There is romance in the air and traveling by itself , according to me is completely romantic . There is a bit of discovery, a sense of being lost, a moment of warmth , a dash of magic and a feeling of letting go. Our writers go gaga over places that turn them on and recommend their romantic wish, nay claylist..
Pic : Indrani
Indrani says an ideal place to drool is Udaipur
Flowers, Chocolates and Cards from your loved one can never be boring, add to that a romantic getaway and your Valentine’s Day will be an unforgettable one. And what if the getaway is The City of Lakes – Udaipur? Chances are that you may get lost in the breathtakingly beautiful hilltop fortress, lakes, the corridors of the beautiful palaces and the exquisitely laid out gardens there. Explore the rich cultural past of the city while you are there and splurge at the local shops for art and craft souvenirs. And if your pockets are sill bulging, spend the night at the five star heritage hotel, The Lake Palace situated right in middle of the Lake Pichola!
Pic : Ravi Kumar
Ravikumar says sailing together to a little known village in the majestic Godavari is absolutely romantic.
This Valentine if you are really looking to get away from the clutter of city to somwhere in the wilderness then let me suggest you the pristine rivers of Godavari. The cruise sail stretch of Bhadrachalam, Papikondalu, Rajamundhry which could stretch for 1-2 days is a perfect getaway for all couples looking to spend time together. I recommend this place because the place is non-nondescript yet alluring to nature lovers. The cruise through the mighty Goadvari from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry takes about 8 hours and crosses some breathtaking sights. The cruise stops midway at a village called Peranta Palli and offers nice local lunch. It then crosses the beautiful Papikondulu hill range. There are also options to stay in tented accommodation in the sandy shores of Godavari overnight and watch the shimmering river flow by under the full moon.
Note: Avoid weekends to avoid rush and dont expect luxury.
Deepak also prefers a little known hamlet called Bhandardara where he says rekindle that hot affair …
Pic : Deepak
Want to spend quality time with your Valentine. If you are in Mumbai, then you are just a couple of hours drive away from the ideal spot for you to kindle, rekindle or just carry on the hot affair – Bhandardara a lovely hill station on the Mumbai Nasik road! MTDC has lovely cottages overlooking a placid lake formed by the Wilson dam. These cottages have beautiful balconies where you can sit out in the moonlight and serenade or whisper sweet nothings.
At sundown maybe you can take your beloved for a boat ride ala Venice on the lake too and enjoy the myriad shades of a glorious sunset.
If you are energetically inclined, hike up to Mount Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest peak at 1646 m. This is a day’s trek from Bhandardara, and can be combined with Ratanwadi, 22 km away; the 8th century Amruteshwar temple; and the 400-year-old Ratangad Fort where the Maratha warrior Shivaji rested on his laurels. The ancient Agastya Rishi Ashram on the banks of the Pravara River is another attraction. The ashram is mentioned in the Ramayana as the spot where Ram met Agastya Rishi.
For Charukesi, the hills of Matheran beckon her with a romance in the air.
Pic : Charukesi
My vote is for Matheran. In a world that boasts of largeness and moreness, a charming board at Dasturi Naka enroute Matheran proudly announces – Matheran is the tiniest hillstation in the world. Awwww… And more importantly, Matheran is the only pedestrian destination in Asia. Imagine, no cars, no blaring horns, no fumes… Traffic jam is when two ponies meet midway on opposite sides to their ride to and from the top and exchange pleasantries… Other than that, only the green hills, and during the monsoons, thick grey clouds. Matheran to me is the perfect place to get lost.
Celine says it all with flowers at the Valley of Flowers.
Imagine picturesque narrow mountain roads, scenic landscape, the ephemeral clouds wrapping the mountains – some green, some bare and a few snow-clad. Picture scenes of rich vegetation and forests interspersed with craggy rocks, gusts of winds and drizzle on and off, the meandering rivers shifting their shape in the valleys, sometimes serene, other times turbulent.
Pic : Celine
Can you visualize scenes of mist on the trails with a transitory tone of its own, awesome valleys, the intriguing melting glaciers, the gushing clear water from the mountain streams, and green meadows carpeted with beautiful wild flowers. With the mountains, peaks, valleys, meadows, trees, streams, rivers, glaciers, nature is in its unsurpassed splendour at the Valley of Flowers!
So often I’ve stopped on my tracks, gazed at the magnificent mountains, gasped in silence and taken in its beauty. Nature has so much on display that I felt like staying there forever to fully appreciate and enjoy what it offers.
The mystery and magic of romance needs the perfect surroundings for it to blossom in all its beauty. To me, no other place has been more romantic than the Himalayan mountains of the Valley of Flowers!
For Udit Baranwal, the cool Kasauli calls for intimacy.
Pic : Udit Baranwal
Kasauli is a perfect valentine destination this season. A very calm and beautiful place provides everyone an opportunity to any couple to run from routine life and indulge in a rare privacy. Unlike close destinations like Shimla or Manali, Kasauli provides the silence and privacy any couple can ask for. Romance is mixed in the air and one has to feel it to live the experience.
I would like to soak my emotions and head to a beach. In the temple town called Gokarna along the Karnataka coastline five virgin beaches beckon me and my favourite is OM Beach…nothing to do with mythology , as the picture shows.
Pic : Lakshmi Sharath
Vamsee has lost her heart in San Francisco and she writes this with a song in her heart.
Pic : Vamsee
Not Rome, not New York, not Sydney, not even Paris – for us, San Francisco is the most romantic city in the world. Every single time we went to SF, we would come back happy and more in love than ever. The city that forms the backdrop of more than half of Hollywood’s love stories leaves an indelible mark on every visitor. For the perfect experience, take a ferry from Oakland. As the boat goes under the bay bridge, San Francisco reveals its stunning skyline. Not as impressive as Chicago or as intimidating as Manhattan, San Francisco has a charming mix of heritage buildings and new age skyscrapers. The ferry building beckons you with its stylish European stores selling everything from Provence Lavender to Burgundy wine to Russian Caviar. Eat some fresh fruit at the farmers market on the Embarcadero and settle down at ‘Slanted Door’ for the best Vietnamese food in all of California and perhaps the US.
Shop at the stylish boutiques of Union Square or check out the free outdoor music / dance performances. Foot board the historic cable car and experience the rush of climbing the nearly vertical streets of Nob Hill. Walk down the world’s most crooked Street while admiring the colorful dahlias and French hydrangeas and come upon the most glorious view of the Pacific Ocean and Angel Island. Sights of couples (gay and lesbian and heterosexual) kissing and hugging on the street inspire you to indulge in public display of affection. Go to Ghirardelli chocolate factory and share a banana split ice cream with hot fudge. Late in the evening, walk towards Crissy field and watch the sun set behind the golden gate bridge. Finish off the day by going to ‘Greens’ an organic restaurant at Fort Mason. Order some biodynamic wine and raise your glasses in toast to the most romantic day in the most romantic city. On your way back home, don’t be surprised if you start singing
I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me. The morning fog may chill the air I don’t care! My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea .
