The best alternative romantic city breaks for Valentine’s Day 2024

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Valentine’s Day is quick approaching, and what might be extra romantic than whisking the one that you love away on a European city break?

Naturally, the attract of couple-centric entrance runners – Paris, Florence and Prague – dominate the search bar for loving lengthy weekends stuffed with tables for two, rose-strewn duvets and flutes of champagne amid intimate itineraries.

With these can come steep worth tags, swarms of sightseers and unattainable restaurant reservations – all issues which are positive to kill the temper.

This 12 months, overlook the hearts and flowers heavyweights vying for the crown of the city of affection – choose as a substitute for an under-the-radar alternative for higher worth, fewer vacationers and simply as a lot alternative to carry fingers and stare lovingly into one another’s eyes…

Here’s tips on how to cheat the canals of Venice in a love affair with Annecy and commerce fairy-tale Bruges for the charms of Strasbourg this 14 February.

Read extra on romantic holidays:

Swap Dubrovnik for Pula

With a primary spot on the Mediterranean, promenades of refined seafood spots and distinctive medieval structure, the cobbles of Dubrovnik are undoubtedly a haven for lovers and the proclaimed “Pearl of the Adriatic” welcomes hoards of holiday makers to its sun-kissed partitions year-round.

An escape to ceaselessly uncared for Pula in northern Croatia presents an amphitheatre of Roman ruins to wander, a ragged shoreline for bathing and genuine tavernas to style pours from the Istria wine area with out the perpetual hustle of southern hotspot Dubrovnik. Savour sailings watching the dolphins dance, Mediterranean meals starting with pršut ham and native olive oil, and full of life nights in buzzing bars submit sundown in Istria’s historic fundamental city.

Where to remain

Relax mere metres from the Adriatic, float hand in hand in a heated outside pool or stretch out throughout a {couples} therapeutic massage on the fashionable Boutique Hotel Valsabbion simply 10 minutes from the guts of Pula.

Trade Venice for Annecy

Annecy in south-east France is named the Venice of the Alps – and for good cause. This medieval canal city has a number of waterways working by the centre, fed by the neighbouring Lake Annecy, set to a backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks.

It additionally includes a charming previous city with cobbled streets and pastel homes; the Château d’Annecy, which seems to be prefer it fell straight out of a storybook, looms massive, and is now dwelling to a museum. The city rivals Venice for picturesque magnificence and has the extra boon of the fantastic lake, which guests can discover on pleasure boats or on foot, following the paths across the water’s edge.

Where to remain

Located on the banks of the Vassé Canal, the modern Le Splendid Hotel faces Lake Annecy with old-town reward purchasing, the fairy story Palais de l’Île museum and idyllic boat excursions at your fingertips. 

Switch Florence for Ferrara

Florence often is the cradle of the Renaissance, however the causes vacationers flock there – world-class artwork, structure, foods and drinks – may be discovered elsewhere in Italy. The oft ignored city of Ferrara, sat between Venice and Bologna, is a critical Renaissance artwork vacation spot, plus a Unesco World Heritage Site. Its proximity to better-known cities makes it a comparatively quiet choice, with much less competitors to see the signature Castello Estense, an enormous citadel full with moat within the city centre, and varied palazzos boasting tremendous frescoes and examples of Renaissance artwork.

Food-wise, there are many trattorias serving up conventional Ferrara dishes, resembling cappellacci di zucca (pasta stuffed with pumpkin, parmigiano cheese and nutmeg) and pasticcio di maccheroni (a sweet-crust pie with a macaroni, béchamel, dried mushroom and truffle filling).

Where to remain

With wood beams, wealthy pink accents and vintage furnishings there’s a heat atmosphere to the Princess Art Hotel that encapsulates an period bygone. Think cosying up by the fireplace, unwinding on the backyard patio and making the quick stroll to Este Castle.

Change Bruges for Strasbourg

Bruge’s fairly market squares, cobbled streets and hovering church spires mimic a medieval fairy story. The disadvantage? These sights additionally entice big numbers of vacationers. Find a quieter but equally charming base in Strasbourg – the underappreciated Alsace gem on the French-German border that mixes the best of each.

Half-timbered, vibrant previous buildings lining winding streets give their very own tackle fairy-tale model, whereas cosy winstubs (conventional Alsatian taverns) welcome travellers for foods and drinks. Get a cultural repair on the 18th-century Palais Rohan, dubbed a “Versailles in miniature”, or go extra trendy with a go to to Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, which options works by Kandinsky and Picasso.

Where to remain

The grand sixteenth century Hôtel & Spa Le Bouclier D’or has preserved its historic splendour amongst the waterside timbers of “Petite France”. Le Bouclier d’Or even hosts a steamy hammam, moody wine bar and spectacular views of Strasbourg Cathedral.

Substitute Prague with Český Krumlov

Plentiful beer, structure that roams from Gothic to baroque to artwork nouveau and a maze of fairly, cobbled streets – Prague has all you want for a romantic break. And, apparently, for a less-than-romantic stag do.

Escape the morph-suit-clad crowds this Valentine’s Day by travelling to Český Krumlov, a pint-sized Prague in Czechia’s south. With it’s personal Unesco standing, loads of Renaissance structure to admire and a fairy story citadel perched above the Vltava River, this small scale city blends the highlights of the capital with peaceable and accountable tourism.

Where to remain

For riverside lodging in Český Krumlov, Garni Hotel Castle Bridge sits on the Vltava River with views that stretch to its iconic stronghold. Picture hearty breakfast platters on the banks and spacious double rooms only a stone’s throw from the primary sq..

Replace Paris with Bordeaux

Hailed as one of many world’s most romantic cities, Paris attracts greater than its fair proportion of lovebirds. But these wanting for good meals and wine and an opportunity to brush up their langage de l’amour ought to look additional south for all of the romance with much less of the cliché.

Bordeaux presents a compact city centre, pedestrianised boulevards and restored neoclassical structure at each flip. Swap the Eiffel Tower for the Miroir-d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool, benefit from the city’s illustrious wine heritage within the Cité du Vin museum, and overlook Notre Dame – Bordeaux’s Cathedral of Saint Andrew is a Gothic masterpiece in its personal proper.

Where to remain

A dream for {couples}, luxurious is king at Villas Foch in downtown Bordeaux. Here, a world-class spa meets romantic Juliet balconies, indulgent pâtisserie and swirls of pink within the dimly lit bar. 

Read extra of on the best romantic lodges in Europe