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If you could wave a magic wand and end up on a romantic island right here, right now, where would you choose?
Tough choice, eh? But to help make up your mind, here's a virtual vacation tour of some of the most idyllic and welcoming island destinations on the planet.
Click through this gallery and welcome to paradise!
The Philippines at arguably its most appealing, Palawan really does catch your breath. Imagine taking in this stunning view on your first day on the island. What a curtain raiser for the pleasure and excitement to follow!
Long celebrated as a honeymoon paradise, the Seychelles captures the imagination with its compelling beauty and a rich and diverse culture of French, British, and African influences.
Saint Barthélemy, to give this Caribbean island its full name, is a five-star hot spot. Exuding a language, cuisine, and culture that's distinctly French, St. Barts has golden beaches to tread, and plenty of exciting offshore marine reserves to explore. Pictured is Gustavia, the island's vibrant capital.
Getting to the Cook Islands requires patience, resolve, and serious commitment. Rather like a relationship, then. Making the effort to touch down on this island chain is rewarded by a pristine environment of jaw-dropping beauty. If romance begins anywhere, it's right here in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Pictured is the remote coral atoll of Pukapuka.
Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands, one of which is Tivua Island (pictured). It really doesn't get much better than this. It's no wonder this gem of a South Pacific destination lures romantic couples back year after year.
The district known as Exuma in the Bahamas consists of an impressive 365 islands, one for each day of the year! A luxury travel destination, Exuma has long welcomed celebrity second home owners to its idyllic setting, names that include Nicolas Cage, Eddie Murphy, and Johnny Depp (Little Exuma was the location used for filming the 2006 movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' beach scenes).
Far-flung Zanzibar offers adventurous couples ample opportunities to explore crystal clear waters teeming with marine life: soft, powder-fine beaches serve as enticing jumping off points. Culture vultures meanwhile can catch up with the past in Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic quarter, built on African, Indian, Arabian, and European foundations.
Capri is the rough cut diamond of the Mediterranean. Possessed of a rugged and untamed interior but trimmed with attractive and colorful bays and resorts, this idyllic island has been the destination of choice for incurable romantics since the 17th century. Indeed, Capri became a popular resort for European artists, writers, and other celebrities.
One of the Windward Islands in French Polynesia, Moorea sits off the northwest coast of its big sister Tahiti. The effort to reach this remote corner of paradise is rewarded by a breathtaking environment of skyscraping mountains and dozens of inviting blue-green lagoons sunk along the coast.
Anguilla floats in the Caribbean Sea fringed by golden beaches and bright, vivid coral reefs. Stroll hand in hand with a loved one along Sandy Ground Beach (pictured) and imbibe the castaway carefree atmosphere.
Imagine waking up to a scene like this. Koh Samui, set off the east coast of Thailand, woos with its palm-fringed beaches and warm, translucent waters. The island is blessed with an understated cosmopolitan vibe, and welcomes those seeking wellness and yoga retreats as well as others up for night-long revelry.
Ischia is found at the northern end of the Bay of Naples and has been welcoming visitors since the 8th century BCE. If you're one for absorbing the culture and ancient history of a destination, consider a stay on this treasure island. Visitor attractions include the medieval Castello Aragonese (pictured), perched on a volcanic rocky islet that connects to Ischia by a causeway.
On Maui, visitors can combine doing absolutely nothing except soaking up the sun with exploring the island's magnificent interior. The third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui's diverse landscape is peppered with volcanoes, enough to raise the temperature and get the heart racing.
Base yourself on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands and charter a yacht to explore an unusual geologic formation known as "the Baths," located on the southern end of the island. Here, huge granite boulders lie in piles on the beach, forming scenic grottoes that are open to the sea. Incidentally, Christopher Columbus is said to have named the island Virgin Gorda ("Fat Virgin") because the island's protruding coastline reminded him of a voluptuous woman lying on her side. Now there's an unusual dinner conversation subject!
The Greek island of Santorini dozes in glorious splendor above the Aegean Sea as if suspended in time. This is one of the most alluring destinations in the region, a place where you can immerse yourself in laid-back Mediterranean life and muse on the island's ancient past, perhaps from the balcony of a room in the village of Oia (pictured).
Milos is your gain, given the island's extraordinary history and plentiful natural wonders. Did you know that the Venus de Milo, one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture, was unearthed here? Created sometime between 130 and 100 BCE, the statue is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. What better excuse do you need to entice your partner to this part of the world?
Reefs and rain forests define St. John, the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands. This is a perfect destination for couples who have an affinity with nature. In fact, wildlife easily outnumber people. Pictured is gorgeous Trunk Bay.
Sometimes doing nothing at all is the only way to relax. But if you're staying on Harbour Island, do make sure to bare foot over one of its famous rose-pink beaches, which are found all along the east side of the island. This wonderful and naturally occurring phenomenon makes Harbour Island one of the most unique destinations in the Bahamas.
This Massachusetts island exudes a preppy, somewhat exclusive East Coat vibe with its opulent coastal mansions and wealthy bolthole reputation. But its glamorous pull is undeniable, and there are plenty of charming boat houses to explore.
Lania is small, compact, and beautiful. They call this place the Pineapple Island, named for its once abundant pineapple plantations. Today it is this Hawaiian haunt's scenic and secluded hiking trails that grow on you.
The Channel Island of Jersey is within hailing distance of France, even though it's a British Crown Dependency. Steeped in history, it packs a lot of beauty into its small dimensions. Base yourself in the quaint harbor town of Gorey, with its 13th -century castle, before discovering the rest of the island.
Depending on the time of year, a romantic evening on Paros can be heightened by the appearance of a full moon, perhaps over one of the Greek island's many coastal villages like this one.
If you're already exploring Tasmania in Australia, why not indulge in a diversion to Bruny Island? While primarily a day-trip destination, Bruny can accommodate overnight visitors. The place is big on ecotourism, so if you and your partner are seeking a communion with nature, Bruny's the business.
Looking for charm off the coast of Canada? Take a drive through Cape Breton Island, which lies within the province of Nova Scotia. Following the wild and windswept Cabot Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park will stir up plenty of passion for the great outdoors, and may lead to greater things.
See also: Which countries do the most people want to relocate to?
Romantic island destination ideas for couples in love
Take a virtual tour of the most idyllic island destinations on the planet
LIFESTYLE Valentine's day
If you could wave a magic wand and end up on a romantic island right here, right now, where would you choose?
Tough choice, eh? But to help make up your mind, here's a virtual vacation tour of some of the most idyllic and welcoming island destinations on the planet.
Click through this gallery and welcome to paradise!