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).

Why not enjoy a New Year Break abroad and escape the British winter?  The world is your oyster, so where would you like to go?  Celebrate the New Year in style and book a holiday abroad! Choose from exotic beach holidays in the Caribbean, Africa or Asia, or a family ski holiday in the Alps or Canadian Rockies – choose a romantic European city break in Prague or Paris, or the popular beaches of the Spanish Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.

Welcome in 2010 with a New Year ski holiday, surrounded by breathtaking snow covered mountains in a quaint authentic village.  Austria is a beautiful setting, and if there is a group of you venturing out on your New Year expedition, why not book a wooden Alpine chalet? Today (10 November 2009), Igluski.com are offering a brand new 4 star chalet ski holiday with steam room and sauna in St Anton, departing Gatwick on 27 December for 7 nights from £1181.00 per person, or at the other end of the price scale, 7 nights at the self catering Rauris Apartments in Rauris from £388.00 per person based on four people sharing, departing Gatwick on Boxing Day.

Count down to the New Year on a mini cruise! DFDS Seaways are offering a two night mini cruise New Year break from Amsterdam to Newcastle. From just £254 per person, board the ship at Newcastle and enjoy an en suite cabin, coach transfers in and out of Amsterdam, breakfasts, Gala New Year buffet, free house drinks during the crossings, live entertainment, and champagne to greet in 2010.

Celebrate on a New Year break in beautiful Prague. Lastminute.com are offering the luxury five star Hotel Esplanade in the centre of the historic city from £937.56 for two people sharing a twin bedded comfort bedroom departing on 30 December from Gatwick for 3 nights. The price is an additional £40 if flying from East Midlands airport.

Set on the edge of a beautiful long sandy Moroccan beach, is the four star plus, contemporary Royal Atlas Hotel in Agadir.  Perfect for a relaxing New Year holiday, the hotel offers a range of spa treatments for your enjoyment. Flying from Gatwick on 28 December Thomson Holidays are offering an all inclusive package (meals and drinks) including priority coach transfers, flights and 7 nights accommodation for £1976.00 for two people.

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.

(more…)