Percy Shelley once wrote ""Soul meets soul on lovers' lips."" However, at Original Travel we like to think that soul meets soul on a far flung holiday... Spring is in the air and we've cast our favourite romantic holidays as characters in our very own Little Black Book. Don Juan, this one's for you! Here are our Top Five romantic destinations for 2014.
The Hightailing Dreamer: Indonesia
Where else in the world but Indonesia can you see a bird of paradise, a pygmy seahorse and a manta ray in just a few hours?
If you're not the kind of couple who can sit still for very long, hop aboard a luxury yacht and explore the 1,500 small islands of Indonesia's Raja Ampat. Best of the bunch are sister boats Silolona and Si Datu Bua. A typical day on board Si Datu Bua would involve diving or snorkelling some of the most pristine reefs on Earth or simply relaxing on the wonderful teak deck, all the while being served fine wines and mouth-watering Asian fusion cuisine. Positively dreamy? If you're still in discovery mode, the Island of Flores is home to Komodo dragons, the longest living and largest species of lizard.
The Loquacious Lothario: Italy
Ah, Italy, a country that needs no romantic introduction. No other Lothario will ever be as authentic. Florence is an open air museum of fairytale streets ready to be cooed over. Share spaghetti vongole (an OT favourite) at La Bussola and retreat to Florentine bolthole JK Place Firenze: a chic and modern take on the city's antique charm. For a completely original take on Italy try the region of Puglia. Unlike its glitzy other half, the Italian Riviera, Puglia is a native Italian's best kept secret.
The Beast in the Bedroom: Tanzania
Erase those sordid thoughts, what we are actually referring to is lions. A safari holiday might not be the obvious choice for a romantic break but it should be. Tanzania is the perfect combination of bush and beach and what's more romantic than sharing your first sighting of a lion in the wild? Finish off with a week of 'bare-foot' paradise on the island of Zanzibar at The Residence. One week of beasts, followed by one week of private pool villas...
The Blue Eyed Mystery Man: Colombia
Mysterious with a good dose of devil-may-care attitude, Colombia is the destination you must visit if you want to stay ahead of the travel pack. Cool hunters will fall in love with Cartegena's colonial charm that offers endless photo opportunities in its maze of streets. However, there's still place for some Romeo and Juliet style posturing. Just like Verona, Cartegena is a walled city. Ooosh! Where's the ring?
The Runaway Prince: Oman
The lavish luxury hotels of Oman are the perfect hide out for a runaway royal. The Chedi has been described as epitomising the 'new, contemporary and funky Arabia' and the rooms are kitted out with black sunken marble baths. Once you've had your fill of couple's massages at the Balinese spa, disappear further into the desert and set-up camp in the Wahiba Sands. Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin style tent before a day of dune bashing, quad biking and sunset camel riding. It's good to know that Oman is also our favourite family destination, if things do get cosy!