Romantic overseas trips might be off the cards this Valentine's Day, but there's no harm in daydreaming about future getaways with your loved one.
Recent data from accommodation platform Airbnb found that during the global pandemic, people were most missing travel for visiting loved ones. As we wait for borders to reopen and restrictions to ease around the world, to once again travel for love, here are 12 romantic Airbnbs from around the world to help inspire future loved-up escapes.
From a 700-year-old restored farm stay in Italy to a design-centric destination in the Hollywood Hills, which of these romantic Airbnb spots would you choose?
Click through the gallery above for more getaway inspiration for two.
1. The Old Mill House, Hertfordshire, England
A Grade II Regency home in the picturesque countryside of Standon, this period home has four reception rooms, six bedrooms, a grand dining room and fully stocked pantry. Located on the banks of a tranquil river, it also has three acres of private gardens, woodland and meadows.
Stays from Dh3,816 per night
2. Still House Moonshine Shack, Cornwall, England
Step back to the days of pioneers and prohibition when you stay at Still House Moonshine Shack. This beautiful barn for two is located two miles inland and blends cosy interiors with unique fittings and furnishings. Perfect for couples and honeymooners, the house has its own hot tub, private porch, open-fire and fully equipped kitchen.
Stays from Dh967 per night
3. This 17th-century Le Marais apartment, Paris, France
Paris is the city of love so it makes sense to spend a romantic holiday here. This 17th-century one-bedroom apartment is located inside a historical mansion in the popular Le Marais neighbourhood. Offering amazing city views, antique furniture and a touch of French sophistication, it also has a "no noise after 11pm" policy, making it the perfect place for cosy nights in with your significant other.
Rates from Dh1,779 per night
4. Timber Lodge Nid'Amour, Occitanie, France
This heart-shaped wooden cabin in France is the ideal place for nature lovers seeking a romantic stay. Nestled in the middle of the woods, the handmade hut has a comfortable bed, bathroom, solar-powered shower and outside terrace with amazing views. Awake to birdsong after a night in the Hautes-Pyrenees at this quaint stay in the woods of Couloumes in Benac, a small village between Tarbes and Lourdes.
Rates from Dh453 per night
5. A thatched farmhouse in Hamburg, Germany
For a love that's built to last, get inspired at this 200-year-old farmhouse on the outskirts of Hamburg. A fairy-tale stay for two awaits in this suite, which is located inside the heritage house. Wooden beams and hardwood floorboards create a rustic atmosphere in the one-bedroom suite that also comes with access to the farm's private gardens, perfect for picnicking on.
Rates from Dh232 per night
6. This 700-year-old restored barn in Bologna, Italy
This restored barn in Bologna, Italy is more than 700 years old and has been lovingly restored. Inside, there's a lounge and dining area, two large bedrooms each with their own bathrooms, a spiral staircase and open fireplace. Outside, enjoy time in the gardens with sun beds, hammock and summertime barbecues.
Stays from Dh515
7. A romantic cabana in Quindio, Colombia
Escape to your own rainforest retreat in this bamboo cabana located in the Andean mountains in Armenia, Colombia. Surrounded by greenery and strategically placed for privacy, the cabana has an outdoor shower in the garden. Situated on a small organic farm where tropical fruits, trees and flowers grow, there's also an al fresco dining area and king-size bed with amazing views of the surrounding bamboo forest. Guests can also wander to the nearby mountain stream, small waterfall, bee farm and butterfly emporium.
Stays from Dh147 per person, per night
8. Sundown tiny house in Texas, US
Check into Sundown: a Designer's Gorgeous Tiny Home in Wimberley, Texas for the ideal escape for two. Small but perfectly formed, this tiny house has been expertly curated and has a choice of sleeping areas (queen sleeper sofa or loft bed), a fully equipped kitchen, designer decor and a private bath with shower. Outside you'll find a hot tub perfect for two, a private fenced yard, charcoal grill, picnic table, double hammock and twinkle lights hung from the trees.
Stays from Dh564
9. Little Castle by The Sea, England, UK
Fans of the hit period drama Bridgerton can embrace their inner Lady Whistledown with a stay at Little Castle by the Sea in England's Herne Bay. The Gothic house is set in its own walled garden that opens out to steps leading directly to the beach for swimming and sunbathing. Inside, the grand mansion has 15-foot high ceilings with chandeliers, three large sitting rooms and five bedrooms to choose from. There's also a large dining room ideal for dinner parties and a library for cosy nights in.
Stays from Dh2,544 per night
10. Hillside house in the Hollywood Hills, California, US
Drink in panoramic city views of Hollywood all the way to the ocean from this rustic cabin-like home in the hills of Los Angeles' most famous neighbourhood. The small private guest unit is nestled in the wooded hillside and has a free-standing bathtub and sun-drenched terrace overlooking the city. The cabin-like bedroom has a queen-size bed, tea and coffee making facilities and air-conditioning.
Stays from Dh758 per night
11. A duplex home with a Zen garden, Atlanta, US
This design-centric duplex apartment in downtown Atlanta comes with its own Zen garden and a hot tub ideal for two people. Located in Atlanta's best walking neighbourhood it has easy access to the city's best restaurants, bars and boutiques. Inside, the small house is big on design features and has modern interiors with a new kitchenette and huge flat screen TVs in both bedrooms. The star of the show is definitely the Zen garden with its romantic hot tub and fire pit.
Stays from Dh664
12. This luxury Regency apartment in Somerset, England
Delight in the true Georgian character found in this spacious luxury apartment in the picturesque city of Bath. Expect high ceilings and period fireplaces alongside a richly furnished interior. Sleep between 100 per cent French cotton sheets and rejuvenate with organic toiletries in the claw-foot bathtub. The games room is filled with old books about the city, Jane Austen novels and movies, games and puzzles to while away the days.
Rates from Dh1,126 per night
______________
Read more:
Valentine’s staycation deals: 10 best hotel stays for couples in the UAE
Celebrate Valentine's Day at home: 8 meal kits and offers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Who was Saint Valentine? Five Valentine facts you may not know
______________
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Burnley 1 (Brady 89')
Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
Why%20all%20the%20lefties%3F
%3Cp%3ESix%20of%20the%20eight%20fast%20bowlers%20used%20in%20the%20ILT20%20match%20between%20Desert%20Vipers%20and%20MI%20Emirates%20were%20left-handed.%20So%2075%20per%20cent%20of%20those%20involved.%0D%3Cbr%3EAnd%20that%20despite%20the%20fact%2010-12%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20population%20is%20said%20to%20be%20left-handed.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20an%20extension%20of%20a%20trend%20which%20has%20seen%20left-arm%20pacers%20become%20highly%20valued%20%E2%80%93%20and%20over-represented%2C%20relative%20to%20other%20formats%20%E2%80%93%20in%20T20%20cricket.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20all%20to%20do%20with%20the%20fact%20most%20batters%20are%20naturally%20attuned%20to%20the%20angles%20created%20by%20right-arm%20bowlers%2C%20given%20that%20is%20generally%20what%20they%20grow%20up%20facing%20more%20of.%0D%3Cbr%3EIn%20their%20book%2C%20%3Cem%3EHitting%20Against%20the%20Spin%3C%2Fem%3E%2C%20cricket%20data%20analysts%20Nathan%20Leamon%20and%20Ben%20Jones%20suggest%20the%20advantage%20for%20a%20left-arm%20pace%20bowler%20in%20T20%20is%20amplified%20because%20of%20the%20obligation%20on%20the%20batter%20to%20attack.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThe%20more%20attacking%20the%20batsman%2C%20the%20more%20reliant%20they%20are%20on%20anticipation%2C%E2%80%9D%20they%20write.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThis%20effectively%20increases%20the%20time%20pressure%20on%20the%20batsman%2C%20so%20increases%20the%20reliance%20on%20anticipation%2C%20and%20therefore%20increases%20the%20left-arm%20bowler%E2%80%99s%20advantage.%E2%80%9D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
