France -
The Loire Valley or Centre region of France is noted for its concentration of the most beautiful and elegant Chateaux in the world. The valley is also abundant with natural beauty and vineyards, flowers, and rolling green hills. It is the home of over 300 chateaux built between the 10th century and the 15th century. Today, many of the chateaux are still privately held while others are open to the public for tours and still others are operated as hotels or bed and breakfasts.
Stay at The Chateau de Saint-Paterne. Here is where King Henry IV conducted his very own liaisons and royal romps with his lovers far from the prying eyes of his court. The 25-acre gardens have been beautifully restored in a style that’s both luxurious and lived-in. It’s a place to get lost among the rafters and eaves of the attic rooms, to lounge on the terrace and splash in the pool on balmy summer days, or to snuggle up beside a crackling fire in autumn.
The Alsace-Lorraine Region - It includes the beautiful historic cities and villages of Colmar, Nancy, Obernai, Riquewihr, Saverne, and Strasbourg. The region maintains its strong French and German influences. The rich diversity of Alsace's architectural and natural heritage includes many romantic sites and is noted for it's great restaurants, fine cuisine, art, vineyards, architecture, country sides, and Europe's highest concentration of feudal castles. The most notable is the Haut Koenigsbourg castle which is one of France's most frequently visited sites. Alsace has more than 400 former castles, including the recently restored Hohlandsbourg castle. The Alsace vin-route is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in Europe.
Stay at the Chateau De L'Ile near Strasbourg. This hotel is part 19th century castle and part half-timbered traditional Alsace architecture. This romantic hideaway is tucked away in private gardens just minutes from Strasbourg. To add to your romantic journey they have an excellent spa where Thai reflexology, essential oils massages and body scrubs are provided. The picturesque riverside setting brings a natural, soothing calm, while the beautiful gardens provide the perfect setting for a leisurely picnic.
Germany - Schloss Neuschwanstein is a noted romantic castle in a wildly romantic setting. Perched on top of a beautiful gorge, the Neuschwanstein Castle is known as being the model used by Walt Disney as the Castle of the Sleeping Beauty. As an initiative by Bavarian King Ludwig II (known as Mad Ludwig) who spent many happy childhood summers in Schloss Hohenschwangau at his father’s fantasy castle in Schwangau, the castle was built but never completed. The Romanesque and Gothic art blend in with the attractive murals and woodcarvings of the castles interior. The sight of the water fall near the castle adds to the scenic romantic vista.
Stay at the Villa Jagerhaus Hotel in Hohenschangau Village and ask for a corner room with a view of both Neuschwanstein Castle and Castle Hohenschwangau.
Rent car and extend your romantic vacation with a drive along the Romantic Road, Visit the cities and towns of Würzburg, famous for its charming vineyards, wine festivals, excellent wines, and gourmet restaurants. The medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a fortified village and one of Germany's best preserved, is a must stop. An attractive and convenient village to stay overnight.
Check in at the Burg Hotel, located inside the walled city of Rothenburg. You can walk around the village, take the Night watchman’s tour, have dinner, and settle in for the night without having to drive. The historical village of Dinkelsbühl has a ringed wall with many fortified towers and authentic city gates. Augsburg, sometimes called "The Renaissance City" is one of Germany's oldest cities with a rich history dating back to the Roman empire. During that period Augsburg was a main cultural center that can be witnessed with its Rococo architecture. Pfaffenwinke, sometimes referred to as "Pastor's Corner" is noted for its churches and beautiful landscapes. A must-see is the pilgrimage church Wieskirche in Steingaden. This Rococo architectural gem is on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sights.
Ireland - The west coast, noted for its scenic beauty with lush green landscapes, quaint villages, and deserted beaches, has long been a favorite of painters, poets, and romantics. Rent a car and drive the Ring of Kerry.
Stay at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden. This Victorian castle-manor was built in 1832 by John D'Arcy., It is a romantic paradise for scenic beauty, old world charm, and fine dining. The attractive grounds provide for a tranquil setting of garden, waterfalls and streams, Guest rooms are uniquely decorated, some with wooden floors, some with gas open fires, some with four-poster beds. For added romance, they have a massage spa and a variety of packages including an indian head massage, relaxing facials, reflexology, and more.
Italy - Amalfi Coast Region - The scenic western coastline of Italy, south of Naples, is a scenic wonder with hairpin turns and 500 foot steep cliffs that dramatically drop down to the Mediterranean, cantilevered garages, and villas perched high along the cliffs. Romantics will be attracted to the area’s comfortable climate and picturesque coast line villages. Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and Ravello are all major resort towns to be seen. A romantic visit to the Amalfi Coast is never complete without a visit to Capri. Take in the romantic sun-set over the Mediterranean, either from a hired yacht or while walking alongside the cliffs.
Stay at the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. Perched 1,500 feet above the Bay of Salerno, the setting is what most romantics long for; majestic views, colorful fragrant rose gardens, trellises dripping with wisteria, statues, and tucked in nooks. The guestrooms are elegant with grand fireplaces, frescoed vaults, and antique furniture.
Lake District - The perfect romantic getaway, includes Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Orta. Lake Garda features picturesque resorts including Riva del Garda, situated on the water’s edge. The exotic villas, beautiful gardens, and a landscape of the Lake framed by the Italian Alps is unbeatable. Take in the village of Bellagio, located where the two legs of Lake Como come together, with a charming lakeside promenade and picturesque stone lanes and stairways with restaurants, cafes, shops, and gelato bars.
Stay at the famed, award winning Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio. A paradise for romantics. It is set in one of the most beautiful, romantic vistas in the world. For added romantic pleasure, take in the hotel's Beauty Farm Spa -- 300 square metres of tranquility and a variety of massage or treatments.
Tuscany Region - The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region is noted for it's beautiful romantic vistas of olive groves and vineyards, perched along hillsides surrounding charming villages with centuries-old towers. The region has some of Europe's finest museums, architecture, paintings, and sculpture. This region has something for romantics with any level or activity including cycling, hiking, sightseeing, or simply relaxing with a glass of Chianti while taking in the beautiful rolling countryside.
Stay at Castello del Nero in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. Set amidst the vineyards of Chianti. The 12th-century castle and adjoining buildings were converted into 50 rooms and suites, some of them adorned with restored floor-to-ceiling frescoes. In the historic suites, most of which are in the main body of the castle, they offer a contemporary take on the feudal theme, with antique-style claw-foot bathtubs, twisty-columned four poster beds, and some with working fireplaces. Relax by the huge heated outdoor pool, and the holistic spa treatments that offers a variety of spa packages from advanced facials, hot stone therapy, essential body massages and envelopments.
Switzerland - With picture perfect, scenic snow-capped mountain and lake vistas, charming Swiss chalets, very comfortable summer temperatures, and an mixture of different cultures and cuisines, Switzerland is an ideal place for a romantic retreat.
Popular romantic destinations in Switzerland include:
The Lake Geneva region, including Lausanne, Montreux, Nyon, and Vevey, with tranquil lakeside beaches, vineyards, and scenic snow-capped mountain vistas.
Ticino, the "Italian Switzerland" is noted for its excellent skiing, cycling, hiking, vineyards, cuisine, and snow capped mountain backed lake vistas serving as a backdrop to the villages of Locarno and Lugano
Zermatt, is a beautiful alpine, car-free village nestled at the base of the Matterhorn. It is decidedly romantic with its charming village of swiss chalets and horse drawn carriages.
Lake Lucerne Region - Lucerne, along the Reuss River on the western edge of Lake Lucerne, has stunning scenery with majestic lakeside and snow-capped mountain vistas, cobbled stone streets, medieval style houses (many decorated with displays of flowers), shops and hotels.
Stay at The Park Hotel Weggis outside of Lucerne. It has an unbeatable romantic setting located on Lake Lucerne with views of the Swiss Alps. Its a luxury hotel with romantic ambience and modern amenities. They offer many romantic amenities including six Asian-influenced 750-square-foot spa cottages that are equipped with a blossom-whirlpool bath with fresh flower petals scenting the water. Other amenities include a sauna, a hydro-therapeutic pool, solarium, treatment tables for couple’s massage, foot-bath, shower, waterbed, outdoor, heated pool made out of black stone that changes colors every few minutes and overlooks the lake. The spa also has Switzerland’s only Tibetan Room that offers traditional Tibetan massage.
Europe's Top Beaches - The best Europe beaches are characterized by sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and scenic coast lines. We have ruled out most Mediterranean Beaches where the sand is coarser and pebble-like. |
