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Valentine vacations

Let’s take a few moments to daydream of escaping to one of these more unusual romantic breaks

WELLNESS WARRIORS CAN FIND HARMONY HERE:

Joshua Tree, California

Joshua Tree, and it’s glorious National Park, serve as a haven for the artistically-inclined, UFOlogists, solitude seekers, and otherwise offbeat creatives drawn to the power of the desert. The motels located in town are all ramshackle, so your best lodging options are through Airbnb, which has a glut of impeccably designed listings that could have easily been plucked straight from the pages of Dwell. We’ve particularly obsessed by this two-person only dome in the desert.

CULTURE VULTURES CAN EXPLORE THE PAST HERE:

Terni, Italy

If you feel a flutter in your heart and a spring in your step, head to the hometown of St Valentine himself: Terni. On February 14, the town throws a decadent feast of delicious Italian food, set against the backdrop of the swooningly beautiful Basilica di San Valentino, where the matchmaking saint’s remains are buried. A Year of Loving Award is presented to the couple who have shown true devotion and kindness to each other.

ADVENTUROUS COUPLES CAN GET AN ADRENALIN FIX HERE:

Galapagos, Ecuador

If you and your beloved are the kind that can’t keep still, take a trip to one of the world’s most magical and mysterious destinations: the Galapagos Islands. Hang with the locals for three nights in Ecuador before jumping on board a boat for a four-day trip around the famous islands, where you’ll be taken to Cero Brujo, a rarely-visited spot, to swim and snorkel with brown pelicans, sea lions and blue-footed boobies.

SNOW BUNNIES CAN WARM UP HERE:

Beaver Creek, Colorado

There’s nothing romantic about frostbite and sore muscles, which is why the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is the perfect place for piste partners. Hit the slopes with minimum effort at this ski-on ski-off resort, complete with boot butlers, roaring fires, an outdoor pit for toasting marshmallows under a starry sky, and an award-winning spa offering a package of massages and champagne for two, plus a long, hot soak together in a copper tub.

BEACH BELOVEDS CAN FIND PARADISE HERE:

HAPPY HIPPIES CAN CHILL OUT HERE:

Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, tucked away in 57 unspoiled acres of desert wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, is offering couples the chance to indulge in private yoga classes for two at sunrise in the Rio Grande River Valley, with the peaks of the Jemez Mountains and the wilds of New Mexico on the horizon. Then you can partake in the spa’s purification ritual at sunset, which begins with a smudging of sage, followed by a clay body mask. Then, after a restful scalp and foot massage that connects both of your energies to heaven and earth, melt away with a juniper-sage massage using hot stones.

CITY SLICKERS CAN FEED THEIR BUZZ HERE:

Seoul, Korea

This massive megalopolis has something for everyone. Skyscrapers tower over ancient temples, supermalls make way for traditional fish markets. And although Seoul never sleeps, when you need to grab 40 winks head to the historical district, which houses the legendary Shilla Seoul hotel, the only place to head after a day of non-stop sightseeing and shopping a deux. Take your date up to the roof for a romantic dinner at one of the quiet restaurants, then head to the library lounge to contemplate your next day’s hustle and bustle.

Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Thirty miles north of Tahiti sits a collection of islets surrounded by warm ocean and not much else. This is about as deserted a tropical paradise as you can get. The beauty spot is so beautiful it was once reserved for the Polynesian royal family, and since then Hollywood royalty has taken a shine to it too. Marlon Brando filmed Mutiny On The Bounty here in the 1960s, fell in love with the powdery beaches and bought every last grain of sand. The Brando Resort (thebrando.com), in keeping with the actor’s wishes, is an eco-chic hideaway that’s perfect for couples.

BOHEMIANS LOOKING FOR A BREAK:

Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

If your idea of couple’s therapy is a lazy day swinging in a hammock made for two, a short stroll on the beach, stopping off at a shack for grilled lobster caught fresh that day, then this is the place for you. At just over one square mile the blissfully slow and small island is easily bikeable and its new hotel – the low key Yemaya Island Hideaway and Spa – offers swimming, snorkelling and the perfect atmosphere to reconnect.

WIN! A THREE-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO FENIX SCOOTERS

Fenix (fenix.life), the newly launched micro-mobility operator, is the first company in the Middle East region to introduce a private subscription service for electric scooters.

Officially launched in Abu Dhabi, MyFENIX offers commuters their own Fenix connected e-scooter for an affordable weekly or monthly fee, available for Dhs100 per week or Dhs200 per month. The service offers unlimited rides, free insurance, annual vehicle upgrades, free cancelation at any time, complimentary maintenance with no-questions-asked vehicle replacements in less than 24 hours, and, most importantly, your very own Fenix e-scooter delivered to your door.

Each Fenix e-scooter boasts an inbuilt integrated hand sanitization pack, so subscribers are assured of a clean and safe ride. Sound good? We have three three-month subscriptions to give away, each worth Dhs600. T&C’s apply.

q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win

WIN!

FRIDAY BRUNCH FOR FOUR AT MR MIYAGI’S WORTH ALMOST DHS1,000

Lively party place Mr Miyagi’s is giving away a table for four at its brilliant weekend brunch, bringing Asia’s vibrant street food scene to Yas Marina via five courses of pandan wrapped chicken, spring rolls, dim sum, maki, curries and much more. A wide selection of house drinks is on offer, but it’s all about ordering the famous Thai buckets of cocktails. Expect dancers, wild entertainment and a lot of karaoke.

WIN!

STEAK FEAST FOR FOUR AT THE FOUNDRY

Southern Sun Abu Dhabi’s Thursday Steak Feast at The Foundry is back. You and three friends will be treated to a collection of signature dishes served directly to your table with multi-servings of steakhouse classics, including freshly-shucked oysters, crisp salads and top-quality cuts.

q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win

WIN!

FOUR PASSES TO SNOW CINEMA

For the first time ever, Ski Dubai and VOX Cinemas have combined to create a stunning one-of-a-kind cinematic experience set in snow. This brilliant prize, worth Dhs1,500, invites you and three mates to enjoy hot chocolates while wrapped in blankets as you watch a blockbuster movie in Ski Dubai. The prize also includes starters and mains courtesy of North 28, as well as rental clothing, fleece gloves, socks, boots, and a beanie.

WIN!

A LUXURIOUS TWO-NIGHT STAY AT ANANTARA SIR BANI YAS RESORTS

Sir Bani Yas is one of those destinations that has to be seen to be believed. The island wilderness is home to a collection of exciting wildlife, cultural wonders, romantic vistas and three luxury Anantara resorts. As of February 1, the three Anantara resorts are set to reopen with Abu Dhabi Local Authorities ‘Go Safe’ certification and we have a two-night stay prize up for the grabs. This glorious prize includes half board at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara with a complimentary nature and wildlife drive safari tour. The perfect getaway stay.

LASTMINUTE TRIP

Dine near flamingoes and sleep in an eco- dome next to the mangroves at Pura Eco Retreat. It’s a getaway in every sense of the word

The location

The retreat is a 10-minute buggy ride from the entrance of Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. Hit the Saadiyat Island Expressway and follow the signs for the park on the right – you’ll park at the public parking, then wait for a buggy to take you on the meandering route through the mangroves. On the plus side, the ride will afford some beautiful views.

The look and feel

Imagine if The Beach commune was set in the Abu Dhabi mangroves, with a splash of Costa Rican vibes thrown in. Head to the main deck behind the big reception villa for the best views – you can enjoy afternoon tea on the patio whilst admiring the odd flock of flamingoes in the shallow waters, or slump in an open-air tepee with a cocktail.

The facilities

A big white villa is the centrepiece of the retreat where guests check-in. Over the next few months, the team will add an indoor relaxation area and a small spa/ treatment room upstairs. Then there are the five domes to the left, and the outdoor restaurant area to the right. If you’re looking for more activities, you can borrow a fatbike to cycle around, stand up paddleboard around the mangroves, or walk the boardwalk at Jubail Park.

The rooms

There are only five geodesic domes, which are fitted out simply but beautifully, with two deck chairs facing out through the opaque windows and a telescope for star/ animal gazing. Each dome has an en suite, there’s a big comfy bed, a cabinet with a Marshall stereo, books, and tea and coffee. Outside each room there’s a cabana and a firepit where you can roast marshmallows or barbecue.

“IMAGINE IF THE BEACH WAS SET IN THE MANGROVES, WITH A SPLASH OF COSTA RICAN VIBES”

The food and drinks

Breakfast and afternoon tea (p35) are served on the patio, while the colourful majlis area and teepees to the right of the property serve dinner. Cocktails, mocktails and are also served.

The room rates

The hotel is very much a retreat first and a restaurant second, so booking an overnight stay is highly-recommended. Dome rates with breakfast is approximately Dhs2,000 per night and is adults-only, making it a perfect romantic getaway.

So much to love from spa-cations to intimate dining experiences. Let us take your breath away, starting from only AED800 per couple.

LOVE

For more information or to secure your reservation, please contact +971 2 811 4342 or email JSIrestaurants@jumeirah.com

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