Six of the world’s most romantic road trips

Sandwiched neatly between the Pacific coast and the Andes, Santiago is one of South America’s most awe-inspiring destinations. Travel southeast from Mandarin Oriental, Santiago, towards the foothills of the Andes and within an hour you’ll reach the Maipo Valley, Chile’s world-class winemaking region. With its flourishing greenery and serene, undulating hills, the area has some of Santiago’s finest vineyards, producing both red and white wine, making it a delicious destination for a romantic drive out of town.

In a country known for its outstanding high-speed rail network, you need a very good reason to swerve the tracks and hit the road. Luckily, Japan also offers some of the best driving roads in the world, many of which are a stone’s throw from the thrumming metropolis of Tokyo. Setting off from Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo in the historic Nihonbashi district, this route weaves its way through the dazzling high-rise skyscrapers of Shibuya on its way out to the mouth of the Haya River, with the silhouette of Mount Fuji looming on the horizon. Winding its way through the mountains, the route incorporates the Izu Skyline drive and picture-perfect Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields, both of which are within a couple of hours’ drive of downtown Tokyo.

If ever there was a capital of romance, Paris is it. With its enchanting café culture and charming, low-rise architecture, the city is a perfect place to start any romantic drive. Sitting less than 100 miles to the east of the city is Reims, capital of the Champagne wine-growing region. Between the two cultural centres is the A4, which links Paris and Reims like an artery. Head east from Mandarin Oriental, Paris towards Reims on the A4 if you’re pressed for time. But, should you prefer a more languid journey, go off piste along sleepy back roads to take in the mesmerising beauty of rural France.