Top 10 romantic destinations

There’s a reason why Hawaii is so popular for weddings and honeymoons: its stunning landscapes, perfect sunsets, waterfalls, golden sands and crashing waves are as romantic as it gets. Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, is smaller and less populated and has soaring cliffs and heavenly beaches.

Where to stay: The biggest and most luxurious resort on the island, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, offers private beach cabanas, thatched-roof bungalows for massages, secluded gardens and a restaurant where diners eat in huts suspended over a koi pond. Rooms start from Dh1,528. For more information see www.kauai.hyatt.com.

This tiny fishing harbour on Liguria’s Italian riviera is almost laughably romantic. A favourite with the jet set (everyone from Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin has holidayed here), its tiny harbour has pretty little houses painted in pastel colours. It’s also close to stunning Paraggi bay, with its emerald water.

Where to stay: The Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo is the only five-star luxury hotel on the Portofino Coast, and offers a beach club with terraces on the sea, individual cabanas and a panoramic swimming pool. Rooms from Dh677 a night. See www.excelsiorpalace.it.

Surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef, this French Polynesian island claims to be the most romantic in the world. With diving, snorkelling and chilling on a pristine coral beach, it’s the epitome of a tropical paradise.

With its lush landscape, volcanic lakes and intriguing temples, the exotic oasis of Bali is great for couples. For peace and tranquillity head to Padang-Padang beach, made famous in the film Eat, Pray, Love.

Where to stay: We suggest Karma Kandara on Bali’s southern most tip, where you’ll find beautifully furnished individual villas with their own tropical courtyard, private pool and personal access to the beach. Rooms start from Dh3,158 per night. See ww.karmakandara.com.

Getting there: Flying time is 9 hours 50 minutes. Flights to Bali from Dubai start at Dh2,000, flying with Malaysia Airlines. See www.malaysiaairlines.com.

If your dream of an idyllic island retreat includes caster-sugar sand beaches, translucent jade-green sea as warm as a bath and a laid-back lifestyle where the biggest decision you’ll have to make is where to go for dinner, the Grenadines – particularly Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, Mayreau – known as the ‘jewels of the Caribbean’, are for you. For a really romantic excursion, take a catamaran cruise to Tobago Cays National Park.

Where to stay: Buccament Bay resort, St Vincent, is an all-inclusive luxury resort with infinity pools set before the white sandy beach. Rooms start from around Dh3,930. Visit www.buccamentbay.com for more information.

Getting there: Flying time is 14 hours 50 minutes. Return flights from Dubai to Barbados from Dh4,235 with Virgin (www.virgin-atlantic.com). American Airlines offers flights from Miami to Barbados from Dh2,141, and from Barbados to the Grenadines see www.svgair.com.

Where to stay: Le Royal Mansour Méridien offers an oasis of calm, with elegant, stylish rooms and fabulous cuisine. Rooms start at Dh583 a night. For more information see www.fivestaralliance.com.

Getting there: Flying time is 8 hours. Emirates has flights from Dubai to Casablanca from Dh3,095. See www.emirates.com.

Perfect weather all year round, palm trees and complete seclusion should you so desire, the tiny coral reef islands of the Maldives offer white-sand beaches, crystal clear water and the magical undersea world of the Indian Ocean. If you’re looking for somewhere you and your loved one can relax, this is it.

Where to stay: Niyama Maldives, with its restaurant reachable only by boat, offers total escapism. You may never want to leave! A water studio with pool starts at Dh6,438 per night. For more information visit www.peraquum.com.

It would be impossible to talk about the most romantic destinations in the world without mentioning Paris. Surprise your loved one with a cruise along the Seine (moonlit or daytime, both equally enchanting); head to the Museé Rodin to see the sculptor’s most famous work, The Kiss, the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, or simply stroll along the Left Bank, soaking up the atmosphere.

Where to stay: A former Napoleon III residence, Saint James Paris is the only chateau in the city, with spectacular gardens and just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe; it offers a spa based on gemology (using the minerals in gems) and is a perfect hideaway. Rooms start at around Dh2,038. See www.relaischateaux.com.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a castaway (just for a holiday, of course) then the Seychelles islands offer everything you could possibly want: pearl-white beaches surrounded by tropical flowers, mountains and a sea full of tropical fish.

Where to stay: Set on one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, the Banyan Tree Seychelles is a five-star resort with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. A beachfront villa with private pool starts at Dh5,811 per night. For more information visit www.banyantree.com.