Top 10 European destinations for love and romance in 2018
AS Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirm May 19 as the date for their royal wedding, and with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year, romance is definitely in the air.
Make 2018 as your time to enjoy the good life with your partner and show how much you love him or her with a holiday abroad. You can plan a honeymoon, celebrate a wedding anniversary, use this trip to plan a wedding proposal, or simply make time to create new memories with your loved ones.
From fairy-tale castles to picturesque villages and breathtaking sceneries, Europe is the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. Trafalgar, the global leader in guided holidays, has come up with 10 destinations in the continent that will be perfect for a holiday romance.
For a balance of free-time and guided sightseeing, Trafalgar’s experts take care of the travel logistics. Enjoy savings for that dream holiday to Europe and Britain with early bird savings of up to 15 per cent. Additionally, there are benefits for guests travelling as a group of five or more as they can enjoy an additional 5 per cent discount per person. To book your trip, contact Trafalgar Travel Centre (managed by Holiday Tours) at 03-6286 6220 or visit www.holidaytours.com.my/trafalgar.
COTE D’AZUR, FRANCE
Sun-kissed beaches and luxurious spa treatments make for a romantic and idylic holiday. Cote d’ Azur’s most recent notable celebrity wedding was AirAsia’s chief Tony Fernandes who married his Korean girlfriend.
Visit glitzy St. Tropez by boat or explore Antibes, Cannes, Grasse, Eze, Nice, Monaco, and more, each with its unique appeal and all within easy traveling distance.
Discover the beauty of the region from the hilltop village of St Paul-de-Vence which inspired so many artists to create their works here.
GDANSK, POLAND
Discover romance as you stroll along the riverside lined with historical buildings and vibrant cafes. The town of Gdansk in Poland is easy to explore and has iconic historical sights, beautiful architecture and cobbled streets.
As the capital city of amber, you can visit the shops on Mariacka Street to find amber jewellery that will make a wonderful romantic memento for your holiday.
Oliwa is one of Gdansk’s most romantic districts where visitors can admire the complex of Cistercian abbey buildings. Visit the thematic gardens for a picnic, or take a romantic stroll through the park to discover its magical caves or admire the beautiful landscaped lawns as you walk down its long pathway lined with trees on either side.
SANTORINI, GREECE
This undeniably beautiful island is described as paradise on Earth, just waiting to be photographed. It is well-known for its spellbinding sunsets, blue domed buildings and incredible views of the Aegean Sea.
It has a unique terrain with spectacular rock formations and its natural beauty featuring colourful cliffs, a sea-filled volcanic caldera and beaches of red, white and black rocks, pebbles and black sand will leave a deep impression on visitors.
Gastronomy treats can be found in abundance on the island with excellent wines and impressive Mediterranean cuisine.
QUARZAZATE, MOROCCO
For an exotic holiday, head out to the desert for dramatic vistas and visit the mystical town of Ouarzazate (war-zazat). A city of palm trees, sandy streets and fort-like buildings, this is the Morocco seen in a hundred movies.
Hollywood movies such as Lawrence Of Arabia, Cleopatra, Gladiator and Star Wars as well as the popular TV series Game Of Thrones have all filmed scenes in this city located on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Admire some of the best examples of old Moroccan architecture and enjoy the magnificent views of the desert and mountains from the fortified city.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
The hills are alive in the city where they filmed the movie Sound Of Music. Salzburg is also legendary composer Mozart’s hometown.
Walk in the exquisite gardens of Mirabelle Palace where the Von Trapp children sang Do-Re-Mi. Surrounded by natural beauty, the city located on the border of Austria and Germany has lots to offer — from culture and architecture to scenic lakes.
Stay overnight at the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, a former palace which was a key shooting location of the Sound Of Music movie and the original home of the romantic gazebo scene.
LAKE COMO, ITALY
The combination of nature, beautiful villas and majestic mountain peaks against the backdrop of the dazzling blue waters of Lake Como is a great spot for a romantic rendezvous.
Once the popular holiday retreat of Europe's nobility, Lake Como is now a stylish sojourn where power couple George and Amal Clooney live with their twins. The lake is surrounded by many different hillside towns and there are some villages with colourful roofs like Bellagio and Varenna that are great to visit and explore.
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
This charming hideaway nestled between the Alps and Lake Lucerne is a hidden gem. Likened to a pearl in the middle of an oyster because of its central location, it is an atmospheric city with lots of indoor and outdoor attractions.
The old town can easily be explored on foot and one can easily take a scenic boat trip from the town centre. Visit Switzerland’s most photographed monument — The Chapel Bridge, a historical landmark of Lucerne and the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe.
NORTH CAPE, NORWAY
For a bucket-list experience, travel through Norway’s Arctic Circle during summer and enjoy champagne while basking in the midnight sun at Europe’s northernmost point.
Nordkapp — the North Cape is located in Western Finnmark, Northern Norway and from mid-May to end July, the sun does not set. The experience of travelling through Norway's ethereal natural splendour will be unforgettable and exploring Norway’s untamed wilderness will enthrall all your senses.
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubronvnik is the most beautiful city of Croatia. Situated on the Dalmatian coast, the city is one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world.
The impressive walled city offers amazing views of the Adriatic Sea, and there is so much to explore from its natural parks and historic monuments to gastronomic delights.
Head up to the top of Mount Srd with the iconic Dubrovnik Cable Car for breathtaking sunset views.
DUBLIN, IRELAND
For history and literary fans, Dublin has a collection of romantic historic stories. From learning about St Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, and uncovering the love story of the famous author Jonathan Swift who wrote Gullivers Travels and his beloved Stella, whom he composed love poems for, to the famous Nobel Prize-winning poet, W.B. Yeats, there is lots to wax lyrical about.
Declare your love along the narrow alleyways in Temple Bar, in front of the art installation titled Love Lane. Made up of a combination of handmade decorated titles and stencilled spray-painted sections, the titles contain quotes about love inspired by musical and poetry verse, as well as contributions from the people of Dublin.