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What better way to celebrate your engagement than with a romantic city getaway to somewhere teaming with atmosphere and culture! Although Paris is undoubtedly the city of love, today we have three alternative suggestions for cities that will also welcome you and capture your hearts.
Bruges, Belgium.
When you first think of Belgium you could be forgiven for immediately thinking of mussels, waffles, beer and chocolate! But believe us, Bruges has so much more than that. The city of Bruges is full of charming old Flemish architecture and definitely oozes a fairy-tale-like magic. The city is small enough to explore in a short time and close enough to us to make flight time only around an hour. The city is based around many canals and rivers, with the best way to soak up the real atmosphere on a river or canal trip. In the evening the canals are draped in soft lights, making it incredibly romantic. In the main square the historical Belfry dominates the surroundings. A dander up the 400 narrow steps is very worthwhile for the beautiful view from the top. Coming down won’t be as much fun though!
Luxury hotel option: Hotel Dukes’ Palace, from €195 per person sharing.
Hotel Dukes’ Palace is the former residence of the Burgundian aristocracy and has an ideal location in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city. The hotel has 94 rooms of which 25 are suites, each one unique with its combination of contemporary comfort and authentic 15th century elegance. The 3000 m² garden, the terrace, the bar and beautiful lounges are the ideal places to enjoy a relaxing beverage, while you can get active or relax even further in the spa, which features a sauna, hammam (Turkish bath) and a gym.
Unusual hotel option: Boat Hotel De Barge, from €220 per cabin for a three night stay.
Boat Hotel De Barge is a unique hotel in Bruges which floats on the Bruges-Ghent canal, 600 metres from Bruges railway station. It offers a fine dining restaurant on board and features cabins fitted with free WiFi. The cabins have a nautical atmosphere with their typical boat decorations and blue colours. The Captains Table restaurant serves regional dishes from Flemish beef stew to lobster ‘De Barge’. The central Market Square and the Belfry of Bruges are within 20 minutes on foot from De Barge.
Florence, Italy.
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. You can expect beautiful weather and food in this Italian gem, as well as culture on every corner. Oh yes, Florence is a culture vulture’s paradise!
Florence’s museums, palaces and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria, Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius. You can wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio and experience the newest area of Florence, the Oltrarno.
Luxury hotel option: Hotel Principe, from €130 – €300 per person per night.
In the heart of Renaissance Florence, Hotel Principe evokes eighteenth century world charm with its original frescoes, precious marbles, antique furniture and brass and crystal chandeliers. This charming four star hotel lines the banks of the Arno river and makes the perfect spot from which to explore the city.
Budget hotel option: Hotel Centrale, double rooms from €160 per night.
Located in the heart of Florence, this family-friendly hotel is steps from Casa Martelli Museum, Battistero di San Giovanni, and Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Also nearby are San Lorenzo Market and Pitti Vintage. Hotel Centrale offers a complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast.
Reims, France.
What could be more romantic than a visit to Champagne! Reims is the main city of the renowned Champagne area and is a central spot for those wanting to learn more about fine wine. There’s more to Reims than tasty bubbles however, as the Gothic architecture, lively street bars, and hidden culinary treasures will demonstrate. The magnificent 13th century cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims, overlooks this charming city. If you fancy really getting to the bottom of where all the amazing champagne comes from you can take a tour of the wine cellars which were dug into the limestone, some of the more ancient ones during the Gallo-Roman era. Find information on the Champagne Houses by visiting Union of Champagne Houses.
Luxury hotel option: L’Assiette Champenoise, from €265 per night.
In the heart of the Champagne region, only a short step from the centre of the Coronation City of Reims, the Assiette Champenoise welcomes you in a unique setting that combines all the timeless charm of a fine old mansion with the contemporary design of an exceptional hotel and restaurant. The restaurant A. Lallement is renowned in the area for excellent fine dining, so it’s well worth a visit.
Budget hotel option: Bristol Hotel, from €90 per night.
Bristol Hotel
Located in the heart of Reims, the Bristol Hotel is within walking distance of Patte d’Oie Park and Museum of Fine Arts. Also nearby are Mars Gate and Reims Cathedral. Each guest room opens to balconies with city or courtyard views and all guests are offered complimentary wireless internet.
We’re just going to get our passport! If you could drop everything and jet off to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Let us know with a comment below!
