Take the fast track to romance

Tired of the same old Valentines Day destinations – Venice, Paris, Rome? Why not treat your loved one this February to an alternative yet equally romantic weekend away with the help of Rail Europe’s guide to Valentine’s Day with a difference.

Taking the train is by far the more romantic option. Start your journey with a glass of champagne in St Pancras International's 315-foot long Champagne Bar before you hop on board Eurostar and are whisked away to the continent. Not only can you enjoy spectacular scenery in comfort and arrive at your destination relaxed and rested when taking the train, you also avoid traffic jams, airport hassles and lengthy check-ins associated with other modes of travel. Rail travel is the environmentally friendly option emitting only 5.7 grammes of carbon per kilometer so you’ll be showing your love for the environment as well as your partner!

Bruges:

Known as the ‘Venice of the North’ with its winding waterways and cobbled streets, Bruges could certainly give its southern counterpart a run for its money in the romance stakes too.

Take in the charm of this medieval city by riding in a horse drawn carriage or cruise down the maze of crisscrossing canals until you reach the Lake of Love.

Cool down with a locally brewed beer or get cosy with a hot chocolate in one of the many cafes lining the streets. Share a traditional Belgian waffle or if you’re looking something a little heartier then feast on traditional stews. You’ll soon see why Bruges is a gastronomic delight!

Fares from £59 per person standard class return
Journey time from 4 hours 09 minutes
Route: London – Brussels on Eurostar, then a local train to Bruges.

Reims:

Escape the many other couples who will be visiting the ‘City of Love’ this year by taking a short train ride to the east of Paris and arriving in Reims where you certainly won’t be missing out on any of the romance.

Reims is home to some of the world’s most famous and finest champagne houses. Take a guided tour through the cellars and tunnels, see the champagne making process and finish off with an all important taste test!

Not only is Reims famous for its champagne, its architecture is some of the most impressive in France. The Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is one of four UNESCO world heritage sites, which has seen French Kings crowned since the Middle Ages.

With the opening of the new high speed TGV-Est line in summer 2007, Reims is now 45 minutes from Paris, making it perfect for a weekend getaway.

Fares from £79 per person standard class return
Journey time from 4 hours 02 minutes
Route: London – Paris on Eurostar, then the TGV to Reims.

Verona:

You can’t get more romantic than Romeo and Juliet so why not see where Shakespeare’s most famous love story began and take a trip to Verona.

Visit Via Cappello to see the balcony and courtyard where the legendary encounter took place between the two lovers. Set in a beautiful landscape with surrounding mountains and the River Adige, it is easy to see why Shakespeare saw Verona as the perfect setting for his romantic play.

Wander the streets, making sure you stop off at Piazza delle Erbe, a bustling market place and home to the Fountain of the Verona Madonna. Another of the city symbols which is a must see is the Roman Arena. Built in the first century AD, it is one of the largest amphitheatres in Italy and was once the site of many gladiator fights.

Nowadays, you can find much more cultured entertainment, especially in the summer where it hosts the world famous Verona Opera Festival.

Fares from £124 per person for travel in standard class and a 6 berth couchette.
Journey time from 15 hours 27 minutes
Route: London – Paris on Eurostar, then the Artesia overnight service from Paris to Verona.

Barcelona:

If its not just romance you’re after, then Barcelona has it all. From the culinary delights of ‘tapas’ to the passion of flamenco, Barcelona is definitely one of the most vibrant cities in Europe.

Everyone from art lovers to footie fanatics will be content with what this city has to offer. The Museo Picasso is a must along with Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, a cathedral that is now one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Barcelona is also home to the largest football stadium in Europe, Camp Nou, with its very own museum and guided tour, this is a sure-fire way to keep the lads happy!

Wander down Las Ramblas and enjoy an array of street performers and artists or if you fancy something a little more relaxed pack a picnic and head to Park Güell, another of Gaudi’s treasures, where you can take in some of the best views in Barcelona.

Fares from £189 per person for travel in standard class and a 4 berth couchette.
Journey time from 16 hours 24 minutes
Route: London – Paris on Eurostar, then the Elipsos overnight service from Paris to Barcelona.

Amsterdam:

When you think of Amsterdam, romance may not be the first thing that springs to mind, however, a visit to the Dutch capital will soon have you thinking differently. The city boasts examples of modern architecture and century-old art collections by masters such as Van Gogh himself.

Amsterdam is a shoppers’ delight from boutiques to antiques, markets to malls, you can find it all in Amsterdam. Be sure to quench your thirst at the Heineken Experience and find out how the beer is brewed and bottled.

To give your Valentines Day that extra sparkle, take your loved one to a diamond factory where you can see how diamonds are cut and polished and while you’re there why not take the opportunity to purchase that special ring!

If you don’t mind postponing your trip, hang on until summer 2009, where a new high speed line is opening between Brussels and Amsterdam, cutting journey times down by around an hour from London to Amsterdam.

Fares from £89 per person for travel in standard class and a 4 berth couchette.
Journey time from 5 hours 39 minutes
Route: London – Brussels on Eurostar, then a local train to Amsterdam.

To book European rail travel, log on to Raileurope.co.uk or call into the Rail Europe Travel Centre at 1 Regent Street, London SW1.