Valentine's Day Breaks 2010

Spoil your sweetheart this 14th February with one of the many excellent Valentine's Day travel deals available. Share the love in Europe- travel with Eurostar and even add in hotel packages.

The “City of Light” is the most romantic city in the world, and has more shops and department stores per km² than any other city on the planet, so you’ll be sure to have the perfect Valentine’s Day experience.

See the Eiffel Tower completely illuminated- climb the first and second levels, then use the elevators to reach the uppermost floors where you can dine in comfort in one of the two restaurants- Le Jules Vernes has gourmet dining from the renowned chef Alain Ducasse.

Find the perfect bouquets at La Madeleine with its Le Marché aux Fleurs, or in the Cité des Sciences’ orchid expo.

Indulge your sense by sharing chocolate hearts at the famous Richart confectioners, then taking a natural wine tasting session and tour in the oldest wine shop in Paris with its extensive cellar, the Caves Augé, followed by a tour of Alléosee where there are over 150 different varieties of fine cheeses and the only maturing cellar in the Parisian underground, the Rue Clairaut. For a more private setting, take an intimate dinner cruise for two along the river Seine and Paris’ underground waterways, where you can candlelit gourmet meal for two with your own musical accompaniment from one of the reputable companies such as Bateaux Parisiens, Marina de Bercy, Bateaux Mouches and Yachts de Paris.

Climb the stairs, or take the funicular (for the price of 1 paris metro ticket) to the top of the Montmartre village overlooking the north of Paris, where you can see the Wall of I Love Yous, over 1000 declarations of love in over 300 different languages. Afterwards, you can take your sweetheart for a romantic drink at the Ronsard at 13 Place St-Pierre with its stunning views, then on to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica for an even more panoramic landscape.

Enjoy a night time stroll for two through the romantic streets of Paris:

• See the Musee du Louvre softly illuminated at night.
• Spend some quality time in the most beautiful square in the world, the Place des Vosges, which is also the oldest planned square in Paris.
• Spanning 5 km from from the Louvre museum to La Place de Concorde is Paris’ most central park, the Tuileries Gardens ; dating from 1664 and designed by Le Notre, it now has small cafés and guided tours.
• One of Paris’ well-kept secrets, the Canal Saint-Martin, which runs over the Seine, and has shops, walking, cycling and picnic areas.
• After your walk, head to the historical Le Marais district for alternative shopping, walking tours in the Rue de Turenne and a good night’s rest in the private apartments, budget-priced accommodation and luxury 5 start hotels.

Soak up some culture in the Parc de la Villette (located in the Cité des Sciences et de L'Industrie) whose Prairie du Triangle shows open air screenings of classic films right through into the summer. There are cultural events and shows in the Cité’s Grand Hall, and the Zenith Hall is one of Paris’ most significant concert halls.

Some of the best cuisine in Europe is right in the city of Paris, including restaurants such as:

• Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée on the avenue de Montaigne
• Le Grand Véfour overlooking the Palais Royal gardens
• Arpège under chef Alain Passard
• Le Meurice hotel and restaurant overlooking Les Jardins des Tuileries
• Pavillon LeDoyen on avenue Dutuit near the Avenue de Champs-Élysées
• L'Ambroisie on the Place des Vosges
• Dans le Noir? restaurant, lounge and bar in the heart of the city, where diners are taken around by blinded guides, and sample the Valentine’s Day menus in total darkness.