Travel

Four romantic Valentine's Day holidays

With Valentine's Day just three weeks away, it may be too late to book a romantic break for the day itself. Luckily, a booking confirmation for a romantic getaway is a decent alternative. That way you still get a romantic break, but without the tackiness of the full Valentine's Day circus.

The White Cliffs Hotel in Kent is "the quintessential English country hotel", says the Daily Mail, and perfect for a romantic break. The hotel is set amongst breathtaking scenery and the White Cliffs of Dover offer a scenic opportunity for a bracing walk.

Afterwards you can head back into the hotel and curl up in front of a roaring log fire or have a meal at the hotel's Bay Restaurant, which "offers the very best in comfort food", says the Mail. For some pampering visit the Loft Micro Spa within the hotel. The signature Hydrotherm massage is unmissable – you are treated while lying on a heated waterbed.

• Rooms from £69 a night for a double (01304-852229; www.thewhitecliffs.com).

If you prefer to be a bit more active, head to Austria for a romantic ski-break for two. The ski village of Westendorf was once voted Europe's prettiest thanks to its traditional onion-domed church and wooden chalets. "It feels like something out of  Hansel and Gretel," says Annabelle Thorpe in the Sunday Express.

The ski slopes cater for all abilities as the resort is now connected to the giant 90-lift Skiwelt ski area thanks to a new gondola service. Once you tire of the slopes try a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

To add a touch of romance to the après-ski experience head to one of the many hotel's "stubes". These are "beautiful traditional rooms with carved wooden booths" that are separate from the main hotel and open to non-residents, says Thorpe, who recommends the stube at the Post Hotel in the village.

The Post Hotel is also a good place to stay, being housed in a traditional Austrian building that dates from 1593 with original features including wood panelling. Most rooms are decorated in Alpine style. And all for the stunning price of €48 a night in peak season.

• Inghams offers seven nights half board including flights from £489 (020-8780 4447, www.inghams.co.uk; or you can book with the hotel direct by visiting www.hotelpost.co.at).

Those looking for an alternative to Paris for a romantic city break should visit Brussels. It has "oodles of ohh-la-la", says The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. "You'd be hard pressed to find a more exquisite heart to a city than the Grand Place, ringed by guildhouses and the Gothic town hall".

This is also the perfect location for those with a sweet-tooth. Place du Grand Sablon in the Upper Town is known as 'chocolate square' thanks to its mass of shops selling exquisite handmade Belgian chocolates. Or head to the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate. There you can trace chocolate back to the Aztecs and, of course, try the many tempting samples.

As for romantic restaurants, they don't come much more loved up than Bleu de Toi – the name means 'completely in love with you'. One only to be avoided by carbon footprint obsessives – the Canadian lobster is flown in fresh every day.

End your day with a room at the Stanhope, says The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. This beautiful hotel is "classically furnished with every desired amenity on tap."

• Rooms cost from £298 (00 32 2506 9111, www.stanhope.be).

And finally, busy Valentines can take any hard work out of their gesture of love with a stay at The Dylan in Dublin. The gorgeous boutique hotel even has a "romance concierge" to arrange everything from baths full of rose petals to champagne. Or even that last minute gift for your lover.

• The Valentines package costs €649 for one night staying on either 13 or 14 February (00 353 1 660 3000; www.dylan.ie).