There are many beautiful cities close to home and what better than a special Valentine’s City Break to explore them!

Take your loved one to one of the world’s most romantic cities, Paris. Travel direct from central London or Kent by Eurostar, hop in a Paris cab or jump on the Metro and you could be strolling hand in hand along the River Seine gazing at the Eiffel Tower, meandering through the Louvre or gazing into each other’s eyes over a cup of steaming hot coffee in a tiny French Bistro or café!  This trip could be done in a day, as can Eurostar trips to Lille in northern France if you want to cut costs.

The Spanish cities of Barcelona and Madrid are simply gorgeous. In a little more than two hours, fly from the UK to Madrid, Spain’s romantic capital city.  Take a pleasant walk through Buen Retiro Park or discover the delights of the El Prado Museum and many stunning Madrid art museums.  On the Mediterranean Sea, is Barcelona, a stunning cosmopolitan city; perfect for a dreamy Valentine’s holiday. Stunning architecture, nonstop entertainment, a cultural delight to explore!

Prague in the Czech Republic is alight with fairytale buildings, and its historic surroundings ensure the city is one of the top romantic holiday hotspots.  Enjoy a candlelit valentine’s meal on a cruise along the Vltava River then wind through Prague’s beautiful streets in a horse drawn carriage.

For cheap February flights throughout Europe, Ryanair have a seat sale that finishes at midnight tonight (4 Jan 10). Fares start from £5 per person each way excluding taxes and the choice of locations to fly to is endless. Sadly the Valentines weekend is a blackout period, but travel from Stansted to Malaga in Southern Spain on Friday 12th February and return on Monday 15 February and the flight only price is under £160 for two inclusive of taxes and online check in. Book accommodation with lowcostholidays and you could stay in the Hotel Los Arcos, Torremolinos (about 15 minutes from the airport) in a twin room with balcony/terrace for 3 nights self catering for a total cost of £89.00 (price quoted on 4 Jan10).

If you are looking for a December City Break holiday to buy that special Christmas present or simply to escape the crowds at home, then here are a few pre Christmas city break suggestions for you!

We have blog entries on Christmas Markets in the UK and European Christmas Markets, as well as Christmas Holidays and New Year Breaks, and of course, December holidays.

But, you want to be at home for Christmas, and you have plans for New Year – so what can we find for you?

If you don’t want to travel too far, how about Lille in Northern France close to the Belgium border? This beautiful city is linked directly to London by Eurostar train and is actually where many Parisians come to do their designer shopping.  But historic Lille isn’t just exclusive boutiques (although they are fabulous) it also offers a wealth of budget shopping in its massive shopping centre and quaint one off stores along the delightful cobbled streets.

In the central east side of Poland is the capital of Warsaw, divided by the Vistula River into the left and right side (like Paris).  One of the fasted growing cities in Europe, romantic Warsaw is a beautiful combination of contemporary and historic architecture and life styles. In Warsaw’s Old Town is the Royal Castle on the Plac Zamkowy (square) and in the New Town, Stalin’s Empire State.  

How about Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA?  This magnificent desert city never sleeps and is the perfect location for non-stop partying, family holidays, gambling weekends and adventure holidays.  Jump in a helicopter for a tour of the Grand Canyon or stay overnight on a ranch. Watch a spectacular Cirque du Soleil performance in Las Vegas or retrace America’s Indian routes. Stay in a fantastic sprawling five star European recreation hotel resort or a smaller basic self catering apartment. Las Vegas has something to suite everyone – and a rental car is definitely recommended!

It won’t be long now before the first Christmas Markets in Europe open. A fantastic chance to buy unique Christmas presents for your family and friends, so why not cross the sea and buy that extra special gift?

You could purchase regional produce, quaint artefacts, homemade crafts and one off items of clothing – all within a traditional and festive environment with a few glasses of vin chaud or mulled wine!

Enjoy a Winter Wonderland in Brussels in Belguim, Am Dom in Cologne, Germany, Christkindlmarket in Vienna, Austria or Vanocni trh in Prague, Czech Republic. 

In less than two hours you could be in Lille, France having travelled on the super quick Eurostar from London. From 18th November to 30th December stroll through the delightful and historic streets of Lille and head to the Place Rihour for the brightly lit Christmas Market full of stalls selling arts and crafts; however, if travelling with young children Saturday 19th December is the day to visit, when Father Christmas descends from the 80 metre Belfry at the Chamber of Commerce.

For a real magical experience, the Christmas Markets in Prague are very special winter wonderlands. The main market takes place on Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square, with smaller ones within a very short walk of each other. Authentic brightly decorated wooden huts sell traditional handicrafts and hot speciality food, including candles, wooden toys, hats, gloves, puppets and Christmas tree decorations.

In the German city of Cologne, there are actually four Christmas markets open in December, with the famous Am Dom located in the square in front of Koln Cathedral. A stunning setting, there are over 150 stalls as well as bands and musicians playing. The Alter Markt is a short walk south and ideal for buying old fashioned and well crafted wooden toys, stocking fillers and tasty gingerbread.

One of the oldest Christmas Markets is annually held in Vienna, the Christkindmarkt. A stunning setting, the Vienna Christmas Market attracts millions, so why not visit early in mid November and avoid the Christmas crowds or visit during December weekends when choirs perform in the Festival Hall having travelled from all round the world.