Romantic trip ideas
We recently talked about taking a trip together for Valentine's Day, or giving a trip as a Valentine's gift. We would like to follow up that post by offering a couple of suggestions for places to travel, along with savvy shopper's money-saving resources for your vacation.
France, particularly Paris, is the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of romantic trips, with good reason. The best time to visit is in the spring (May and June) or the fall (September and October) in order to avoid the hot summer, but winter vacations in France, while you will probably be walking in the rain, can be especially romantic! While visiting Paris, be sure to stroll along the Champs Elysees and window shop at the stylish boutiques. Visit the ones that pique your interest. Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to enjoy the view. Come to the Eiffel tower an hour or so before sunset, and take the elevator to one of the observation platforms in order to watch the city's lights flash on in a panorama below. Another tip: if you want a view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in your photo, visit the roof of the Samaritaine Department store. Take a scenic dinner river cruise on a glass boat. Visit the Rue Cler for a taste of a French market street, and be sure to sample some crepes or cheese there. Tour the Palace of Versailles, and be sure not to miss the Hall of Mirrors there! Paris is renowned for its museums, so if you want to see the most important collections, don't miss the Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
If you're keeping within a budget on your vacation to France, check the set-price meals -- "prix fixe" -- offered at local restaurants. For a set price you can enjoy a soup or salad, entree, and dessert. The small cafes and the sellers at the open-air markets also offer excellent food in most cases, and reasonable prices.
Some market sellers will give out samples as well. And to save money on Paris hotels, check out the last minute deals as well as year-round specials. If you're traveling to other cities in France, (we recommend wine country for the traveling romantic), check here for France hotels. As far as entertainment, the Louvre is free on Sundays, as are a number of other museums. There are also quite a few that offer free admission every day. (See the list at the end of the post.) But just walking through Paris is quite entertaining, and to be enjoyed, all for free. However, one ticket probably more than worth buying ... a hot air balloon ride for around £8. Also remember that if you are not a European citizen, be sure to fill out the rebate forms to receive the 16% tax back on purchases.
A second European destination for romance has to be mentioned here. Germany’s world-famous tourist route, aptly named “The Romantic Road” runs over 350 kilometers across idyllic countryside and charmingly picturesque villages that retain their medieval charm, following the river Main and traveling through wine country, leading through the Alps and finally to the enchanting fairytale castles of King Ludwig. Traveling the Romantic Road will allow visitors to step back in time to experience medieval Europe, and many towns and villages have medieval festivals as well. This is one vacation where you want to take your time to savor the trip itself, and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and activities along the way. Whether traveling by automobile, bus, or cycling, Germany’s Romantic Road is the perfect route for travelers seeking to experience the Romance of Germany.
For saving money during your travels in Germany, look to small pubs that often offer hearty meals at reasonable prices. The Turkish restaurants and Italian bistros there are usually a good value as well. Try to find lodging that offers free breakfasts. Save on accommodations by considering hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, wineries or castles, or check out these specials on Germany hotels. (These deals are also available by city, such as Berlin hotels.) As in France, if you are a non-European, you can fill out a form for a rebate on the 16% tax for things you buy while in Germany.
Paris Museums with free admission
- Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
- Maison de Balzac
- Musée Bible et Terre Sainte
- Maison Bourdelle
- Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris
- Musée Cernuschi
- Musée Cognacq-Jay
- Musée du Compagnonnage
- Musée Curie (Institut du radium)
- Musée Jean Moulin
- Musée du Parfum-Fragonard/Théâtre musée des Capucines-Fragonard
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris
- Musée de la Préfecture de Police
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- Musée de la Vie Romantique
- Musée Zadkine
(Note: the Louvre offers free admission only on Sundays)
France, particularly Paris, is the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of romantic trips, with good reason. The best time to visit is in the spring (May and June) or the fall (September and October) in order to avoid the hot summer, but winter vacations in France, while you will probably be walking in the rain, can be especially romantic! While visiting Paris, be sure to stroll along the Champs Elysees and window shop at the stylish boutiques. Visit the ones that pique your interest. Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to enjoy the view. Come to the Eiffel tower an hour or so before sunset, and take the elevator to one of the observation platforms in order to watch the city's lights flash on in a panorama below. Another tip: if you want a view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in your photo, visit the roof of the Samaritaine Department store. Take a scenic dinner river cruise on a glass boat. Visit the Rue Cler for a taste of a French market street, and be sure to sample some crepes or cheese there. Tour the Palace of Versailles, and be sure not to miss the Hall of Mirrors there! Paris is renowned for its museums, so if you want to see the most important collections, don't miss the Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.If you're keeping within a budget on your vacation to France, check the set-price meals -- "prix fixe" -- offered at local restaurants. For a set price you can enjoy a soup or salad, entree, and dessert. The small cafes and the sellers at the open-air markets also offer excellent food in most cases, and reasonable prices.
Some market sellers will give out samples as well. And to save money on Paris hotels, check out the last minute deals as well as year-round specials. If you're traveling to other cities in France, (we recommend wine country for the traveling romantic), check here for France hotels. As far as entertainment, the Louvre is free on Sundays, as are a number of other museums. There are also quite a few that offer free admission every day. (See the list at the end of the post.) But just walking through Paris is quite entertaining, and to be enjoyed, all for free. However, one ticket probably more than worth buying ... a hot air balloon ride for around £8. Also remember that if you are not a European citizen, be sure to fill out the rebate forms to receive the 16% tax back on purchases.A second European destination for romance has to be mentioned here. Germany’s world-famous tourist route, aptly named “The Romantic Road” runs over 350 kilometers across idyllic countryside and charmingly picturesque villages that retain their medieval charm, following the river Main and traveling through wine country, leading through the Alps and finally to the enchanting fairytale castles of King Ludwig. Traveling the Romantic Road will allow visitors to step back in time to experience medieval Europe, and many towns and villages have medieval festivals as well. This is one vacation where you want to take your time to savor the trip itself, and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and activities along the way. Whether traveling by automobile, bus, or cycling, Germany’s Romantic Road is the perfect route for travelers seeking to experience the Romance of Germany.For saving money during your travels in Germany, look to small pubs that often offer hearty meals at reasonable prices. The Turkish restaurants and Italian bistros there are usually a good value as well. Try to find lodging that offers free breakfasts. Save on accommodations by considering hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, wineries or castles, or check out these specials on Germany hotels. (These deals are also available by city, such as Berlin hotels.) As in France, if you are a non-European, you can fill out a form for a rebate on the 16% tax for things you buy while in Germany.
Paris Museums with free admission
- Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
- Maison de Balzac
- Musée Bible et Terre Sainte
- Maison Bourdelle
- Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris
- Musée Cernuschi
- Musée Cognacq-Jay
- Musée du Compagnonnage
- Musée Curie (Institut du radium)
- Musée Jean Moulin
- Musée du Parfum-Fragonard/Théâtre musée des Capucines-Fragonard
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris
- Musée de la Préfecture de Police
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- Musée de la Vie Romantique
- Musée Zadkine
(Note: the Louvre offers free admission only on Sundays)
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