Love is in the air… Over here at Inghams HQ we are always thinking about when and where our next holiday is going to be to, and we can’t wait to grab our partner’s hands and whisk them off on an adventure! The lakes and mountains of Europe are beckoning, and if the thought of potentially popping the question on top of a mountain doesn’t get your heart beating, then perhaps a romantic hike hand-and-hand with your partner beforehand will…
Travelling with your loved one and experiencing new sights together can bring you closer, and the unique shared experience will last you a life time. We’ve compiled this handy Insider’s Guide that will hopefully inspire your next holiday to be the most romantic yet.
If you fancy … A secluded escape
If you fancy… Wining and dining
If you fancy… A city break
If you fancy … A hand-in-hand adventure
Lake Garda is surely one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Set against a backdrop of wooded slopes and dotted with stylish elegant resorts, it is certainly one of the most romantic areas in Italy to celebrate an anniversary or indeed, exchange your vows at one of stunning wedding venues in the area (including castles, palaces, and even at the top of a medieval tower!).
Inghams recommends:
A Chalet Hotel exclusive to Inghams, guests of the Chalet Hotel Galeazzi in the Gardone Riviera have access to their own swimming pool, bar and lounge at the hotel. The hotel is only a 5 minute walk away from the lake side promenade, and 7 minutes walk from the centre of the resort.
Ascona, Switzerland
Sitting on the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore on the border between Switzerland and Italy, Ascona is known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Maggiore’ and is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. This quaint lakeside town is situated in a sunny bay near the delta of the Maggia River and has a special charm. You can enjoy balmy summers evenings on the promenade, take a hand-in-hand stroll and adventure out onto the lake in the regular ferries.
Inghams recommends:
Enjoy an unbeatable location at the Hotel Casa Berno in Ascona, with a terrace that overlooks the lake and mountains. Guests have access to the outdoor swimming pool, vista terrace, subtropical garden and the hotel is only 5 minutes away by shuttle bus to the centre of the resort.
Surrounded by mountains that reach to the heavens, Lake Lucerne is nestled into the Swiss Alps and seeped in history, beauty and romance. The legend of ‘William Tell’ originates from this little corner of the world, along with other colourful stories and tales in both international literature and folklore. You can explore his birthplace on the wonderful 1st Class day ticket on the Lake Lucerne boat excursion that takes you across the lake during the day, allowing you to embark and disembark as you please.
Inghams recommends:
Set in a tranquil location, Hotel Alexander in Weggis has excellent spa facilities, cuisine, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. A 15 minute stroll away from the resort centre, the hotel is the epitome of quiet relaxation.
Situated in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Montecatini Terme is the perfect, idyllic location to head to if you and your partner love nothing more than relaxing on an al fresco dining terrace, whilst looking out of the stunning sienna hills. Montecatini Terme is the epitome of Italian Tuscan towns with climbing cobbled streets lined with cafes, hotels and restaurants you can find some truly outstanding cuisine in this part of the country. All food and drink is made from local produce, and the wines of the region are internationally famous.
Inghams recommends:
Stay with Inghams at the lovely Hotel Astoria which is located only a few minutes walk from the centre of Montecatini, and has a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool and terrace. Delicious Italian food served in the dining room, and the wealth of the towns restaurants nearby, you’ll never go hungry!
A real fairy tale location, Lake Bled is an obvious destination to head to for those romantics amongst us, but it is also a great hot spot for delicious food and wine. The attractions of Lake Bled are obvious, the pristine blue lake with its dainty church on an island, with the quaint little town that’s overshadowed by the medieval castle perched high on the cliff. You can enjoy the Taste of Slovenia excursion with us, that follows the trail of the River Soca by train, boat and coach and finishes at the largest wine cellar in Slovenia!
Inghams recommends:
You can’t get much better than the Hotel Park in Bled! Located at the centre of the town, and right on the edge of the lake, there is an indoor rooftop pool, a sun terrace on the edge of the lake, and a wonderful spa. For those who are celebrating an anniversary, wedding or even birthday- there’s a bottle of wine with your name on it…
France is famous for being romantic as well as its delicious cuisine, best enjoyed while sipping a glass of red wine while overlooking a cobbled town square. And you’ll find plenty of joie de vivre at the beautiful Lake Annecy in the French Alps. The cleanest lake in Europe, the stunning scenery was depicted in oil on canvas by the artist Cézanne in 1896, stay with us at the Hotel l’Abbaye des Talloires and you can dine in the evening right beside the lake.
Inghams recommends:
A short walk from the Lake Annecy beach, Hotel Les Grillons is a long-time Inghams favourite and includes a delightful outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and there is also a delicious restaurant with a lounge and bar.
Better known as the ‘City of Music’, Vienna is the capital of Austria and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The whole place is full of romantic charm and plenty of culture for the city lover. Home of several famous musical maestros including Beethoven, Mozart and Shubert, Vienna has also been a firm favourite of many of the Austo-Hungarian aristocracy over the years, whose wealth and fortune allowed the city to blossom into cornucopia of art, design and architecture. It goes without saying that Vienna has been a hot spot for some of the greatest minds in Western history, so why not start exploring the numerous galleries, houses and buildings that pay tribute to the musicians, aristocrats and psychologists who paved their way through history?
Inghams recommends:
Unbeatable location in Vienna and only a walking distance from the state opera house, the Hotel Kaiserhof is a classic city hotel built in an imperial style. Delicious restaurant in the hotel that caters for a variety of different diets, you can get a glass of sparkling wine with breakfast before exploring the delights of Vienna.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux celebrates an unusually mild and balmy climate and makes an ideal destination for those who want to explore the town at a leisurely pace. The lake front is lined with a gorgeous promenade, and the whole town comes to life in July with the finger clicking, toe-tapping Montreux Jazz Festival. If you’re in search of some culture, Montreux is home to the ‘Chateau du Chillion’, that inspired the great romantic poet Lord Byron during his adventures.
Inghams recommends:
Situated at the heart of Montreux, the Hotel Suisse-Majestic is perfectly located for those who want to jump on board boat or train excursions, or simply want a convenient ‘home base’ for their city break. Lovely views of the lake, there is a restaurant in the hotel but also other nearby restaurants if you want a little variety.
What could be more romantic than taking a serenading gondola ride with your partner up one of Venice’s many picturesque waterways? The mysterious ‘City of Masks’ maintains its charm and intrigue over the centuries, and has become an iconic city of romance after being depicted in paintings, poems, plays, and films. Birthplace of the ultimate romantic himself, Casanova, Venice is fantastic destination, whatever the occasion: be it an anniversary, a honeymoon, a weekend getaway or simply the intended destination to finally pop the question…
Inghams recommends:
Situated right on one of the smaller canals in Venice, the Hotel Casa Nicolò Priuli is perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist attractions of the city and dip and dive out of the tiny little back streets and squares. There is a secluded garden terrace and a rooftop terrace as well.
‘Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?’
Guessed it yet?
Verona is the home of the one and only star cross’d lovers, Romeo and Juliet! The titular characters of Shakespeare’s doomed romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet have been brining audiences to tears for nearly 600 years with their tale of the young lovers who were not to be. And now you can see ‘fair Verona’ for yourself and visit the very balcony that Juliet is supposed to have stood on at Casa di Giulietta on Via Cappello. If literature isn’t your thing then maybe you’d prefer to visit the stunning Verona Opera, or Verona’s city art museum? There is plenty to do in Verona when you’re in love…
Inghams recommends:
The Hotel Milano in Verona has recently been refurbished to a high standard, and stands as a classic city hotel, only 50m away from the main square, Piazza Brá, where the amphitheatre is to be found. Plenty of bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity as well.
Berchtesgaden, Germany
At the heart of Germany’s Bavarian Alps and close to the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden is a great location to head to if you’re the sort of couple who like to pull on a pair of walking boots and get out and about. Glorious alpine setting, there are plenty of hiking trails and cycling routes for you to have your fill in. Berchtesgaden itself is a pretty little village with colourful listed cottages lining the sides of the cobbled streets, with plenty of cafes and restaurants.
Inghams recommends:
Unbeatable views of the mountains, Alpenhotel Kronprinz in Berchtesgaden is situated in an elevated position and only a 5 minute walk away from the centre of the town. You can enjoy free weekly guided tours of the area, and a free Oberbayern Card which gives access to the Watzmann & Rupertus thermal spa.
Perhaps better known as being a world-class ski resort during the winter, Zermatt is a haven for the ramblers during the summer as well, with over 400km of well-maintained and marked walking trails. Sitting underneath the mighty Matterhorn mountain, you can grab a Peak Pass and spend the day walking amongst the meadows, or ride the cable cars and gondolas and soak in the fabulous views across the area. After an active day out and about with your partner, you can soak up the sunshine on the mountain bars and restaurants.
Inghams recommends:
The Hotel Alpenhof in Zermatt is situated in a quiet, river-side location yet only a 2 minute walk from Zermatt’s main street, and includes an indoor swimming pool, spa area, outdoor Jacuzzi, plunge pool and gardens. Great way to unwind after a day of exploring Zermatt’s 400km of hiking trails.
Lake Trasimeno, Italy
Whilst hiking across the hills in the Italian sun might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is still plenty to do and explore in and around Lake Trasimeno in Umbria, Italy. Known as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’, Lake Trasimeno is surrounded by ancient hamlets and villages, and has two islands, all of which are well connected by ferries and boats. You can catch the ferry to Isola Maggiore and explore the tiny fishing hamlet here, as well as the beautiful churches and buildings on the tiny island. Take the 2.5km stroll around its perimetre and enjoy the gentle breeze off the lake.
Inghams recommends:
Right on the lake front promenade, Hotel Lido’s restaurant and bar area juts out into the lake on a jetty so you can really make the most of those beautiful lake side views. The hotel has a pool, and the ferry point for exploring the nearby villages and islands is only 100m away.
Nestled in the protection of the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, Chamonix is once again a great location for the couple that likes to get out and about. There is a huge variety of different activities to indulge in in Chamonix including rafting, parapenting, mountain biking, climbing, horse riding… just to name a few! The town of Chamonix itself has a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes to relax in at the end of the day. If you like a bit of sightseeing then you can always enjoy the wonderful view from the Aiguille du Midi cable car as you ride it up the mountain.
Inghams recommends:
A favourite of the skiers and snowboarders who flock to Chamonix in the winter, Chalet Hotel Sapiniere makes a fantastic getaway for the summer ramblers and mountain lovers. A 5 minute walk from Chamonix centre, the chalet hotel looks out over the Savoy meadows, and the mountains beyond.
