Whether you like travelling the world with a loved one, prefer far-away adventures with friends or are something of a solo explorer, there are myriad ways to fall in love with the world. Pack your bags, because here are 14 destinations we promise will tug on your heart strings this Valentine's Day…

1. VALLEY OF DREAMS: FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA

Start your adventure in South Africa’s ‘Valley of Dreams’, Franschhoek, which offers a more intimate experience than its more illustrious neighbour, Stellenbosch. This little town on the Western Cape is perfect for a couple on a romantic getaway or those looking for a little cultural immersion. Expect majestic mountain scenery, lush gardens, art installations, biking, and hiking paths and even a motor museum showcasing vintage vehicles. Take a tour on the Franschhoek Wine Tram where there are more than 30 hop-on and hop-off points, each showcasing a different wine and cuisine experience. And if you find yourself falling for Franschhoek, stay an extra couple days after February 14 for The Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival which offers live performances, wine, and gastro-tasting events from February 15-18.

2. LATIN PASSION: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

We’re raising temperatures now with a fiery tango show at one of Buenos Aires’ oldest and most famous tanguerías (tango dance halls), El Viejo Alamacén. Entertaining the locals of Argentina’s capital city since 1969, the unassuming venue based in San Telmo houses a restaurant alongside a two-tiered tango hall. Begin the evening with a three-course meal where you can sample meat empañadas, salmon tartar and arrabal salad for starters, tenderloin with Bordelaise sauce and potato gratin for main, and the special Viejo Almacén for dessert. Plump for the VIP package and you can sip champagne while watching the passionate performances of tango dancers and the sounds of the Quinteto Orquestal from 10pm. But don’t worry if you can’t make it on February 14 as the tanguería is open 365 days-a-year. And most importantly of all… dress to impress.

3. THE WILD ATLANTIC: GALWAY, IRELAND

As Ireland’s cultural capital, it should come as no surprise that Galway possesses one the world’s most famous symbols of love, the Claddagh ring. Shaped with a heart for love, a crown for loyalty and two clasped hands for friendship, the ring has been shared as a sign of commitment since the 17th century, with the jewellers of the town offering various designs and diamonds on the accessory. And when you are done, selecting your golden bands, explore the tight, winding streets of the city that are peppered with independent shops and boutiques. When it’s time for food and drink, drop into The Dáil for a pint of the black stuff and a game of rugby before enjoying a meal at Spanish tapas haunt, Cava Bodega. Prefer local cuisine? Head to John Keogh’s on the Westside where you can hook a plate of fish ‘n’ chips (some say the best in the city) before finishing the night at The Crane Bar with some traditional Irish music or some craft drinks and tunes at the Bierhaus.

4. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: ICELAND

Our most northern point on our adventure, Iceland is made for a romantic escape. Think cosying up by the fire, unspoilt landscapes, and the Northern Lights. Hire a car and chase the Aurora Borealis on the 828-mile Route 1 that follows the coast of the island and gives access to places like Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Highlands. If you don’t fancy driving, you can book a cruise… Take a look at Arctic Adventures, which combines the hunt for the lights with an afternoon at the sea where voyagers have the chance to catch a glimpse of minke, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Return to civilisation and do so in style at the Michelin-starred, Dill. Serving up diminutive dishes that are brought to the table and explained by the chefs who crafted them, the restaurant prides itself on using produce from only local farmers and fishermen and even procures some ingredients from their own summer foraging expeditions around the island.

5. LOVE ISLAND: BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

This island needs no introduction, as it’s been one of the most popular destinations for honeymooners over the past decade and with good reason. Forget about sky-scraping towers, thronging crowds and any stress and welcome turquoise water, pristine beaches, tropical vegetation, and relaxation. Stay at the Four Seasons Bora Bora (which you can now rent out in its entirety for a week should you be willing to part with a cool $2.5 million) in the shadow of Mount Otemanu and toast sunsets from the comfort of your own private plunge pool. Or enjoy a dip in the sea and explore colourful corals that are packed with exotic sea life before hopping aboard an outrigger canoe that will whisk you and your other half off to a white-sand islet for a three-course sunset champagne dinner.

6. A ROMANTIC STROLL: PRAGUE, CZECHIA

The simplest date idea can often turn out to be the most memorable, especially if that gentle amble takes place in Prague. Wander along the quaint and cobbled streets of Malá Strana until you find Lovers’ Bridge. Write the name of a loved one on a padlock and attach it to the bridge, like hundreds of people and couples have done before. Next saddle up for a horse-drawn carriage around Prague’s charming Old Town. Sit back and enjoy this elegant tour as your coachman tells you all about the key attractions and ancient sights of the city. Stretch the legs with a 40-minute walk to Viniční altán for views of the Nusle Valley and a glass of wine and a bite to eat. Or try something out of the ordinary and book into a couples’ beer spa experience at the Michelangelo Grand Hotel.

7. LOVE BY NAME, LOVE BY NATURE: LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Just a short train ride away is lovely Ljubljana and relaxing Valentine vibes. The city is made for walking so make sure to bring comfortable shoes, you’ll likely exceed your daily 10,000 steps. Start with breakfast and coffee on pedestrian-only street Cankarjevo Nabrezje before going on the hunt for dragons. You won’t have to search too hard as the city is packed full of the mythical animal’s statues, with the most famous located at Zmajski Most (The Dragon Bridge), one of Slovenia’s most photographed landmarks. Next make the 30-minute trek upwards to Ljubljana Castle for superb panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains as well as Michelin-starred restaurant Restavracija Strelec that serves Mediterranean plates paired with Slovene wines. There is a funicular for the way back down for those who need a little longer to catch their breath. When it’s time to eat, enjoy a wander around Mestni trg, Stari trg and Gornji trg for home-grown eateries before ending the day by celebrating at Butcher’s Bridge (official name for Lover’s Bridge) that is starting to bend under the weight of couples’ lovelocks underneath the stars.

8. RELAX TOGETHER: BALI, INDONESIA

Say goodbye to stress and hello to endorphins and relaxation with a couples’ massage in Bali. Check into the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and immerse yourself into the Healing Village Spa where you can relax in the Longevity Garden and enjoy a DIY treatment (you and your partner are both the therapists) for 75 minutes in the spa’s secret garden, exclusively for couples. Or step into the futuristic AWAY Spa at the W Bali – Seminyak where you can ignite your passion with the three-hour Light My Fire treatment that uses kaleidoscopic lighting, powerful scents, and power sounds to rejuvenate your energy levels. Or head to the famous Karma Kandara for a Balinese massage and admire ocean views.

9. A SPOT OF TEA: NUWARA ELIYA, SRI LANKA

High time for some high tea now… Nuwara Eliya might not be as well-known as Sri Lanka’s Columbo or Kandy, but it is believed to be the best stop for a pot of brew. Hop onto a rickshaw and speed your way through Sri Lanka’s tea country to the lush Pedro Tea Estate. Imagine rolling fields of tea leaves and pleasant aromas where you can learn the art of tea-making on a 20-minute factory tour from the plantation that began back in 1885. Throw on your finest outfit for an afternoon tea in the Grand Tea Lounge of The Grand Hotel. You can tuck into traditional English scones with clotted cream, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, and a glass of sparkling wine out on the fountain lawn. And don’t forget to visit Lover’s Leap where, according to folklore, lovers leap to their deaths over a 30-metre waterfall in the name of love. Open 24 hours-a-day, sunrise and sunset is the best time to cast eyes on the cascades of water but make sure to bring strong pair hiking boots as you will have to traverse a dirt path through the tea estate.

10. DESERT DEVOTION: LOVE LAKE, DUBAI

Who doesn’t love a picnic when it comes to romantic dates? And when the picnic site is beside two huge interconnect heart-shaped lakes, you’re ticking all the brownie-point boxes. Located around 30km from Dubai’s city centre, Love Lake is the perfect spot for couples looking for that great Instagram shot, but it’s also the perfect place to come, meander through the serene Al Qudra area and fall in love with nature again. Spot wildlife like swans and ducks, as well as giant koi fish in the water, or pitch up a tent and spend the night under a blanket of stars. Don’t feel like driving? Book a private guided day tour to Love Lake, where you’ll be collected and returned directly to your door.

11. REGINITED FLAME: VIA DELL’AMORE, ITALY

A pathway that hugs the coast with stunning views and access to pastel-fronted houses and seafood trattorias was once a meeting place for lovers from rival towns, Riomaggiore and Manarola back in the 1930s… We think that’s amore! The one-kilometre-long-route is just one section of a stretch that connects five villages known as Cinque Terre; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reopened partially after being closed for 10 years due to repair works, make sure to stop off at the tiny village of Vernazza to check-out the 11th-century Santa Margherita di Antiochua Church as well as the Piazza Gulielmo Marconi that is a hive of activity with cafés and restaurants. Or head to The Cinque Terre National Park that offers beautiful views of the villages below. Plump for the special train card and you’ll have access to all the trails and unlimited train travel on Cinque Terre Express trains from surrounding cities Levanto, Cinque Terre and La Spezia from €18.20 (Dhs73) for one day. And if you need a little more glamour, jump on the ferry to see the port of the rich and famous in Portofino just along the Ligurian coastline.

12. REAL LIFE ROM-COM: CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Centuries-old mansions, cobblestone alleys, colonial-era housing and the setting of romantic drama, The Notebook, Charleston ticks all the boxes for a vacation to fall in love with. History buffs will be charmed by the city’s heritage, famously being the site where the British landed to subdue the southern states and the ‘Birthplace of Secession’ during the American Civil War. Back to 2024, make a beeline to Charleston City Market, full of handmade crafts, trinkets, jewellery and southern charm. Or check out one of the 400 places of worship that can be found around the city that have earned Charleston the title as America’s ‘Holy City’. Feeling hungry? You’re in luck as Charleston is known as one of America’s gastro-centres. Book yourself onto a food tour that allows you to skip the queue of several world-class restaurants and breweries like the local favourites, Husk and Holy City Brewing, and indulge in the city’s favourite plates like hushpuppies, carrot cake, she-crab soup, oysters, and shrimp and grits, or go-off course and secure a table a Poogan’s Porch for some delicious Southern fare. Try the fried chicken that has been marinating for 24 hours.

13. RIDE IT OUT: HAWAII, USA

Saddle up and go on a bike ride around Hawaii's Big Island. Whether you decide to ride single or tandem, expect stunning views at every turn, corner and chicane. If you need to start off easy, hit the 20-mile Old Mamalaoha Highway to Waipio Valley where a pitstop at the Tex Drive Inn will result in some of the best hot malasadas (a doughnut without a hole) or take on Mamalaoha Bypass to Honaunau Post Office that sees you pedal your way around a 38-mile loop with a 3,000-metre incline for some of the island’s best panoramic views. Unsure of the best route? Invite a third wheel and enjoy a guided tour by retired ex-pro Alex Candelario and tour company Ride & Seek.

14. LA VIE EN ROSE: PARIS, FRANCE

Clichés are plenty when it comes to Paris, especially when exploring the City of Light lets you tick off romantic strolls along the Seine or Champs-Élysées. If you’re on a gift-buying mission – for yourself or someone else – you can browse the plethora of high-end boutiques, from Chanel to Dior and everyone in between. If shopping isn’t your thing, pop into the Four Seasons George V Hotel and have the sweet experience of a chocolate massage. Don’t forget about the Jardin du Luxembourg where you can retrace the steps of famous couples like Napoleon and Josephine and Jean-Paul Sarte and Simone de Beauvoir, or add your own dialect to the other 250 languages on the Le Mur Des Je T’aime (The Wall of ‘I Love Yous’) in the 18th arrondissement. As night falls, place yourself in the hands of Baptiste Renouard and Ochre Restaurant where he serves up a carte blanche menu, before finishing off the evening topside at ROOF de Madame Rêve, where Paris’ cool cats hang out and drink in views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower over a cocktail or two.