Paphos, Cyprus

Romance factor: A romantic break in the lap of the gods.

Where better to celebrate Valentine's Day than in the place where the Greek goddess of love was born? According to legend, Aphrodite - known to the Romans as Venus - rose out of the Mediterranean Sea on a scallop shell, and arrived on shore at Paphos to begin a life of unimaginable raunchiness with gods and mortals alike. The city is now an upmarket holiday spot that combines ancient ruins and pristine sandy beaches with a lively bar and restaurant scene, and some of the best hotels in Cyprus.