For a lovers’ getaway in Europe, here are 5 cities that are far from ordinary! Whether it’s in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and finishing in Austria.
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Bruges, the charm of its canals and its old town
Stroll to the Lake of Love
After exploring the historic centre of Bruges, with all its charm, the little stone bridges over the canals, a swan on the water, the low houses built of ancient stones... head to Minnewater park to take a must-have couple’s photo!
You can also get to the Lake of Love by boat, leaving from one of the landing stages in the city centre, for a half-hour cruise.
A moment of verdant calm
There is no shortage of quiet, secret green spaces in Bruges: enter the Wijngaard, a sort of open- air convent cloister with large trees.
The botanical garden is an ideal spot for a picnic in the city centre, with the city walls forming a belt of greenery...
Share a paper cone of chips
You’re in Belgium! There is a chip shop on almost every corner. For a little snack when living the carefree life, it’s a must!
Afterward, you can taste some chocolate, the city’s other gourmet specialty.
The story of the St. Ursula Shrine, a famous triptych in a restored chapel
At the Sint-Janshospitaal, one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe, a little chapel is home to one of the most well-known Flemish primitive triptychs: the hunting of St. Ursula. This painting by Hans Memling tells the tale of St. Ursula, represented as a bride with an arrow in her hand: married to a man in exchange for his conversion, she leaves with her husband on a pilgrimage to Rome, but the couple is slain by arrows upon their return.
Follow a love story in the Bruges Historium
On the Grand'place, the Historium is an immersive museum on the History of the city. You’ll follow the assistant of the master painter Jan Van Eyck in a reconstituted medieval Bruges, off in search of a parrot, when he falls in love with a pretty young girl...
Delft, a romantic stroll in a setting fit for a Vermeer
Walk along the canals
They cut across the city, like the bucolic Oude Delft, the city’s oldest canal,framed by elegant residences. You can also explore it by boat. In winter, the frozen canals transform into a giant skating rink.
Follow in the footsteps of Vermeer
The life and works of the “Sphinx of Delft” can be found at the Vermeer Centrum. To see the places that inspired the artist, visit 40-42 Vlamingstraat, to explore what has become of the urban landscape of “The Little Street”.
You can even go back to the origins of the fascinating “View of Delft”, which Marcel Proust called “the most beautiful painting in the world”.
To do that, head to Café Huszár, located at Hooikade 13: it was alongside this very canal that the artist came over 350 years ago to set the scene.
Fill with wonder before the beauty of “Deflt Blue” at the Royal Delft
Discover the last blue delftware factory, which is still in operation since the 17th century. Painting workshops are organised, in which you can paint on your own Delft blue tile or on your own plate! A lovely souvenir to take home.
You can also climb to the top of the Nieuwe Kerk, which means “new church”. Perched at 85m above the ground, you’ll have a 360° view of the city!
To continue with the romanticism, go see the Het Blauwe Hart, a contemporary sculpture representing a big blue heart that beats and breathes.
Verona, in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet
Relive the passion of Romeo and Juliette in Shakespearean Verona
Located one hundred kilometres from Venice, Verona is a destination with timeless charm that has become, under the pen of British playwright, William Shakespeare, a city that is symbolic of eternal lovers.
The English writer chose Verona to set his mythic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, published in 1595.
To discover the real setting of the most famous of all love stories, your pilgrimage in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet must make a mandatory start at the famous Casa di Giulietta located on Via Capello.
It was in this ancient gothic house dating to the 12th-13th centuries that the legendary heroine was said to live. It was transformed into a museum in 1906.
Take a stroll to discover historic Verona
After Rome and Pompeii, Verona is the home to the most sites from antiquity. It has so many monuments that it has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Among the must-see attractions, there are the Roman arenas, which are home to the biggest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Italy.
Get lost in the labyrinth of the Giusti Garden
The Giusti Garden is an enchanting spot for lovers. To find it, you must go to the Palazzo Giusti: behind its imposing facade is a little well-preserved gem.
Created between the 15th and 16th centuries, this masterpiece of Italian Renaissance greenery was once frequented by many artists and writers, including Mozart and Goethe.
Embrace the city from the viewpoint of the Lamberti tower
Standing some 84m tall, this medieval structure, recognizable for its brick and white marble octagonal belfry, dominates the historic centre of Verona. From up there, the panorama is exceptional.
An enchanted promenade around San Zeno basilica
Verona is home to nearly forty churches and, among them, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture: the San Zeno basilica.
Built in the 5th century, it draws the eye for its facade clad in pink marble and its immense rose window.
When you go inside it, you’ll discover with emotion a magnificent Italian Renaissance painting: “San Zeno Altarpiece”, by Andrea Mantegna. Legend has it that Romeo and Juliet were married in its crypt.
Cologne, on the banks of the River Rhine
The romantic essentials in Cologne
Cologne, in Germany, is known for its cathedral, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and for Eau de Cologne, but it is also a charming city on the banks of the Rhine, ideal for a lovers’ weekend.
The Hohenzollern Bridge is a solid, industrial-style bridge that crosses the Rhine. Couples place a padlock on it as a trace of their love and their visit to Cologne, before throwing the key in the river. After hanging up your lock, take the boat to Cologne to admire the historical heart of the city, from Hohenzollern Bridge, passing the Cologne Cathedral, the renovated former port district, to the former fishing district of Rodenkirchen.
Share piece of chocolate and take to the heights
The Chocolate Museum Cologne (Lindt & Sprüngli), covers all the aspects of this supposed aphrodisiac food, from the plant to the chocolate bar.
For an overview of the city, the Rhine, the Rheinpark, and the botanical garden, take the aerial tramway. Panoramic views guaranteed, before getting lost in nature at the Rheinpark or the botanical garden.
In the sculpture park , some 40,000 m² of greenery and tranquility await you, with contemporary sculptures, including one by Anisch Kapoor. A pair of collectors, Michael and Eleonore Stoffel, created it in 1997. Entry is free.
Vienna, the imperial magic of the Austrian capital
Contemplate the Kiss by Gustav Klimt at the Belvedere Museum
This Viennese Art Nouveau icon could not have a better setting to house it than the Belvedere Palace, a baroque building, which was the old imperial residence.
To extend your discovery of the master’s works, the Belvedere is home to the worlds largest Gustav Klimt collection.
Follow in the footsteps of Sissi
Emperor Elizabeth, better known as Sissi, was a true romantic heroine. To begin the pilgrimage, head to the Hofburg imperial palace, which was the residence of the Habsburgs for over six centuries.
This 2,600 room, rococo style palace is one of the world’s largest. Continue to the Sissi Museum, which brings together a moving collection of personal items that belonged to the empress: dresses, parasols, fans, etc.
To end it, go to the Schönbrunn Palace, a gem of rococo architecture that was the former summer residence of the Habsburgs.
Listen to classical music
The Austrian city was witness to some of the greatest composers: Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Gustav Mahler, Ludwig van Beethoven…
To attend a concert, head to the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper), one of the world’s most prestigious. Another legendary spot: the Musikverein renowned having exceptional acoustics.
Experience the magic of a Viennese ball
No one can forget the famous scene in the film Sissi The Young Empress, where Romy Schneider opens the ball with Emperor Franz-Josef to tune of the Emperor’s Waltz by Johann Strauss II.
If you too want to experience the life of a princess for an evening, Vienna is the ideal place. In season, some 450 balls are held.
The most famous of which is the Vienna Opera Ball, which takes place at the Vienna State Opera and brings together all of high society.