Get all luvved-up with a Valentine's break
VALENTINE'S has crept up on us this year but if you're in a panic over a luv break there's still time to book. And where better to start than the city of love.You can both have a love-ly time in Paris with live rugby for him and shopping for her.
The 6 Nations clash between Ireland and France takes place on February 11 and with the game happening at 8pm, you and your other half can catch a bite to eat before kick-off, in one of Paris' many restaurants and cafés such as Les Arts, Le Café de l'Orient and Le Petit Breton, which are all located in the vicinity of the stadium.
Meanwhile the Paris sales are set to continue until Valentine's Day. So, while he is celebrating or sulking after the match, she can go and bag a bargain in a Paris boutique. Some designer items can be discounted by up to 80 per cent towards the end of the sales.
Many Paris hotels are currently offering discounted rates on accommodation in February. A selection of Paris hotels also offer couples rates and Valentines packages. For more, go online to rendezvousenfrance.com.
For further afield you can fly to Chicago on February 10 and spend five romantic nights at the 3* Doubletree by Hilton Chicago right beside the Magnificent Mile from €899pp with SUNWAY.
Or if you only have the weekend lastminute.com has a trip to Barcelona at €504 for two people in the 3 star BHotel from Friday 10th -
Sunday 12th February. This trendy hotel has easy access to Las Ramblas and you can sip a glass of bubbly from the 8th floor pool bar before sampling the hotel's special romantic-aphrodisiac dinner consisting of cava, seafood and chocolate fondue.
Closer to home, luxury hotel the CONRAD DUBLIN, has a concierge service for Valentine's Day for those males too busy to be romantic. He'll order the flowers, provide the champagne, choose the chocolates, and even decorate the room with rose petals. Then head down for a five-course tasting menu for Valentine's with champagne room rates start from €229 for two people sharing,
including the dinner.
FITZPATRICK CASTLE HOTEL, Killiney, has a one night getaway for €99.50 per person sharing including dinner in the Dungeon Bistro.
THE MARITIME in Bantry, has two nights B&B with a candlelit dinner for two in the Ocean Restaurant and bottle of prosecco and chocolate dipped strawberries from €139 per person sharing.
Or take an indulgent break in the five-star CULLODEN ESTATE AND SPA which overlooks Belfast Lough. From February 10-14 couples can enjoy an overnight stay including a romantic dinner for two, a glass of bubbly on arrival, a red rose and full Irish breakfast from £110 per person.
Where to go on holidays... it's always a tough call. And even more so now that we DEFINITELY can only afford one sun holiday a year! I have always leaned towards the Spanish mainland and have been lucky enough to enjoy many memorable trips to places like Salou, Marbella and Benalmadena on the mainland and (when I was much younger) Ibiza in the Balearic islands.
These include visits to a nature reserve, a gin distillery or the commercial capital of Mahon on the east.We stayed at Cala Blanca on the west of the island and near the historic harbour town of Ciutadella. It's an old port with its own gothic cathedral, palaces and narrow cobbled streets which hide stylish boutiques and cafes. Down the steps from the main square lies the port with its brightly coloured fishing boats, lively restaurants and bars on one side and the nightclubs on the other. And it was from this spot that we boarded the 'Ocean Cat' for a sail-cruise around the south of the island. It was a truly wonderful experience and one I would recommend to all.
With six swimming pools (including slide pool and a kiddies pool) as well as its own private beach, it was ideal for those lazy, hazy days of idle relaxation. The beach was set in a small sandy cove, with the gentle lapping of the water an invite to swim with the fish and float on the clear, sun-sparkled Mediterranean Sea.