Valentine’s Day: Experiential Gifts Favored by Our Editors

1. Expedition Dining

Some dining experiences go beyond the plate, beyond the table, beyond the ordinary. Iris, floating in Norway’s Hardangerfjord, is one of them. Reached by electric boat from Rosendal, this expedition dining concept unfolds like a story – first at a rustic boathouse, then aboard the striking Salmon Eye, a futuristic, elliptical structure adrift in the fjord.

Inside, chef Anika Madsen serves an 18-course tasting menu that captures the essence of Norway’s waters and wilderness. Hyper-local, unexpected, and deeply connected to sustainability, it’s a meal designed to challenge and inspire.

Not everyone may have the possibility to jet off to Norway, but the search for extraordinary dining doesn’t have to end there. Michelin-starred establishments around the world are elevating gastronomy into an art form – surprising and tantalizing. The right restaurant doesn’t just serve dinner; it crafts a lasting experience for two.

2. Scented Wellbeing

Encased in a sculptural bottle, Vyrao is more than just perfume – its energy, intention, and transformation. Founded by the ever-stylish Yasmin Sewell, the brand seamlessly blends scent with wellbeing, creating fragrances designed to uplift, balance, and awaken the senses. The Sixth, for instance, is infused with mindfulness and intuition, featuring a carefully curated blend of basil, apple, peppermint, and rosemary. Charged with energy by healer Louise Mita, each bottle contains a crystal to amplify its effect. More than a fragrance, Vyrao is a sensory ritual – a perfect gift for those who seek beauty with a deeper, more meaningful connection.

3. Journaling Practice

An invitation to clarity, creativity, and self-discovery: a beautifully crafted journal is the gift that keeps on giving. Encouraging your partner to embrace morning pages – three free-flowing pages of writing each morning – helps clear the mind, unlock ideas, and set the tone for the day. A favorite of ours, apart from a beautifully bound journal with butter-soft leather, is Karst Goods, made from sustainable stone paper, offering a luxuriously smooth writing experience. A timeless gift for daily inspiration.

4. Retreats: Transformational Travel

Another gift that goes beyond the tangible – one filled with sunrise meditations, deep introspection, and the quiet luxury of time. A retreat offers space to reset, reconnect, and rediscover yourself, guided by experts in breathtaking surroundings. Kaer, for example, curates experiences in soulful places like the Moroccan dessert and the island of Mallorca with themes like Master Inner Peace, Here and Now, and Find Your Roar, blending soulful design, immersive nature, and transformative rituals. Or try A Love Beyond at Cervo in Zermatt, where the snow-covered mountains set the scene for a retreat infused with love, mindfulness, and deep restoration. If you really want to go extra, book a spa holiday. For instance, the awe-inspiring new Six Senses by the Red Sea, where wellness meets untouched nature in an ultra-luxurious retreat.

5. Custom Jewelry that Speaks

Jewelry becomes truly special when it carries meaning. A custom piece — whether engraved with an initial, a significant date, or a hidden message — adds that intimate touch, making it a gift to cherish forever. Sophie Bille Brahe’s delicate designs and She Fine Jewellery’s beautifully personalised creations offer elegance with sentiment. Charlotte Chesnais’ stunning swirling letter pendants bring a bold yet refined statement. Thoughtful, timeless, and deeply personal, bespoke jewelry is a materialized memory. And while we’re at it, may we also suggest the exquisite, custom hand-embroidered veils by Elisabeth Veil – heirloom pieces as personal as they are breathtaking.

6. Quality Time Away

A weekend away is a gift of time, space, and discovery. Book a flight and explore the untamed beauty of Satellite Island in Tasmania, the Tepoztlán wild, or stay closer to home and check into a new hotel in your own city – sometimes a change of scene is all it takes. In Mexico, Casa Chavela, the former home of singer and poet Chavela Vargas, offers a retreat steeped in history, framed by breathtaking mountains. In Provence, escape for the weekend in the quaint 12th Century home of Poet and Screenwriter Jacques Prévert in the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. For urban indulgence, the newly opened Raffles London at The OWO transforms a historic landmark into a haven of elegance and 1 Hotel in Brooklyn bottles up the magic of New York City’s skyline.

7. Restorative Treatment

Grounding, restoring, and bringing you back to yourself — a gift that we all need at times in this busy, overstimulated world. A deeply therapeutic massage, a rejuvenating facial, or a somatic treatment shifts the focus from mind to body, offering a moment of pure presence. Little Company in Byron Bay, for example, creates treatments that go beyond skincare, designed to “slow the nervous system, soften the body, and still the mind.”

If you really want to go extra, book a spa holiday. For instance, the awe-inspiring new Six Senses by the Red Sea, where wellness meets untouched nature in an ultra-luxurious retreat.

8. Cooking Masterclass

Whether it’s a sourdough class – learning the art of feeding, fermenting, and patiently watching the dough rise – or something more elaborate like a pasta-making workshop, cooking over fire, or a patisserie course, the gift of a cooking masterclass is both intimate and immersive. It’s a chance to create something homely while stepping into a new setting, where teamwork and creativity take center stage. In Australia, our editor-in-chief recently gifted an immersive outdoor cooking and dining experience with Terra Firma Dining where a culinary journey is experienced by open flame.

Accompany a cooking experience with timeless homeware. Christofle’s silver-plated cutlery adds effortless elegance to any table, while Serax’s hand-crafted ceramics (we love the collection by Kelly Wearstler) bring sculptural beauty to everyday rituals. A gift that blends craftsmanship, connection, and a shared love for food.

9. Art Piece

If we’re going with something tangible, why not gift a beautiful art print. Timothée Damas captures the poetry of places – pastel-hued architecture, sunlit terraces, and dreamy urban landscapes that feel both nostalgic and modern. His works transport you to serene Mediterranean streets or Brutalist facades softened by light, evoking a quiet sense of escapism. A piece of art that doesn’t just decorate a space but invites you into another world.

10. Shuffle and Reflect: Relationship Insights 

Where Should We Begin? – the podcast by the infamous Belgian-born, NY-based relationship therapist Esther Perel – intrigues and inspires. She brings that same depth to a set of conversation cards designed to spark connection in ways you may never have explored, even with your closest. This second edition offers 200 prompts, a dice for playful twists, and a compact design for on-the-go moments. A gift that turns storytelling into a bridge between hearts and minds.

11. Wellness Membership

Personal development and personal relationships often go hand in hand. A membership to Mode – The Method by Australian coach Stephanie Flockhart offers expert-led learning on everything from tapping techniques to nervous system regulation. For a more meditative approach, Open, the L.A.-based platform, blends breathwork, movement, and sound to cultivate mindfulness. A gift that nurtures both mind and body and shapes daily rituals of self-care and connection. For another wellbeing-focused and uplifting experience, consider the mindful benefits of art – proven to enhance mental wellbeing. A membership to a nearby museum could be the perfect way to inspire creativity and shared moments of reflection.

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