They say romance happens with couple travel only, especially when they are honeymooners and are getting to know each other. Similarly, couple vacations are for rediscovering each other, falling again in love, feeling good and relaxing. Europe in that respect, always has and will continue to be the ideal place for couple travel or couple vacations, having maintained its reputation for centuries. Each European city is steeped in history and has a story to tell. It’s as if every corner of Europe is waiting for you to step in and rekindle your romance and simply live it up!
So here’s where you can take your soul mate for some unforgettable memories.
Paris, France
As the saying goes, if you haven’t found romance in Paris, chances are you’ll find it nowhere. Paris has always been the haven for lovers and couple vacations. Great food & wine, fabulous museums, dining by candlelight atop the Eiffel tower or in bistros on the Champs Ely-sees or simply walking in the gardens is bound to engulf your senses and bring back the romance. It’s actually been happening for centuries. All major international airlines operate flights to the city’s De Gaulle airport. Also reachable by car and by rail from any other European city or country. While going from Britain, cross the English Channel by the boat train and you’ll be in Marseilles from where you can travel by bus, rail or car to Paris city. Great time to visit is between June and August when the weather’s perfect.
Vienna, Austria
Location: Austria’s capital, Vienna is located by the world famous Danube River.
Ideal for: Its intellectual and artistic legacy and was once home to legends like Beethoven, Mozart, and Sigmund Freud. Visit its Schönbrunn palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Walk hand in hand to the Museums Quartier to see art by masters like Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt or watch operas by the musical greats of all times.
Getting there: Fly into Vienna International Airport from all over Europe and even from America on Austrian Airlines. Drive into Vienna city on buses or local and underground trains.
Visit in: You can visit Vienna anytime during the year but summers are preferred, particularly in June when the weather is sunny and moderate with a pleasant breeze blowing. September is also another great time to visit Vienna.
Lake Como, Italy
Located at: Lake Como is to be found in Lombardy in Combo Province of Northern Italy.
Ideal for: Fresh air and water, good weather and mountains. Visit Mandello Lario, headquarters of Moto Guzzi, Italy’s leading motorcycle manufacturing company which has a museum located at Mandello and is a motorcyclist’s must-visit site.
Getting there: You may travel from Bergamo, Milan or from Lugano in Switzerland and arrive at Menaggio. The alternative route is from St. Moritz via the Splügen pass in the north. Take a train run that regularly runs from Milan to Lake Como which can also be accessed by train from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Cologne and Basel. You can also fly to Bergamo airport, Malpensa or Linate and take a taxi to the Lake. Buses also run frequently Como to Menaggio and also to Bellagio. There are also hydrofoils and boats from Como to Colico and which also ply between Menaggio, Varenna and Bellagio. You can also drive on the Lake’s western shore but due to parking and other road problems, it is not always feasible.
Visit in : Summer (June & July) as also the winter months.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Location: For couple vacations, Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital and is located in the country’s central belt.
Ideal for: Historical sites and scenic beauty. Visit, Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, Cathedral of St Giles and Gladstone’s Land.
Getting there: You can fly to Edinburgh International Airport from anywhere in Europe, Middle East or North America and take a tram to the city. Bus services are also available from the airport. You can even take the train from Birmingham, London or Manchester in England. By road, Edinburgh is accessible from Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle. Or you could drive down from London on M1 highway and reach Edinburgh in about 9 hours. You could also take a bus from England. For those who love boat travel, Edinburgh may be reached from Belfast by ferry.
Visit in: August — early September; and January.
Locarno, Switzerland
Ideal for: Rekindling your romance and for couple travel anytime of the year. Visit, Piazza Grande, the city’s main shopping area; Città Vecchia; the church of Santuario della Madonna del Sasso; Castello Visconteo; Valle Verzasca; and the promenade of Lake Maggiore.
Getting there : Drive from Basel or the road from Verbania by Lake Maggiore. The third route is by the Centovalli and Valle Vigezzo road from Simplon. You can also take a train from Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, Bellinzona, Milan and Simplon. Air travelers can land at Lugano airport and then make it by rail to Locarno.
Visit in: Locarno’s subtropical climate allows for plenty of sunshine throughout the year. May be visited anytime during its warm summers or mild and sunny winters.
Santorini, Greece
Location: The volcanic island of Santorini is located somewhere in between the Ios and the Anafi islands and is ideal for couple vacations or travel.
Ideal for: Its breathtaking natural beauty, grand sunsets visible from the town of Oia, Thira town that has an active volcano, Perissa, Santorini and Kamari beaches.
Getting there: You can reach Santorini vy air from Athens or take the ferry. Take a bus or a taxi from the airport and reach Fira, for changing buses to other towns. Fast catamarans are also available from Piraeus to Athinios on the island of Santorini. During the tourist season, you may even take the daily ferry from Crete. Cruise ships may also be used for a memorable journey.
Visit in: April to June & September to October.
Bruges, Belgium
Location: This is located in north Belgium in the town of Flanders.
Ideal for: It’s cosmopolitanism and bourgeois culture combined with pre-motorised characteristics.
Getting there: Fly to Brussels and the take the train to Bruges. You can also take trains from Brussels leaving every thirty minutes and get off at Blankenberge or Oostende and take a taxi from there. Bus services also exist. You can also travel by ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and subsequently take the bus to Bruges rail station. You cal also take the ferry from Dover in England to Dunkirk, Bruges being only 90km away from the latter. Overnight ferries also ply between Newcastle and Ijmuiden, close to Amsterdam every day. Get off at Ijmuiden and drive to Bruges in about three hours.
Visit in: July – August. Avoid winter because of the chill and damp.
Prague, Czech
Location: Situated by the Vltava River, this is the Czech Republic’s largest city and also its capital. Ideal for: Romancing by its bridges, gold-tipped towers, cathedrals and churches. Visit its numerous cobbled lanes and walled courtyards as also the majestic castle dating back to the 9th century. Enjoy its music, refined culture, fine cuisine, sheer beauty and charm.
Getting there: Fly into Prague’s Vaclav Havel airport from anywhere in Europe and elsewhere in the world and then take a bus, taxi or car into the city. Or else, take a train from any major European city including Vienna and Berlin. You can also drive to Prague from any European city.
Visit in: Winter if you are a winter sports enthusiast. May is ideal for its floral boom and summertime is also great because it’s and sunny and warm.
Seville, Spain
Location: Seville, Andalucia’s capital is located in southern Spain and is the country’s fourth largest city.
Ideal for: It’s historical sites, cathedrals, churches and art galleries.
Getting there: Fly into Seville’s International Airport or La Parra International Airport from anywhere in Europe and take a bus or taxi to Seville town. Or else, you could take the train from Madrid and reach Seville in three hours. Bus travel is most advisable from any Spanish city including El Rocio, Alicante, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga.
Visit in: September when the weather is cool and pleasant.
Neuschwanstein, Germany
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Ideal for: It’s grand scenic beauty, lakes and castles. Visit the Hohes Schloss, the St Mang Benedictine monastery and the world renowned Neuschwanstein Castle.
Getting there: Take the direct train from Munich to Füssen which leave every 2 hours. Or drive from Augsburg on the B 17 highway to reach Munich and then drive down Autobahns A96 to reach Landsberg Ost. Keep driving down B 17 highway to reach Fussen. You can also take a bus from any place in southern Bavaria to Fussen.
Visit in: July & August. Winter is ideal for skiing enthusiasts.
