Valentine’s getaways - home and away

Paris for lovers - plus a tour of the city by 2CV, wine tasting in the cellars of the sommelier to Louis XV, a tour of St Germain des Pres taking in four chocolatiers and two patissiers and a romantic dinner at a superb Art Nouveau Restaurant - is the offer this Valentine’s Day from Belle France.

The twin-share price of £1359 per person, for departures from London St Pancas on 11 February, includes first class travel on Eurostar, four nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles – a charming and romantic hotel in the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter – plus activities, tours and dinner at Le Buisson Ardent (as above).

For those who prefer to make their own travel arrangements, the cost is £1199 per person (twin share). For more information, visit Bellefrance.co.uk.

Or, for a romantic holiday in the UK this Valentine’s, Waterways Holidays suggests a weekend break or a week-long stay on board a narrowboat sleeping two.

The spacious 48ft ‘Silver Swallow’, for example, is available from Great Haywood in Staffordshire and, being situated at the junction of the Trent & Mersey and Staffs & Worcester Canals, this base offers a wide choice of cruising routes and canalside attractions such as Lord Lichfield’s Shugborough Hall and the Wedgewood Visitor Centre.

Three nights’ hire starting 12 February costs £360 inclusive of all fuels used (diesel and gas), car parking, towels and bed linen, plus one well behaved pet, whilst a week’s hire – also starting 12th – costs £515. For more information, visit waterwaysholidays.com.

Cumbrian Cottages suggests a traditional Lakeland cottage in the heart of Kendal - imaginatively up-dated to create a contemporary bolt-hole for two.

Chesters Cottage has a double-ended roll-top bath, a double bed with heart-design on the headboard and a big leather sofa in the living area, so you can cuddle up in front of the log burner.  A week’s rental arriving 12 February is £360 – or £260 for three nights from that date.

It’s all within a stone’s throw of Kendal’s bars and restaurants while Windermere and the fells are only 15 minutes away by car. Fr more information, visit cumbrian-cottages.co.uk.