We suggest seven places in Europe to propose this Valentine’s Day, all with flights for less than £70.
1. Paris, France
Where else? Tom Cruise might have spoiled it ever-so-slightly it by proposing to Katie up the top of the Eiffel Tower (like, how original?), but Paris is still unquestionably the City of Love. Speaking from personal experience, it’s way better to propose on a street corner in St Germain. It was meant to be on the Ile St. Louis, but a drunk and a one-footed pigeon somewhat killed the mood of love.
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Being as Amsterdam is the City of Diamonds, you’re in the right place for scoping out a ring. It’s also the city of lust, so take a wander round the Red Light District to get in the mood. Or maybe not. Much wiser to get merrily wasted on wonderful witbier in a cosy ‘brown café’ (traditional, atmospheric old man’s pubs) in the Jordaan, and when she (or he) is feeling all warm and fuzzy (from the beer), ask ‘how’s about it then, babe?’
3. Verona, Italy
Ah, the fair city of Verona, where Romeo fancied Rosalind but forgot all about her sharpish when his eyes met Juliet’s across a crowded fish tank and he thought ‘phwoarr, I’ll have some of that’. Alas, as we all know, it wasn’t to be for the star-crossed pair, but hopefully a romantic trip to Verona will end in ‘I do’ rather than ‘a curse on both your houses’.
4. London, England
Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed. Ah, Andie McDowell, we love you really. Hopefully it will be raining kittens and puppies so you can re-create that scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral when Hugh Grant asks the aforementioned American not to marry him. Find a posh street of white-washed houses off the Kings Road like in the film, and you can say proudly say your marriage was ‘made in Chelsea’ (ha, ha!). Kristen Scott Thomas was way nicer, but that’s beside the point.
5. Paphos, Cyprus
Being a goddess of love must give you at least a small step up on the ladder of love. You’d have the pick of every bronzed Adonis strutting his stuff to Rhianna down her local Ritzy’s. Unfortunately for Aphrodite, she couldn’t see that there was a massive talent pool out there (love being blind, of course) and she whacked all her chips on the wrong guy. But hopefully your love will last for ever if you propose at the spot where she met the man of her dreams – the Adonis Baths.
6. Kissing, Germany
Geddit? Pick up a pair of cheap flights to Munich and whisk the love of your life off to this appropriately-named municipality in Bavaria. Don’t get confused with nearby Bad Kissingen, unless your intended has a particularly well-developed sense of humour and hasn’t in fact been pining for a proposal in Paris. Otherwise she or he may be giving you the kiss-off.
7. Rome, Italy
Do it doggy style by recreating the touching scene from Disney classic Lady and the Tramp where Lady and, er, Tramp, slurp spaghetti to the tune of Bella Notte. You’d think it’s Rome, but actually it’s set in New England. Yes, they’re dogs, so public displays of affection could be considered distasteful, but it’s so cute! (is it? – Ed) – he even gives her the last meatball, and if that’s not love, what is?
