Autumn is the time when the streets of tourist cities empty and life returns to its usual rhythm after the hot summer. This is the time of bright colors, freshness and, of course, quiet, cozy romance. And to appreciate it all, we suggest you to go to Europe for a weekend with your other half. We will tell you about the most romantic places. It is worth escaping to one of these corners of Europe with your loved one at least for a couple of days, so that happy memories will warm you in the cold evenings.
Bordeaux, France
Such France as we imagine it to be – luxurious, sedate, where wine and cheese are served even for breakfast – is definitely not Paris, it is Aquitaine region and its capital – the city of Bordeaux.
The locals do not recognize the rush and any changes, they try to preserve the towns and villages in their original form, and their meals are spread over several hours. The capital of the region looks both modern and retains the charm of a provincial town. In the main square of De la Bourse there is a building of financial exchange, it looks representative, quite in the spirit of French architecture of VIII century. But stay here for 15 minutes, and you will see how the whole square fills with water for a few centimeters, creating the effect of a mirror, and in another 15 minutes over the surface of the water appears fog – this is perhaps the most amusing and unusual sight, especially in the evening, when the lights of buildings and streets are reflected in the water. One pleasure to stroll along the Garonne riverfront, here you can see the panorama of the whole city, you can see Napoleon’s bridge and the spires of medieval churches.
And what kind of vacation in Bordeaux, the capital of French winemaking, without a glass of red dry? It is said that any resident of the province can rent a few bushes of grapes to open a bottle of his own wine in a family circle. This drink is a second religion here. It is not necessary to pay a fabulous sum for a collector’s bottle, in Bordeaux even the most ordinary wine is still surprisingly tasty. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local cheeses and foie gras.
You can rent a car or buy a train ticket to visit one of the coastal villages and admire the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Among the most famous is the town of Arcachon. Here you can walk through vineyards, taste oysters and see the Peel Dune, a huge sand mound on the ocean.
This region of France is still an undiscovered place for our tourist, so cultural assimilation is guaranteed. Bordeaux falls in love with a special French charm.
The cost of hotel accommodation for two people is €35 per night.
Dinner for two in a restaurant is €40.
Cologne, Germany
We all somehow more used to associate fall in Germany with Oktoberfest in Munich. And the first thing that comes to mind is a sea of beer, sausages, unrestrained fun. And certainly not romance. That’s a shame. It’s funny that Germans themselves consider themselves a very romantic nation. To understand what they mean, it is worth getting lost in the streets of an old German city like Cologne.
Cologne is located on both sides of the Rhine River, and the two parts of the city are connected by eight amazingly beautiful bridges and one cable car, on which you can ride in a cabin.
Of course, there are “bridges of love” in many cities. Cologne is no exception, but the number of locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge is really impressive. If you walk along the bridge, you will come to the main Cologne Cathedral – the largest Catholic cathedral in Europe. Its scale is astounding. Next to this majestic Gothic building you feel insignificant, even the most convinced atheist will feel religious awe. If you climb to the observation deck at the top of the cathedral, it seems that the whole world is at your feet. Another point from which you can admire the panorama of the city is the tower of the KölnTriangle business center, which is also located near the bridge.
By the way, Cologne was the first place where “Cologne water” – cologne – was invented, so you can visit the special Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus and buy a bottle of authentic Cologne fragrance. Chocolate was not invented in Cologne, but there is a very popular German museum dedicated to the sweet treat.
A soulful and beautiful place is the botanical garden “Flora”, where you can walk all day long. The garden looks especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage is mottled with bright colors. It’s a place for great photos.
And if the walks tire you out, check out the Thermae of Claudius. The nicest rule of the place is that you’ll have to leave your phones outside. There are swimming pools, saunas, Jacuzzis, aqua massages, and in addition a ban on all kinds of gadgets – complete relaxation is ensured.
In the evening, you can walk around Cologne’s wonderful establishments. We recommend choosing a place with live music, such as Jazzlokal papa Joe. This is one of the oldest jazz clubs in all of Germany. The repertoire here is classic and they play every day. From pleasant bonuses – free pistachios on a bar, they are simply scattered on a counter and it is possible to take them, only having filled their pockets or palms, no dishes.
And yes, this is Germany, here beer can be very “romantic”. You can spend the whole evening wandering around the classic Cologne breweries, of which there are many in the city. In such places you can easily find a common language with the owners of the establishment and feel the heady spirit of the German city.
Hotel accommodation for two people starts from €45 per night.
Dinner for two in a restaurant – €45.
