Discover the Jewel of the Mekong river, Laos, by the Lao National Tourism Administration

Valentine's Day comes once a year, but travel offers a year-round opportunity to show that special person in your life how much you love them. Here, Travel + Leisure magazine provides a list of 10 of its favourite, and inspirational, romantic escapes.

1. TOKYO BY NIGHT

Book a table for two at the New York Grill at the Park Hyatt, Tokyo, in the heart of Shinjuku, where the movie, Lost in Translation was filmed. This is the restaurant - still with the best views of the Tokyo capital - where, 52 floors up, Tokyo lovebirds come to propose. http://www.hyatt.com



2. NEW YEAR'S EVE IN SYDNEY

Beat the crowds and book two seats at Opera Australia's New Year's Eve Gala Concert, which allows you the privilege of viewing the famed fireworks from inside the Sydney Opera House, as well as, of course, a night of sensational music and partying. (Tickets go on sale mid-year). http://www.opera-australia.org.au



3. LUANG PRABANG AT DAWN

Rise early in this spectacular World Heritage-listed town, on the banks of the Mekong in Laos, and witness alms-giving to the saffron-robe-clad monks on their serene ritual procession through the quiet streets. Then wander off for a leisurely breakfast at one of the many French-style cafes. http://www.travelindochina.com.au



4. PARIS AT DAWN

Anyone can swoon at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Go one better and wake up early and recreate the romantic, blue-tinged scenes from the hit French movie, Diva, as you wander around the captivating streets of the City of Light, just as the cafes are baking the first croissants of day. http://www.franceguide.com



5. WAKE UP TO THE TAJ MAHAL

Book a luxurious Taj Mahal view room at the exclusive Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel, with its Moorish and Mughal-inspired architecture. The hotel (the poshest place to stay in Agra) is a mere 600 metres from the world's ultimate monument to love. http://www.oberoihotels.com



6. CATCH SUNRISE AT MACHU PICCHU

Watch dawn break over Machu Picchu, the ancient citadel of the Incas in Peru by staying overnight in the elegant Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. By mid-morning the tour buses offload their hordes, and while the ruins and surrounding mountain peaks are no less magnificent, the spell is broken. http://www.orient-express.com



7. STROLL IN OLD HAVANA

The crumbling Spanish Colonial facades of Cuba's Old Havana provide the perfect backdrop for walking hand-in-hand. Be drawn to a local dark-wood bar by the sound of the Afro-Cuban rhythms that waft up and down the cobbled streets; and once inside there is an ice-cold mojito waiting for you, or perhaps a daquiri, Ernest Hemingway's drink of choice. And as the moon rises high in the sky, walk along the Malecon, the city's seaside promenade and let the sea breeze mingle with the music. http://www.havanatours.com.au



8. GET PASSIONATE IN ST PETERSBURG

Fuel your passion, culturally and otherwise, and secure tickets to a ballet or classical music concert during the St Petersburg "Stars of the White Nights" Festival (May 11 to July 20). Then cap off the evening with an unscripted wander along the city's canals, paying homage to its glorious baroque buildings and many bridges in the moody blue of a midnight twilight. http://www.mariinsky.ru/en



9. LIVE LIKE A PRINCE IN PHUKET

Roll out of your obscenely comfortable king-sized bed and plunge naked into your own private swimming pool in a private villa in Phuket, Thailand. A growing number of the Thai island's resorts now offer an additional level of privacy to the ultimate in luxury. All the resort facilities are at your disposal, and a personal chef is on hand to cater to your every culinary whim. http://www.trisara.com



10. REVEL IN RAVELLO

Immerse yourself in the exquisite vistas of the Amalfi Coast, arguably Europe's most beautiful and inspiring coastline, from a restaurant terrace in the Italian hilltop town of Ravello.

From July to October, catch a performance of classical or contemporary music, dance and cinema as part of the Ravello Festival. http://www.hotelcaruso.com



To read the complete list of Travel + Leisure's 20 most inspirational romantic escapes go to http://www.travelandleisure.com.au

ABC News, the Town and Country Magazine Reveals Off-the-Beaten-Path Hot Spots for '08
and Laos has been voted as the the Best Travel Destinations for 2008 in Asia. Here is their reason.

Laos, Asia
Unlike most international destinations these days, the U.S. dollar still goes a long way here. Laos is one of the last undiscovered spots in Southeast Asia. The country is landlocked, so it has been protected from the development that has taken place in neighboring countries. Laos is what Thailand was 50 years ago.

Source: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/BusinessTravel/Story?id=4120741&page=1

Photo: A sticky rice field on top of the Pha Pon Golden Mountain near Luang Prabang, Laos. A Hmong villager stands admiring the sea of clouds below. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hleung/2071568156/in/photostream/)

Perhaps the world's most famous newspaper, the New York Times, recently named Laos as number one of the world's top 53 tourist destinations to visit in 2008.

Author of the Travel Section of the newspaper, Mr Denny Lee, collected information on the most attractive destinations in the world, and named Laos as the number one place to visit this year.

In his report, Mr Lee states that “Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina's next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Vat Phou temple complex and Vientiane are drawing culture seekers”.

“F oreigners have praised us because our Party has a clear policy on tourism development that conforms with the latest in world's trends,” the Director of the Lao National Tourism Administration's Marketing Promotion Department, Mr S aly Phimphinith, said on Monday.

Mr Lee mentions the unique delight of a luxury teak houseboat cruising down the Mekong.

“Global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang to sample the Lao tasting menu at 3 Naga, or hang out by the infinity pool at the seriously upscale Résidence Phou Vao.”

Tourist destinations continue to be improved, and the tourist sector has increased its efforts to promote tourism. The government has successfully developed the tourism infrastructure as well as improved all facilities for tourists in the country, Mr Saly said.

The administration has also extended cooperation with neighbouring countries and international organisations to attract more foreign tourists to Laos, he said.

“The country offers stability and safety, while at the same time preserving its many national heritage sites as tourist attractions, and this part of the world has therefore become an attractive destination in which to relax,” Mr Saly said.

Due to the beautiful scenery and views, those tourists interested in nature, as well as fine culture, historical sites and the lifestyle of Lao ethnic groups and Lao people are drawn to the region.

The tourism industry plays a very important role in Lao's economy. It generates sustainable incomes for all Lao people and helps to remove people from the despair of poverty, Mr Saly said.

Since the country first began a specific tourism campaign in 1990-2000, the number of visitors to Laos has rapidly increased.

Foreign visitors to Laos topped 737,208 in 2002, and tourism became one of the nation's leading income earners.

The Lao National Tourism Administration is expecting more than a million visitors to Laos this coming year, generating around US$195 million for the tourism sector.

By vientiane times