Making the most of love

WITH shelves groaning under bumper boxes of chocolates tied with red ribbons and teddy bears dressed in cute tees emblazoned with corny messages, you’d have to be a total Philistine not to notice that Valentine’s Day is once again just around the corner.
Thailand has long celebrated not just the day but the entire month of love with guys and gals trying to outdo each other in the “saying I love you” stakes by picking the freshest and deepest of red roses to woo their sweethearts.
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Wednesday this year and narrowly avoiding clashing with Chinese New Year, which is celebrated two days later, many restaurants and hotels are getting a jump on this upcoming festival of love by offering special loving menus and events.

 

And how better to celebrate the holiday of love than by signing up for an all-inclusive dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River and taking in some of the most important historical landmarks of the Kingdom? They include Wat Kanlaya Namithda, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, the Royal Barges Museum, Rama VIII Bridge, Tha Maharaj, Tha Chang, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), and Wat Pho.
The Peninsula Bangkok, one of the luxury five-star hotels along the river, is once again going the extra mile on Valentine’s Day, moving from the giddy heights of last year’s helicopter rides to the water with a cruise on a luxury yacht.

 

The afternoon Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise offers an idyllic voyage on a 76-foot luxury yacht along the Chao Phraya River paired with the essential ingredients of true love – chilled champagne and personally inscribed Peninsula chocolates. On-board the custom-designed yacht, couples will enjoy luxurious amenities, including air conditioning, private bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and bespoke lighting including a fibre-optic overhead “Star” panel.
After the fairy-tale river journey through the picturesque heart of the Thai capital, loving twosomes will enjoy a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea in The Lobby. Delectable sweet delights are a timeless recipe for love, and the three-tiered silver tea tray features an irresistible array of chocolate pastries, pralines and desserts. Handcrafted by French executive pastry chef Nicolas Pelloie, some of the mouth-watering delights are made with a bespoke chocolate blend exclusively produced for the hotel by French premium brand Valrhona. Others take their cue from romance, among them a red velvet cake, hand-made lychee marshmallows and a strawberry rose tart. Other goodies include more traditional items as cucumber and mint finger sandwiches, English mustard and cooked ham on white toast and home-made smoked salmon on pumpernickel. Pelloie will also present home-made Brioche with fresh strawberries, mixed berry coulis and whipped cream tableside as a surprise treat.

 

For one lucky couple, an especially enchanting Valentine’s Day experience awaits. The Luxe & Amour Champagne Sunset Cruise is a sensual private voyage for two to watch the spectacular Bangkok sunset transform day into night over the river. After sipping champagne at sundown on a luxury yacht, the lovers can gaze into each other’s eyes over an exquisite six-course dinner created by executive chef Dominique Martinez and executive sous chef Alvaro Roa at Paribatra. Located on the 37th floor of the hotel, this beautiful lounge offers spellbinding views of Bangkok’s skyline and a spectacular fireworks show above the river.
These limited edition Valentine’s experiences are exclusive to The Peninsula Bangkok, and the happy couples will be among the first guests to enjoy a luxury Chao Phraya cruise. Private yacht cruises are extremely rare on Bangkok’s waterways, and this dream voyage of discovery enables couples to spend precious time together.

 

The formative roots of Thai culture and history can be traced along the banks of Bangkok’s River of Kings, and for centuries it has played a symbolic role in bringing people together and forging lifelong bonds of friendship and harmony. Locals have made the riverside their home since ancient times and created their livelihoods and lifestyles from its landscapes, while many of Thailand’s most vibrant festivals were established here. For these reasons, the Chao Phraya and its picturesque landmarks evoke treasured memories of community, kinship and love for people throughout Thailand.
The 80-minute Luxe & Amour Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise, followed by a Valentine’s-inspired Peninsula Afternoon Tea at The Lobby, is priced at Bt25,888 net per couple.

 

The 80-minute Luxe & Amour Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise, followed by international buffet dinner at River Cafe & Terrace, is priced at Bt30,888 net per couple.
The private Luxe & Amour Champagne Sunset Cruise, followed by a six-course dinner at Paribatra lounge, is priced at Bt88,888 net per couple and Bt188,888 net per couple with firework display.

- For reservations, call (02) 020 2888 or e-mail [email protected]
- Find out more at www.Peninsula.com/bangkok.
- For more Valentine dinner cruises, please visit www.ThaiRiverCruise.com.