The beauty and romantic allure of Paris is undeniable. Yes you can have romantic dinners on the banks of the Sienne. Sure, you could stay at a luxury hotel with rose petals on the floor. But it’s not the only choice for a romantic holiday this Valentine’s Day.
With the big day falling conveniently on a weekend this year, a lot of people are considering a short trip abroad with that special someone.
If you want to avoid the crowds and high prices that are going to descend on the French city of love this weekend, below are a few alternative locations that are a bit cheaper and are sure to spice things up and make this Valentines a weekend you’ll not soon forget.
Lake Garda
Not only is Lake Garda an incredibly romantic destination in itself, but it’s also just a short train ride away from two of Italy’s most amorous cities: Venice and Verona. If you’re coming from the UK, check out this website, GreatRail.com, it has some pretty good deals and makes booking your trip easy. If you have the time, you can easily pack in all three destinations into one short vacation, giving you and your partner the ultimate Valentines Day/weekend love excursion.
Lovely Lake Garda
Barcelona
Located on the beautiful Mediterranean Coast and just south of the Pyrenees Mountains, the historic city of Barcelona is one of the most vibrant, historic and romantic in Spain.
Head over to the ancient Gothic Quarter, with its narrow streets and tiny tapas bars, and the famous Las Ramblas promenade, before catching a glimpse of the view from the Gaudi-designed Park Guell which overlooks the city from the hill of El Carmel.
With so much beauty around you and so much to discover that it will be hard not to feel romantic in this stunning city.
Barcelona a city with many faces
Lisbon
With its narrow cobbled streets, ancient districts and it’s imposing castle Lisbon makes a great alternative to Paris. It’s located right on the Atlantic coast and features the grand Tagus river. Not only is the city aesthetically beautiful but it’s also loads cheaper than Paris.
After wandering around this picturesque city, pick up a delicious custard tart at a local bakery or sample some Ginja, a sour cherry liquor and local speciality.
Lisbon is just a short ride away from the city of Porto, another quaint city where you can experience some Port Wine fueled romance.
Lisbon and the Tagus River
Stockholm
Geographically, Stockholm is made up of a series of lakes and islands. This setting and the fact that it’s located on the Baltic Sea makes for a city that is inspiring in it’s architecture and scenery.
During the long winter months, Stockholm’s bars, restaurants and cafes become incredibly cosy or “Koselig,” with some even offering guests blankets and complimentary fruit teas to help them feel at home. It provides the perfect opportunity to snuggle up close to your loved one on a for a romantic evening on the town. In fact, I’m actually heading to Stockholm for this Valentines day to be with my Swedish girlfriend.
Stockholm’s downtown island
Conclusion
With so many great cities within easy reach of the UK, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives to Paris for Valentine’s Day. Giving you the chance to whisk your loved one off somewhere new, exciting and incredibly romantic. And if you can’t find a cheap flight, a rail journey to any these locations is sure to get your Valentine’s Day off to a romantic start. Don’t be that guy or gal that takes their significant other to the pub. Head to Stockholm, Lisbon, Barcelona or Lake Garda and show them a Valentines Day that they won’t forget!
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