Spending a romantic break in Krabi

KRABI has all the right ingredients for romance: balmy tropical weather; breath-taking scenery; secluded beaches; and luxurious hotels and spas. Indeed, if you can't get in the mood for love here, your relationship is probably doomed.

But of course even the most ardent of Lotharios can use a few insider tips on setting the scene. First of all, avoid the organised tours - at least for one day. These tend to pack the boat or minivan to capacity, leaving little time to yourselves. Instead, hire a car with a driver for the day (available on the beach road in Ao Nang), or charter a longtail boat to take you out to the islands. Prepare a picnic lunch (you can buy ice in most supermarkets to keep the wine chilled) and ask the driver to park far away from the crowds - there's always a beach just around the corner in Krabi.

If your loved one is not into being wooed, try a twosome in a kayak. For an active couple, paddling a sea canoe in tandem through silent mangroves and towering canyons is a surefire bonding experience. Drive to Bor Thor pier (near Ao Luk) in the early afternoon, after the tour groups have left, and rent a kayak and guide for a couple of hours filled with surprise and discovery.

Krabi, of course, is also the perfect place for inactivity. And what could be more romantic than a pampering session à deux in a hideaway spa? Spas offering packages for couples include Tropical Herbal Spa and Leela Spa in Ao Nang, both set outdoors in a private garden; Bayview Spa in Railay Bay Resort, with its private spa suite; and the luxurious Mandara Spa in Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort, Klong Muang.

To round off your romantic day, a sunset dinner will be de rigueur. The beachside seafood restaurants in Ao Nang will be packed, so instead head out to Klong Muang to The Beach House, a peaceful spot offering excellent food and fantastic views over the Hong Islands; or take a sunset dinner cruise on a yacht with Krabi Spesialisten Tours.

Romantic dining later on in the evening can also be found in The Last Fisherman beach bar, with its nightly barbecue and tables on the sand overlooking the water, or the pretty garden of Ruen Preutsa in Somkiet Buri Resort (both located in Ao Nang), or in the beautifully lit pavilions of Ruen Mai Thai restaurant in Krabi Town.

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