As the calendar turns to February, your thoughts may be turning to Valentine’s Day. Here’s an idea: This year, instead of a heart-shaped box of chocolates (#lame) or a teddy bear with a balloon (#evenmorelame), why not plan an island getaway to celebrate the most lovey-dovey day of the year? The Caribbean’s secluded beaches, dreamy sunsets and swoon-worthy vistas make it the classic backdrop for romantics. And these experiences will make you the star of your very own island romance.
- Bathe Al Fresco
Seriously, what’s more romantic than an outdoor shower? To me, there’s nothing more indulgent than lathering up en plein air, the scent of tropical flowers in the air, the breeze (and hopefully your sweetie!) gently kissing your shoulders. Love a tub? The clawfoot tub in the garden at Fleming Villa at Goldeneye in Jamaica has your name on it. More of a shower person? The outdoor shower in select hillside cottages at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort in Saint Lucia is dreamy, secreted by lush palms and offering tempting views of the shimmering Caribbean Sea below.
- Dine In A Cave
Dinner in a cave sounds more like a test of survival than a romantic gesture, but trust me, this is no makeshift meal. Reserve, and you and your lover will enjoy a private dinner a deux in a cozy water’s-edge cavern glowing with a gazillion votive candles and strewn with tropical blooms.
- Take a Private Cruise from a Private Island
At all-inclusive island retreat Fowl Cay not only do you have the run of a 40-acre Bahamian outpost, but each of the six cottages comes with its own 17-ft. boat to explore the surrounding islets and cays that are the Exumas’ claim to fame. Get a quick lesson from the resident boat master, have the hotel pack you a lunch and set off for an all-day idyll to deserted beaches such as the one at nearby Twin Cays. Imagine it: Just you, your sweetie and miles of sugary sand, no swimwear required.
4. Sip Cocktails by The Sea
You can’t help but feel the love on Saint Lucia’s stunning southwest coast, where the majestic Pitons pierce the shimmering sea. Reserve a cliff’s-edge table for two at the hillside haven Ladera. Then take in the sun as it sets behind the twin spires while you sip a Dasheene Fantasy and enjoy the happiest of happy hours.
- Have the Spa to Yourselves
What’s better than a couples massage in a Caribbean spa? A couples massage at a Caribbean spa where you are the only guests. At Four Seasons Nevis, you can book the private, after-hours Spa Under The Stars experience, which includes a couples massage, candlelit dinner and champagne in an indoor/outdoor oasis complete with a volcanic hot stone whirlpool and stunning views of Nevis Peak.
