Love is in the air – whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, a special anniversary, or just fancy a romantic weekend away together, you needn't stop at roses, champagne and chocolates.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
It's possibly one of the most romantic inventions ever made in a bathroom – kissing baths. The two baths are arranged so your heads are next to each other, but the rest stretches out in opposite directions, so you can enjoy your soak while stealing the occasional smooch.
If you fancy trying it out, check into the Flitwick Suite at the lovely 17th century Flitwick Manor in Bedfordshire, where you also get your own sauna. The room costs from £275 but we've got a special rate for MyDaily readers of £200 bed and breakfast if you book by March 31, 2011. Just quote mydaily11 when you book online or by phone on 01525 712 242.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
It's one of history's biggest love stories – the King who gave up his throne for a woman. Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson have been the focus of a string of movies on the romance which led to the King's abdication, but if you want a first-hand taste, you can stay in their weekend getaway in France.
There's actually three buildings on the site. Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, in Gif-sur-Yvette, not far from Paris, is the only home the Duke and Duchess of Windsor owned, while you can also stay in the smaller La Celibataire in the same grounds, sleeping two. The 'bachelor' quarters still has a 50s hip bath and double bedroom up in the eaves. Prices start from £990 for a four night midweek break at Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, sleeping up to 12, or from £293 for the same period at Le Celibataire. Book through the Landmark Trust.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
The influence of the world's most famous sex manual, the Kama Sutra, stretches far and wide – even to The Elephant at Pangbourne, near Reading, where one of the hotel's rooms is decorated based on the book. As well as blood red walls, there's a risqué bedhead to give a few ideas, while the whole hotel has a quirky Rajasthan-influenced theme - all despite the fact you're by the river-side in the Thames Valley.
The room costs from £140 per night, based on two people sharing. Book through i-escape to get a free bottle of wine, while anyone staying on a Friday night gets a free three-course dinner.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
Love can overcome any obstacles, it seems – even an unwanted wife and the disapproval of society. Legend has it that back in 1815 the Reverend Purnell-Edwards was so infatuated with a gypsy girl that he built a Doric temple as a love nest, with access through a labyrinth of tunnels which were too narrow for his more curvaceous wife to squeeze though...
You can still stay in The Temple, by the lake at Stancombe Park, near Wotton-under-Edge in the Cotswolds, then owned by the besotted reverend, and even today it's something of a secluded hideaway – perfect for an intimate weekend. Rural Retreats is offering two nights during February from £816.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
Who better to oversee a romantic getaway than the goddess of love herself, Aphrodite. According to legend, she was born from the sea foam off the coast of Cyprus, near Paphos, where you can still see Aphrodite's rock today...
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
Keep the goddess theme running at the Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Resort and splash out on one of the Club Suites, which have their own private pool or Jacuzzi. Sovereign Holidays has seven nights at Aphrodite Hills from £609 per person in a deluxe garden view room, including bed and breakfast, flights and transfers, or from £1,239 per person on the same basis in a junior suite with private pool.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
If you're looking for an unusual way to remind yourself exactly what it is you love about your partner's body – or drive him wild with a permanent memento of yours, try a body-cast break in Brighton. You can choose anything from the lips or face to the rest of the body, and prices start at £25 at Brighton Body Casting...
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
Combine it with a stay at The Oriental boutique hotel, decorated with passion top of the agenda in hot pinks, reds and purples. Two nights cost from £204 based on two people sharing.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
White sand beaches and turquoise seas are always going to be romantic – but one Australian destination even has a sign that it's ideal for love. Heart Reef, right in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef, is made of naturally formed coral and its distinctive heart shape is only visible from the air.
Stay at nearby Hayman Island in the Whitsunday Islands, where you can gaze into each other's eyes in your beachfront villa and private pool, while your butler makes sure you needn't tear yourself away from each other for a second (if you don't want to). A package including three nights' accommodation, a helicopter tour for two over Heart Reef, a 60 minute massage for two, champagne, chocolates and a three course dinner on your villa terrace costs around £1,700.
And if he – or you! – is tempted to pop the question there in February, the resort will provide a complimentary wedding planner, someone to marry you, location and wedding set-up.
The Perfect 10 Romantic Retreats
If you're not before you check in to this intimate getaway, you'll be lovestruck by the end of the weekend. The lovingly converted horsetruck is part gypsy caravan and 100% escape, with a cosy woodburner and African Samburu blankets on the double bed for cold days as well as its own kitchen. You won't quite be able to avoid everyone else, as the shower and toilets are at the house in the grounds where it's parked, but apart from that, it's perfect for a getaway a deux...