Valentine's Day is a great excuse to get away from it all for a day or two, and the fact that it falls on a Saturday this year makes a weekend break all the more appealling!
Here are five budget-friendly destinations, both in Ireland and abroad, that would be perfect for a Valentine's break!
See you there!
Edinburgh
With direct flights from Cork (Aer Lingus, KLM) and from Dublin (Aer Lingus, KLM, Ryanair), you could be in Scotland's capital in just over an hour! With its cobbled, hilly streets, Edinburgh is a great city to explore hand in hand with your Valentine! Head up to Arthur's Seat for a gorgeous view of the entire city, where on May Day it's traditional for women to wash their faces in the dew to keep themselves beautiful. Relax after your walk with lunch (and a cocktail) at the Swedish-run bar-restaurant Hemma, just minutes from the famous hill.
Paris
Surely there's no better time to visit the city of love than on Valentine's Day! Skip the jam-packed Louvre and head to the Musée D'Orsay instead for a look at Monet's famous water lilies. Far more romantic! In the evening, crack open a bottle of wine on the banks of the Canal St Martin, where the city's young people gather for chats, picnics and music. Of course, if the whether is chilly you'll have no shortage of wine bars and cosy bistros to choose from! Fly into Charles de Gaulle airport with Aer Lingus, or choose Ryanair for Beauvais airport – further out but with a reliable bus service to the centre.
Amsterdam
Aer Lingus/KLM fly directly from Cork and Dublin to this stunning Dutch city. We can't imagine anything more romantic than exploring the city's bridges and canals by bike, before stopping for a cold beer to cool off! The cheeky Sexmuseum near the Central Station is a must, for the weekend that's in it!
Belfast
Hop on the train from Dublin and you'll be in Northern Ireland's capital before you know it. The Titanic Experience are running a special Valentine's Afternoon Tea in the opulent surroundings of the Titanic Suite, starting at £25 (€33.50) per person. Or if you two would rather just relax and enjoy each other's company, head to the Victorian St. George's Market for a stroll around the many flea-market style stalls.
Galway
Easily accessible by bus from all over Ireland, the magical city of Galway is sure to bring out your fun side this Valentine's weekend! Check out some of the city's legendary pubs like the Roisin Dubh, Tig Coilí or Naughtons, or head to Salthill for a blustery beach stroll! With everything from budget B&Bs to the swanky G Hotel on offer for accommodation, there's something to suit every budget here.
