Deepen your connection as a couple with getaways to breathtaking destinations.
From left: Live the tranquil life at the secluded Belmond Las Casitas. The Belmond Hiram Bingham train weaves through the Peruvian highlands. Whimsical train artwork by Peruvian artist Fito Espinosa
Designed by Neri&Hu, the hotel is a concrete tale of reimagined traditional Chinese architecture, with a generous use of wood and stone
JOURNEY TOGETHER
Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat is perfect for couples seeking to reconnect. Located north of Yangzhou’s Slender West Lake, the 20-room boutique hotel is a fresh take on vernacular Chinese architecture, with tranquil surroundings fostering contemplative conversations and carving an intellectual vein into the conventional romantic getaway. Rooms come with super-king-sized beds, and are homely abodes with private courtyards, and living, study and sleeping areas dressed in natural materials of dark wood and stone. Tempting as it is to lounge indoors, it’s worth taking a stroll in the nearby national park or along the hotel’s interconnecting pathways and expansive courtyards with pockets of quiet nooks. There are also activities such as traditional opera classes for a better appreciation of Yangzhou’s culture. Visit designhotels.com/ hotels/china/yangzhou/tsingpu-yangzhou-retreat .
"Wake up to elephants gently lumbering by in Anantara’s Jungle Bubbles"
FOR THE LOVE OF NATURE
A tranquil retreat awaits at the 65-hectare Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, famous for its elephant camp and work with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. Watch grazing elephants trundle serenely by in the lush jungle valley or get close to them in their natural habitat in one of two new Jungle Bubbles, perched on a wooden platform above the forest floor. Fret not that it’d be a Tarzan-and-Jane experience. Each 22sqm bubble, constructed with high-tech polyester fabric, comes with air conditioning, a king-sized bed, feather pillows, an enclosed en-suite shower and vanity area, and other modern luxuries for a comfortable stay. Come nightfall, cuddle up and take in the starlit sky revealed by the transparent dome, letting the sounds of the jungle lull you to sleep. Visit anantara.com/en/golden-triangle-chiang-rai
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IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
There’s nothing quite like the romance of train travel—where time seems to slow and you just delight in each other’s company, sans distractions save for the majestic views rolling by. Belmond Hiram Bingham, the latest train in Belmond’s “Art in Motion” series, lets you wine, dine and stay in style as you journey between Machu Picchu and Cusco. With wood-panelled interiors decorated with lush fabrics and vibrant nature-inspired Peruvian motifs, as well as a new menu that focuses on contemporary interpretations of traditional Peruvian flavours, this grand 1920s-style train harkens back to the days when rail adventures were the epitome of luxury. When you reach your destination, linger on in one of Belmond’s hotels, such as the gorgeous Las Casitas, hidden away in Colca Canyon, and Cusco’s historically charming Hotel Monasterio, a former monastery and a protected national monument. Visit belmond.com/trains/ south-america/peru/belmond-hiram-bingham.
BY GRACEMA
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