Whether it’s Valentines Day, a birthday, an anniversary or none of those occasions at all, a romantic stroll through an incredible setting is hard to beat.
Of course, there are plenty of amazing places in the UK to treat a loved one with a gentle stroll. However, for a real mix of scenery, heading onto the continent is the way to do it.
Europe has a magical mix of quaint city streets and dynamic mountain landscapes, so whatever you and your partner are looking for, it’s all there to be got at.
Forget Paris and Rome, here are five of our favourite locations for a romantic walk on the continent…
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Waterfalls flowing into emerald green waters with lush vegetation surrounding you in all directions, Plitvice is a marvellous place. The national park, made up of 16 terraced lakes deliver 78kms of walking trails for explorers to discover at their own pace.
Diverse flora and fauna mark the routes along the way, though we wouldn’t get too close to any of the resident brown bears in the park! Less than two hours from Zagreb and some of Croatia’s other coastal destinations, this makes a wonderful day trip.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Croatia’s neighbour, Slovenia, has it’s fair share of water-based destinations for lovers to see, but Bled tops the lot. The attractive town sits on the lake of the same name and it’s picture postcard view is enough to have anyone lost for words.
A lap of the lake won’t take much longer than an hour, though taking it slow is worthwhile. In the summer hire out rowing boats to take yourselves to the church perched onto a tiny island in the centre of the lake. While in the winter, Bled Castle, which overlooks the lake, joins the surrounding Julian Alps in taking a light dusting of snow.
Cinque Terre, Italy
The pastel colours of the Cinque Terre’s five village are the perfect location for a romantic spring getaway. The settlements, clinging to the rock-face looking out to the Ligurian Sea are interconnected by the Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail.
Spend the day walking from Monterosso to Riomaggiore taking in all that this part of the Italian coast has to offer. Stop off for a plateful of pasta and a cheeky glass of wine before perhaps heading off the beaten track to visit some of the pretty Gothic churches that dominate some of the villages along the way.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg can boast to having the first city centre to be wholly classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. The Grande Íle, dominated by the marvel of Strasbourg Cathedral, delivers some truly stunning architecture.
Just south of the main centre lies ‘Petit France’, arguably the most romantic part of town. The half-timbered houses may be reminiscent of the sort of thing you’d spot in Stratford-Upon-Avon closer to home. The small, narrow streets make a joyous leisurely afternoon stroll, perfect for taking at your own pace.
Oeschinensee, Switzerland
The dramatic backdrop of snow-capped peaks makes the stroll around Lake Oeschinensee in Switzerland simply stunning. Set in the heart of the Bernese Oberlands, just 4km from the town of Kanderstag, it makes for a perfect multi-base getaway.
Enjoy the charming taverns in Kanderstag before hopping on the gondola ride up to Oeschinensee town before embarking on the 20 minute lake of the same name. A hike in the hills around the water can take anything between two hours and five hours, but whichever you choose you’re in for a treat. The natural amphitheatre of the lake glistens with the reflection of the awesome mountains that dominate the horizon, making this a walk not to miss.
Have we got you in the mood for a romantic getaway? Make sure you take out the correct insurance for hiking when you book your trip. Get a quote and cover in seconds, by visiting our Walking Holiday Insurance page.