Top 5 romantic destinations to learn a language
Friday, 21st January 2011
If you want to show your love but preferably not with 50 other couples crammed into the same restaurant, a lone candle between them, then Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to nip abroad...
It doesn’t even matter if Valentine’s Day is celebrated in your chosen destination – in fact, it’s almost better if it’s not – as some destinations just ooze charm every day of the year. With this in mind, here are our top 5 destinations for sharing a little romance whilst learning some of the local lingo.
1. Vienna, Austria
If you want a romantic European city break but something a little different from much-lauded Paris, then the Austrian capital may just hit the spot. No better way to impress your other half than with a horse-drawn carriage sweeping past magnificent imperial buildings and storybook Hapsburg palaces, followed by an idyllic walk through Vienna Woods, where hearts and arrows are etched onto the bark of trees. And when it’s time to stop, the city is a haven of chandelier-lit coffee houses where the local speciality of sacher torte – rich chocolate cake with a thick, indulgent icing – is just the thing to share à deux. No matter that it may be cold in February; Viennese buildings are sumptuous on the inside and, besides, what better excuse to huddle up and keep warm.
2. Cartagena, Colombia
Some say that Cartagena is the most romantic city in South America, and it’s easy to see why. Sitting on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, you can’t help but fall in love as you walk through the Old Town’s narrow cobbled streets, tropical flowers spilling down from balconies above, the infectious beat of salsa on every street corner and warm days drawing to a close as the sun dips below the horizon each night. The natural warmth and affection of the locals, coupled with an inherent love for life, is nothing short of infectious.
3. St Petersburg, Russia
A city steeped in history, legend and intrigue, St Petersburg is an unexpected yet wonderful choice if you want to whisk away your loved one. It has no shortage of romantic spots, such as the spectacular Heritage, the fairytale-like Winter Palace and the elaborately decorated Mariinsky Theatre, home to the city’s best ballet and opera and a wonderful opportunity to dress in your finery. Special moments should be saved for a cruise along the Nevsky Prospect, which is equal if not better than a boat ride on the Seine in Paris. And when it comes to eating out, St Petersburg is a treasure trove of exquisite places to dine.
Russian courses in St Petersburg
4. Québec City, Canada
Québec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and as such is full of history, character and charm. It is a perfect romantic winter getaway, celebrating its Winter Festival just before Valentine’s Day – a perfect excuse to wrap up warm, play in the snow and dive into a friendly bistro for a chocolat chaud. Amongst the city’s many magical spots are the Quartier Petit Champlain, an enchanting European-style neighbourhood of boutiques and cobbled streets, the magnificent Château Frontenac and the UNESCO World Heritage treasure of Old Québec. This is a place that makes you feel warm on the inside even when it’s snowing outside.
5. Siena, Italy
It would be impossible to talk of romance without including Italy. Although the whole country is synonymous with amour, Siena is a wonderful place to base yourself. In the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by rolling hills dotted with cypress trees and vineyards, its historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its central square, the Piazza del Campo, is an architectural treasure and is the perfect spot to sit down to a real Italian gelato and watch the world go by. Wander hand in hand through the city’s cobbled streets beneath magnificent Gothic architecture and indulge in delicious local food by night; for a romantic couple’s escape, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Italian courses in Siena
Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide.
Tags: valentine's day, romantic, february, russian, italian, german, french, spanish
Posted by Sarah Watkins 2011-01 under Destinations for you,
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