Love is in the Air (Travel)

As you all know, Valentine's Day is full of flowers, chocolates, meals out, and cards. But what if you want to go beyond the standard, beyond the familiar? What could be a better gift than some romantic time away?

A weekend away can be as refreshing as a longer break, a chance to pack in a range of cultural and culinary treats into a few short days. Here are some of our favourite places for celebrating with the love in your life.

Paris is the ultimate city of romance. Walk down the Champs-Elysees hand in hand; admire the city from the twinkling Eiffel Tower or take a romantic boat trip down the Seine. To experience sheer opulence on a rather grand scale, stay at the George V Paris.

In Venice you don’t have to look for romance. You fall over it at every corner. Take a gondola down the canals and under the tiny bridges that connect the old buildings. Meander down the alleyways and cobblestone streets and find yourself in sunny little piazzas with fountains. To experience style and atmosphere as well as enchanting views of St Marks Basin and the city, check into the Londra Palace.

Vienna offers a blend of beauty and sophistication with its majestic boulevards, medieval streets and ornate courtyards. Marvel at its old world charm and magic, share some Austrian fruit tea and pastries in one of the Viennese coffee houses, wander onwards and you’ll find cosmopolitan shops and museums. Share a magical evening and sample an opera, ballet or a concert. If you would like to savour the warm hospitality of a hotel that has welcomed heads of state, artists and other prominent figures since 1746, reserve a room at the Hotel Konig Von Ungarn.

Florence is a town that contains all the wonders of Italian Renaissance, Michaelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery, which is home to masterpieces by Botticelli and Michaelangelo. Take a walk along the Arno River, hand in hand, enjoy a carriage ride through the narrow winding streets, sip a cappuccino in one of the quaint cafes, or simply find a quiet spot to sit and take in the beauty of the old European architecture. If you are looking for a hotel with a relaxed atmosphere amidst original frescos, then reserve a room in the enchanted city sanctuary that is the Four Seasons Florence.

Visit the Basque Country with limestone mountain ranges, vibrant culture steeped in history, and peaceful towns offering interesting traditions. Take a walk through the rows of leafy vines which stretch across the hills and plains that surround the medieval town of Elciego. For an infusion of architectural brilliance, stay at the architecturally renowned Marques de Riscals, designed by Frank Gehry. The hotel sits within a 150-year old estate surrounded by rolling, vine-covered countryside.