Valentine 2024: Perfect Lavish Getaways from Dubai for All Your Romantic Needs

The past two years have been quite static for most people. This has been due to the impact of the pandemic, as well as the ensuing restrictions that have been consistently imposed by governments across the world. Most of 2020 went by in attempting to control the spread of the pandemic, whereas 2021 was the year where people were more focused on reinstating their old life. Consequently, it is high time that you take a break and think of indulging yourself in some quality time with your loved ones. And what better time to do so than valentine’s day itself. This piece is solely dedicated to help you plan a wonderful lavish vacation to enjoy valentine’s day like it is meant to. From stay options at romantic and luxurious hotels to fine dining, adventure activities and tourist sites – we have it all figured out. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
 

Paris

Travel Options

Between Dubai to Paris, a total of 84 flights, operated by 6 different airlines, are active across the week. The airlines include Delta, Air France, Alitalia, Sunstate Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Emirates. The minimum available flight duration is 7 hours and 40 minutes. If booked well in advance, the flight should cost you somewhere between AED 1,000 to 1,250 approximately.  

Stay Arrangements 

The Four Seasons Hotel Georges V is located on Avenue George V, and it is positioned right in the heart of the Triangle of Paris, overseeing the Champs-Elysees. The suites are of premium luxury quality. Additionally, there are three restaurants within the Hotel, that share five Michelin stars among themselves – a prestigious recognition of excellent culinary service in France. Luxury accommodation rates start at $1000 per night for a double room, going up to $16,800 for the Eiffel Tower Suite, and the Presidential Suite at $19000 per night.

Other potential luxury stay options you can look into include Hotel Le Bristol, Mandarin Oriental Palace and Hotel Plaza Athenee. The price range for one night stay in these hotels lies somewhere around $1,600. The cost can change as per the type of room you choose, the number of guests and the number of nights you want to stay. 

Where Should You Eat

Comice: Renowned for Hanavona’s wine list that includes famous wines from across the world; the duck foie gras, the roast chicken with polenta, and wild mushrooms. 

La Bistrot Flaubert: Dishes include Korean beef tartare, lumache or snail-shaped pasta, rabbit confit, kimchi etc. 

Arnaud Nicolas: Top options include meat pies along with roasted items, turbot cooked with cep mushrooms, salmon koulibiak, beef cheek soaked in red wine, veal sweetbreads embedded with mushrooms, and chocolate souffle for dessert.

Restaurant David Toutain: Best dishes include the foie gras in potato bouillon, a combination of cuttlefish with yuba, Parmesan gnocchi.

Places to Visit

The Louvre: The Louvre is the very same Museum that has been immortalized in Dan Brown’s ‘Da Vinci Code’. It has an impressive collection of artwork distributed across the four floors, ranging from pre-modern French sculptures, ancient Egyptian antiquities, paintings from across Spain, Portugal, the Americas and so on. Of course, you should also visit the legendary sphinx and the other East European antiquities on display. It is not even conceivable to view the entire Louvre collection in a single visit, as there are above 380,000 pieces held in the Louvre, with around 30,000 being on display at any given time. 

Notre Dame Cathedral: Notre Dame is a prime example of the Gothic style of architecture that flourished in the Middle Ages in France. The remarkable towers coupled with the stained glass and statuary are impressive relics of a time gone by. The measurement reference which is located just in front of the cathedral, also known as the Point zero of French roads is the ordinal point from which all roads in France are measured. 
 
Moulin Rouge: If live performances are your thing, Moulin Rouge is the place to be in Paris. Some of the best professionals in the city come together in the Rouge to offer captivating performances night after night. The dancers performing here are professionally trained in the likes of classical jazz, contemporary dance forms and so on.

Jardine du Luxembourg: The Jardine offers a diversity of attractions for children as well as adults. The children can go for pony rides or visit the 100-year-old merry go round. It also has well-equipped tennis courts and basketball fields. The open musical pavilion allows you to listen to performances free of cost. 

Suggested Duration

There is no one answer to this question, but you should spend at least a week in the city to soak in all the art, cuisine, culture, architecture and whatnot.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Paris is undoubtedly during spring season, when it is at its best, with beautiful flora blooming all across the city. Springtime stretches from March to May. On average, it is slightly rainy and chilly, and you could expect at least one snowfall in the time that you are there in those months.

Language

In case you are struggling with the language barrier while communicating with the locals in Paris, you may choose from several new digital services that seek to provide the required mediation. 

The Insidr app is available for your 4G Smartphone devices. It is supported by a proactive team of employees who are willing to help you with on-the-spot translations regarding airport transfers, hotel and restaurant reservations etc. Additionally, you can access features that can guide your walks around the heritage sites, as well as the online messaging facility. It seeks to connect foreign tourists with locals who are knowledgeable about the prime spots that the former might wish to visit.

The City Helpline app is specifically dedicated to providing travellers and foreign tourists with a concierge who guides them either through phone or through live messaging. The concierge service is available from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. While Arabic is not available, the concierges speak English among many other languages. 

 

Singapore

Travel Options

A total of 11 airlines operate flights between Dubai and Singapore, with a total of 16 flights making the journey over the week. If booked in time, the ticket should cost you somewhere around AED 910. Some of the airlines that are operating across this route include Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and British Airways.

Stay Arrangements

Marina Bay Sands Hotel: The Marina Bay is located at 10 Bayfront Avenue amid Singapore’s business and entertainment district. In addition to the combined suite of 2561 rooms, visitors to the hotel can access a range of other features such as gambling, ice skating, boating rides in the traditional sampan etc. Rooms come equipped with access to the Sands SkyPark, membership of the Banyan Tree Fitness Club, a fully stocked minibar, etc.

The Fullerton Hotel: The Fullerton Hotel is offering Perfect Staycation packages throughout the year 2024, with prices starting at $430. In case you decide on this plan, you get complimentary breakfast daily for the whole family and a complimentary upgrade option from your room to the Premier Courtyard Room. In addition, luxury servicing will be offered at the Fullerton spa at discounted rates of 50% along with an exclusive ride in the hotel-owned Rolls Royce limousine across the city.

Where Should You Eat

From a culinary perspective, Singapore can be considered the melting pot of Chinese, Indian and Malay food cultures. You can indulge in a variety of tastes and food here. Given below are some of the must-visit places in Singapore for a delicious meal:

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore: The elegant dining rooms at the Four Seasons make for a luxurious experience for your family. The fine dining options include authentic Cantonese cuisine dishes, steak, fresh seafood dishes and applewood fired grilled dishes.

Long Bar Steakhouse: Long Bar Steakhouse has the vibes of what one calls ‘old money’, a place shadowed by the old elites. It is the perfect place for sober dining and laid-back conversation in Singapore. You can try the bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve champagne. For starters, you can go with Cumin Focaccia bread. The crab cake here is a must-have, which is served with tiger prawns, and Omaha beef tenderloin. The escargot, baked with garlic butter, and made with French Burgundy snails is another unique delicacy you should try.

Places to Visit

Sentosa Island: Sentosa island boast various attractions including the Universal Studios Singapore, the Sentosa Merlion, the Adventure Cove Waterpark and the S.E.A. Aquarium. The Universal Studios is a popular theme park that contains over 28 rides and attractions, ranging from the BattleStar Galactica Ride to Jurassic World and the Waterworld stunt show. At Adventure Cove Waterpark, you can enjoy high-speed water slides, snorkelling, or come face to face with sharks. The Sentosa Merlion is an important landmark that is built to resemble a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. It is one of the must-visit places for every one on vacation in Singapore. 

Singapore River: This is a 3-kilometre-long river that runs from the Central Area to the Marina Bay area, where you can engage in a whole host of activities like boating and riverside bike tours. If you are in the mood for a treat, try one of the riverside restaurants here. The food is amazing and when you combine it with the scenic view of the river, you will have one fine evening on your hands. 

Singapore Botanic Gardens: The main sights to see here include the orchid garden, home to over 2000 orchid hybrids, and the in-situ tropical rainforest. You can also visit the Library of Botany and Horticulture, and the Singapore Herbarium which has a great collection of botanical reserves. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra plays frequently here at the gardens, combining a balanced mix of classics as well as contemporary movie scores. Numerous restaurants can also be found at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, for example, Casa Verde or The Garage. Fine dining becomes even finer here combined with the lush greenery of the gardens.

Suggested Duration

You can plan your vacation to Singapore over a long weekend. Singapore is an ideal getaway destination if you are looking for a swift vacation that does not require major rescheduling of your corporate itinerary. 

Best time to Visit

The festive season kicks off in Singapore between July and September. If you visit Singapore during this time, you can attend the Great Singapore Sale and the Singapore Food Festival as well. Apart from that, you can plan your trip to Singapore anytime you see fit. Your experience will be nothing but magical here regardless of when you visit. 

Language

English is commonly spoken in Singapore; hence communication should not be an issue for English-speaking tourists from the UAE. You may also look for an interpreter if you like or download an interpretation app on your phone. 

 

Rome

Travel Options

The average flight time from Dubai to Rome is roughly 6 hours. There are about 15 flights that make the weekly flight between the two cities. Etihad Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines are a few airlines that offer flights to Rome from Dubai. The flight fare can range anywhere from AED 1,100 to AED 9,500 as per your flying preferences. 

Stay Arrangements

Hotel de Russie: Staying here would allow you to meet people from the Italian film and fashion fraternity. The hotel service is unparalleled and boasts some of the best concierges in the world. Guests may choose to avail of the hotel’s Avenue of Style programme, which offers luxury experiences supplied by premier fashion and lifestyle brands.

Where Should You Eat

La Pergola: This restaurant is a culinary attraction in Rome. It has established itself as a favourite among the international clientele. The impeccable range of Mediterranean dishes especially on offer by Heinz Beck, a leading figure in Italian cuisine, is a must-try here. Additionally, you can place orders from the wine cellar which contains over 53000 bottles – some over a century old.

Places to Visit

Vatican City: Within the premises of the Vatican, you can pay a visit to the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter’s Square, and St. Peter’s Basilica. There are a host of culturally significant sites to visit here ranging from the Sistine Chapel to the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments, and the Vatican Library.

Centro Storico and the Spanish Steps: The Centro Storico is located within the historic centre of Rome which has several churches, lively squares and more. Some of the must-see sights in the neighbourhood are the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Santa Maria del Popola.

Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens: The Borghese Gardens contain several attractions that include two museums. The park is an English style landscape garden, with the option of rowing boats, along with an attractive zoo in the vicinity, the Bioparco de Roma.

Suggested Duration

A minimum of 3 days is recommended to see the best of Rome. Rest, you can plan your trip to Rome for as long as you see fit. 

Best time to Visit

Summer is recommended as the best time to visit Rome for tourists. Plenty of festivals showcasing the rich historical legacy take place during the summer season. The Estate Romana takes place in June. The summer festival involves concerts and dance performances puppet shows etc. The Lungo il Tevere has been hosted in Rome since the year 2003 on the banks of the Fiume River. You can enjoy the displayed handicraft productions from the artisans here and try a variety of local and international cuisines.

Suggested Activities

Segway Tour: Since Rome has an array of culturally important sites to visit, you can opt for a guided tour to see the top ones in the city. The tour shall take you around sites like the Piezza Venezia, Ancient Rome, the Circus Maximus, etc. 

Gladiator experience: If you fancy feeling like the gladiators we find in period movies, consider signing up for the Roman Gladiator School, located near the Colosseum. 

Language

English is not as widely spoken in Rome, hence, communication can often be an issue. It is advised to carry a bilingual phrasebook or dictionary to assist you in communicating with the locals. Yet again, you can download smartphone interpretation apps to help you with communication in Rome. 

 

San Francisco

Travel Options

Two airlines operate on the Dubai-San Francisco route – Emirates and Jet Blue Airways. You can find 10 flights every week for this route. The duration is generally 15 hours and 15 minutes. The fare can range from between AED 3,020 to AED 15,310 depending on your flying preferences.

Stay Arrangements

Hotel Drisco: Drisco is located in the elite Pacific Heights neighbourhood. It offers luxury in many forms, such as complimentary nightly wine services, 24-hour room service, etc. The evening reception includes local California favoured wines, artisanal cheese, popular local appetizers such as the hors d’oeuvres, etc.

Hotel Vitale: You would get a brilliant view of the San Francisco Bay from here. There is a 24-hour fitness centre here with the option of complimentary rooftop yoga.

Where Should You Eat

Taj Campton Palace: If you are looking for an oriental experience, you should head for the Taj Campton Palace, which is famous for the Indian cuisine on offer, cooked with traditional Indian spices. An exotic array of South Indian food is on offer. Some of the dishes you should try include the Maine lobster in a curry broth, duck breast garnished with basil and rhubarb, lamb served along with basmati rice, snap peas etc.

Nari: Nari prides itself in its traditional Thai cuisine. The menu features large-format dishes perfect for sharing. Rich curries along with lamb, eggplant, pork belly, and Cornish hen are some of the many scrumptious items you can find here.

Places to Visit

Golden Gate Bridge: The Welcome Centre at the Golden Gate Bridge is dedicated to commemorating all stories surrounding the bridge. You can find replicas demonstrating the engineering rigour that went into the construction of the bridge. If you happen to visit the Bridge on a Thursday or a Sunday, you can opt for the free walking tours offered by the local city guides. The Bridge is directly connected to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is one of the largest natural reserves in an urban area.

Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz used to be a federal prison till the year 1963, holding many famous convicts on its premises. It is now part of the Bay Area’s 80,000 Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can take a tour of the cell house to see the interiors where prisoners were held. The claustrophobic cells and the dark holes where the prisoners would languish are still intact and make for gruesome viewing.

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre: The Palace of Fine Arts has been opened up for hosting corporate get-togethers, trade exhibitions, private galas and so on. Here, you get the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of California and enjoy a delicious range of food and beverages.

Suggested Duration

Many visitors suggest that a three-day-long trip is good enough to have an enjoyable vacation around the city.

Best Time to Visit

San Francisco is wonderfully warm during the fall. Hence, September to November is the best time for visiting San Francisco. The city is also less crowded in the summer months. Imagine a sublime evening beside the Golden Gate Bridge, with the sun setting into the clear blue skies.

Suggested Activities

Exploratorium: The Exploratorium offers a good learning opportunity for children who are curious about science exhibits. 

Bay Cruise: The best way to take in all of San Francisco’s magnificence is the classic Bay cruise. You get the opportunity of coming across some sea life or ride the Blue and Gold Fleet, or Red and White Fleet.

Language

Since San Francisco hosts a large multi-lingual community, communication should not be a problem for English-speaking visitors from the UAE.

 

Sharjah

Travel Options

EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways offer a few flights to Sharjah from Dubai. The fare starts at AED 955 and may go up to AED 5,515 as per your flight preferences. The shortest journey time you can avail of is 4 hours, offered by Qatar Airways. Apart from that, you can also consider travelling to Sharjah by car. It only takes about an hour to reach Sharjah by road. Taking a road trip instead of a flight could be a less tiring travel option here. 

Stay Arrangements

Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa: This is one of the top seaside gathering places for vacations, dining or gets together events. You can access the private beach at your leisure, or you may relax at the exclusive Shine Spa for several holistic body treatments that are available.

Where Should You Eat

Casa Samak: If you wish to go for fine dining in Sharjah, look no further. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, your dining experience would be unparalleled at the Casa Samak. You can look forward to meals with fresh servings of seafood dishes, along with grilled shrimps and beefsteaks.

King’s Grill: While King’s Grill is specifically famous for being one of a kind Indian buffet restaurant in Sharjah, it also serves other Asian as well as continental delicacies. If you wish to indulge yourself in treats from the subcontinent, you can come here for biryani, spicy curries, and grilled meat. 

Places to Visit

Heart of Sharjah: The enclosure contains 4-5 museums and a few small markets. It is a pretty good repository of the Arabic heritage and local arts.

Al Noor Island: A good place to visit with your family, Al Noor is replete with gardens, and allows you to behold the towering skyline from afar. The butterfly sanctuary is worth a visit. The Literature Pavilion in Al Noor Island is specifically designed for the dreamers and those with a creative bent of mind. The pavilion engages you with its engraved poetic verses and ornate Arabic calligraphy.

Suggested Activities

Al Montazah Park: The Island of Legends is the main highlight here, where you can see the infamous Loch Ness monster and unwind at the Spanish carnival. Additionally, you can visit the Le Palais where you can get lost in the tunnels, or keep your children engaged in the challenging activities. The Time Train that transports you around the park, and the Loch Ness Spin Boat are some of the other attractions. The Volcano Tower allows you to experience the thrill of free fall.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization: For those interested in the cultural heritage of the region, this museum displays thousands of artefacts highlighting the civilizational journey of the Islamic civilization. The museum is frequented by scholars and writers, and a good learning opportunity.

 

Abu Dhabi

Travel Options

Just like Sharjah, the best way to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai is via car. The distance between the two emirates is about 139 kilometres which will take you about one and a half hours to cover in a car. If you prefer flying over any other mode of transportation, you can find a few suitable options from Air Abu Dhabi. The fare may range around AED 1200. 

Stay Arrangements

Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi: The Ritz Carlton is the epitome of Middle Eastern luxury. It oversees sunrises over across the Al Maqta creek and plays host to one of Abu Dhabi’s largest outdoor pools. The Club Level Lounge is a dream come true with lavish culinary delights, and options for excursions to local attractions through the Desert Gate Tourism facility.

Where Should You Eat

Conrad Abu Dhabi: Conrad Abu Dhabi has a suite of premium restaurants that offer you the best dining experience that you can ask for. Le Petit and Le Beirut are two of the most popular choices for fine dining here. The Le Petit Chef Rays Grill is a themed restaurant that specializes in French cuisine. The Le Beirut is a pool-facing restaurant that serves up local cuisine. You can also visit SOLE, which offers Italian cuisine along with a bar providing happy hours, or VaKaVa, where you go if you wish to indulge in Latin American cuisine.

Villa Toscana: The Villa is one of the most popular lavish restaurants in Abu Dhabi. This is where you should go if you wish to have a quiet and relaxed meal with your family. It serves authentic Italian food, in addition to Mediterranean cuisines.

Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi: The Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi stands on Khalifa Street. It offers you dining options ranging from traditional pizzas at Biscotti, to dishes including local ingredients at Marakesh. For your post-dinner delights, you may head to the traditional English bar at Cristal.

Places to Visit

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was designed to integrate diverse architectural styles from different Islamic civilizations. It also commemorates civilizational unity in the process making it a must-visit place for all.

Yas Marina Circuit: The Yas Marina Circuit hosts the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. You can pay and drive a supercar on the circuit yourself for 20 minutes. Several luxury cars from Aston Martin GT4 and Ferrari 458 GT to Mercedes AMG GTS are available for you to choose from.

 

Palm Islands

Travel Options

Palm Islands are a group of three man-made islands in the UAE. Since these islands are located on the coast of Dubai, you can easily get there by road. The journey time may differ as per your current location in Dubai. 

Stay Arrangements

Five Palm Jumeirah: It is set against the backdrop of the Marina Skyline, and it is a party hot spot with a range of restaurants and bars. You will get to experience the penthouse lifestyle with pools, jacuzzi and lush green terraces.

Where Should You Eat

101 Dining Lounge and Bar: The recommended dishes here are pasta, seafood paella and beef tenderloin.

Maiden Shanghai: This is a good option if you are looking for an Asian and Chinese restaurant. The Kung Pao chicken and Peking Duck are worth trying.

Places to Visit

Atlantis, The Palm: You can ride the waterslides, or have a splash in the pools in addition to enjoying the various other leisure activities available here.

Splash tours: The Speedboat sets off from Dubai Marina. You can jet on to the Burj al Arab and sail across some of the most lavish palaces in the UAE.

Talise Ottoman Spa: Pamper yourself at the Talise Spa located on Jumeirah Zabeel Saray with a range of personalised services such as the Coffee Peeling treatment, the 24-karat gold mask, a diamond body ritual etc.

 

Conclusion

Now that you are well-learned about the most romantic getaways from Dubai, there is nothing stopping you from planning a surprise trip for your loved ones. As evident by the list of leisure holiday destinations we covered, there are no limits on the luxury and opulence that you expect for your vacation. Just make sure that you are well-prepared for the trip. Pack all important items you may need. Have a good travel insurance plan ready for international as well as domestic trips. Consult a professional travel planner if you like. A well-planned trip will be the one you will end up enjoying the most.