Valentine's play - Heart Breaks
Take off into the blue skies, set sail on open water or get down and dirty in a hotel room. Hell, do the lot this Valentine's Day. Just make sure you book it this week
Sail away
Relax on the deck of a pristine boat, sip a flute of champagne under the canvas of a star darkened sky with only the sound of waves patting the hull. Sound like a dream? Swap that hotel suite for a nautical night aboard an original French Bennetti yacht.
Leaving from scenic Rushcutters Bay, where the boats that raced from Sydney to Hobart are moored silently, you are whisked off on a two-hour tour that heads to the myriad corners of the darkening harbour as the sun sets. Following your jaunt, the yacht moors in an idyllic spot where you spend the entire night. Before your skipper rows away to leave you in peace, a delicious seafood meal is served. Even the vessel's interior gives off a romantic vibe - dark mahogany wooden trimmings and a cosy cabin. This is more chic water caravan than palatial floating palace - P Diddy wannabes need not apply.
East Sail Overnight Indulgence Package, $799 per couple (02 9327 1166, www.eastsail.com.au).
Float by
For those less keen to find their sea legs, head for the heavens on a hot air balloon ride. Leaving at the crack of dawn, you can sip bubbly and watch the sun unfurl the first flags of daylight as your balloon basket climbs to a steady altitude of 3000 feet. Soaring over the historic Macarthur region, the stunning cliffs and ridges of the Blue Mountains appear on the horizon to the west while the sunsplashed ocean takes over in the east. Peaceful and exhilarating, the flight lasts an hour and if vertigo doesn't ruin your appetite, a delicious breakfast is provided once you're safely back on terra firma.
Opt for the Romance Package and you'll spend the night before your sky-high trip in the Dreamcatcher Lodge, a B&B set a short distance from the city amidst lush greenery. It's a world away for city dwellers needing to unwind in one of the flamboyantly themed rooms - Asian, rustic and Pacific. Of course, no Valentine's Day should go without the obligatory candle lit dinner, so expect a delicious three-course extravaganza before bedtime.
Balloon Aloft Balloon Trip, $295 per person or Romantic Package, $779 (1800 028 568, www.balloonaloft.com)
Sexy stay
Whether it's a dirty weekend or a heartfelt romantic break you're after, it's hard to beat the buzz of an extravagant hotel stay in the heart of the CBD. Wine and dine the loved one in the swanky surrounds of the refurbed Hilton on their two-night Romance Package. The reliably clichéd combination of champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries plus VIP entry to the slick Zeta Bar make this a temptingly cheesy affair that's hard to resist.
Alternatively, forgo flowery malarky and opt for their Provocateur experience, created to get pulses racing. On top of an aphrodisiac infused feast designed by chef Luke Mangan, you'll pick up a few naughty tips penned by the infamous Madame Lash to put into practise in your deluxe suite. Essential oils, rose petals and a selection of music should help set the scene. The rest is up to you.
Provocateur Package $749, Romantic Package, $449 at Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, 2000 (02 9265 6045, www.hiltonsydney.com.au).
Spa crossed lovers
Set on eight hectares of beautifully manicured lawns, the Sebel Resort and Spa's setting makes the Queen of Hearts pristine garden look a neglected weed patch. A pampering haven built in colonial style, it has everything you could hope for in terms of relaxation - bask in the sun by the 25 metre outdoor pool, delve into the billowing clouds of steam in the Turkish Bath or detox out in one of the enormous saunas.
The usual spa suspects appear on the menu - from facials to reflexology - but if you're aiming for quality time, try the Romance in Paradise. It starts with a private plunge in the scented jacuzzi, followed by full body exfoliation, head and back massage topped off with a skin-plumping facial. It's the biggest spa in New South Wales and it's less than an hour from the CBD. Ideal for softening the pampered princess (or prince) in your life this Valentine's. Romance in Paradise Package, $380 per person. Visit www.mirvachotels.com for more information and map.