At the Fountain
Spanish carnivals take place in the Canary Islands, but that does not mean there is nothing else to see in the country. For the young and active, there are tours where you can see nine cities in seven days. In one trip you can visit the Magic Fountains, the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral of Barcelona, walk through the historic centers of Valencia, Madrid, Toledo and Alicante, see the Arab palaces of the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens in Granada, national flamenco dances in Seville, mosques in Cordoba and the Cathedral of the Virgin of Pilar in Zaragoza.
If you feel that the excursions are not enough, in Spain you can buy a ticket for a special tourist bus that stops at the most interesting historical sites of the city. The bus is equipped with audio equipment, so you can listen to stories about all the attractions in Russian. The main feature of the tour is that you can get off the bus anywhere and then continue the excursion on another bus at any time (such buses currently run only in Barcelona and Madrid). The price of a one-day ticket does not exceed 13-21 euros.
In the homeland of the waltz
Valentine's Day is the perfect time to try new exquisite sweets. For example, candied violets can only be tasted in Vienna. Some travel agencies offer all lovers going to Vienna in February a special gift – a discount card that allows free travel on all types of city transport and also gives discounts on tickets to theaters, museums and cinemas. Some shops and restaurants also offer discounts with this card, so it is better to take it out of your wallet more often. A four-day trip to Vienna with accommodation in a three-star hotel and a sightseeing tour costs 654 euros. If you pay an additional 25 euros, you can go on excursions to the Vienna Woods and walk with a guide through the historic center of the city.
If you stay for a week, you can see the Plague Column in the center of Vienna, Roman-era ruins, the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera, St. Stephen's Cathedral, try Viennese strudel, visit the town of Baden and taste wine in one of the wine cellars, as well as visit the Cistercian Monastery of the Holy Cross and the infamous village of Mayerling, where in 1889 Crown Prince Rudolf and his beloved committed suicide.
On the Bridge of Kisses
Prague has long been the unofficial holder of the title 'capital of love'. This city is literally saturated with an atmosphere of romance: ancient castles and cathedrals are perfect for romantic excursions, cozy restaurants and coffee shops are ideal for candlelit dinners, and the narrow lanes of the old town are simply made for walks in love. And one of the most famous bridges in the city – Charles Bridge – is even called the Bridge of Kisses: Czechs believe that if you stand on this bridge and make a wish, placing your palm on the image of Saint John of Nepomuk, it will certainly come true.
Valentine's Day is a particularly good time to travel to Prague: in the Czech Republic, Valentine's Day is highly respected, so in mid-February the concentration of romance in the air reaches its maximum. Five days in Prague with double accommodation in a three-star hotel will cost 427 euros per person. In addition to accommodation, the tour price includes airfare and walking tours of the city, romantic walks through ancient castles and a trip to Karlovy Vary with a visit to the famous Krušovice brewery. You can save money by going by train.
Eight days in a romantic hotel in Prague will cost at least 1,008 euros. The price of the tour for two includes airfare and accommodation in a three-star hotel located in the center of the capital. In addition, flowers, champagne and a private city tour for two await all lovers in their rooms.
At Old Toomas
Tallinn hotels have not been too original in choosing gifts for lovers. As a surprise, they also offer red roses and a bottle of champagne in the room. However, all guests can also expect daily festive breakfasts and candlelit dinners. A five-day tour to Estonia with accommodation in a five-star hotel will cost 410-650 euros. Private excursions to Toompea Hill, where a medieval castle with the Long Hermann tower has been preserved, and to the famous 13th-century Dome Cathedral will add impressions.
In the world of antiquities
A slow dance in a rain of pink petals is possible only in Greece: this country has special discos where guests are showered with fragrant flowers to romantic music. In addition, only in Greece are there so many special symbolic places where you can make wishes. Despite the fact that swimming is still quite cold, you won't be bored: there will be very little free time from excursions.
So, in eight days tourists will have time to visit the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, the parliament and university buildings, the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, the ancient city, the Lion Gate, the palace and tomb of Agamemnon, Nafplion – the first capital of independent Greece, the Temple of Poseidon and the thermal lake of Vouliagmeni. In addition, you can see the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, see the 'Heavenly Monasteries' of Meteora, and also take a cruise to the islands of Hydra, Aegina and Poros. A special gift for lovers – an excursion by car around the night city and rest in the most romantic cafe on Mount Lycabettus.
Татьяна СЕЙРАНЯН,
Екатерина БАБКОВА.