance travel. Witnessed by over 230 industry professionals during a lavish, black-tie ceremony, twenty hotels, resorts and hotel brands received a 2017 Love Travel Award in a variety of categories.

The beauty of Pooja Kanda lies on how it makes one feel blissfully wrapped in a Dutch-colonial style villa, surrounded by tranquillity and privacy. The majestic and spacious five-bedroom villa stands proudly on a lush hillside just inland from Sri Lanka's stunning southern coast. Villa Pooja Kanda's Dutch colonial style blends the old with the new beautifully. White pillars border the verandas furnished with rattan loungers which spill seamlessly onto the emerald lawn.

Set on the picture-perfect island of Dhidhoofinolhu, LUX* South Ari Atoll has recently been entirely reimagined to create a chic and relaxed atmosphere, making it one of the biggest refurbishments the Maldives has ever seen. Dotted at the water's edge along two miles of powder-fine beach and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear, reside the resort's new 46 Romantic Water Villas, each with private infinity pools.

There's nothing like the feeling of being given exclusive access to give a holiday that extra appeal. Recognising the interest in private gardens and the hidden gems that lie within their walls, RHS Garden Holidays have opened the gates to a number of select properties that wouldn't normally be open to the public.  Bringing a new dimension to their itineraries, RHS Garden Holiday clients can now enjoy exclusive access to a number of private gardens, ranging smaller cottage plots to large expansive estates, in the knowledge that they'll be one of the very few to get through the door. 

Catering to the most discerning of travellers, luxury Maldivian resort OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, has opened the doors to a 430sqm 'Over-Water Suite', which includes an exclusive overwater bar, serviced 24 hours a day! Positioned at the tip of the pier - and just a stone's throw from the resort's underwater restaurant M6m - the OZEN Water Suite offers panoramic views of the expansive turquoise lagoon all-around and can comfortably accommodate 8 people (4 adults + 4 children, or 6 adults + 2 children + maid/nanny).

The fridges are being stocked with champagne in the Turquoise Holidays' travel shops in Battersea and Beaconsfield as the countdown to the bridal travel event of the year begins. The 2017 Turquoise Holidays Honeymoon Sale prepares to go live on Monday 13 February and with savings and a heap of added value gifts there is no better time to book a honeymoon – but there's just two weeks in which to do it and only one company with which to book.

Comprised of 33 islands, Bahrain is the understated pearl of the Arabian Gulf wrapped within striking desert dunes and clear turquoise waters, awash with vibrant traditional souks rich in colour and ancient heritage.  A destination with so much to offer, guests can enjoy a desert barbeque, discover secrets of the Dilmun era at The Digs at Saar, lose themselves in the meandering lanes of the Gold Souk or dine at the famous King Fahad Causeway, linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

With spring just around the corner, the almond trees that surround Castell Son Claret in Mallorca are about to burst into life and transform the countryside beyond this luxury retreat and former castle, flooding the senses with the scent of blossom and the sight of acres of white flowers. To celebrate this beautiful time of year, the 38-room hotel is offering special packages valid for stays from when the hotel reopens for the season on 6th February 2017 through to the end of March 2017, including an Almond Blossom package and a 3-for2 offer.

A U.S road trip with a loved one is the perfect romantic adventure this Valentine's Day. Driving along some of the world's most spectacular coastlines, lazy days on sun-kissed beaches, nights snuggled up in cosy cabins in the heart of awe-inspiring forests and enjoying a taste of old-world Americana, will make for a truly unique, romantic break. Explore the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and head to the town of Loveland which plays host to the nation's biggest Valentine's festival.

With 2017 looking to be the year of mental health awareness, Health and Fitness Travel, have launched The Mental Makeover Retreat in Italy. Led by international master of mind-improvement and celebrity coach; Steve McKeown, this ground-breaking wellness retreat launches this June and September held at the luxurious Ti Sana Detox Retreat & Spa near Milan and Lake Como, with more destinations and dates to follow.

Throughout February, luxury 5* hotel The Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island will be giving love-birds the chance to fly away to their own private island for an unforgettable Valentine's experience. Named as 'The Most Romantic Hotel in Britain' by The Sunday Times and 'One of the Most Romantic Hotels in the UK' by The Telegraph, the exclusive destination set in 350-acre private island off the west coast of Scotland is celebrating the most romantic holiday of the year with a whole month dedicated to love.

Dedicated to fearless couples wanting to celebrate love in the lush setting of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico's Pacific coast, Casa Velas stages an unforgettable experience mixing love and food at 46-metre up in the sky. Whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the property's on-site golf course and beautifully polished grounds, Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre Mountains, guests will enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner designed by top chefs, including Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza, disciples of Spanish superstar Juan Arzak and owners of Biko in Mexico City, regularly among the top 50 restaurants in the world on the San Pellegrino list.

Scotland is a land of contradictions: from the bright sunshine hitting a Highland hillside in the spring; to the dark and gruesome history of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.  Romantic Scotland is hardly a new concept in the 21st century… but it could get decidedly darker. Glasgow is reputedly the final resting place of St Valentine; as well as some blood-thirsty vampires.   And many people love a Scottish ceilidh wedding; as well as a spooky story. 

As the Chinese New Year turns to the Year of the Rooster, new research from Wendy Wu Tours reveals that while 90 per cent of British holidaymakers have never been to the Great Wall of China, visiting a World Heritage Site or one of the new Modern Wonders of the World such as The Great Wall is at the top of a bucket list for 60 per cent.