Valentine’s Day Ideas: 6 Classic Getaways For Old-School Romance

Long before couple reels and candlelit beach dinners was a part of Valentine's special travel, romance in India looked a bit different. Especially in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, everything was simpler and more spontaneous. For our parents, a Valentine’s getaway wasn’t about grand gestures; it was about escaping routine for a few days, catching a train, and checking into a hill-station hotel where the biggest luxury was hot tea or beer and a room with a view. Valentine’s travel now is bigger and more itinerary-led. With hotel bookings for the Valentine’s weekend jumping 175 percent year-on-year, and couples increasingly choosing short getaways or even quick international trips, travel has become one of India’s favourite ways to celebrate love. Thrillophilia’s 2025 Honeymoon Report also suggests that shorter, experience-driven trips are up 18 percent year-on-year. This is exactly why it’s worth going back to the classics and experiencing romance the old-school way. Read to know about 5 destinations that your parents chose for a romantic getaway this Valentine's Day. 6 Classic Getaways For Old-School Romance In IndiaThe Kashmir ValleyFor generations, Kashmir was considered the quintessential romantic escape for Indian couples, a place that was already etched into Indian imagination through poetry, art, and cinema. Also known as Paradise on Earth, Kashmir’s reputation as a romantic destination was so strong that even cost-conscious travellers sought it out, making it, for decades, India’s 'honeymoon capital' before that term even became common.Even today, Kashmir offers the kind of romance it has always been famous for. Couples can take a shikara ride on Dal Lake, book a cosy houseboat stay in Srinagar, and ride the Gulmarg Gondola up to Apharwat Peak for panoramic snow views. You can also sip warm kahwa, shop for Kashmiri shawls, and admire papier-mâché and walnut woodcrafts.Shimla, Himachal PradeshShimla’s appeal as a romantic getaway goes back to the British Raj, when it served as the summer capital of British India and became synonymous with leisure stays in the hills. For decades, couples travelled here on the charming Kalka–Shimla toy train (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008), turning the winding journey itself into part of the romance, followed by long walks past colonial-era buildings, pine-covered trails, and old churches like Christ Church. The classic Shimla experience has always centred around Mall Road, the town’s heartbeat, where couples strolled, window-shopped, and warmed up with hot chai after sunset.Even today, despite concerns around overcrowding and overtourism, Shimla continues to draw travellers from nearby cities like Delhi, Dehradun, Haryana and beyond, with popular add-ons like Kufri for adventure activities and Jakhu Temple for panoramic views.Nainital, UttarakhandThis Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for some lakeside romance, Nainital is your go-to destination. For old-school couples, the laketown offered the perfect balance of accessibility and scenic charm, and the best part is that it still does.Set around the serene Naini Lake, Nainital was, and continues to be, a favourite among young couples from North India, thanks to easy road and rail connectivity and walkable streets that naturally slow you down. Today’s couples can experience the same charm, only with better stays and more comfort. Some of the experiences you can explore with your partner include evening boat rides on the lake, misty mornings in the hills, and cosy lane-side cafés serving local bites. And if you want a quieter, more intimate escape, Bhimtal and Ramgarh now offer lovely resorts and hillside lodges that feel perfect for a romantic getaway.GoaGoa has long been loved for its beaches and buzzing nightlife, and while it may not be the ultimate Valentine’s destination, it has remained one of India’s most popular honeymoon destinations for decades. From the 1990s onward, it became the place where traditions loosened and couples could travel with a sense of freedom, sunsets, shacks, and long drives.For couples planning their Valentine’s trip, Goa as a destination goes beyond the sea; its Indo-Portuguese heritage shows up in its old churches, colourful neighbourhoods, local cuisine, and festivals, giving couples the perfect mix of culture and celebration.Udaipur, RajasthanUdaipur may be one of India’s biggest wedding destinations today, but its romantic reputation goes back much further. This is when couples chose it for its lakeside calm and royal atmosphere and not for the big celebrations. Known as the City of Lakes, its charm has always come from grand architecture, palace silhouettes, and the feeling of stepping into history together. Earlier, romance here meant slow walks by the water and quiet evenings watching the city glow; today, couples can experience that same magic with more curated stays, from palace-turned boutique hotels, boat rides on Lake Pichola, to candlelit dinners with views of the City Palace at dusk. Add heritage walks through narrow lanes, folk performances, and classical music evenings, and Udaipur still feels like a destination designed for old-school lovers.Munnar, KeralaFor old-school couples, Munnar in Kerala was the perfect escape, with rolling tea estates, cool mountain air, and days spent simply being together. The charm was in misty mornings, long drives through plantations, and evenings that ended early with hot chai and a view.Even today, Munnar holds on to that same magic. The only difference is that it now comes with more experiences for young couples to build a trip around. From sunrise viewpoints like Top Station to slow walks through tea gardens and visits to the Tea Museum, it remains a picture-perfect romantic escape. Add a cosy stay tucked into the hills, spice-scented markets, and lingering Kerala meals, and it already feels complete. And if you want to stretch the romance further, pairing Munnar with a backwater houseboat stay in Alleppey makes the getaway even more memorable.FAQs1. What are the best Valentine’s Day getaways in India? Classic romantic getaways include Kashmir, Shimla, Nainital, Goa, Udaipur and Munnar, each offering scenery, slow travel and easy couple experiences. 2. Which hill stations are best for couples on Valentine’s Day? Shimla, Nainital and Munnar remain some of India’s most loved hill-station escapes for couples. 3. Is Kashmir still a romantic destination for couples? Yes. Kashmir continues to offer timeless romance through shikara rides, houseboats, mountain views and local culture. 4. What is the best romantic city destination in India? Udaipur is often considered India’s most romantic city thanks to its lakes, palaces, sunset boat rides and heritage ambience. 5. Is Goa a good Valentine’s getaway for couples? Yes. Beyond beaches and nightlife, Goa offers heritage neighbourhoods, food, slow drives and sunset experiences for couples. 6. Which destination is best for a quiet romantic trip? Munnar is ideal for couples seeking calm, thanks to tea estates, misty mornings, viewpoints and cosy hillside stays.From The Latest Issue: 8 Destinations For Every Dynamic Duo To Visit On Valentine's 2026

Valentine’s Day Ideas: 6 Classic Getaways For Old-School Romance

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