This Valentine’s Day treat your sweetheart to a little something different, and if you are like most travelers, romance Eastern Europe will be a lot to take in. If Paris has become a bore, if Venice is has finally gotten all wet, why not consider Prague or even Malta this year?
Prague for the Love of Her
Valentine’s Day in Prague is about just about as romantic as it gets. This ancient city, claimed by most who visit to be the most beautiful in all Europe, boasts of some of the most romantic and awe inspiring hotels, world class restaurants, and far better prices than much of the rest of Europe (but don’t spill those unromantic beans).
Hergetova Cihelna on the terrace - courtesy Hergetova Cihelna
Dinner under the lights of Prague, just the thought tantalizes the senses. And thinking of a romantic interlude beneath the Charles Bridge on a dinner cruise, now that is Valentine’s Hollywood and Eastern European style. The Bohemian spirit of this city is pervasive here as it always has been, but there is no shortage Habsburg influenced finery either.
Hergetova Cihelna just in front of the Charles Bridge - courtesy Hergetova Cihelna
Recommendations this year might include old standbys for dinner like Kampa Park and Hergetova Cihelna (two images above). And if you want the Michelin Star treatment without paying for Gordon Ramsey’s next opening single handed, try the Céleste Restaurant a Bar, as you can see from the image below, perfect for feeling crispy and loved if we don’t miss our bet about your girl.
Céleste Restaurant a Bar, French cuisine never had better surroundings - Courtesy Céleste Restaurant a Bar
Oh, I mentioned a dinner cruise. Well this company offers a very nice trip along the river with the right kind of atmosphere. There are many companies offering such romantic evenings on the river though. Some of the better hotels even offer this Valentine’s sweetness as part of a package, so you might check before booking too quickly. For Luxury there’s Kempinksi, who can arrange just about anything. Then there’s Amethyst for the budget minded who would love the city center treatment, and everything in between. The important thing is really to be in Prague when February 14 rolls around.
Charles Bridge from the river at night - courtesy Janice Duryea
Malta Valentine’s Wishes
If Venice might be a bit soggy this year, so a good alternative would certainly be Malta. You read that right, not many people think of this fascinating Island treasure – heck, not many have heard of it save those who remember the Maltese Falcon. But one of the most romantic and picturesque destinations on Earth awaits two more love birds. The hotel image below, categorized by the author “our humble hotel” shows but a fraction of the possibility there.
Wendell's humble hotel in Malta - courtesy his fantastic photography.
Having a romantic dinner in Malta actually involves nothing more than eating with your Valentine there, but for those in need of a bit of pampering, restaurants like The Arches are unique and distinctive places, but there are quite a lot of such refinements on the Island. But for the true romantic, there’s really only one way to roll on Malta. Room service at the finest hotel one can afford makes all the sense in the world. Besides, the great rates on so many other things here (like scenery, oh boy, look at the image below) make splurging for Valentine’s so logical.
Malta is for lovers too
For this mind set, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz has to be the finest all round accommodation on Malta. Spend the day speeding about the Island with your Valentine, hit all the shops, then come back for a massage and some luxury pampering – retired after a bit of dancing and night air – and do room service late at night and in the morning. I know I got all of you with that one. And if you are thinking a five star hotel is out of your league – think again. The Valentine’s package with the view below is only €190 for two days with the pool view, five course gourmet meal, a bottle of champaign, and roses in your room too, you see. Using Kayak I also found an Air Malta flight from nearby Frankfurt for a bit over $250, and without searching hard or looking at budget airlines.
So, for €400 plus Valentine’s could be very special this year. More romantic places to melt a heart tomorrow.
Room service - courtesy Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
