10 romantic destinations you should know about

But it doesn’t have a trademark on the term, and it’s certainly not the only destination out there rousing amorous couples into expressing their love.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve put together a list of 10 little-known spots that are equally dreamy.

Be it a combination of food, wine and a hot tub, a mix of sun, sand and serenity or a pairing of cobblestone streets with colonial facades, each of these destinations presents an alluring backdrop to set the mood for couples.

Udaipur (India)

What’s the first place that comes to mind when you hear the word “romance”?

Chances are it isn’t India, but the Rajasthan oasis of Udaipur could shatter any preconceived notions about the subcontinent.

Appearing like a mirage on the edge of the Thar Desert, Udaipur is treasure of flamboyant palaces, majestic forts and streets brimming with jewelers and craftsmen.

There are plenty of characters, too.

Men like their mustaches long enough to twirl, women like their saris bright enough to blind and musicians sing their gypsy ballads with enough raw passion to break hearts.

This is the place to pack a picnic lunch, take a hike through the hill-hugging vineyards and let the landscape set the mood.

Galle (Sri Lanka)

Tropical white-sand beaches? Check.

Streets imbued with history? Check.

Fine art, inspiring cuisine and luxurious lodgings at bargain basement prices? Check, check and check.

In Galle, crumbling Dutch-colonial buildings house fusion restaurants and fragrant spice shops fight for tourist dollars alongside breezy galleries of ethnic-inspired art.

Located in the heart of a perfectly preserved hexagonal stone fort and within eyeshot of a serene stretch of sand, Sri Lanka’s whimsical southern charmer ticks all the boxes on romantic travel checklists.

Mark Johanson is a freelance travel and culture writer based in Santiago, Chile. You can follow his adventures at markjohanson.com.

CNN