Look, you want to score some points with your other half and plan a surprise weekend getaway. Your first idea? Paris, of course. It's the "city of love", they say.
Stop right there.
Unless your concept of romance is paying €15 for two coffees, spending three hours in a queue taking elbows to the ribs to see the Eiffel Tower up close, and being ignored by French waiters, Paris is out of fashion.
In 2026, real romance is in the less obvious destinations. Places where you can stroll hand in hand without tripping over other tourists, eat divinely and stay at a brilliant hotel without taking out a loan.
Here are the new romantic "spots" in Europe for an unforgettable weekend for two:
1. Bruges, Belgium: Romance With a Whiff of Chocolate 🍫
Picture a medieval city full of canals, stone bridges, swans and cobbled streets. Venice? No, Bruges. It's incredibly picturesque, you can do it all on foot (or by boat) and the smell of hot chocolate and waffles hangs in the air on every corner. It's the perfect setting for that couple's photo that'll rack up hundreds of "likes" on Instagram.
2. Annecy, France: The "Venice of the Alps" 🏔️
Want France, but without the chaos of Paris? Annecy is the answer. It sits next to a crystal-clear lake and is surrounded by Alpine mountains. You can rent one of those pedal boats to explore the lake in the afternoon and end the night at a cosy restaurant sharing a melted cheese fondue with a glass of wine in hand. It's impossible not to fall in love here.
3. Seville, Spain: Heat, Tapas and Flamenco 💃
If your vibe isn't so much cold weather and big coats, but rather warm nights, terraces and good food, Seville is the destination. It's so close, but feels like another world. Stroll through the Plaza de España, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz quarter and end the day sharing some incredible tapas and a jug of sangria. Iberian-style romance never fails.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland: For Couples Who Love Castles and Mystery 🏰
For couples who like a more mystical atmosphere (or who are fans of Harry Potter and the Outlander series), Edinburgh has an inexplicable magic. The city has an imposing castle on top of an extinct volcano, super-cosy pubs where you can take refuge from the cold with a glass of whisky, and dozens of alleys (the famous closes) perfect for exploring as a couple.
The Trip's "Trial by Fire" (How to Avoid the First Argument)
The destination is chosen. The hotel is booked. Romance is in the air.
But there's a critical moment that can ruin the lovebird mood right at minute zero: the trip to the airport.
Waking up at 4am. Waiting in the cold for an Uber that cancels twice. The dynamic surge that costs you €40. Dragging suitcases over Lisbon's or Porto's cobbles in a rush because you're late... Suddenly, stress climbs and the first squabbles of the trip set in.
Cut that off at the root. Your romantic getaway should start the moment you close your front door.
Take your own car. Put your favourite playlist on and turn on the heating. Drive calmly to the airport and pull up directly at the Departures door.
There, a Multipark driver will be waiting. You just hand over the key, take your other half's hand and walk together, relaxed, to check-in. Our Valet Parking service handles taking the car to a secure car park and, on your return, brings it back to the door, warm and ready to drive off.
Impress your other half from departure onwards. Run your Valet Parking simulation at Multipark and enjoy the weekend!
