Romance isn’t just for Valentine’s Day. You can escape for a romantic holiday any time of the year.
We present 12 romantic travel ideas in Europe, for 2024, special trips to share with a special someone.
They’re a mix of famously amorous destinations and experiences your better half has probably never heard about.
Douro Valley, Portugal
A gentle river cruise amid terraced vineyards, on board a traditional wooden rabelo. A private afternoon of wine tasting and pairing, amid the serenity of northern Portugal.
The Douro Valley is pure escapism, made best with a stay at the excellent Six Senses Douro Valley, a vineyard turned hotel with the outstanding spa facilities the hotel brand is known.
We recommend a Vineyard Premier room, Vineyard Suite, or the Vineyard Garden Suite which has its own jacuzzi.
Top off your stay with a hot air balloon flight over the region’s vineyards. And if it’s all a little too quiet and romantic, the colourful city of Porto is only a short cruise away.
Ava Gardner Suite At Belmond Splendido Mare, Portofino, Italy
The most glamorous and romantic hotel suite in one of Europe’s most glamorous and romantic destinations.
This is not only the ultimate place to be on the Italian Riviera, it’s the most private place to fully soak up the Portofino vibe.
Pop open a bottle of brut metodo classico on your private terrace, lounge in the marble bathtub, and enhance your stay with a sunset cruise on Hotel Splendido’s 12-metre yacht.
Versailles, France
Immerse yourself in an 18th-century romance and imagine yourself as the last king and queen of France.
Versailles is an inherently romantic place. Marie Antoinette commissioned her own Temple of Love in the palace grounds, with a private grotto and statue of Cupid.
This private place is one you can discover, by being a guest at the exceptional Airelles Château de Versailles. Designed and operated like a true 18th-century palace, it’s one of the most original hotels to take your loved one.
So imagine strolling hand in hand in the famous gardens, after they’ve closed to the public, before a royal banquet served by maids dressed like the 18th century. You don’t even need to pack costumes – they’re provided at the hotel.
MirrorCube at Treehotel, Sweden
A room in the trees, where you can see out and nobody can see in. This is the MirrorCube, one of the individually designed tree houses at the iconic Treehotel in Sweden.
Experiences in nature will dominate the rest of your stay up here, from the forest spa to a snowmobile safari, ice dining, husky sleds and the northern lights.
Antiparos, Greece
A small, laid-back Greek island, far off the beaten path. The sort of island where nobody will know where you are, or even guess where you could be.
The Antiparos atmosphere is like holidaying in Greece 50 years ago, with empty beaches, endless lunches and serenity from typical Greek island tourist noise.
It’s a romantic holiday brought into the modern day by fabulous The Rooster, a boutique retreat with just 17 individual houses. Each has a pool, terrace, garden and a view onto the sea. You’ll enjoy far more space and privacy here than any hotel on the more popular islands.
Come here to relax, connect with each other, and enjoy life. Antiparos isn’t about doing something, it’s all about the beauty of doing nothing.
Penthouse Suite, Forestis Dolomites, Italy
A penthouse that will make you feel on top of the world, immersed in the natural splendour of the Dolomites.
The mountains dominate from every angle at Forestis Dolomites and there’s nowhere more majestic than the two-floor Penthouse Suite.
Step into a living area with open fireplace and bar, massive bed with a stupendous view, and your own terrace overlooking the mountains. Then go upstairs to your own private rooftop pool and spruce wood sauna.
Provence, France
Why give perfume as a gift when you can design your own scent together, on a perfume making class in Grasse, the home of perfume?
Why give a dozen flowers, when many dozens of flower fields await? (those purple irises that inspired Vincent Van Gogh are incomparable).
Chateau Saint Martin is our recommendation for a blissful romantic trip to the south of France, an isolated and low-key hotel built from what was originally a Knights Templar castle.
The most romantic accommodation is the Duplex Suite in the medieval tower, although for absolute privacy we suggest one of the villas in the hills, which come with a private chef.
Adare Manor, Ireland
Aristocratic grandeur in the lush green countryside of Ireland. A stay in one of Europe’s most beautiful historical buildings, a true stately home from the 19th century.
Adare Manor is pure escapism: it will effortlessly transport you to another time and place. We suggest the Lady Caroline Suite, the most beautiful of all the rooms.
We recommend at least 48 hours just enjoying the hotel and its grounds. With more time you can easily explore some of Ireland’s main highlights.
Grand Villa at Abyss Oia, Santorini, Greece
Abyss Oia is the contemporary place where romance can flourish. A particularly good long weekend option given the convenient direct flights between Prague and Santorini.
Sculpted from marble, gold and copper, Abyss Oia is a welcome change from the typical blue and white everywhere else in Santorini.
While the Honeymoon Suite is indeed lovely, we recommend the Grand Villa for its extra size. Private infinity pool with jacuzzi, endless caldera views, and a privacy that’s hard to find in Santorini.
Alcova Tiepolo Suite at Aman Venice, Italy
Venice can be a super romantic destination when you travel outside the main summer season. Just don’t go there as a two, when it’s school holiday time.
While the city’s many famous attractions can be crowded, Venice has so many private and hidden places, which can be opened exclusively for you. These include museums, galleries, shops and houses.
After a day exploring, retire to the authentic glamour of Aman Venice. Exquisite frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo cover the ceilings of the Alcova Tiepolo Suite (Tiepolo is widely considered the greatest decorative painter of 18th-century Europe).
Awake the next morning to the lilting song of a passing gondolier drifting upward from the Grand Canal below. Breakfast is served in bed, naturally.
Paris, France
Paris? We couldn’t help it. You probably have many of your own ideas for what to do in the City of Lights, so we’ll keep our recommendation brief and traditional.
Get yourself a Paris Eiffel Suite at Cheval Blanc Paris. Actually, get any suite at Cheval Blanc Paris, it’s a fantastic hotel. Then indulge in the ultimate Louis Vuitton experience.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is finally a very realistic option for a romantic weekend getaway, thanks to the new direct flight connections between Prague and Florence.
Borgo Santo Pietro is our recommendation for romance this year, a delicate balance between the authenticity of Tuscany and the solitude demanded by couples.
Truffle hunting, wine tasting, horseback riding through the vines, dining in a castle tower, driving a vintage Ferrari along winding Tuscan roads.
Or like most romantic holidays, you could just forget anything and everything else, as Borgo Santo Pietro can certainly be the special place just for two.
Your Romantic Escape This Year
The theme of romance is in the air as we approach 14th February, but really, a romantic holiday is to be savoured any time of the year.
So when you do get the time, make sure you go somewhere truly special.
