Holiday ideas for a romantic Valentine's break

Keeping romance in the air over Valentine's Day weekend is much easier if you can treat you and your loved one to something special and discover somewhere new.

However, with almost limitless options and with restaurants and destinations cashing on the lovers' holiday, then how can you find something suited to what you are looking for?

And what if you want to try a holiday to somewhere different?

Travelbite.co.uk's guide to some of what is on offer this Valentine's day, from country retreats to city breaks in the UK to beach holidays in the Far-East, should help you come up with a Valentine's Day holiday to remember.

Romance in remote Scotland

The British Isles offer stunning scenery, immense natural beauty and the chance to get away for short break, often without the hassle of airports or foreign currency.

Scotland has some of the most beautiful and remote places to holiday in the country, not least in the Gairloch area in the west of the Highlands.

One of the highlights in the area is Loch Maree, considered one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, which lies at the edge of the UK's first national nature reserve, Beinn Eighe.

Visitors to the loch and nature reserve, located around four miles south of Gairloch, will get a chance to see eagles, deer and pine martens.

More information is available from www.snh.org.uk

In the other direction from Gairloch is Loch Ewe, where the exotic plants of Inverewe Gardens can be seen flourishing thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream. As well as wandering in the Victorian gardens, couples can also take boat tours around the Isle of Ewe.

For more information see the National Trust Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk

While there, holidaymakers can also take in the Atlantic Ocean during their visit, exploring beaches at Big Sand and Melvaig as well as keeping a look out for dolphins and killer whales.

For more information on a Valentine's break in Scotland see www.visitscotland.com

Southern city breaks in England

Brighton can give couples wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the things the city does best - eating out and luxurious accommodation.

A luxury break can be had while staying at Drakes boutique hotel in Brighton, which offers sea views and a special Valentine's break package.

Guests get champagne, a rose-petal scattered hotel room with a bouquet of flowers and hand-made chocolates upon arrival. The rest of the package is no less luxurious, with three course meals, surprise gift-boxes, spa treatments, a massage and breakfast in bed.

For more information see www.drakesofbrighton.com

Take in some European grandeur

Paris is known for being the city of lovers, and one way of making sure the it lives up to its reputation is go a little bit further and stay somewhere really special.

One such option is the luxurious and stylish Hotel Lutétia, a 1920s building, with a domed reception, crystal chandeliers and art deco furniture.

Located on the left bank, its notable former guests include artists Cocteau, Picasso and Matisse as well as Charles de Gaulle, who spent his honeymoon there.

Two bars offer pianists and jazz musicians, for relaxing after wandering the city.

A three-night break with VFB Holidays including bed and breakfast accommodation is available for £270 per person, based on two sharing, with return Eurostar tickets.

For more information see www.vfbholidays.co.uk

Get adventurous and exotic

Sharing new experiences in exciting and exotic destinations is definitely the stuff of romance, making a gentler-type of adventure holiday an original Valentine's getaway.

With this in mind, award-winning adventure holiday specialists Intrepid Travel have gone the extra step to offer special Valentine's Day gift boxes in an authentic gift box to give your trip voucher some extra romance.

Among their Valentine's Day holiday specials is a week-long trip across Italy's Tuscany region, taking in busy and beautiful Florence, the countryside of Siena and the former capital Lucca.

Picturesque hills, medieval towns with cobblestone streets and grand centuries-old cities can be discovered on this tour of the region. The break costs £540 per person, not including flights or local payment of €100. For more information see intrepidtravel.com

If Europe is not warm and sunny enough then you can catch some winter sun with Intrepid's short trips to Thailand and Morocco.

A five-day beach break on the Thai island of Ko Samui in February costs £185 per person, based on two sharing, not including flights.

Holidaymakers can stay at in a thatch-roofed wood and stone bungalow at the Coral Bay Resort, and relax at the resort's gardens, swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

For more information see www.intrepidtravel.com

If crowds, excitement and shopping, along with some beach lounging and learning some new culinary skills is more appealing, then Intrepid also has a gentle Moroccan adventure.

A nine-day tour of the markets in Marrakech, the historic kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, trekking in mountains near Imlil, and relaxing in coastal Essaouira costs £300 per person, excluding flights and local payment of €100.

For more information see www.intrepidtravel.com

All three trips are available in the special Valentine's gift box.