If you want to impress a loved one this Valentine’s Day then forget Paris, look beyond the cliches, and opt instead for one of Europe’s less-hyped yet equally romantic alternatives.
From Budapest to Annecy, these underrated destinations offer all of the charm and beauty of their heavyweight rivals but with fewer tourists and, often, at more affordable prices.
So grab your significant other/best friend/ family member – anyone you love – and use this Valentine’s Day as an excuse for a long weekend away. Don’t follow the herds to Paris, Rome and Venice, but try one of these gorgeous alternatives instead…
Swap Prague for Budapest
Prague’s beautiful mix of gothic, baroque and art nouveau architecture offers the perfect romantic backdrop – it’s just a shame about the beer-swilling stag-do crowds. By plumping for the Hungarian capital instead, you can still enjoy a stunning mix of architectural styles, cheap drinks and buzzing nightlife, but without feeling like you’re on a lads’ night out. Indulge in a soak in Budapest’s famous hot springs, or enjoy the views on a romantic stroll along the Danube Promenade.
If canal cities are your thing
The medieval canal city of Annecy in south-east France is known as the Venice of the Alps, and it certainly rivals the Italian city for picturesque beauty. With its alpine backdrop, cobbled streets snd pastel houses, Annecy boasts fairytale charm. Its waterways, which are fed by Lake Annecy, can be explored by boat or on foot.
Forget Florence and say hello to Verona
With its Shakespearean associations and gorgeous medieval old town, Verona is one of Italy’s most romantic cities. It’s compact, affordable, and the setting for Romeo and Juliet, arguably the world’s most famous love story. Okay, so it doesn’t have as many galleries, museums and artistic treasures as Florence, but the upside is that you don’t have to share its maze of pretty piazzas and cobbled lanes with as many tourists.
Straight out of a fairytale
The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana looks as if it was designed with romance in mind. It’s one of Europe’s greenest cities and its old city centre is a stunning mix of architectural styles, quaint cafes and sophisticated bars and restaurants. Take a glass cable car up to the medieval Ljubljana castle or enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Ljubljanica River.
An elegant alternative to Paris
If you’re looking for good French food and wine, beautiful neo-classical architecture at every turn, and a town that oozes sophistication, then you can’t go wrong with Bordeaux. This luxurious port city, located in south-western France, is a match for Paris when it comes to elegance, but comes without the eye-watering prices and hoards of tourists. Explore its UNESCO World Heritage listed city centre by bicycle and browse for bargains at the St. Michel Flea Market.
