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Ok, so I know it's hardly original but this place holds a very special place in my heart. Having accepted that, although having been with my partner for a long time, we weren't destined to be married as it didn't seem to be something he wanted, I was absolutely stunned when he went down on one knee whilst visiting the Eiffel Tower and proposed to me. I actually thought he'd dropped something when he bent down and started to look around to see what it was he'd lost. We returned to the City of love and lights for our first anniversary but circumstances haven't allowed for a return visit since. But I live in hope. If you have the chance, just go!
Address of the Eiffel Tower:
5 avenue Anatole France
Quai Branly 75007 Paris
France
Tel: 33 01 44 11 23 23
Now is the best time to go to southern Egypt – the weather is perfect and the locals will be particularly pleased to see you after a lean year. The Winter Palace’s grander rooms and elegant late 19th century façade overlook the Nile, and conceal from the bustle of the Corniche a lush and well tended garden. You can relax with a drink or a swim after a day exploring the sights, and watch the desert sun turn even the drabbest building to gold as the sound of the muezzin rises from mosques all around. For a romantic dinner, albeit without alcohol, go to the atmospheric Sofra , where delicious mezze are served on round brass tables under hand-blown glass chandeliers.
www.sofitel.com, H1661@sofitel.com, tel +20 95 238 0425
www.sofra.com.eg, Mohammed Farid St, tel +20 95 235 9752
The great thing about the Republique area is that prices tend to be cheaper than in the touristy districts - hotels, restaurants, bars etc - while it's still a very central location. And it's a trendy quarter, very lively, popular with locals. The Meslay Hotel is a romantic cutie in the district, it's affordable and stylish. We loved it!
Bremen lends itself to romantic getaways, it has a maze of cobbled streets and art nouveaux arcades all interlaced with fairy tale stories and delicious sweets.
But what better way to cuddle up with your loved one than on a rose petal strewn bed in the worlds smallest hotel, the Hochzeitshaus! You can have the whole one room hotel to yourselves for a decadent romantic treat that you can't get anywhere else in the world.
Hochzeitshaus' were traditionally set up as a places for newly-weds to spend their first night of marriage, so if you do feel a little amorous when you sink into the en-suite jacuzzi, you can feel happy that you are just carrying on a long tradition.
Located in the picturesque cobbled Schnoor district, a short walk from the World Heritage listed marketplace.
Hochzeitshaus Bremen,
Conciliatum GmbH,
Am Wandrahm 40 - 43,
28195
BremenTelefon: (0421) 34 66 98 3-0
Fax: (0421) 34 66 98 3-18
E-Mail: info@hochzeitshaus-bremen.de
www.hochzeitshaus-bremen.de
I really recommend the Riad Dar Darma, a beautiful palace in the heart of the Medina. I was there in June with my husband and it is was fantastic!
We loved the particular architecture and the Moroccan atmosphere. We stayed in a colorful and very intimate suite in complete privacy. The dinners were also superb, very tasty and the staff were very kind.
Dar Darma is an amazing place to spend a romantic holiday.
11/12, Trik (rue) Sidi Bohuarba, 40000 Marrakech
Tel +212 524 38 07 08
www.dardarma.com/
Agonda Beach is a three kilometre stretch of beautiful white sand and if you are in search of a relaxing escape watching the sun go down while lounging in a hammock, or a romantic getaway the Om Sai beach huts will not disappoint. The six, simple yet spacious huts are located in a secluded, picturesque area of the beach and the friendly staff ensure you have everything you need to enjoy your exotic Indian retreat. The busiest season is over the New Year period so book early if you are looking to welcome 2012 in style.
www.goabeachhuts.com
+91-9276159555
Google map: bit.ly/heyBbE
Perhaps one of the most romantic places in Germany, Baden-Baden ('name so nice, you say it twice' as Moto-Moto says in Madagascar 2)is perfect for a wintery break. Chic and swanky (check out the fur on the snooty, evidently rich ladies! Don't forget to gawk at their egg-sized diamonds too!), the town stops just shy of being exclusive, thanks to those cavernous, fairly egalitarian, wonderfully-soothing baths. With the BlackForest at the door-step, and the "Schwarzwaldhochstrasse" (panoramic road to Freudenstadt) taking you high into the neighbouring hills, there are plenty of opportunities to ski. If, however, you can't or won't, drag yourself uphill, then slide down on traditional, wooden toboggans.
The sun might set early in these parts, but there's always deliciously heart-warming gluhwein from ridiculously pretty Christmas markets,sinfully-rich Blackforest cakes (yes, the real ones!) and, to top it all off, a gloriously gilded Casino to keep you going!
We found our lovely apartment on the www.baden-baden.de/en/tourism/ website.
Fly into Basel/Strasbourg, or take a train to Baden-Baden.
Best buys - cuckoo-clocks, Christmas kitsch.
Famous for - wonderful, warming baths, what else?!
The home of Anna and Jack Peckitt, this 16th-century farmhouse, with its romantic four-poster en suite bedrooms is ideally situated for touring North Yorkshire. Also it is home to the Cuckavalda Gundogs,so if you wish to take a dog with you for company on your walk, you are welcome to choose one here. Don't worry, you won't have any muddy paws to cope with as they are very well behaved and do not go indoors.
Ampleforth, North Yorkshire
01347868526
www.carrhousefarm.co.uk
www.cuckavalda-gundogs.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/2wy5wsq
My husband and I stayed at Villa Kamenica for a week and loved every minute of it! We were in the garden apartment which came with its own private patio, stone oven and beautiful views of the amazing gardens. Tomislav, Zeljka, Duje (their cute puppy) made us feel welcomed, showed us all the best beaches, and gave us great wine! Tomislav showed us the fish market and cooked an superb dinner every evening. By the end of the week we felt like family and were very sad to leave our paradise.
Villa Kamenica and Komiza are true gems! It was the BEST place we have ever stayed!
Villa Karmenica
Pavlinoviceva 15,
21485 Komiza, Croatia
www.villa-kamenica.hr, from €35 a night.
Google map: tinyurl.com/37b94hr
Elegant boutique guesthouse and restaurant in the most unspoiled part of Turkey. The interior design is exquisite, rooms are comfortable and the food rivals that in any of the best restaurants I have eaten at in Paris, London, Istanbul, Melbourne or New York. The price is very reasonable considering the excellent quality.
It is another way to visit the city, with different itineraries to discover a particular theme, for example the gaudi theme will show you his most important works telling which one to start, where and how to go.
There are 12 theme to choose like modernism, roman, nightlife, picasso, miro, medieval... a very good way to discover Barcelona
Encompassed with breathtaking views, Phantom Forest is nestled high above the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, just a few hours scenic drive east of Cape Town along the Garden Route. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff and a cluster of luxurious yet surprisingly affordable eco-treehouse suites set amongst an enchanting 137-hectare nature reserve.
Eating here is an adventure in itself. Wander through the forest canopy trails along interlinking wooden boardwalks to the forest buma, an al-fresco fire-deck wilderness viewpoint and restaurant, where a delicious choice of breakfast is served, as well as an entertaining 5-course dinner, with a range of award-winning delights including fresh local oysters.
A highly memorable dining experience under the south african night sky - one not to be missed.
www.phantomforest.com
info@phantomforest.com
Phantom Pass. +27 44 386 0046
7km west of Knysna
The Blackhouse village is situated on the Western Coast of Isle of Lewis in Scotland and consists of a few refurbished houses. You can rent one of the houses equipped in a wood burner stove, shower and bedrooms with old wooden bunk beds. The house is soaked with a rustic and traditional atmosphere. The village melts with the beautiful and wild Atlantic Ocean coast landscape. Built from local stones, grass and wood, Blackhouse village is an amazing example of sustainable touristim accommodation. Everyone who loves natural wilderness, the wind smelling of salt and misty pure mornings will fall in love with the place.
Scotland, Outer Hebrides, Isle of Lewis. Take a ferry from the mainland to Stornoway, then drive West to Gearrannan. Stornoway TIC: 01851704500
Stornoway car hire: 01851702658
www.gearrannan.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybtmnow
Fortingall Hotel is nestled in the picturesque village of Fortingall in the most beautiful Glen in Scotland, Glen Lyon. Just the place for a romantic getaway. Rooms are luxurious, the food is fabulous, Roddy the manager and his staff are friendly and always willing to help.
To add the icing on the cake the hotel offers a romantic package with chocolates, flowers and champagne, just perfect.
Fortingall Hotel, Fortingall, Aberfeldy,
Perthshire, Scotland, PH15 2NQ Telephone: +44 (0)1887 830367
www.fortingall.com
Train access to Fortingall: rail stations at Perth, Birnam and Pitlochry are the closest. Bus or car hire then required to access Glen Lyon and the village of Fortingall.
Google map: tinyurl.com/ya7ztmn
An old beautifully restored house in Stone Town, Zanzibar, recommended for its delicious coffee and cakes but also for the friendly local staff. Upstairs there are a small selection of rooms and suites all named after a type of coffee,eg, cappuccino. By night the hotel is a quiet romantic retreat, after the coffee house closes in the early evening it is only open to guests. Rooms have traditional canopied Zanzibar beds draped with extravagant mosquito nets. The hotel is decorated throughout with antique furniture, and scented with local spices and of course coffee. The locality is bustling with life being close to the large local market and bus station but inside all is tranquil. In the evening you return to find the vast beds covered with flower petals, in the morning you can take a leisurely breakfast on the exotic roof terrace, that looks like it has come from "The Arabian Nights" and admire the amazing views of the town.
From US $75-125 per room/suite per night
Stone Town, Zanzibar,close to bus station,follow the signs or ask a taxi driver to direct you they will be happy to do so though access is via narrow alley ways,on foot only.
details on www.riftvalley-zanzibar.com
The Utengule Country Hotel Ltd
PO Box 139, Mbeya, Tanzania
Situated about two hours east of the capital Quito, high in the Andes just before you come down the eastern slopes to the Amazon, this hotel is built around a series of thermal springs.
The scenery is breath-taking and you can bathe in boiling hot water before taking an invigorating plunge in an ice-cold mountain stream. The complex is open to non-residents of the hotel but the real romance comes from the cabins which have their own private thermal pools on the doorstep.
You can eat at the hotel's excellent restaurant and then retire for an intimate midnight swim under the stars.
The surrounding gardens, full of endemic plant species and hummingbirds, add to the atmosphere and make this an unforgettable option for a romantic weekend.
www.termaspapallacta.com/espanol/index.htm
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydggzxe
Quite simply Stockholm's sexiest hotel! Located on hip and trendy Södermalm, the funky Rival was the brainchild of ABBA singer Benny Andersson, who turned this former cinema into the most rock ’n roll place to stay in Stockholm. Excellent design and lighting, gorgeous staff, a bakery and cinema on site and a teddy bear to welcome guests in every single room. Cuddle up with your loved on your balcony and watch life go in the small park opposite the hotel, or mingle with other guests in the stunning art deco cocktail bar downstairs before heading for a night out on the town. Is the Rival romantic?? Well I certainly fell in love with it :-)
Mariatorget 3, Södermalm, Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5457 8900
www.rival.se
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjtpma4
A gem in the old city of Istanbul (a romantic place in itself), the Serkeci Konak is a boutique hotel that will leave you relaxed and loved up. A totally romantic hotel which we would go back to in a second!
The rooms are beautiful, comfortable and perfect for snuggling. An impressive breakfast spread is served until 10.30am, allowing for plenty of laying in, before either heading off into the Old City (which you can't help but fall in love in), or enjoy the delights the hotel has to offer: lounge in the pool and spa area (which offers a range of amazing massages including Turkish baths); enjoy drinks on the love seats on the roof terrace overlooking the Bosphorous; have (free) afternoon tea in the comfortable and private lounge area, and enjoy dinner in one of the two restaurants (one is a delicious sea food restaurant on the roof terrace looking out over the Bosphorous). We started every evening with cocktails on the roof while the sun set, before heading into town.
On arrival we were given free drinks and an introduction from one of the guest managers, all of whom are friendly knowledgeable, and looked out for us the whole time we were there without being imposing.
If you're not relaxed and loved up before you visit Serkeci Konak, you will be by the time you leave!
www.serkecikonak.com
Taya Hatun Sokak No:5 34120 Sirkeci
+90 212 528 43 44 pbx
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye35p3j
A private luxury eco-resort in a private bay next to San Juan del Sur, Morgan's Rock is the perfect romantic hotel in Nicaragua. My partner and I stayed here in October; we initially booked for two nights, and it was so amazing we stayed an extra two.
Reached by travelling several miles up a dirt road, only accessible to people who already have a reservation, and with only 15 private bungalows within 1,800 hectares of private reserve including a private beach and mangrove tributary, this is always going to be a quiet, exclusive and totally romantic resort.
The bungalows are built into the cliff side, with totally private and unbroken views of the bay. Luxurious and private, and only reachable by walking over a 100m suspension bridge (we loved having to cross this; it made the bungalows seem even more remote), each bungalow is built out of sustainable wood and has an amazing amount of romantic individual features, including king size swinging day beds on the terrace. None are overlooked by any of the others, and each has private outdoor terraces, as well as impressive unique design features. You can look out and watch the sun set or rise over the pacific ocean, before enjoying the day or night at this amazing resort.
Get fresh organic coffee delivered to your room to drink when you wake up, sitting on the terrace overlooking the bay. Fill the day on the beach in one of the private lounging areas; each with a hammock and sun loungers whilst staff from the hotel bring you fresh juices and snacks, indulge in some of the relaxing activities (like kayaking through the mangroves or walking through the forests) or complete relax yourself at the massage area, before filling up on fresh, organic 3 course meals, made entirely of food produced on the estate.
The resort is owned by a French family who also own a sustainable furniture company in Managua; the forest within the grounds provide the wood for their furniture, many of which are designed by the same designer who designed the hotel. The family invests heavily in eco-touristry, including investing in the local community via employment and training, so whilst indulging yourself and your partner, you are also investing in Nicaragua, and in sustainable forestry and tourism.
An added bonus is that in the off season the place is quiet; my partner and I ended up having the place to ourselves for two days. In many places this would seem strange, but at Morgan's Rock, it was an amazing experience that totally indulged us and totally left us loved up!
www.morgansrock.com
Nicaragua (505) 2254-7989
Playa Ocotal, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Google map: tinyurl.com/y8rrbq2
An old style house, close enough to walk to Antwerp city centre, visit museums and eat Belgian chocolates, while being the sort of place where you don't feel the need to go out. Each room is individually furnished so it feels your own - a terrace, a luxury bathroom with particular style. There are DVDs to enjoy and little touches of luxury; special bath salts, complimentary liquors and a fridge with champagne and wines. It feels private but welcoming. Breakfast is champagne on the house with varying home made treats which make it extra special. The hotelier is warm and friendly without being intrusive. It feels a mile away from home while being easy to get to, in a city unimpacted by tourists and where you can be yourself. Don't forget to enjoy moule frites, see Ruben's house, browse the old quarter, eat plenty of chocolates and go to Cafe Jazz for some live music with Belgium beer. Perfect!
Mozartstraat 19, B-2018 Antwerpen
Phone: 0032 476 67 68 69
e-mail: info@camesina.be
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybpgbkz
Nearest Station: Antwerp Central
Taxi ride from the airport.
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