This Valentine’s Day, why not let Mother Nature do all the lovey dovey work for you.
VALENTINE’S Day has always been a free pass for sickly sweet acts of adoration. But nothing would probably melt your sweetheart’s heart more than travelling with him/her and letting Mother Nature say “I love you” in “her” own grandiose way.
As Feb 14 approaches, travel search site Wego reveals how nature has left its heartfelt mark on the planet. Here are some naturally occurring heart-shaped islands and lakes.
Netrani Island – India
This tiny heart-shaped island is located around 19km from the coastal town of Murudeshwar should appeal to lovers of snorkelling and diving. Local boats from the coastal city of Goa are available for dive trips, and with a permit, the uninhabited and somewhat rustic island can be explored on foot.
What more, subterranean caves, temple ruins and the remains of a Catholic Church and mosque add to the romance of a long forgotten past.
Heart Reef – Whitsunday Islands, Australia
It’s impossible not to go “awww” at the aerial view of Heart Reef. When viewed from above, the spot in the middle of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef has an adorable heart shape. Located off Australia’s Queensland coast, the tiny island is only 17m in diameter.
Local air charters are available to take you and your beloved for a most romantic aerial experience followed by dreamy isolated beach picnics and a dip in the crystal blue waters of the Whitsundays. Not surprisingly the sky above Heart Reef is a very popular location for marriage proposals.
Tavarua Island – Fiji
Fiji’s stunning Tavarua Island offers loads of opportunities for those who love a little thrill with their romance. The place offers sky diving, kite surfing and helicopter tours for the adrenaline-seeking lovebirds. When you’re done surfing world class waves and diving in clear waters teeming with fish, retreat to your private beachside hideaway shaded by palm trees and the cool ocean breeze.
Guandu Nature Park – Taiwan
Taipei is surrounded by some of the most stunning natural parkland in Asia and taking to the hills with the one you love is a popular way to escape the busy city. Guandu Nature Park overflows with freshwater ponds and is filled with a diverse variety of wildlife, especially birds, who just love the naturally occurring heart-shaped wetland within.
Petra Island – United States
Adding to what is already one of the world’s most iconic love stories (if you can dismiss Jennifer Aniston’s heartbreak), it was rumoured recently that Angelina Jolie purchased Petra Island for Brad Pitt as a birthday gift.
Just outside New York City, the private island boasts two houses built by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (Pitt’s favourite). The first smaller cottage was built in 1950, with the 5,000 sq ft (464.5 sq km) architectural masterpiece built in 2008 from plans drawn up by Wright.
Makepeace Island – Noosa, Australia
Australia gets two heart-shaped ticks with the addition of the former private home of Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, just north of the beautiful coastal town of Noosa in Queensland. This luxurious sanctuary on the Noosa River can accommodate up to 22 guests in a tropical, Balinese design in exquisite gardens.
Makepeace features a 500,000 litre lagoon pool, a 15-person heated spa and runway style ‘landing lights’ to illuminate your evening laps. Watch your favourite romantic movie in the outdoor cinema or hit some balls around in the day/night lawn tennis court.
Chembra Peak Lake – India
Another tick too for India, with a very popular heart-shaped lake located at the beautiful Chembra Peak. Located in the beautiful Kerala region, a three-hour guided hike surrounded by fresh green hills is perfect for the more adventurous of couples.
There’s something quite romantically symbolic about climbing a large hill with the one you love, only to stop halfway and pop the big question at the heart-shaped lake’s shore. What a great story that would make!
