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Valentine’s Day Ideas

There are lots of ways to celebrate and let your partner know how much you love them on Valentine’s Day – no matter what your budget.

The Dandenong Ranges is a lovers paradise, with lots of romantic things to do and a wealth of Valentines day ideas. Spend a few hours together, or plan a whole day destination hopping and pampering yourselves.

Valentines Romance In The Dandenong Ranges

There is something magical in the fresh mountain air, lush fern gullies and small villages of the Dandenongs. Romantic couples have been escaping to the hills for solitude and romance since the early 1900s.

Back then a daytrip or weekend in the Dandenongs would be spent picnicing and walking through the forests and beside mountain streams. Guest houses soon opened in the area to provide accommodation for romantic couples and those seeking relaxation and healing.

Nothing much has changed. Couples still escape to spend days enjoying nature and for seductive nights of romance. The only difference is that today, there are so many more luxury ways to indulge and be pampered while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

The Valentines Day Tradition

We associate February 14 with roses, chocolates and blissful couples kissing and canoodling in parks and restaurants. St Valentines Day is an opportunity for those who are falling in love to indulge, and an opportunity to express your love to a partner on a day dedicated to all lovers.

St Valentines Who?

The history of St Valentines Day is appropriately surrounded in myth and romance. As with many modern celebrations, its origin lies in a merging of pagan and Christian traditions.

Most histories record that St Valentine was a third century priest living in Rome. At the time, the Empire banned marriage as it was thought that marriage was not good for recruiting soldiers.

The legend records that St Valentine defied the ban and continued to perform marriages for young couples. For his commitment to love and romance, he paid with his life: St Valentine was arrested, thrown in jail and stoned to death around February 14.

The Romans also celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival in February. During this time, men and women were coupled together for the duration of the festival and rituals were performed to increase women’s fertility.

Christianity is thought to have appropriated the pagan festival to celebrate St Valentine, who became the patron saint of love, and happy marriage. Through the writings of Chaucer and Shakespeare (in the Middle Ages) St Valentine’s Day was increasingly romanticized and transformed into the day we all know – when couples exchange cards and tokens of love

Valentines Day Ideas In The Dandenongs

The Dandenong Ranges is known as a place for romance. Not only is it the most popular place for couples to get married, it is also the place to escape for a few nights to celebrate an anniversary, luxuriate on a mid week escape or spend a few seductive days reconnecting with your partner.

For memorable Valentines Day ideas, plan a visit to the Dandenongs. Whether you have a few hours, a whole day or you want to take your celebration to another level and spend the night, the Dandenong Ranges provides the most romantic Valentines Day ideas and experiences for romantic couples.

Half Day Valentines Day Dream

Wake up early and enjoy a relaxed 45 minute drive to the Dandenongs from Melbourne, watching the sunrise. Indulge in an intimate breakfast in one of the many village cafes, surrounded by birdsong.

Book a romantic couples massage or spa therapy at one of the most romantic spa retreats in Melbourne, followed by lunch.

Full Day Valentines Day Deluxe

Enjoy the morning exploring some of the historic and beautiful hills gardens – National Rhododendron Garden or Cloudehill. Take a ride on the famous Puffing Billy Steam Train, or explore the local villages and browse in the boutiques.

Save your afternoon for some seriously indulgent couples pampering. Enjoy massage, hot spring bathing or a decadent couples treatment  at a luxury Dandenong Ranges day spa near Melbourne.

Overnight Valentines Day Indulgence

Make Valentines Day a special occasion. Stay overnight at a luxury couples retreat. Book a one night luxury spa and accommodation package designed especially for couples wanting romance and seduction.  Enjoy your pick of the best beauty and spa treatments

Not only are the Dandenong Ranges blessed with fresh mountain air and beautiful forests to feel rejuvenated, the natural waters that flow through the volcanic rocks are also filled with natural minerals. Only one resort in the Dandenong Ranges heats the natural healing waters and provides luxury hot mineral springs bathing.

Book a romantic accommodation package with hot mineral springs bathing under the stars, couples massage and dining. Enjoy being the only couple staying in a completely private, luxury villa on a five acre mountain resort. Spend a seductive night showered in romance, wine, dine, and indulge. Wake to the sound of birds in your own luxury Balinese style villa with enormous King size bed and enjoy a full breakfast overlooking a private resort

Now that’s a Valentines Day spent in the true spirit of romance!

The legend records that St Valentine defied the ban and continued to perform marriages for young couples. For his commitment to love and romance, he paid with his life: St Valentine was arrested, thrown in jail and stoned to death around February 14.

Balinese Retreat, Dandenong Ranges

Balinese Retreat provides secluded romantic getaways in Victoria for couples who don’t believe in skimping on romance and seduction.

Accommodation provides for only one couple to stay per night in a completely private luxury villa, surrounded by landscaped gardens. Your villa is purpose built in traditional Balinese style architecture, decorated with beautiful artefacts and fitted with all the luxuries you require, including a sumptuous King sized bed and luxury day beds to recline.

Guests can choose from a range of accommodation packages, as well as packages for special occasions. These include:

Find out more about the range of accommodation packages and resort facilities available at Balinese Retreat.

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