For those of us who fancy getting away from Britain without the hassle of long flights or jet lag, there are many city breaks on offer for your very own passionate holiday.
Paris, France
Where better to spend Valentines Day than in Paris with the love of your life? There is no doubt that Paris is one of those cities where you can feel the love lingering in the air.
There are endless beautiful sights to wonder at in Paris, far too many to mention, but no trip would be complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower, shuffling around the Louvre, feeling slightly patriotic at the Arc de Triomphe and of course, shopping on the Champs Elysées. Lonely Planet have also listed some of the best places to kiss in Paris hardly surprising really as Paris is, without a doubt the most romantic and perhaps even, appropriate, place to spend the 14 February; after all, the French are a passionate people… so perhaps a little will rub off on you.
Venice, Italy
There a few romantic journeys that can beat a trip on a gondola in Venice and with so many alleyways, bridges and incredible sights to take in, along with the majesty of the Grand Canal, Venice makes an ideal Valentine’s getaway.
Spending hours floating along the city streets hopping from gondola to gondola as you explore Venice’s main square; Piazza San Marco as well as the many churches and palaces adds a bit of a watery twist to any short break.
In between sigtseeing and being ferried around on your own boat, you sjhould take time to relax with a baguette and a coffee and take in the sights and sounds of this wonderful city whilst whispering sweet nothings in your lovers ear. (be careful to avoid the creaded coffee breath though!)
Madrid, Spain
For couples looking to enjoy long, energetic nights together hopping from bar to bar, then Madrid is an ideal destination as the locals love to party and know how to knock back the booze.
By day there are plenty of museums, cafes, grand squares and monuments to explore, and the city is also works well as a starting point to explore other parts of the region, such as Andalucia but by night is when the real fun begins.
The Sol area of the city is one of its most lively to start off your evening, and as it gets later you could go across to Plaza Santa Ana, where your can mingle with the locals until the early hours before heading back to your hotel to sleep it all off and wake up next to your loved one looking like death warmed up. The good thing about that is, if he’s still there after you’ve made a complete idiot of yourself whilst intoxicated and got out of bed looking like a yeti, he really does love you.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Despite the associations with sleaze, prostitutes and drugs, it’s rather surprising that Amsterdam is also brimming with romance and excitement, providing you know where to go. There are great bars located around every corner, and its restaurants serving Thai, Indonesian and other far-eastern dishes are superb around Nieuwmarkt square.
If you choose buy an I Amsterdam card you get free use of public transport as well as free admission to the Van Gogh Museum and Bar, Restaurant and Club RAIN as well as two free tours on a canal cruise plus many more benefits for you and your loved one, making seeing Amsterdam as easy as easy as bumping into a prostitute in the red light district.
Visiting the Diamond Museum could give your boyfriend a few subtle hints whilst The Amsterdam Dungeon could be good in showing him what might happen if he dawdles around too long; well, a girl has to keep her man on his toes after all!
FemaleFirst – Ruth Harrison