It’s that time of year when traditionally many men pop the question! As the romance of Christmas beckons is there a perfect place to do the deed? Where would you like to be proposed to? I think a lot depends on the preferences of each couple. Landmarks and restaurants are popular spots for such an important occasion. I’ve put together some lovely places that I’ve been to which would make very romantic settings for all sorts of age groups because it isn’t just something for younger people as more and more couples are older or going for a second nuptial.
Donegal
Close to home and a lovely destination for a wedding perhaps is Lough Eske Castle in Donegal. Situated on the beautiful lake at Lough Eske it is only a ten minute drive to Donegal town and the coast of The Wild Atlantic Way. To book a stay click here https://www.lougheskecastlehotel.com/
The hotel’s Winter Sale package is the perfect option for those who love the luxurious life but also know a good deal when they see one! The package starts at €189 for a courtyard or Deluxe room (Sunday to Friday)
and guests will be welcomed with a chilled bottle of prosecco in their room on arrival.
This is the perfect chance to explore “The Forgotten County”, switch off or even gift that someone special a pre-Christmas present!
This package includes:
- One night’s accommodation in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room with full Irish breakfast in Cedars Restaurant
- €20 resort credit per person (applicable only for food and beverage purchases)
- A bottle of Prosecco in your room on arrival
- 20% Spa discount on pre-booked spa treatments which are 60 minutes or more
- From €189 in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room (Sunday – Friday)
- Available from 7th October to 22nd December 2019
Or stay two nights and enjoy:
- Two night’s accommodation in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room with full Irish breakfast in Cedars Restaurant
- €20 resort credit per person (applicable only for food and beverage purchases)
- A bottle of Prosecco in your room on arrival
- 20% Spa discount on pre-booked spa treatments which are 60 minutes or more
- From €349 in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room (Sunday – Thursday)
- From €389 in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room (Thursday – Friday / Saturday – Sunday)
- From €429 in a Courtyard or Deluxe Room (Friday – Saturday)
- Available from 7th October to 22nd December 2019, subject to availability
While on the subject of Spas Big News from Monart is that it has opened in the UK
Monart Spa – Poundbury will be open six days a week and will offer day, half day, evening packages and treatment only options ranging from £85.
Light spa food, drinks and snacks, using produce from local producers, will be served during the day at the spa lounge.
‘As an independent family business, we are very excited to be part of the Poundbury community and looking forward to working alongside the successful independent local businesses already established’ Michael Griffin, CEO – Monart Spa – Poundbury
Monart Spa – Poundbury, Royal Pavilion, 8 Queen Mother Square, Poundbury, Dorset, DT1 3DX
Email: [email protected] W
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Paris
Few places are more romantic than Paris and as Landmarks go The Eiffel Tower is probably one of the most famous. If you don’t want to be put off by queues to make such an important occasion special then book lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants and have special access without even having to pay for entrance. There have been disturbances in Paris with the Yellow Vest Protests which it is important to be aware of.
Another perfect setting for a proposal is on the River Seine itself.
Enjoy a river cruise with Bateaux Parisienne from €59 for lunch or €69 dinner and included is entertainment. the perfect setting with a view of the eternal city and the eiffel tower is from the steps of Sacre Coeur
These deals are from Click and Go
4 star Paris City break from €259pp
4 star Le 123 Elysees Astotel Hotel – Staff Pick
City break includes:
- Return Aer Lingus Flights
- 2 Nights accommodation
4 star Paris City break with Breakfast from €269pp
4 star Le 123 Sebastopol Astotel Hotel – Staff Pick
City break includes:
- Return Aer Lingus Flights
- 2 Nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast included
Paris City Break from €179pp
3 star Comfort Hotel Nation Pere Lachaise – Staff Pick
City break includes:
- Return Aer Lingus Flights
- 2 Nights’ accommodation
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Seville
Did you know that it was International Flamenco Day last week? 
If passion and romance is what you are after then the home of Flamenco is probably one of the most ideal places to get engaged. In the spring time smell the aroma of oranges that have fallen from the trees along the boulevards and are squeezed into pulp on the foot paths leaving a beautiful smell. Some of the world’s best and most famous operas hail from Seville such as Carmen and of course The Barber of Seville. If you want year round sunshine, fabulous food and good value then look no further than the capital of Andalucia. It’s accessible direct from Dublin with Ryanair and only two hours drive from Malaga and Faro.
The Plaza de Espana is a truly romantic spot ideal for such a proposal! 
It’s also the setting for some filming of Star Wars and has attracted fans from all over the world.
You might be lucky and find some locals performing Flamenco!
This package from Kane Travel should whet your appetite to explore Seville
Seville is currently coming in at €360 per person for flights, 10kg cabin bag per person, preassigned seating and 3 nights accommodation in a standard double room with breakfast in the excellently located 4* Becquer Hotel. Dates are 31 Jan to 03 Feb 2020.
Contact Samantha Gavigan at
Kane’s Travel Agency
Telephone +353 43 33 34500
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River Cruise of the Danube
For the older couple a river cruise is one of the nicest and most relaxing holidays but it is also incredibly romantic so a great place to pop the question. Travel Department offer a range of fabulous river cruises and The River Danube is one of the most culturally beautiful. I took one this autumn and started off in Passau in Germany, for a five day taster cruise. The journey took us through, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
#cruising on the #Danube #noveltravel @travel_department
Posted by The Novel Traveller on Sunday, September 29, 2019
Travel Department
Danube Rhapsody River Cruise (Passau-Passau)
4* 7-night full-board river cruise
Departing April, July, September, October 2020
From €1,649pp
Includes return flights, transfers, and excursions with an expert local guide
(For Black Friday, customers can avail of €75pp off River Cruises departing in 2020, using promo code: VP-BLACKRIVER valid from 18th Nov until 2nd Dec 2019)
Highlights:
- Guided Passau city tour before embarking on your cruise
- Wake up in Emmersdorf where you will enjoy an excursion to Melk Abbey
- Embark on a city tour of Vienna, which will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer
- Enjoy a full day at leisure in Budapest
- Walking tour of Bratislava with its Gothic-Baroque style
- Free time to explore Linz, a UNESCO City of Media Arts, at your own pace
- Enjoy a morning city tour of Munich & free time for shopping or further sightseeing
- Enjoy entertainment on board your ship including a folklore show, and enjoy a Captain’s Gala Dinner
www.traveldepartment.ie / 01-6371600 /
A River Cruise is a terrific way to sample a city and decide if you would like to return someday. One of the cities that I was most taken with was Budapest. Set on two sides of the River Danube, Buda and Pest joined to become the same city.
The views from Buda are a sight to behold and a perfect place to pop the question – alternatively you can go to one of the trendy ruin bars and pop the question in a shisa bath!
While on this cruise enjoy the best sights in Vienna and stop off at the stunning Melk Abbey which is a magnificent Baroque building that will leave you mesmerised.
Click and Go Weekend Budapest City break from €159pp in January 2020
From €159pp for the 4 Star Soho Boutique Hotel Price is per person based on 2 adults sharing for travel in January 2020
Price includes:
- 2 nights in the 4 Star Soho Boutique Hotel, Budapest, Hungary
- 1 x double or twin room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
- Return flights from Dublin to Budapest
- Airport taxes & charges
- Link to offer:https://www.clickandgo.com/design-your-own-holiday/customise/2020-01-17/3/2::0/BB/DUB/0/782/206/156?search=all/Budapest/2020-01-17/3/2::0//DUB/0
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Italy
New York New York
Probably the most iconic spot to declare your love is on the top of the Empire State Building! However I have been promoting the Top of The Rock at the Rockefeller Centre as the best view in Manhattan. Look on and see the full length of Manhattan from Central Park all the way down to the Freedom Tower.
Other top spots to propose include Brooklyn Bridge, or on a Cruise of the Hudson River.
I’ve some sample packages from American Holidays who have a opened an lovely new holiday shop that is well worth a visit. The stylish new Dublin store is located at 16 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. American Holidays’ new home offers an inviting environment for customers to come and discuss their USA holiday plans. Customers can be assured in the knowledge that when they enter the store, they are in the hands of an expert.
New York Valentine’s Break
From €625pp
4 NIGHTS Wyndham New Yorker, New York
Travelling February 2020
Ref 52237815
NYE in New York
From €1,9365pp
4 NIGHTS Hotel Beacon, New York
Travelling December 2019
Ref 52237846
American Holidays’ stylish new Dublin store located at 16 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, offers an inviting environment for customers to come and discuss their USA holiday plans. Customers can be assured in the knowledge that when they enter the store, they are in the hands of an expert.
American Holidays is part of Travelopia, the world’s largest collection of specialist travel brands. It is always striving to develop and grow new products to the USA & Canada – next year will be no different. 2020 will see a new 148-page North America brochure and a 100-page Escorted Touring brochure including Cruise. The new brochures will offer some new exciting experiences while also offering some old favourites. The new brochures will hit the shelves November 2019.
Call American Holidays on 01 673 3804 to avail of these offers or drop in to their brand-new shop located in 16 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, where their expert staff will be on hand to help you create your dream holiday.
