March 28, 2024

If your Valentine’s dreams of sun-drenched days in Provence, outdoor adventures in Iceland, or a wild night out dancing in Buenos Aires are on a pandemic hold, gift them with one of these romantic scents that evoke their favorite travel destination.

Le Sirenuse Positano Eau d’Italie Fragrance, $170

Instantly transport your Valentine to the Amalfi Coast with an unforgettable scent made by one of the world’s most legendary luxury hotels: Le Sirenuse, in Positano, Italy. 

The sensual eau de parfum captures the essence of summer in this picturesque Mediterranean village with the scents of bergamot, magnolia, blackcurrant, sweet clover, and salty sea air — along with subtle hints of incense and musk.

The addictive unisex fragrance was created by Marina Sersale, whose family owns the iconic  Hotel Le Sirenuse along with her husband, Sebastian Alvarez Murena, to celebrate the hotel’s 50th anniversary. Once reserved for Le Sirenuse’s in-the-know hotel guests, it’s is now available for anyone craving the romance of the Amalfi.

Glasshouse Fragrances Eau de Parfums, $100

Australia-based Glasshouse Fragrances just launched a quartet of artisanal fragrances in the States, each inspired by an enchanting international travel destination.

Kyoto in Bloom is a delicate floral fragrance with notes of camellia, lotus, sandalwood, and Japanese citrus. Forever Florence blends the summery scents of peonies, lilies, and jasmine with a hint of musk. Midnight in Milan showcases roses, saffron, blackcurrant, and moss. And A Tahaa Affair Devotion transports to its namesake island in French Polynesia with a delicious medley of vanilla orchid, sugar cane, sea salt, black amber, and hibiscus.

Floral Street Sunflower Pop Eau de Parfum, from $32

This bright, citrusy South of France fragrance is a special collaboration between London-based Floral Street and Amsterdam’s famed Van Gogh Museum

The sunshine-in-a-bottle scent is inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers painting and the idyllic Provençal countryside of Arles, France (where the artist created many of his best-known masterpieces). It’s an energizing blend of zesty bergamot and sweet mandarin with pops of blue orris, honey accord, and bellini accord (in the perfume world, an “accord” refers to a blend of multiple ingredients that produces its own distinctive scent.)

Best yet, the purchase of each bottle helps support the world-renowned Van Gogh Museum.

66°North Útilykt Solid Perfume, $60

If you and your Valentine have an expedition to Iceland on your bucket travel list, gift them with a scent that evokes the wind, snow, sea air, and fresh green grass of the Icelandic landscape.

This ethereal and invigorating scent is crafted by hand in Iceland using indigenous medicinal herbs and essential oils, and there’s truly nothing like it. Somehow, Útilykt manages to capture the forest, sea, and mountains all at once in a fresh, mossy, and briny blend. 

It’s the first-ever fragrance from Icelandic outerwear designer 66°North, in collaboration with Reykjavík-based perfumery Fischersund. The gender-neutral scent is available both as a spray and a solid. But the solid formulation — which comes in a tin box stamped with the number 66 — is especially good for spill-free travel. 

Plus, since one of Fischersund’s founding partners is Jónsi, the frontman of the Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós, this perfume even has its own soundtrack: a handmade vinyl record that echoes the feeling of spending time in Iceland’s magical terrain.

ALTAIA Don’t Cry For Me Eau de Parfum, $210

Conjure a sultry night of dancing in Buenos Aires with the unforgettable scent of Don’t Cry For Me eau de parfum.

The fragrance is from ALTAIA, an acronym for “A Long Time Ago In Argentina,” that’s a nod to the romantic history of the husband-and-wife team behind the brand.

The lush combination of white jasmine petals, amber, cashmere wood, heliotrope, and cherry blossom is the next best thing to strolling through Recoleta on a warm summer night.

LOULOU DAMOUR Eau De Parfum, $149

In French, “Mon loulou d’amour” is is a term of endearment reserved for someone very close to one’s heart. That’s why French fashion and fragrance label LOULOU DAMOUR’s fresh, floral eau de parfum — a celebration of love, and springtime in the French countryside — will make the perfect thing to gift your loulou this Valentine’s Day.

The sophisticated scent is a marriage of green hyacinth, pink grapefruit, lily of the valley, bergamot, peony accord, and cedar notes. 

And the bottle even bears a bonus gift: a white gold loulou charm strung on a blue satin ribbon, which doubles as a necklace.