5 alternative Valentine's getaway destinations ❣️

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Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. As travel-lovers, we love an excuse for a getaway, and is there anything more romantic than a trip away with your loved one (or bestie!) in February.

We know the typical 'romantic' spots you're thinking of Paris, Rome, Venice, Barcelona. What's not to love!? However, these spots can be particularly expensive over Valentine's Day.

We've rounded up our best alternative spots for a romantic trip that get you more bang for your buck and are a little less touristy.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate tip: prices for Valentine's Day dates can be massively inflated, check out going a week later to cut the cost of your trip or gift a trip for Valentine's Day that you can enjoy later in the year when the temps are a bit better too.

Swap Paris for Bordeaux 🇫🇷

Bordeaux is perfect for a sneaky Valentine's getaway if you don't want to do the regular Paris trip. "Little Paris", as that's what the city in the Southwest of France is called, features the same charismatic French feel like its big sister, but on a smaller, more intimate scale.

Think medieval buildings, old watchtowers, winding streets, and iconic architecture. And, of course, this city trip is best for WINE lovers! ❤️

💍 Pop the question at 'the Water Mirror' in front of the Place de la Bourse for the ultimate photo opportunity. The giant granite slab is covered in water and creates a mirror like effect, just like the photo below!

Swap Venice and Rome for Verona 🇮🇹

Of course Italy has to make the list, but instead of Venice or Rome, try Verona! It's arguably less touristy, especially if you don't go in the peak season. But it's got all the things we love so much about an Italian city trip: piazzas and churches galore, cafés, beautiful walks along the river and gorgeous little restaurants on every corner...

Date ideas: Learn how to make pasta from scratch. Or book tickets for Verona's amazing open-air theatre, where you can watch classical opera while gazing at the stars.

You have to visit Juliet's balcony from Romeo and Juliet to make this the ultimate romantic trip. You can see it for free from the courtyard or pay to go up on the balcony. The courtyard can get pretty crowded, so try to visit early in the day.

💍 Swap out an overpriced Gondola proposal in Venice and pop the question on Ponte Pietra bridge with beautiful views of Verona.

Swap Barcelona for San Sebastián 🇪🇸

Get out of the busy city and swap it for a beach break to San Sebastián. The bad news is, it rains a lot in this part of the Basque Country -- the good news is, that makes it even more romantic... hello, kissing in the rain!

Snuggled up under one umbrella, you can hop from one cute little shop to the next. San Sebastián is great for foodies with a lot of Michelin-starred restaurant options.

We recommend flying into Bilbao (and staying for a night or two). You can take the bus into San Sebastián, it's approximately a 2-hour round trip, and you can check the town out in a day.

💍 This destination gives you the perfect opportunity for a cute beach proposal, or check out one of the rooftop bars and pop the question at sunset!

Swap Santorini for Nafplion 🇬🇷

Santorini is known for being one of the most romantic Greek islands, but it's also one of the most expensive and crowded. Swap it out for Nafplion, a little-known gem in the Peloponnese, around 2 hours from Athens.

You can grab affordable flights to Athens and there's a public bus which can take you to Nafplion. You could spend the day there or go for a few nights.

You can visit the Palamidi Fortress, wander around museums, and stroll around the untouched quint streets to find the perfect taverna for your date night.

💍 Why not pop the question at the top of the 999 steps to the fortress, with incredible views of this coastal city?

Swap Amsterdam for Copenhagen 🇩🇰

We love Amsterdam, but the canals are getting more and more crowded, for a similar vibe, try Copenhagen. It's super romantic: think strolls along the canals, scenic photos in front of colourful houses and massive churches. There's a 19th-century amusement park right in the middle of the city, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney. That definitely makes for a brilliant date! It's usually open until 10pm, so very romantic with all the lights on in the dark. Season starts in April.

💍 Have a fairytale proposal at The Little Mermaid statue, one of Copenhagen's famous landmarks. It's a tribute to writer Hans Christian Andersen and his story about the princess of the Mer-people, who fell in love with a human and her desire to become human herself. ❤️