Ten getaway ideas for Valentine's day

With three weeks to go until Valentine's day, romantics across the country will be busy planning how to woo their loved ones.

For those who are stuck for ideas, Travelbite looks at some of the options for a romantic short break.

Barge into Lille, France
Spend Valentine's day on Lille's waterfront without breaking the bank. A barge in the heart of old Lille, near the Vauban citadel, has been transformed into bed and breakfast accommodation with two bedrooms and one apartment. Set in the centre of town, guests can relax and enjoy a marine atmosphere, while shops and restaurants remain within easy reach. Rooms cost from 120 euros to 150 euros, while the apartment for four is 170 euros.

For more information see: www.lilleflottante.com or call 03 20 07 92 38.

Celebrate kissing in the Cotes du Rhone, France
Couples looking for l'amour could do worse than head to the town of Roquemaure in the Cotes du Rhone area of the Gard, France. Each year the town hosts la 'Festo de Poutoun', which means 'Lovers Festival' in the local dialect of Occitan, to commemorate the return of St Valentine's relics in 1868.

On February 11th and 12th this year, the town will recreate a 19th century village with people dressed in period clothing, manning a market with traditional crafts, music, street entertainers and acrobats. Also known as the 'Kissing Festival', lovers will be able to join in some old French love songs to the sound of a barrel organ. And to round things off, Roquemaure is a wine village and the villagers have chosen to celebrate 'La Fete de la Vigne' at the same time.

For a full programme of events taking place in Roquemaure, go to: www.saintvalentin.org


Find romance on the island of love, Cyprus
Paphos in Cyprus is known as the kingdom of Aphrodite – the goddess of love. Set in the south-west corner of the country, it is known for its soft breezes, elusive enchantment and an air of antiquity. The four-star Alexander the Great Hotel, which boasts an archaeological site on its grounds, is located within walking distance of Paphos Harbour.

Seven nights in Paphos booked through Sunvil, departing February 8th and staying in the Alexander the Great Hotel, costs £479 per person based on two sharing. See: www.sunvil.co.uk for more information.


Dance the night away in Vienna, Austria
The Johann Strauss Ball takes place in Vienna's Kursalon ballroom on February 14th, offering romantics the chance to dance Valentine's night away to the music of one of the world's most famous composers. The Kursalon is one of the most beautiful ballrooms in the Austrian capital, with a garden terrace that overlooks the city park.

Kirker Holidays offers three nights' accommodation in Vienna, with breakfast and return scheduled flights included, for £368 per person. Entrance to the Johann Strauss Ball costs 35 euros (£24).


Find desert seclusion in Tunisia
Spend Valentine's day among the stark beauty of the Sahara Desert in southern Tunisia. Explore's five-day Oasis Trail trip begins in the oasis town of Tozeur, involves a camel ride through the desert and living like a troglodyte for a night by sleeping in the Cave Hotel in Matmata. The tour concludes on the island of Djerba, where participants can sample the delicious seafood and beautiful beaches.

Departing on February 10th, this trip costs £495 per person through Explore and includes return flights to Gatwick, transportation, four nights bed and breakfast accommodation and the services of a tour guide.


Live-out a fairytale in Sweden
Thorskogs Castle in western Sweden provides the perfect fairy-tale setting to spend Valentine's day. Only 30 minutes north of Gothenburg, the castle lies by the Gota river among stunning scenery and mystical forests. Guests can spend time in a wooden hot tub in the castle grounds, before heading inside for an exquisite dinner by candlelight and champagne beside a log fire in the hunter's cellar.

Two nights at the Thorskog Castle starts from £120 per person (based on two sharing) with Emagine. The price includes accommodation and buffet breakfast. For information on this and other short breaks at castle retreats visit: www.emagine-travel.co.uk

Click here to find cheap flights to Sweden


Valentine's day on a budget
If money is tight and you cannot afford to woo your Valentine in five-star luxury, that is no excuse to stay at home. Coach firm Eurolines is offering return trips to Paris for only £29 (plus £3 booking fee) or £9 if you book online. There are three daily services, so if you want to save on accommodation, you can enjoy Paris in the daylight hours and sleep on the coach on the way back.

Eurolines also offering cheap trips to Amsterdam, Holland, for £27 and, trips to Cork, Ireland for £6. For more information go to: www.eurolines.co.uk


Renew your vows in Nottingham
Thoresby Hall Hotel in Nottinghamshire is offering guests the opportunity to renew their marriage vows over Valentine's' weekend. A special service for the 'celebration of marriage' will take place at Perlethorpe Church, within the grounds of the estate, on Sunday February 12th, while couples who prefer a more intimate occasion can conduct individual pledges by prior arrangement with the Rev. Alistair Littlewood.

Prices for a three-night stay at Thoresby Hotel from Friday February 10th to Sunday February 12th costs £204 per person. This and other Valentine's breaks can be booked through: www.warnerbreaks.co.uk


A steamy Valentine's day in England
What could be more romantic than a day relaxing with your Valentine aboard a steam-hauled express train out of London. Hop aboard Steam Dreams' Riviera Express and watch the English countryside roll by as the steam curls past the windows.

There are three classes of accommodation – premier dining, first class and standard. Those opting to pay £129 per person for premier dinning will enjoy a glass of champagne on boarding, a three-course lunch and tea and cakes in the afternoon. For more information go to: www.steamdreams.co.uk


Valentine's day in Venice
Take a relaxing and romantic ride in a gondola around Venice's extensive canal network, wander its narrow streets which open out into wide piazzas and sample its good value restaurants for a perfect Valentine's day.

Coachtrips.com is offering a nine-night tour of Europe's romantic cities including Amsterdam, Florence and Paris, which takes in Venice on Valentine's day for £458 per person. Save ten per cent on this tour with www.coachtrips.com, which includes bed and breakfast accommodation, four dinners and free parking at Dover (based on two sharing).