Paris

Truly the City of Romance, Paris has it all when it comes to sweeping your lover off their feet. The food, wine, culture and language all combine to make you feel extra special and there are lots of opportunities for soaking up the wonderful atmosphere.

Everyone knows about the Eiffel Tower, but there are two other ways to get high with your honey. The Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame both provide stunning views of the city. There are few better places to put your arms around your lover than atop these two attractions. Some would even argue you get a better view, because the Eiffel Tower is so tall the city is too small from that height. And at Notre Dame, you get the bonus of being close to the gothic gargoyles.

There are, of course, endless opportunities to eat and drink well in Paris, at venues to suit every budget. You could try a coffee at the infamous Deux Magots cafe, frequented by Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso, or visit the Cafe Procope, allegedly the world’s oldest restaurant. Be sure to notice Nelson’s hat while you are there, which he is supposed to have left when he could not pay the bill!

Venice

Some would argue that this incredible city has to be the most romantic destination of all time. It has barely changed since Marco Polo’s time and you really feel that you might bump into Casanova round the next corner.

Of course a gondala ride is the most famous way of wooing your lover, but if you don’t want to take out a second mortgage to do it, why not take a traghetto (gondola ferry) across the Grand Canal for less than one Euro each? Or catch the vaporetto (water bus) up and down the Grand Canal and even across to the Lido and the other islands.

Venice herself is the main attraction here, although of course the Doge’s Palace and Piazza San Marco are iconic landmarks; and you can stop by for a drink in the world-famous Harry’s Bar. Just remember you might need to pack an extra suitcase full of money if you expect to eat or drink in St Mark’s Square!

New York

For a romantic break that simply oozes style, it has to be New York.

Swoon over Central Park – enter at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue (just across from the Plaza Hotel, where Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones got hitched), then head north past Wollman Rink (featured in the tearjerker Love Story) before catching a ride on the antique carousel. Merge onto the Literary Walk, a path lined with statues of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, and the like. Up ahead is the Naumburg Bandshell, which played a part in Breakfast at Tiffany’s; to the west (beyond Lilac Walk) is Strawberry Fields, the teardrop-shaped green space adopted by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. And you haven’t even left Central Park yet!

It is easy to find stylish boutiques, stunning food and cosmopolitan bars in the city that never sleeps. Try the Russian Tea Room, where the political elite have rubbed shoulders with writers, actors and artists since 1927, or eat in style at the critically acclaimed Blue Ribbon Sushi in Manhattan.

Rome

There are some incredibly romantic places you will not want to miss, especially if you visit the Eternal City during the summer. Visiting these places with your loved one can provide a lifetime experience, a Thousand and one Night story to be told to you friends and make them envious for decades!

From the Gianicolo, Rome unrolls in front of your eyes on this popular yet always cosy and full of atmosphere belvedere. Walk slightly further, and you can sit on the quiet steps of the amphitheatre Quercia del Tasso. Who cares if there’s no show while you’re there. The company will be enough!

When you start to get tired, experience Rome’s romantic beauty by letting yourself glide on the waters of the Tiber with your other half. Starting from Ponte Duca d’Aosta and ending on Isola Tiberina and back, you will see some of the city’s jewels, such as Saint Peter’s or the Gianicolo, from an unusual standpoint and of course have time to snuggle up to your lover!

Polperro

For something a little closer to home, but just as romantic, head to the beautiful historic fishing town of Polperro in Cornwall. Cosy in winter and dazzling in summer, the narrow winding streets lead down to a bijou working harbour which still brings fresh fish every morning.

You can snuggle in front of the real fire and tuck in to some of that fresh fish with real ale in the Three Pilchards, or enjoy fine dining in Couch’s Great House. Get your walking boots on and follow the stunning coastal paths over the bright turquoise sea, or visit some of the local attractions such as the award-winning Eden Project, where you can wander hand-in-hand through the mists of a tropical rainforest!

In a superb central location just 7 miles from magnificent, clean sandy beaches and lively resort of Newquay, these imaginatively designed and very pretty detached cottages are beautifully furnished to offer comfortable and charming accommodation. Each enjoys its own enclosed garden and opens onto an immaculate landscaped courtyard area, all within the grounds – but quite separate from – the owners’ working farm. A dog excercise area is provided. Visitors enjoy free use of the indoor heated swimming pool at Carvynick (2 miles). There are many places of interest nearby including the lovely cathedral city of Truro (8 miles) and the Eden Project which is just 12 miles away. South Cornwall’s coast and Land’s End are within easy reach. Great walks locally, and a choice of beaches, many with superb surfing playing host to international contests. Sea Life Centre, museum, excellent shops, restaurants and inns at Newquay. Several golf courses locally. Shops within 3 miles. Pub 1 mile.

The spectacular north coast, lies just 3 miles from these very comfortable cottages. Ideal for family holidays, they enjoy a ½ acre of shared gardens, with a children’s play area and hot tub. Set in a fine walking area, within 10 miles of the surfing beaches of Bude and Widemouth Bay, and the nearby Tamar Lakes provide water sports, fishing and canoeing. To the west lies Tintagel and the villages of Boscastle and Port Isaac, whilst just over the border in Devon is Clovelly. Golf nearby. Duckpool beach 2 miles. Pub 2 miles, shop 1½ miles.

A few minutes’ drive from the fishing harbour and Rick Stein’s famous restaurants in Padstow, this very comfortable and attractively furnished property is one of a group of privately owned holiday cottages. Fine sandy beaches and glorious coastal walks are close by – Constantine and Harlyn beaches are just over 2 miles – and from Padstow, the Camel cycle trail follows the river estuary to Wadebridge (9 miles by road). Lanhydrock and Trerice (both N.T.), the Eden Project, Watergate Bay water sports and Crealy Adventure Park are a short drive. Pub and shop in holiday village or St Merryn, 1 mile.

Within a short drive of the north coast’s rugged grandeur, just 3 miles from Trebarwith Strand beach (pictured), this simpy furnished, single storey property is an ideal base from which to explore the fishing villages dotted along the coastline. Boscastle and Tintagel are only a few minutes by car, whilst a little further west lies the town of Wadebridge with its cycle way leading along the estuary to the attractive fishing harbour at Padstow. A short journey to the east reaches the fine sandy, surfing beaches of Widemouth Bay and Bude, and the National Trust properties of Lanhydrock (20 miles) and Pencarrow House (13 miles) make interesting trips. Shops and pubs serving food in Camelford, 2½ miles.

This quaint little traditional cottage, with beams and low doorways, overlooks the hamlet ‘green’, sharing a pleasant slate pathed courtyard with the owner’s holiday home. Less than a mile away is Tintagel, renowned for its Arthurian connections, with its dramatic coastline, romantic castle ruins, exquisite Old Post Office (N.T.) and wide choice of restaurants. Trebarwith Strand, 2½ miles (pictured), has a delightful sandy cove and restaurant/bar. Pretty fishing villages of Boscastle and Port Isaac and indoor swimming pool at Camelford, all within 7 miles. Bude, Newquay, Wadebridge and Bodmin Moor all easily accessible. Walking and cycling on Camel Trail (5 miles), golf and fishing locally.

Less than ½ a mile from a beautiful beach, shops and a choice of inns serving food, this cosy property offers a comfortable base for exploring west Cornwall’s dramatically scenic coastline. The lovely old granite quay, watersports facilities, potteries and art galleries of St Ives are only 2 miles away and St Michael’s Mount (N.T.) and Marazion are within 9 miles. Just a little further afield is Penzance, where trips to the Scilly Isles are available. Trengwainton Gardens (N.T.) 12 miles. Golf, riding and tennis within 1½ miles.

Said to have the mildest climate in Britain, the village of Flushing (right photograph) owes its name to its Dutch founders and its narrow streets still retain a distinctly Dutch flavour, as well as several Queen Anne houses. One of a row this simply furnished cottage is just a minute’s walk from the pub and shop and ½ mile to the beach. A ferry crosses the river to Falmouth with its sandy beach, shops, restaurants, new Maritime Museum, and cruises up river to the city of Truro (9 miles by car). Sailing school 2 miles. Famous gardens along Helford river nearby.

This comfortable detached cottage offers a peaceful village location yet is only 3 miles from the cathedral city of Truro. Both north and south coasts are easily accessible, with Loe Beach watersports centre only 2 miles and boat trips available from Truro, Trelissick Gardens and Falmouth. For golf enthusiasts, Killiow Park is just ½ mile. The King Harry ferry (1½ miles) gives access to the beautiful Roseland peninsula and St Mawes Castle. The N.T. gardens at Trelissick are adjacent to the ferry and the amazing Eden Project is well worth a visit (22 miles). Shop 200 yards, 17th century thatched inn ½ mile. The owners live adjacent and visitors enjoy use of their hot tub by arrangement.

Just 2 miles from Bude’s famous golden sands, this pretty 19th century cottage was once Poughill village post office, and still retains original slate floors and the old cloam oven in its comfortable interior. Set in the heart of the village, opposite the shop and a 200 yard stroll from the pub, it is an ideal base from which to explore the spectacular north Cornwall coast. Bude boasts numerous shops and restaurants as well as a museum, glorious beach, excellent golf and a canal with canoeing and coarse fishing. Widemouth Bay (pictured), one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall, offers a range of water sports and fly fishing can be enjoyed within a short drive at Tamar Lakes. Tintagel (N.T.) is 25 miles.