Looking for the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat or proposal destination? Sweep your loved one off their feet with a romantic city break.
Paris
Paris city breaks are a recipe for romance and inspiration, transporting loved-up couples into one of the most historic and dreamy cities in the world. With endless iconic landmarks and architectural grandeur, Valentine’s weekend is the perfect time to explore the Parisian streets.
Arty couples will be captivated by galleries, history buffs mesmerised by museums, theatre goers entertained in opera houses and cuisine connoisseurs amazed by French gastronomy.
If walking along the River Seine and climbing the Eiffel Tower is too conventional, consider an alternative to the traditional tourist traps. The Latin Quarter boasts a bohemian feel where a maze of narrow streets dotted with cafes, eateries and boutiques allow couples to discover Paris of old.
Catch a glimpse of the French capital from a unique perspective by visiting The Sacre Coeur, another of Paris’ grand and famous sites – an impressive view that cannot be missed and the perfect spot for popping the question.
Venice
Treat your valentine to an Italian adventure brimming with culture, history and mouth-watering cuisine. Made up of 118 islands, 416 bridges and 177 canals, there are endless wonders to explore.
Instantly mesmerise your partner by arriving into Venice by boat – flying into Marco Polo Airport offers the best water bus/ private boat connections.
With landmarks galore, be sure to tick off these three highlights – take the #1 Vaporetto for a Grand Canal Tour, visit St. Mark’s Square when it’s empty and tour the Doge’s Palace.
Island hopping is a must in Venice – the further into the lagoon you go the more traditional the islands become. Capture the art of glass blowing in Murano followed by a must-see stopover in Burano, where its brightly coloured houses offer a romantic backdrop for an afternoon stroll.
In the evening, dine near the historic Rialto Bridge and then hop aboard a gondola – now’s the time to ask the all-important question – for a romantic moon-lit cruise that captures the Venetian city alight.
Prague
It’s not hard to fall in love with Prague – architectural delights, intriguing museums and tasty Czech cuisine makes this city one of the most popular. The labyrinth of old streets offer bustling coffee shops to wind away your weekend and the scenic riverside is well worth visiting.
Staying in one of the central districts allows you to be within sight of everything Prague has to offer. To kick off your city break, pay a visit to the Old Town Square. As the city’s main hub you’ll find a great marketplace – perfect for picking up hand-crafted souvenirs – and the iconic clock tower.
NГЎrodnГ trГda is a bustling street with great shops, beautiful buildings and is home to the modern National Theatre where you’ll find a captivating exhibition to visit.
For breath-taking views, don’t miss a ride on the funicular up to the PetrГn Tower – a setting made for proposals.
Barcelona
Recently Barcelona has been giving Paris a run for its money as the ‘City of Love’. Rambling streets, scenic plazas and delicious cuisine all make for a great place to spend some time with the one you love.
To be at the heart of city life, stay in a hotel just off Las Ramblas – you’ll have plenty of bars, restaurants and boutiques on hand for your tapas, drinking and shopping fixes.
For arty couples, the obvious cultural hotspots cannot be missed. The Sagrada de Familia offers fascinating tours while Park GГјell – both designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi – boasts stunning views of the city’s skyline stretching out to sea.
From basement bars to bijoux restaurants, the city comes alive at night. The Font MГЎgica Fountain – a beautiful show of water, light and music – is often cited as Barcelona’s most romantic spectacle and regularly sees men bending down on one knee!
Edinburgh
Want to stay closer to home but explore somewhere different? Then head to Edinburgh, nestled between the North Sea and a stretch of rolling, rocky hills.
The scenic city – famous for its medieval skyline – offers plentiful opportunities for that Kodak moment. Take in the incredible views from atop Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat – especially romantic at sunset and a popular site for soon-to-be newlyweds.
No trip to the city would be complete without a visit to the 11th Century castle, a history haven that overlooks the metropolis below.
Animal lovers cannot skip the chance to visit Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo is home to the UK’s only giant pandas and koalas, as well as hosting its renowned penguin parade.
Murrayfield Ice Rink – home to the city’s ice hockey team – is great for whiling away an afternoon. Shoppers and foodies will thrive on all that the Old Town’s Royal Mile offers, while its rival Princes Street is also worth a visit.