The dark days of January are almost behind us - meaning Valentines Day is just around the corner. If you want to take that special person you have sex with away for a romantic trip but don't think you can afford it, then worry not - we've got you covered...
Dublin
Ryanair are offering return flights from London to Dublin on Valentines weekend for £50 - so why not dig out your emerald undies and share a pint of Guinness with your other half in the Irish Capital? Hotel prices tend to sky rocket around Valentines Day - but the IMI Conference Centre & Residenceare offering an executive double room for £55. The tittle might sound a little business like - but the rooms are decked out in daffodils, cushions and (best of all) complimentary bubbly. If you’d rather spend your v-day morning snuggled up, (hungover whatever) - the hotel will send a continental breakfast up to your room.
Walk off all of that free bubbly by taking a trip to St. Stephen’s Green. The 22 acre Victorian Park is free to enter and it provides the perfect setting for a romantic Valentines stroll. There are waterfalls, Pulham rock works and ornamental lakes that inhabit an array of swans, ducks and geese. If sculptures are more your thing, the green is covered in gorgeous designs and colourful Autumn shrubs.
Total spend for two: £155
Paris
What better place to spend Valentines weekend than hopping on a bus and exploring the city love itself. Head to Gopilli.co.uk for cheap deals on transport - there’s currently a offer for riding there with Megabus and home with Eurolines for £34.60. Skip the cliches by dodging all the Eiffel Tower proposals and love - lockers by heading to Père Lachaise Cemetery. Sending you to France’s largest graveyard in the search of romance might sound a little bit like the beginning of a horror movie - but trust me - strolling through this little haunt, hand in hand with your partner with have you hoping you can one day be buried here with the love of your life. Père Lachaise is like a little world of it’s own, with famous residents (including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf), winding pathways, street signs and tombs that look like beautiful little Wendy houses.
Wind down from all that walking by booking in to the Vice Versa Hotel Paris. Hoteltravel.com is currently offering a standard room for £96.30 and each room is inspired and themed around the seven deadly sins and every room has been individually decorated and kitted out with flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations, mini bars and complimentary wireless internet access.
Total spend for two: £165.50
Glasgow
National Geographic Traveler has dubbed Glasgow as one of the top 20 ‘Best of the World’ destinations for 2016. So, dust off your favourite tartan mini, wrap up in your sexiest parka and spend your Valentines weekend in Scotland’s most populated city. Ryanar are offering a round trip from London Stansted to Glasgow for £38. Ditch your overnight bag and freshen up from your flight in Craigpark Guest House - Hotels.com currently have a room on offer for £50 which includes free WiFi and a morning fry up.
If you need a caffeine fix after your journey - head to the hotel's coffee house and take your hazelnut latte outside to sip in the guesthouse’s private garden for a relaxing morning. When you feel perked up - head over to Glengoyne Distillery for a walking tour of their whisky factory where you’ll see how they mature the flavour and deepen the spirit. An expert will guide you through the distillery, showing you the intensity of the brewing process and how they inject it into chocolate liquors. Choose the Wee Tasting Tour for £12 and you’ll finish your visit with a dram of Glengoyne 18 year old whisky and tipsy smirk.
Total spend for two: £150
Dusseldorf
Spend your Valentines Day soaking up the culture of Dusseldorf by downloading the RyanAir app and booking a return flight to Weeze Airport from London Stansted for £54. Booking.com have rooms available at Hotel Rubin for £38 which is the perfect place for a romantic Valentines get away. Hotel Rubin is a one minute walk away from so you and your partner can head into the city in minutes. The room comes with hairdryers, shampoos and body washes so there’s no need to splurge on the Duty Free Clarins counter before you board your flights.
Dussledorf is also home to some of Europe’s most glamorous shops - with their massive boulevard housing chic boutiques, pavement cafes and an abundance of galleries. Princes and Sheiks even fly in from the Gulf to buy their body weight in trinkets and exotic finds. A personal shopper will set you back £43 for two hours - but if you’d rather spend that money on Jagermeisters - put on your classiest dress and stroll through streets checking out the windows of Armarni, Kenzo and Gucci.
Total spend for two: £146 38
Amsterdam
Wave goodbye to London for the weekend and head to the Netherlands for a cosy boating weekend. Megabus are currently offering return journeys from London to Amsterdam for £35 - so you’ll have plenty of money left over to spend on cocktails. Mix things up a bit this February 14th and ditch the glamorous hotel in favour of kipping in a quaint canal boat. booking.com have a deal for Anna Maria II, which is a miniature ship located in the city centre harbour, for £41. The rooms come with a romantic view of the water, a freshly made breakfast each morning and the staff all speak English - so there’s no need to panic learn dutch in your lunch break.
There are several restaurants and bars located around the boat - but for a truly unique taste of Amsterdam - head to Ctaste. The restaurant is literally pitch back at you will be guided and served by blind or visually impaired individuals who have been specially trained to serve meals in the dark and offer guidance for sighted guests. The blackened room heightens sensitivity and makes each bite, touch and sound stronger. When you arrive, you will be welcomed in a lit lounge - where you will leave your bag and coat and browse the menu. If you’re feeling adventurous - you can skip the menu and head straight into the dining room for four surprise courses. Every Sunday, Ctaste has a four course brunch for 25 euros (which is about £19) from 11am - so you and your partner can fill your face on Valentines and you don’t even need to dress up.
Total spend for two: £149
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.