Finding the Perfect Romantic Destination This Christmas
As the nights draw in and the weather takes a chilling turn, our thoughts turn more and more towards Christmas. More specifically, where will you be spending it? More and more couples are choosing to get away from it all over the holiday period and rekindle their love in a foreign city. After all, what could be more romantic than enjoying the snowy street scenes over a shared cup of steaming Viennese coffee, or walking hand in hand down a cobbled Seville street lit by fairy lights?
Here are just three romantic spots to think about this Christmas.
Seville
This passionate southern city, home of Carmen, Flamenco and the Giralda, retains the personal warmth and traditional charm that make a holiday in the real Spain a wonderful experience, worlds away from the stereotyped Costa break.
A series of processions and festive events, from the student concert at the cathedral for the Immaculate Conception (8th December), to the jubilant celebrations on the Nochebuena (New Year's Eve), conspire to make sure that you will never be at a loss as to what to do.
Alternatively, take a slower pace. Wander the pretty passages of this ancient city in search of Gothic and Moorish architectural gems, some of which double as hotels, and admire the many beautiful belenes, detailed life-size nativity scenes.
Copenhagen
If you like your Christmas a little more traditional, you could do far worse than to head to Denmark's magical capital. Copenhagen is famed for its statue of the Little Mermaid, a tribute to its most celebrated author, Hans Christian Andersen.
The Tivoli Gardens are a must see attraction. Set among 15 acres of charming parkland, this is the second oldest amusement park in the world, and incorporates a theater, concert hall, and amusement rides. At Christmas time, the small villages in the park come alive with a spectacle of lights and stalls offering warming food and drink ideally suited to the Scandinavian winter.
Edinburgh
The attractions of Scotland's historic and elegant capital are no secret. Hailed as a jewel of the North, Edinburgh has a rich cultural heritage and plenty to offer today's traveler in search of a romantic break.
The charming streets and squares of Edinburgh's Georgian New Town are an ideal place to ramble together as the streetlights flicker on in the early evening. When darkness falls, find refuge in one of the many cozy and exclusive wine bars or hotels nearby, or seek out a more traditional hearty Scottish pub and enjoy a glass of mead or mulled wine.
And don't forget the castle. The solid reminder of Edinburgh's long and often turbulent past stands atop Castle Rock, and will become as familiar and reassuring as an old friend. To pay a visit to the historic heart of the city is to fully appreciate the richness of Edinburgh, a modern city with its splendid roots intact.
Other highlights
Be inventive in your search for a getaway spot this Christmas. Avoid the madding crowds and crammed hotels by exploring other less notorious but nonetheless wonderful cities such as Berlin and Munich, with their famous German Christmas markets, and Vancouver, Canada's best-kept secret.
