Cape Town - British Airways has revealed its top six getaways in an unusual way, unveiling an interactive work of pop-up street art.
The airline, which flies to some 200 destinations in nearly 90 countries, named London, Paris, New York, Rome, Mauritius and Victoria Falls as this year’s most romantic escapes. The selection is based on desirability and popularity.
It revealed the six by unveiling a chalk work of Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, a beach in Mauritius and Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders’ in the Piazza at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. The work took local artists Nes Blundell and Desmer Glenn 18 hours to complete.
“We chose street art to announce this year’s lover’s list, because a pavement artist’s depiction of an iconic sight is exactly the sort of nostalgic memory couples treasure for years after a romantic holiday,” says Edward Frost, British Airways regional commercial manager for South and East Africa.
The airline is also offering up to 25 percent off on fares to these and other European, North American and southern African destinations until February 18. Fares from Johannesburg to London start from R11 275 and are available for travel from 17 April to 21 June and 12 September to 8 December.
If a good deal and six desirable destinations aren’t enough to appeal to reluctant Romeos, then British Airways’ well-travelled cabin crew have some insider tips about some of the romantic things to see and do in each.
London
The challenge in a big, happening city is to find a bit of peace and quiet. For all of its busy tourist attractions London has surprisingly many of these.
What could be more romantic than renting a rowboat and sharing an afternoon the swans on the Serpentine before taking a stroll through Hyde Park?
If you really want to impress, you can pick up all the ingredients at Fortnum and Mason for a luxury picnic on Hampstead Heath. To add an element of unexpected fun, take along a kite, or just enjoy watching others fly theirs.
There are plenty of great walks in London, but one of the most romantic must be along the houseboat-lined Grand Canal, a quiet stroll just off the busy Edgware Road.
Paris
The Eiffel Tower offers exceptional views of Paris, but the insider’s hint is that Montmartre, a hill in the northern part of the city, is a wonderful place to take in the City of Light. After you’ve seen the sights you can wander through the narrow streets and perhaps stop at one of the many small cafés.
The Pont Des Arts is another must-do. The pedestrian bridge spans the Seine and provides picture-postcard views of the Île de la Cité, one of the two remaining natural islands on the river. Street musicians add to the atmosphere.
Take a stroll through the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace and you’ll be in good company. Napoleon and Josephine as well as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir frequented the gardens, which are still popular with courting couples.
New York
The problem with a romantic getaway to the Big Apple is that there’s so much to do. Walks in Central Park, carriage rides, ice skating at the Rockefeller Center – the choices are myriad. Here are some that you may not have thought about and which won’t cost you an arm and a leg (so you have more to spend on the ring).
Go stargazing at the Lincoln Center. The high-powered telescopes will give you an exceptional view of the constellations and perhaps a perspective on your places in the universe.
Take a trip on the bright red aerial tram to Roosevelt Island. All it takes is a swipe of your MetroCard and the two of you will be hundreds of feet in the air waving goodbye to the East Side skyscrapers and looking forward to an afternoon of kite flying in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park.
What better way to escape the hustle and bustle and see the city than by kayaking on the Hudson? Get a double kayak so you can take turns to take the pictures while your partner paddles.
Rome
The Trevi Fountain has featured in so many Hollywood romances that it simply has to be the first place you visit. Legend has it the throwing a coin into the fountain will ensure a return visit to Rome. When you’ve posed for your selfies, take a walk along the three tiny streets (the tre vie) from which it takes its name.
If the Trevi is the Rome of Hollywood, the Trastevere prides itself on being the real thing. Take a passeggiata (leisurely stroll) though its narrow streets taking in the roof gardens and spacious piazzas. During the day it is a quiet neighbourhood, but comes to life in the evening and is one of the best places to experience authentic Roman dining.
Take a walk up the Via Giacinto Carini and you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the Albian Hills and the Villa Lante al Gianicolo is one of the best vantage points from which to see the Eternal City.
Mauritius
If just jetting off to the Indian Ocean Islands isn’t romantic enough, then wait until the two of you have experienced your first sunset. The best place to watch the sun sink into the ocean is on the Flic-En-Flac, the longest beach on Mauritius. If you really want to up the ante, take a sundowner horse ride.
La Cambuse is another beach well worth a visit because you’ll probably have it to yourselves. Surprisingly, given its size, soft sand and clear water few tourists ever visit.
Cap Malheureux translates as Cape Misfortune. Named following a historic shipwreck, today there’s nothing unfortunate about this beautiful place on the island’s northernmost tip. Its picturesque little red-roofed Church and small fishing village are great places to take a morning stroll before finding a spot with views of the offshore islands for a picnic lunch.
Victoria Falls
With its white-water rafting and bungee jump, Victoria Falls is often only considered an adventure-sport destination and if that’s your thing you’ll be spoilt for choice. On the other hand if you do want to add a few romantic moments to an adrenaline-filled holiday there are some options.
Perhaps, after having thrown yourself off the bridge, you may want to consider a quiet cruise down the Zambezi so you can compare war stories over sundowners.
Or take a day off from adventuring for a stroll through the Victoria Falls Rainforest followed by High Tea on the Stanley Terrace at the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel.
If you do want to combine a little adventure with a lot of romance take the Flight of Angels, a helicopter flight giving you a bird’s eye view of the Falls.
For more about where British Airways flies visit britishairways.com
Adapted from a press release for IOL