Romance not dead as brits take off for Valentine's

More people than ever before are choosing to whisk their partners off for a romantic Valentine’s break, according to a high street travel retailer. Flight Centre travel consultants across the country have noticed an increase in enquiries from people looking for a romantic getaway this month and its not just Europe that is proving popular.

With the great dollar exchange rate the USA is a popular choice this year, as well as city breaks in places such as Muscat and Cape Town.

Zoe Heywood, marketing manager said: “It seems with Valentine’s falling on a Wednesday this year that people are deciding to use it as an excuse for a winter city break and travelling either the weekend before or after. February is still low season and there are some great deals to be had not only to Europe but further a field as well.”

Flight Centre has put together some ideas for Valentine’s escapes:

Roman holiday from £229
Flight Centre has a three-night package to Rome from £229 per person staying at the Scheppers hotel on a bed and breakfast basis and flying with British Airways from Heathrow. Rome has everything you need from romantic break from beautiful plazas and old streets to stroll around, the opulent Vatican, Roman Forum and Coliseum to visit and quaint restaurants and cafes to eat and drink in.

Stunning Cologne from £269
Flight Centre has four-night packages to Cologne from £269 per person staying at the three-star Flanderischer Hof hotel on a bed and breakfast basis and flying with British Airways from Heathrow. The Kolner Dom cathedral is the Mt Everest of cathedrals with its soaring twin spires and provides the ideal religious location to propose.

Russian fun in St Petersburg from £409
Flight Centre has four-night packages from £409 staying at the four-star Guyot hotel, including hot buffet breakfast and flights with British Airways from Heathrow. There is likely to still be snow in St Petersburg and there is nothing more romantic than a troika ride through the snow.

A weekend break to the Big Apple from £549
Flight Centre has a four-night package to New York from £549 staying at four-star Helmsley Park Lane hotel close to Central Park with return flights with British Airways from Heathrow. Romantic things to do in the city include a helicopter ride over the city, a carriage ride around Central Park and ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre.

Cape Town Town city break from £619
Flight Centre has five-night packages over Valentine’s weekend to Cape Town from £799 per person staying at the four-star St George’s Hotel and flying with British Airways from Heathrow. Make sure you take your loved one to the top of Table Mountain by either walking up or taking the more leisurely Cable Car that runs until around 7pm in the evening.

Dance a moody tango in Buenos Aires from £745
Flight Centre has a five-night package over the Valentine’s weekend to Buenos Aires from £699 staying at the four-star Reino del Plata hotel, including hot buffet breakfast and flights with Alitalia from Heathrow. Take your Valentine to see one of the fabulous tango shows or try and few steps yourself and join a class.

A taste of Arabia in Oman £869
Flight Centre has five-night packages to Muscat, Oman from £869 per person staying at the five-star Chedi Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis and flying direct British Airways from Heathrow. As well as relaxing by the pool and wandering around one of the best souks in the Middle East, Muscat also has world class diving with its unspoilt coral and marine life.

For information and reservations visit flightcentre.co.uk.