Brussels

Grand Place

The Grand Place is Brussels’ vibrant and beautiful central square. For almost a thousand years the square has been buzzing with activity and is still one of Belgium’s most visited tourist destinations. Lined with amazing shops, cafés and architecture, the square offers visitors plenty of choice to make it a truly great day out.

Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium by ChrisO

Ghent

St Michael’s Bridge

St Michael’s Bridge is one of the most famous tourist spots in Belgium. Renowned for its chocolate box beauty, the bridge and surrounding area is perfect for that romantic stroll or spot of watercolour painting. Many thousands of tourists who pass through Ghent make the small trip to visit St Michael’s Bridge and have their picture taken in the tranquil surroundings as a memento of their time visiting one of the most beautiful sites in Belgium- something you will never want to forget.

St Michael’s Bridge, Ghent, Belgium by Alexandra Lee

Bruges

Boudewijn Theme Park

If you’re looking for something with a little bit more adrenalin then Boudewijn Theme Park in Bruges is a must. There are plenty of attractions and rides to keep both the kids and adults entertained- though some may prove a little daunting. Plus there’s the unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with the park’s resident dolphins. With dolphin shows throughout the day the Theme Park is sure to put a smile on the face of any animal lover.

Photo by admin

Ostend

Kursaal Casino

One of the jewels in Belgium’s casino crown is the Kursaal Casino situated in the beautiful coastal town of Ostend. The casino itself is more than one hundred and fifty years old but was rebuilt after the Second World War. It’s a popular gambling destination for locals and visitors alike with thousands pouring through its doors every year. Like most of the casinos in Belgium it offers a wide variety of games at a range of stakes all set in amazing surroundings. Unlike most casinos in Belgium it has strong ties with Britain being that in the 1920’s many British gamblers visited the casino on holiday whilst gambling was prohibited in the UK. Of course, if you don’t make it to Ostend to visit this fabulous casino you could always visit Golden Palace Poker Texas Hold’em and try your luck there, if the gambling bug bites!

Casino Kursaal, Ostend, Belgium by Wasily

Antwerp

Rubens’ House

Rubens is one of the most famous artists that Belgium has ever produced. His awe-inspiring paintings can be seen in many of the top galleries around the world and the house that he built in Antwerp is almost as breath-taking. In it, visitors can find a large collection of Rubens’ work amongst the works of many other prominent artists and Rubens’ own collection of statues. This house is a must-see for any art lover visiting Belgium.

Rubens’ House, Antwerp, Belgium by Velvet

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Coastal Edinburgh, Scotland, UK / Stuart Caie

Edinburgh offers great opportunities for romance. Great restaurants, beautiful scenery, rickshaw rides, oodles of fabulous hotels… Here are some ideas to help you plan for your weekend away:

Lodgings

There are some great websites that will help you learn a lot about the available hotels. You’ll find travellers’ sites and review websites where people share their experience at hotels they’ve stayed at. You’ll also find deals online where you can book hotels for significant discounts. This could mean staying at a 4 or 5 star hotel for the price of a 3 star hotel.

Many Edinburgh hotels offer very romantic packages including meals and often including extra sightseeing activities as part of the fee. A bit of shopping around could help you save a lot of money.

Restaurants

Check out some restaurant reviews, too, to see what’s near your hotel and what’s on offer during the time you’re expecting to visit.  Your hotel may offer free meals as part of the package or vouchers for local restaurants, too. You can also find out on online review sites a bit about the average price of a meal for restaurants within walking distance of your hotel. If you want a special treat and are willing to splurge on a romantic meal, there are a few restaurants with Michelin stars, too.

Edinburgh Castle / Saffron Blaze

Finding Things to Do

Beyond spending plenty of alone time together in your cosy love nest, here are some of the common things lovers love to do in Edinburgh. (Many of them are low cost or even free):

• Dean Village – is a pretty and picturesque village. Perfect for a romantic stroll.
• Royal Mile – This road leads toward Edinburgh Castle and is great for shopping, sightseeing, eating, and soaking in the history of this city.
• Royal Botanical Gardens – The gardens offer a lush and aromatic place to stroll and this is a very popular place to visit for tourists.
• Museums and art galleries – The Museum of Scotland is great if you’re interested in finding out more about Scotland’s history. There are probably at least several museums and art galleries within reasonable walking distance of your hotel, too.
• There are often organised walking tours at night, too, that share some of the darker secrets of the city. Those tours will probably make the hairs on the back of your head stand up and make you want to get closer to your significant other!

The above list doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. There are family activities, couples’ activities, and plenty of sights to see. You’ll find many top fifty and even top one hundred lists online with things to see and do in Edinburgh. If it’s romance and privacy you’re after, you won’t be disappointed, either! Again, a bit of shopping around will help you save money and you’ll also find plenty of info to help you make the most of your weekend getaway.

Mohammed Haroon writes for Today’s Great Deals. He invites you to check out Edinburgh’s Great Deal for a great deal on your next trip to Edinburgh.

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