Get away on a romantic holiday this year with our choice of top city breaks
This is our first five suggestions for a romantic getaway in 2018. Look out for the next five coming soon!
Ireland - From Dublin to Dingle
Dublin makes a wonderful romantic destination. The people are incredibly friendly and hospitable. Kilmainham Gaol may not seem the obvious choice for a trip out but it is one of the most popular attractions in Dublin. If you fancy something a little more serene then try The Little Museum of Dublin – a little gem of a museum portraying the history of the Irish people. The National Botanic Gardens give a stunning display including tropical plants in their greenhouses. It is a 5 hour drive to the spectacular scenery of the Dingle peninsula. If you would rather not do the journey in one go, you could make a diversion. It is 3 hours from Dublin to Waterford where you can see the beautiful works being created in a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory and perhaps take home a sample. A couple of hours drive from there and you can be in Cork. Be sure to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. You will then be blessed with the gift of great speech – so they say. It is another two hours drive then to Dingle with its undulating hills, sweeping coastline and sandy beaches.
Italy - Follow your heart to Florence
Set Bologna at the heart of your Italian holiday and with a hire car you can reach many stunning locations. Why not consider a couple of days in Venice? In under two hours you could be on a gondola on the Grand Canal or taking a stroll across the Rialto Bridge. Parma, home of some of the best cheese and ham in the world, is to the north. The honey-coloured buildings give this city a vintage feel. Florence is a chocolate lover’s paradise this February with the Fiera del Cioccolato being held between February 10th-19th. Sample artisan chocolate at the many stalls, take part in cooking shows and watch some of the chocolate-themed events. If you are sweet enough, there are a myriad of other treasures within the city to discover, from the old to the new. The world-famous cathedral is set amongst the ancient streets but cross over the Arno via the Ponte Vecchio and you can head for the art collection at the Pitti Palace in the more modern Florence.
Portugal – Feel the love in Lisbon
Lisbon is a natural when it comes to romance. Its winding cobbled streets, colourful houses and little tucked-away courtyards can be discovered as you explore this city hand in hand. Get up close to the city and admire the many superb architectural sights or look down on it from one of the surrounding hills. If you need a rest, take a ride on one of the vintage trams or up the vertical street lift, Elevador de Santa Justa. About 19 miles away is the captivating city of Sintra. With impressive buildings such as the 14th century palace and the 8th century Moorish castle, it is easy to get lost in time. Amble along the ancient battlements and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views looking across to the mountains. Obidos, an endearing little town, is about an hour from Lisbon. It has many charming features including a castle and a beautifully tiled chapel. You cannot leave Obidos without sampling the local tipple, Ginga – a sour cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup.
France - From the Seine to Champagne
Paris is world famous as one of the most romantic cities in the world. A visit wouldn’t be complete without the Eiffel Tower. Climb up it for sumptuous views over the city or, if you don’t have a head for heights, a selfie with the tower in the background makes a great souvenir. Take a stroll along the banks of the Seine and stop at a patisserie along the way. A must for couples is the ‘I love you wall’ in Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre. This wonderful work of art is made up of 612 tiles of enamelled lava. Each tile has the phrase ‘I love you’ written on it in one of a total of 311 languages represented on the wall. Within about 2 hours you can drive with your hire car to Reims in the champagne region of France. Springtime is actually the best season for admiring the carpet of wildflowers that flows through this part of the countryside. Here is a chance to rest away from the busy city. There are plenty of vineyards where you can sample the local wines. Stay the night at one of the many hotels within walking distance so even the driver can take part.
Croatia and Montenegro - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast
Dubrovnik always rates highly as a romantic getaway. It manages to have something for everyone to enjoy. If you prefer to get active then go kayaking around the bay or visit one of the islands along the coast. Taxi boats leave regularly from the old city. Walking the city walls gives you a chance to get a real feel for the city, perfect at sunset, but if you want a bird’s eye view, take the cable car up Srdj mountain. At the top you can experience dazzling views over the old town and the bay together. Kotor in Montenegro was top of Lonely Planet’s top cities to visit list in 2016 and it is only a couple of hours drive from Dubrovnik. Make sure you have permission from your hire car company to take the car over the border. With Clarify Car Hire you can filter your car hire search to find cross border car hire and any fees will be shown. Kotor is simply gorgeous. Surrounded by mountains and perched on the edge of a lustrous bay, its cobblestone streets and medley of churches, pretty squares and Venetian palaces make this city the perfect example of picturesque. The evening breathes new life into Kotor with music, dancing and good food.
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