February is all about romance, and you would be surprised how many fantastic offers there are at the last minute for a great romantic getaway.  Apart from the usual cities that appear on everybody’s ‘most romantic’ list, I thought it would be a great idea to bring to your attention some lesser known destinations for that special time away with the one you love!

SOUTHERN ITALY

In Southern Italy there is the absolute gem of the Isle of Capri, and the absolutely beautiful Bay of Naples that is overlooked by Mount Vesuvius. A must see on Capri is the amazing Blue Grotto, which you get to by sailing into a cave and see how the light reflections make the water glow a bright blue! Sorrento, a short ferry ride away, is equally as beautiful, and in both places you can get really affordable hotel rooms on the hills with your own private terrace to sit and watch the sunset over the Bay while sharing a bottle of wine.

PISA & FLORENCE

Another great and easy to get to romantic hop, are the great cities of Pisa and Florence, separated by a very short train ride and very easy to do in a few days. A must do is a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio bridge as well as a walk up the Duomo tower and a meal in the square while listening to the church bells. Pisa is also a great little town with the centre point being the Leaning Tower, you only need a day there to soak it all up and maybe stumble upon a romantic little restaurant down a secluded lane like I did.

GIBRALTAR

Gibraltar is a very romantic and unusual destination to visit, with the famous Rock Hotel perched on the cliff overlooking the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.  It is great for us South African’s as no visa is required!  Yet another great place on the UK’s doorstep for a weekend away to somewhere filled with sun and relaxation. Another gem in the Mediterranean is Malta, with possibly the clearest water you will ever see in the Blue Lagoon in Comino.  Why not stay in a spa resort directly across from the pier that takes you to the Blue Lagoon with it’s own beach and cocktail bar and make the most of your time away from the grey skies!

BRAZIL

A bit further away from the UK and a destination that will probably require at least a week, is the fantastic surf island of Florianopolis in Brazil, combined with a few mad days on the beaches of Rio De Janeiro. Florianopolis is a fantastic, unspoiled island, and a paradise for surfing, horseback riding, hiking trails, or just relaxing on your balcony overlooking the pool and beach.  I was very fortunate to be taken out there by the Brazilian tourist board, and a highlight of the trip (and one I am sure your partner would love to be surprised with!) is a whale watching safari that takes you out in a dingy right amongst all the whales and their calves.  One whale got so close that it even touched our boat as it swan underneath, much to the delight of my fellow travel agents. Florianopolis is the home of the World Surfing Championship, with the main surf beach being Joaquina and offer fantastic and affordable hotels. If you like oysters, you will love this island as almost every recipe you can imagine for oysters is on the menu at some of their idyllic restaurants on the beach.  In my opinion, the island is very similar to some parts of the South Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal, so you will feel right at home.  Brazil is also one of the lovely friendly countries that let us in without the hassle of a visa, so you can just book your trip and fly!  If combined with a trip to Rio De Janeiro, which is a very short flight away from Florianopolis, this can be a fantastic trip and costing far less than you might think.