Little did Saint Valentine know that his simple conception of dedicating a day to the celebration of unadulterated love would turn into such a scorching global phenomenon. I guess love does make the world go round.

February 14th is one date on our Roman calendars that merits a bold red circle around it. It is the day for renewing declarations of love, taking time out from hectic work schedules and reconnecting, celebrating the one true constant in your life and serenading your soul mate in a style that is befitting to them. It is a day for travel and rediscovering conversations.

“India” – The name rings in vivid images of ancient traditions intertwined with modern sensibilities, of wild elephants and amber tigers, of contrasts far flung, of mind boggling diversity in cuisine, culture and language, of Vedic chants and the Kama sutra, of exotic people with warm smiles, of eclectic topography, of reds, blacks and everything in between.

Is there a better place to rediscover your love for life, for art and ahem…for love? India has a host of getaways designed especially for couples who are looking to let their hair down while at the same time soaking in its exotic culture.

Here are some handpicked India Sightseeing Tours that are serene yet adventurous, secluded yet satisfying, and are spot-on for a romantic holiday for two.

1.    Goa : Travel back in time to the swinging sixties and seventies to the era of the flower children. A verdant paradise, you will cut through tender green paddy fields, lush cashew groves, avenues of swaying palms and arrive at white calm sands along turquoise waters. Goa is a discovery each time you visit, with the northern side of the state in stark contrast with its southern counterpart. The former is choc-a-bloc with water sports, vibrant festivals and is home to a youthful and peppy crowd, while the latter hosts some of the most picturesque and serene of resorts, landscapes and beaches. Goan cuisine is seriously addictive, with fluffy Sannas playing the perfect partner to a wide variety of spicy seafood in Xacuti, Balchão and Vindaloo styles. Watch the sun go down in myriad vermillion shades, while digging your toes into Goa’s therapeutic wet sands, a cold King’s beer (a popular local brew) in one hand, and your partner’s familiarly soothing palm in the other, listening to the distant tunes of a lone acoustic guitar carried piggyback on a balmy breeze.

2.    Nasik: Nestled in the temperate slopes of the Western Ghats, Nasik is India’s answer to California’s ‘Napa Valley.’ As India’s wine capital, it generates a wide range of tantalizing Bruts, Merlots, Sauvignons and Cabernets. In the heart of this wine valley lies Sula Vineyard and in its depths lies ‘Beyond,’ an exclusive resort set in the lush green surroundings of crisscrossing vines and verdant valleys. Get high on wine tasting tours, binge on deliciously home grown organic fare, partake in grape crushing events, walk along winding and cozy trails and watch the sun set from your own private balcony. For the architecturally inclined, Nasik offers a breathtaking range of temples in vivid hues and intricate sculptures.

3.    Pondicherry: Pondicherry spells solitude and beauty, and marks the spot where French aesthetics meet Indian spirituality;   With an alluring tagline of – “A place where time stands still,” Pondicherry promises a new world experience wrapped up in a laidback old world charm. Cobbled avenues lined by trees laden with lavender blossoms, cozy French cafes serving up hot, smoky wood fired Pizzas, the mesmerizing calm of the Ashram, walls painted in shades of blue and yellow adorned by unruly twigs of bright pink bougainvillea, long walks along the Boulevard where a solitary lighthouse proudly stands guard over the sleepy town, discovering Auroville – a world in itself –and stumbling upon numerous secret backwater lagoons, make you never want to leave this content little town.

4.    Alleppey: A land blessed with nature’s bounty, Alleppey is a city in Kerala where a pot pourri of Dutch, Portuguese and Indian cultures were finely blended to give rise to a place full of surprises – mirror-still lakes, palm lined canals, intriguing architecture and of course, the ever popular houseboats. Sail away on the placid backwaters of Kerala in a mobile home-on-water that is all your own. Be waited on hand and foot by attentive stewards, sample delicious Malayali cuisine, treat yourself to an elaborate and pampering Ayurvedic massage and basically, watch all your worries float away, watching the sun sign off for the day.

5.    Gangtok:  4,715 feet high up in the Himalayas, is the city of Gangtok, a veritable paradise for those seeking solace in the pristine. Wake up early to catch the first rays of the sun caress the snow covered slopes of the Kanchenjunga, raft down the river Tiesta on gentle rapids, travel further up into the mountains to Lachung – a well-kept secret that nestles in a valley surrounded by looming snow peaked mountains, lose yourself in the Yumthang Valley – the valley of flowers where millions of yellow blossoms waltz on a backdrop of white, dig into hot steaming Momos and take back home an exquisite taste of Tibet and finally curl up in front of a warm fireplace and relive the memories of the day.

6.    Udaipur: Where mystic sand dunes, bright traditional costumes, royal palaces, enigmatic camel rides into the dusk, chasing diverse wildlife and much more beckon. Udaipur is a microcosm of beauty, where the waters of myriad lakes glisten serenely in the noon sun. Stay at the Udaipur Palace Hotel, an architectural marvel constructed in the middle of  Lake Pichola and experience royalty like never before. Entirely built in white marble and mosaic, and richly upholstered in fine Indian fabrics, the hotel will offer you a surrealistically royal experience.

7.    The Andamans: What better way to rediscover each other than on a secluded island? The Andaman archipelago in the Indian Ocean is endowed with breathtaking beauty. Tropical rain forests, extensive coral reefs, palm fringed islands present you with great opportunities for long cozy hikes and snorkeling activities. Many of these islands are uninhabited and make for great picnic spots or the perfect places to watch scintillating sunsets.

8.    Lakshwadeep: With its powdery white sands on aquamarine waters, wildly exuberant palm trees and brilliantly dazzling coral reefs waiting to be discovered under its azure waters, Lakshwadeep is a group of islands that are a universe in themselves. Sparsely populated, this smallest of Indian Union territories is the perfect hideout for couples seeking beauty, bliss and balance.

9.    Coorg: Orange orchards, lush coffee plantations, cozy tea estates and elephant watching – Coorg is a designated hotspot for those wanting time away from the grinding rigors of daily life. Home to misty cloud wreathed hills, rolling verdant slopes and canopies of luxurious vegetation; Coorg is a haven for hikers. Choose to live in a Homestay while in Coorg; these are usually secluded resorts surrounded by aromatic coffee, cardamom and pepper plantations, making this a truly romantic getaway.

10.    Ananda Spa: Located in the tranquil foothills of the Himalayas, Ananda Spa offers the perfect package for couples looking to find rejuvenation. The 24,000 square foot spa offers over 79 body and beauty treatments that are the perfect blend of Ayurveda and Western spa techniques. With delicious organic cuisine, aesthetically resplendent rooms and surreal spa treatments, Ananda spa makes the perfect gift for couples looking to pamper each other, this Valentine’s Day.

Give in to your wanderlust, and tour India on February 14th, home is not where the heart is.