Love is in The Air

See More Photos

Valentine’s Day falls on a full moon this year, ensuring the stars are truly aligned for you to embrace amour in all your adventures. Start with a little self-love, courtesy of VOYA, with their Seaweed Hot Stone Massage, available in a selection of spas and beauty rooms across the country (voya.ie). For seaside escapism, try Dun Laoghaire. Perched on the South Dublin coast, you can enjoy a night at the theatre (paviliontheatre.ie), a brisk pier walk or seaside cycle; DUN LAOGHAIRE CYCLE TOURS offer a historic breath of fresh air for body and soul (see Facebook for routes and schedules). Cosying up after all that fresh sea air is essential; the ROYAL MARINE HOTEL’s Valentine’s package includes B&B, dinner and wine from €229 per room (PS, a treatment in their Sansana Spa is a must).

In Waterford, FAITHLEGG HOUSE HOTEL & GOLF RESORT is a woodland retreat made for lovers. The 18th century house, adorned in Waterford Crystal chandeliers and punctuated with roaring fires, makes for an elegant weekend away. Two nights? B&B, complete with handmade chocolates and a romantic dinner courtesy of head chef Jenny Flynn in the beautiful Roseville Rooms, starts from €169pps (faithlegg.com).

Ever wonder if you were destined for a quiet life? We’re visiting GLENLO ABBEY HOTEL, left, for a little silent treatment. Overlooking LOUGH CORRIB and the CONNEMARA countryside, it’s the last word in tranquil refuge. A Valentine’s weekend is a candlelit affair; try a two-night stay including B&B, one evening meal, prosecco and chocolate-dipped strawberries from €149pps (glenloabbeyhotel.com). Continuing on from that health-kick vow we took back in January (remember?)

The HOTEL CARUSO in RAVELLO, ITALY, ?offers the perfect balance between indulgence and order. Sample the fabulous Italian fare before discovering local sites on a jogging tour with their in-house personal trainer. Bellissimo! (hotelcaruso.com).

Big gestures call for the Big Apple; we love the rooftop view at THE REFINERY HOTEL, New York, right, for a stolen moment (or evening) under the city’s twinkling skyline, while inside, the super-stylish NYC pad is a slick escape (refineryhotelnewyork. com).

For a day trip with just as much romance, try an all-day creative hit via one of CREATE & REVIVE’s workshops, set in the beautiful hideaway of TRUDDER LODGE in Wicklow (createandrevive.com). Get stuck into a bunting masterclass or natural skincare tutorial, and tuck into a hearty lunch whipped up by health food master Dorcas Barry while you’re there, or wander the endless gardens at POWERSCOURT (discoverireland.com).

Click on to HOTELS.COM for last-minute deals on spontaneous trips; the HOTEL ACCADEMIA, VERONA and HOTEL MONTMARTRE MON AMOUR, PARIS are our top picks.

For more see this months issue of IMAGE Magazine – on shelves now!

Jo Linehan @jo_linehan