From romantic west Cork getaways to weekends in Rome, Joan Scales has the week's top offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK
St Valentine’s break in west Co Cork: from €99
If it’s romance you’re looking for this St Valentine’s weekend, then Cottages for Couples, in west Co Cork, sounds as if it has all the ingredients. The company specialises in cottages with four-poster beds, double Jacuzzis and outdoor hot tubs. The seven cottages, in three locations, are all within five kilometres of Skibbereen. All are 100- to 150-year-old stone buildings restored with passion. Interiors are contemporary, with stainless steel, stone and wood blending together to give a “funky, romantic experience”. From €99 per night midweek or €139 per night at weekends; minimum two nights. www.cottagesforcouples.ie, 028-22957.
OVERSEAS BREAKS:
Lovers’ luxury London: €8,650
You’d expect to get a lot if you spent £8,000 (€8,650) on a romantic break in London. The Valentine’s Special at the Victorian Milestone Hotel, off Kensington High Street, includes a master suite overlooking Kensington Gardens, a limousine to bring you to spend £2,000 (€2,160) with a personal shopper, a helicopter trip over the city, a seven-course dinner in your suite, a lovers’ midnight feast of chocolate strawberries, roses and champagne, a Tiffany gift for her and a Cartier gift for him. Available until the end of February. www.milestonehotel. com, 00-44-20-79171000.
Canary romance: from €270pps
Spend St Valentine’s Day in the sun with a trip to the island of Fuerteventura, in the Canaries, from Sunday, February 8th. Staying in Caleta de Fuste, self-catering, prices are from €270 per person sharing with www.holidaysonline.ie. The beach at Corralejo, on the north of the island, is worth a visit for a romantic stroll.
Rugby in Rome: from €495pps
Is rugby romantic? Yes, if it is in the city of Rome and you both share a passion for rugby and romance. Add shopping, eating out, sightseeing and having fun, too. A two-night package from IST Sports costs from €495 per person sharing, staying at a three-star hotel near the Spanish Steps, with match tickets for the Sunday-afternoon 6 Nations clash between Italy and Ireland included. www.istsports.ie, 01-8061753.
Lake District loving: €157pps
Get loved up in the Lakes with a stay at Linthwaite House Hotel, in the romantic Lake District of Cumbria in England. Overlooking Lake Windemere, all of Wordsworth’s poems come to life. The Valentine’s Treat package costs from £145.75 (about €157) per person sharing per night, including dinner, flowers, champagne and chocolates. www.linthwaite.com, 00-44-1539-488600.
Getaway for 2: from €1,399pps
Make this year’s St Valentine’s Day special with a trip to the slopes, where you can spend the week in the romantic French Alps. Highlife has all the ingredients for a lovely stay at a luxury chalet in Méribel: delicious food and wine every evening, and champagne for couples. A week from Sunday February 8th to 15th, including direct Aer Lingus flights and private transfers, costs from €1,399 per person sharing. www.highlife.ie, 01-6771100.
HOME BREAKS
Only the best in Galway: €6,000
The most expensive Irish St Valentine's package we know of is at the Twelve hotel, in Bearna. For €6,000 you are collected by helicopter, served champagne when you touch down, then taken by horse-drawn carriage to the hotel, for your stay in Suite XII, where a bottle of Cristal 1999 awaits. For those with less extravagent budgets, a Splendid Room costs €160 per night. www.thetwelvehotel.ie, 091-597000.
Cook at the Tannery: €195pp
Cook up a feast for lovers with a course at the Tannery Cookery School, in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Chef Paul Flynn will teach couples how to work as a team to create exciting dishes to share. The course, on February 15th, costs €195 per person, with the Tannery Townhouse offering special room rates for couples on the course. www.tannery.ie, 058-45420.
Ritz-Carlton romance: €680
Bring your lover to Co Wicklow for a St Valentine's break to remember. The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is offering two-night packages that include breakfast both days, with a dinner in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant, for €680 for two people sharing. You can stay for one night for €410 for two, including dinner. 01-2748888.
2 Shelbourne nights: €398
The Shelbourne's Romantic Package includes rooms for €199 per night and four-course chocolate-and-champagne dinner at the Dublin hotel from €89 per person. www.theshelbourne.com, 01-6634500.
Love in Limerick: from €265pps
The newly opened No 1 Pery Square Hotel, in Limerick, has joined Rooms for Romance and begins with a romantic St Valentine's weekend that includes dinner one night and a surprise tasting menu on the second evening. From €265pps. www.oneperysquare.com, 061-402402.
Inchydoney spa treat: €190pps
Take your loved one for a walk on the beautiful beach after she has a Diamond body treatment at Inchydoney Island Lodge, in Co Cork. The two-night BB package, which costs €190pps, is available until the end of February. www.inchydoney island.com, 023-33143.
Please bear in mind that deals are subject to availability