Sail into the sunset with your loved one
WHAT could be a more romantic gift than being whisked away on a cruise? Here are some of the best to book now to surprise your beloved with on Valentine’s Day.
SAIL to Bruges, the pretty Belgian city that bulges with chocolate shops, on a mini-cruise aboard Virgin Voyages’ new ship Valiant Lady.
On board you can celebrate your love (if you dare) by getting matching designs in the Squid Ink tattoo parlour, take your pick of 20 dining options, explore bars galore, dance till dawn and join free fitness classes.
The three-night cruise, departing from Portsmouth on March 18, costs from £464pp for a cabin with a balcony (cruise.co.uk).
Book a cruise on American Queen, the mighty Mississippi paddle-wheeler, by the end of this month to celebrate the wonder of you (both) with a free tour of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, plus get a free two-night, post-cruise stay in Memphis or New Orleans. Departures are in June and November and the cost for the 11-day holiday, including flights, drinks, excursions and tips, is from £3,395pp (lightbluetravel.co.uk).
A river cruise this spring will take you off the beaten track in Eastern Europe. After a two-night hotel stay in Budapest, you’ll board Spirit of the Danube to sail through the Iron Gates, the longest gorge in Europe, before calling at Bratislava and Belgrade en route to Vienna. The 13-night holiday, taking you to six countries and four capital cities, ends with a Mozart recital in a Viennese palace. Saga is offering fares with up to £500pp off, starting at £2,349pp, which includes door-to-door chauffeur service, insurance, flights, drinks, excursions and tips. Departure is on May 23.
Nature-lovers can have close encounters with the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands on a tour with the film-maker and marine conservationist Jo Ruxton MBE. This special trip from New Scientist Discovery Tours, the travel arm of New Scientist magazine, includes a behind-the-scenes visit to the Galapagos Science Center. You’ll also get to take guided walks on the volcanic islands to see giant tortoises and other endemic species.
The ten-day trip aboard Natural Paradise, with room for just 15, starts on March 27 with two nights in Ecuador and costs £6,995pp, not including international flights (newscientist.com/tours).