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| Romantic Retreats |
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In life, there are certain “special” days that can easily be forgotten – women know full well that men have the innate ability to forget their birthdays yet somehow remember the exact date of nearly every major, and minor for that matter, sporting occasion on earth. Valentine’s Day gentlemen is one of the days that you should not forget, including birthdays – children and hers - and anniversary’s – your wedding, first kiss etc. To the ladies, amongst our dear readers, 2012 might be a nice time to mix things up and book a luxurious break for you and your man. Whether you are a new couple, celebrating the day for the first time, or lifelong lovers, the 5 destinations to follow will certainly put you in the mood for romance. Leave the kids, stress and work at home and “enjoy” each other’s company in the world’s slightly less obvious but ideal ‘couplely’ surroundings.
 1/10Bruges, Belgium
If your idea of a romantic getaway involves idyllic winter scenery and a good helping of the World's best chocolate, then we can thoroughly recommend Brugge (or Bruges). Canals, medieval buildings and the small size of one of the most visited places in Belgium come together to create a very cute, romantic place to getaway. Ideal for a weekend and those who enjoy ancient architecture and fine gastronomy. And don’t forget Belgium beer and pommes frites (shoestring fries) with mayonnaise – perfect for sharing in the cool weather!
 2/10Isie of skye, Scotland
Firstly, Scotland itself is a wonderfully romantic country with stunning scenery, old-fashioned hospitality and world-class accommodation. The country has a superb collection of luxury hotels, spas, castles and lodges, as well as intimate and remote guest houses. The Isle of Skye and the West of Scotland is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Mountains and moorland, lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands, and miles of spectacular coastline. The Isle of Skye, Scotland’s
largest and most romantic island, lies just off the mainland.  3/10Gotiand, Sweden
On the southernmost tip of the Swedish island of Gotland, in a magical landscape of endless sea views on the horizon, sandy beaches and jutting rock formations called raukar, you will find Suderhälsan.
Suderhälsan is a spa that takes responsibility not only for you and your partner’s well-being, but also for the fragile environment found on the island. The setting is beautiful, peaceful and above all romantic. Many of the heated treatment poolsare outdoors so that guests can enjoy their seaside surroundings even in the winter months.  4/10Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city by population. The area has been inhabited since the end of the ice age, and the Sámi culture is the first known culture of the region. Tromso is surrounded by beautiful Arctic scenery, with fjords, islands & alpine mountain peaks and offers the exotic Arctic lights. ‘Out of this world’ isn’t entirely scientifically accurate but the sights will make you and your partner think it is.
 5/10st. Petersburg, Russia
A Russian fantasy city, built on a swamp cleared by Peter the Great in the 1703, St Petersburg was the Russian capital until the revolution
of 1917. The grand palaces, impressive boulevards and church domes were all built to stun, which they still do today. St. Petersburg is the spiritual soul of Russia. Known as the Venice of the north it does not disappoint. It is off the beaten track of typical Western Europe tourist destinations and it is dark and brooding as it is opulent and exotic.  6/10Carcassonne, France
No matter which direction you are coming from, you can’t miss the
imposing silhouette of the City of Carcassonne which is encircled by a huge double row of fortified walls. There are few better places to explore than the fairytale city of Carcassonne. The location boasts a UNESCO World Heritage site, and when the throngs of day trippers depart you will have the place almost to yourself. Enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of the castle hotel as the sun sets, taking in the spectacular views, before sitting down to an opulent French dinner.  7/10lake District, England
We love The Lake District (and not because this writer happens to be English!) - it’s perfect for a romantic weekend break with plenty of things to do. Throughout through the year it has a real beauty but when the sun is shining it is probably one of the most stunning plac-
es you can imagine. When the weather doesn’t play ball, there’s always plenty of great country pubs to have your drink in front of a roaring fire! And as everyone knows, a fire and a couple of glasses of wine does nothing to harm a romantic mood.  8/10Lake Bled, Slovenia
Don your thickest socks, strap on a pair of snowshoes and get ready to explore the landscape around the iconic Lake Bled, a section of the Julian Alps with some of Europe’s loveliest terrain. From the highest point at Mount Triglav, limestone peaks zigzag outwards. Traverse deeply cut gorges, snow-dusted forests, meadows and glacial lakes on short walks along the Italian and Austrian borders hand-in-hand before ascending the ridges of the Bogatin plateau for a breathtaking overnight expedition.
 9/10Tallinn, Estonia
Try Tallinn for size - it has all the makings of a winter city break within the confines of its snug medieval walls. Dip into one of the many
basement restaurants and beer cellars for hearty stews and homemade beers that’ll warm you right through. But for the genuine Baltic big freeze, cross the sea to watch blood-orange sunsets over the barely trodden snowscapes of mystical Muhu Island. Try a Muhu hay bath in the spa, or cuddle in the private cinema with coffee and crumbly gingerbread.  10/10Cappadocia, Turkey
Beyond the Aegean and the Mediterranean, Turkey feels the chill. In the east, pretty Cappadocia’s ancient moonscape of rock formations is smothered with a dusting of snow, making a tour of the lumps and bumps a magical must. Look out for the Red River, salt lake and chimneys (volcanic rock eroded into tall pinnacles) - every bit as fairytale as they sound. For masses of history (and a glossy new hammam to boot) check into the Kelebek Pension, one of many cave hotels sliced artfully into the rocks.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:25 ) |