Love is in the air – 11 great places you can fly to from Manchester for a romantic getaway
Are you planning to take your special someone on a surprise romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day? If so, you won’t be alone – more than 300,000 passengers will fly out from Manchester Airport between Saturday 10th and Sunday 18th February, and many of them will be couples planning sunset cruises down the Seine, or a quiet retreat by the Italian lakes.
Couples will be spoilt for choice thanks to the hub’s unrivalled route network of around 200 destinations – many of which can be reached for not much more than the price of a florist’s bouquet and a box of chocolates.
Venice
The City of Bridges holds a special place in the popular imagination, with its network of canals and renaissance architecture combining to create a city unlike any other on Earth. Venetian gondolas are world famous, engraved Murano glass makes for a fantastic, personalised souvenir for loved-up couples and a day trip to Verona, the setting of Romeo and Juliet, is also a must for any Valentine’s Day itinerary.
easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair all offer flights from Manchester to Venice.
Rome
Staying in Italy, but heading further south, Rome combines sightseeing with culture and unbeatable food. The Pincio Gardens are a great spot for a leisurely romantic stroll, once you’ve finished marvelling at the Colosseum and the art adorning the Sistine Chapel.
They say all roads lead to Rome, but if you’re travelling from Manchester, then easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair will get you there much more quickly!
Vienna
The capital of Austria makes for a very sophisticated couples’ break, with its palaces, theatres, classical music concerts and patisseries. A horse-drawn carriage tour is a popular way of becoming acquainted with the Innere Stadt, Vienna’s old town.
Austrian Airlines, Jet2.com and Ryanair all serve this route.
Reykjavik
Valentine’s Day visitors to Iceland tend to be there for one particular reason – the Northern Lights. Nature’s most spectacular show is still frequently visible from Reykjavik in February, and what’s more, couples can also enjoy a dip in the Blue Lagoon, which has now reopened following a temporary closure.
No fewer than four airlines fly from Manchester to Reykjavik – there are easyJet, Icelandair, Jet2.com and Ryanair.
Prague
Few cities epitomise the culture and architecture of the heart of Europe like Prague does. Get lost together as you wander the streets of the Old Town, take in the Charles Bridge and explore the city’s castle. If nightlife is more your thing, Prague has you covered as well.
easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair all fly to the Czech capital.
New York
The Big Apple is a big hit with couples, not least because of the plethora of things to see and do. Enjoy sweeping views from the top of the Empire State Building, stop for a picnic in Central Park and round off your special day by taking in a show on Broadway.
Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus both fly from Manchester to New York.
Paris
No list of Valentine’s Day destinations would be complete without the ‘city of light’. Cruises down the river Seine are very popular with couples and often come complete with a candlelit dinner, and the city is one of the most popular places in the world to propose.
AirFrance and easyJet both fly to Paris from Manchester.
Marrakesh
A perfect fit for the adventurous couple, Marrakesh offers an immersive cultural experience, unique architecture, high end shopping and fantastic food. Once you’ve explored the narrow streets of the medieval souk, unwind with a couples’ session at one of the hammams (traditional Moroccan spas) dotted throughout the city.
easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI and Ryanair all fly from Manchester to Marrakesh.
Milan
Milan is an elegant and fashionable destination in itself, not least on the Piazza del Duomo facing its iconic cathedral, but many couples flying into Milan-Malpensa airport from Manchester this Valentine’s Day will be using it as a gateway to the stunning Italian lakes. Como is a particular favourite and boasts countless restaurants and pizzerias with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
easyJet and Ryanair have direct flights from Manchester to Milan-Malpensa.
Brussels
Belgium is a country known for fine beer and chocolate – both of which make for an enjoyable Valentine’s Day if you choose to spend it in Brussels. Perhaps the most quirky way of indulging in these is to immerse yourself in them, both literally and figuratively, with a beer bath at Bath & Barley in the city – where you’ll not only be bathing in the amber nectar, but you’ll also have ice-cold beer on draft and artisan chocolate within arm’s reach. Brussels’ restaurants are world-class, too.
Brussels Airlines serves this route from Manchester.
Barbados
A little further afield than the other options on this list, perhaps, but no less enticing – particularly when the weather at home is cold and drab. Barbados’ beaches are globally renowned but it offers much more besides – couples can enjoy fresh seafood at Oistins Fish Fry, a weekly open-air market where you choose your fish and then watch as it’s cooked to perfection. Chase your meal with a rum cocktail on the island where the spirit was invented, and tour Bridgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage listed harbour and garrison.
Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus both fly from Manchester to Barbados.