Veni, Vidi, Amavi: We Came, We Saw, We Loved
Where will you be this Valentine’s Day? Where have you travelled to and then fallen in love, with the place or a person? In collaboration with travel bloggers, PackThePJs has compiled this A – Z of the most romantic destinations around the world. Today we are focusing on M – O: Mount Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii; Muchenje Safari Lodge, Botswana; Nordic Spa, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada; and Old Quarter, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. We hope you enjoy our journey of love!
M: Mount Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii
The allure of Hawaii’s volcanic islands is undeniable. The vibrant island paradise of Hawaii attracts many couples looking for a romantic holiday, surrounded by lush scenery. Many visitors take to relaxing on the beach, some made of black sand, and bathing in secluded pools fed by cascading waterfalls. But some travellers miss out on visiting the State’s volcanoes, which created the Hawaiian archipelago.
Although the trip requires a little effort and planning, the shield volcano of Mt. Haleakala on Maui is a must-visit for sunrise lovers. You may wake up bleary eyed in the pitch dark to arrive at the summit of Haleakala by dawn, but the chilly mountain air will wake you up. Make sure to dress warm, and pack a blanket to snuggle up in together. Sharing a thermos of hot chocolate will warm your bodies and your hearts, as you wait for the sun to emerge.
When sun begins to peak through the sea of clouds, the golden sheen will spread across the sky, all the way to the horizon. You and your partner will be wrapped up, surrounded by a warm pastel sky, and as the clouds break, you can share beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Thanks to Up&AtEm Travel
M: Muchenje Safari Lodge, Botswana
For our 10th Anniversary, my husband and I travelled to Africa for the first time. Our trip included a four day, three night stay at Muchenje Safari Lodge located near the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Watching the sunset in silence while surrounded by herds of game is a surreal experience.
Muchenje scouted out ideal locations for enjoying morning sunrise and evening sunset and watching the sun set over the Chobe River with Namibia in the background was my favourite part of the entire safari experience. If you look very closely, you can see the fisherman canoeing down the river for his evening catch, which is a bit crazy since we knew that the water is teeming with crocodiles and lined with hippos!
Overall, it was a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.
Thanks to We Go With Kids
N: Nordik Spa, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Located 20 minutes outside of downtown Ottawa is North America’s largest spa. The spa, Nordik Spa, is located in Gatineau. It’s an outdoor spa with a ton of amenities. It has also got an 18+ policy which makes it a perfect romantic destination. You’ve got pretty much everything you need to have the perfect time with your partner.
Start your day off with a fantastic spa treatment like a massage. I highly recommend the couple ones in the outdoor cabanas (pictured above). It’s an amazing hour spent with the sounds of nature and scented oils. After that you can spend the rest of your day/evening any way you like. Relaxing in a hot sauna. Soaking in the infinity pool. Sitting in a hot tub or incredible heated pool.
You can’t forget to eat of course. Enjoy lunch/dinner at any of the restaurants where you can stay in your robe and continue your relaxing day. In case the incredible experiences gets too tiring you can kick back in hammocks located all around the spa. No matter how you line the day up, it’s an incredibly romantic day spent relaxing with your partner.
Thanks to My Toronto My World
O: Old Quarter, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
I visited Colonia, Uruguay, on a whim. It was just a few hours ferry ride away from where I was studying in Buenos Aires, and I wanted to add another country to my list on a long weekend. What I wasn’t prepared for was to be completely enchanted by the Old Quarter of this Uruguayan town.
Cobblestone roads twist between towering green trees that cast their gentle shade over the handsome locals and friendly dogs that roam the streets. The streets give home to artfully crumbling colonial buildings of either soft pastel pink or a bright white that is hugged by clumps of ivy. The town is low and flat, with the skyline broken by an ivory lighthouse that peeks out over the bay.
Down by the ocean, a white balustrade separates you from rolling blue waves that lap gently against the similarly white sand. Wandering past a seaside restaurant, we were invited in to share in the lunch that the chef was making for his waitstaff. He presented a simple meal of spaghetti with seafood, free of charge, but what was more delicious was savouring the simple joy of a sunny afternoon in the colonial town.
Thanks to Her Travel Therapy
We hope you have enjoyed reading this post of our A – Z Series. Please come back tomorrow for the next three letters of the alphabet!
