Posted on Thursday, 6 February 2014

Romantic break = Paris. Right? An understandable choice of destination, both because it is within easy reach of the UK by rail and air, and because it is, as legend has it, romantic. But what the French capital is not is original.

If you want to demonstrate to your lover that you spent more than five seconds mulling your Valentine's Day getaway, then refrain from using the ‘p word', and read this blog for some sensational city break ideas that will ensure your lover thinks you are both romantic and thoughtful. Even if all you did was read this blog.

So take out single trip travel insurance to protect your lover against any mishaps, and choose from the following three original Valentine's Day destinations…

Vilnius, Lithuania

The taxi ride into the Lithuanian capital will perhaps have you cursing this article, because the outskirts of the city are an anaemic Soviet sprawl that may sap your lover's romantic sensibilities. So consider a romantic blindfold until you reach the historic centre. Old Vilnius is a crumbling delight comprised of beautiful old town houses, some great boutique hotels and lots of churches. In fact, few European cities boast as many Houses of God. And while not the most romantic attraction, if you're into Napoleonic history, do check out the Lithuanian National Museum's exhibit on Bonaparte's Grande Armée, which largely froze to death nearby while trying to invade Russia in 1812. A meal in one of Vilnius' great French restaurants will help you get the romance back on track afterwards.

Vilnius Old Town, Lithuania

Krakow, Poland

If you'd like to place dining at the centre of your romantic break, you'll be spoilt for choice in delightful Krakow; there are scores of restaurants in the historic centre and Market Square, tantalising your taste buds with French and Italian cuisine, as well as local dishes such as borsch and pierogi. A warm, friendly city, even at this chilly time of year, and a wonderful place to go for a stroll. A riverside walk is a must – but make sure you wrap up warm. Krakow also offers a wide range of hotels, with something for every pocket. A visit to nearby Auschwitz is a haunting but very worthwhile experience, but arguably not one for a romantic break.

Krakow, Poland

Bilbao, Spain

Another fantastic place for couples who share a love of food, Spain's (or should we say the Basque Country's?) north coast city of Bilbao offers a variety of seafood dishes, mostly sourced fresh from the Bay of Biscay. For nibbles, make sure you try the delicious tapas available in the many bars. Tortilla (potato omelette) or cured meats in bread, accompanied by a strong Spanish ‘corto' (small coffee) are just the job for when hunger strikes.

And if you want more than food in Bilbao, you won't be disappointed. The Guggenheim Museum, with its unmistakable bold, metallic architecture (visible as you enter the city from the airport), offers artistic sustenance. As for accommodation, you'll find an excellent range of hotels that cost less than in the UK, and will provide the perfect place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing and eating. The city offers a relaxed vibe in the evenings, and plenty of romantic riverside restaurants from which to watch the world go by with your favourite person. Consider a night at the beautiful theatre (Teatro Arriaga Antzokia), and don't miss the old town (Casco Viejo).

Bilbao, Spain

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