Explore the most romantic destinations for Valentine’s Day lovers
The home of Carmen, the capital of Andalusia and its largest city — Seville is quite possibly Spain’s most romantic destination. It’s certainly the country’s most charming, its size (roughly that of Dublin) dictating that not too much can pass you by.
If you’re planning to travel here, in April don’t miss the Feria de Abril, a unique event in the region in that it actively encourages the visitor (and, indeed, the resident) to make merry for days on end without sleep. Cheeky!
You’ll undoubtedly make a beeline for Seville’s barrios (or districts), each of which has their own specific attributes. One of the most visited is the Barrio Santa Cruz, which boasts too many atmospheric bars to get through in a week let alone a weekend. Oh — and there are enough museums, cathedrals and art galleries to see you right for months.
Located in the Barrio Santa Cruz, Las Casas de la Juderia (Calle Santa Maria La Blanca) is a gorgeous 17th century mansion with luxury rooms spaced around a network of patios that are bedecked with plants and orange trees. And if that doesn’t make you feel emotionally gooey, then honey, nothing will. lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com
For people who love passion and who are passionately in love. You ain’t seen nothing until you’ve witnessed an erotic flamenco performance in Triana, the old Gypsy quarter.
We’re not just saying this, but Cork has an inherent sense of its own worth. A major factor of its inbuilt pride, it is also indicative of a singular charm and intimacy. There is no doubt that something of this overall atmosphere stems from the fact that it is one of the ancient cities of Ireland, as well as being one of the oldest ports of Europe.
Actually, it’s the opposite - don’t put on any airs or graces, and you and Cork will get along just fine.
The English Market is a cornucopia of fresh food and home produce. It opened in 1788 and operated until 1862. Destroyed by fire in 1980, the market’s unique character was restored by the re-use of original materials, such as the cast iron work, and the fountain, which sits surrounded by acclaimed food stalls.
Maryborough House Hotel (Maryborough Hill, Douglas) is a fine country house that has been smart enough to revamp itself into the here and now.
Luxuriant accommodation, large rooms and an air of moneyed comfort make this one a definite love nest. maryborough.com
The down to earth lovers who like to blend in with the locals.
The primary motivation behind visiting Brussels has to be one of romance — one thing is certain and that is you will fall in love with, at very least, this city. You have to let it weave its magic, however; there is little about Brussels that is overt or pushy.
Allow the city to open up its charms to you. There are things you might not like about it (notably, the characterless glass and steel European Quarter). Outweighing this, however, is the terrific nightlife, and the amount of very fine and reasonable restaurants and bars.
The heart (and some would also say the soul) of the city is the Grand’ Place, effortlessly and with some justification one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It’s got bars, it’s got cafés, it is strewn with flowers during the summer, it is paraded upon day in/day out, and it buzzes ever so gently at night. If you don’t spend at least an hour here watching the world drift by then you’re missing an essential part of what Brussels is all about.
Hotel Saint-Michel (15 Grand’ Place) was renovated several years ago, and comes at an affordable price by city centre standards. And it’s right on the Grand’ Place, so it couldn’t be any closer, could it? hotel-saint-michel.be
Anyone with a taste for true romance — this is a city that inspires emotional warmth.
It’s small (150,000 population), it’s quite gorgeous (blame the dreaming spires and green hills), and it’s buzzing all year round. And if you love classical music (especially Mozart), then it’s more ‘why not?’ than ‘why?’.
Join up for one of the city’s several Sound of Music tours (the film celebrates its 50th birthday this year). Cheesy? Oh, yes, 100% cheddar!
Walk around the city’s truly beautiful baroque centre, which is rated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
It isn’t many hotels that actually pitch themselves at the ‘romance’ market, but Altstadthotel Wolf-Dietrich (Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse 7) does exactly that. You want to repose on a bed of rose petals? You want candlelight and ‘enhancing’ aromas? You want champagne? You want sensual literature and DVDs? Walk this way, if you please. If you can. salzburg-hotel.at
Those tuned in to the sound of their own music. Obviously.
If you want to really, really get away from everything, if you want to just hang out with your friend/lover/potential partner, we simply can’t think of anywhere else in Ireland that will give you such a sense of beatific calm.
As much or as little as you like: walk, relax, hold hands. Or, if the yen for something more strenuous takes over, how about some zip wire activities?
What To See: The mountains. The way you might look at each other. Simple as that.
Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa, Leenane, Co Mayo. All rooms are subtle, woody, and quite up market without being too showy. The bedrooms at the back of this place, however, are the ones to book as they have the most fantastic views of the nearby mountains. delphiadventureresort.com
You’d need to like each other’s company — this is a remote place for people who want to be together.
If you don’t know by now that Paris is a city that was created specifically with lovers in mind then perhaps you’ve been living under a rock. To put it mildly (and to paraphrase Oscar Wilde) if you don’t love Paris then you don’t love life. You’ve seen the images (that famous photo of the couple kissing), you’ve seen the movies (Amelie, Diva), you’ve heard the bit in the television advert that goes “pass the butter, Andre”, and you’ve tasted the wine. Isn’t it time you went again?
This is a must: get yourself to a boulangerie or a café terrace and watch Paris pass by. In other words, see how the professionals do it.
Fact –— unless you live here, you’re never going to see all the sights you should. If you’ve got a few days, then here’s a short checklist: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, the Marais district and the Galerie de Montpensier.
Right in the heart of the Marais district, Hotel de la Bretonnerie (22 rue St-Croixe de al Bretonnerie;) is a three-star establishment dating from the 17th century. Each of the 20-odd rooms and seven suites is uniquely designed; and some rooms have canopy or four-poster beds. hotelparismaraisbretonnerie.com
The kind of people for who romance is more than just a state of mind. Ooh la la to you, mon ami!
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