Ahh! The power of love. It makes the world go round and has inspired many a song, novel and film. Whilst Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to create beautiful memories with your beau, if you are swerving relationships right now, then why not celebrate the love with your besties instead? Celebrated on the 13th February, we give you Galentine’s Day and Palentine’s Day. Stay with us. It might be a pretty new concept, but we’re all for it here at Orbzii.
Whether you are hanging with your other half, the gals or the guys, it’s a perfect excuse to get together with the people that you love to explore an exciting new location. This is Valentine’s Day reimagined. From evergreen romantic mainstays to more quirky choices that you may not have considered, it’s time to channel your inner cupid and let love lead the way.
Prague
Think that Prague is the home of stag and hen dos and pub crawls partaking into some of Europe’s best beer? Think again. Prague is a cultural hub with stunning gothic architecture which includes the iconic Astronomical Clock and St Vitus Cathedral. It is also a foodie’s dream whether you are seeking out delectable dishes that suit every budget, from shoestring to blow out.
Top tip – Don’t forget to check out Kampa, an incredible island in the middle of the river that can be accessed under Charles Bridge, where you can see the famous Lennon Wall and various statues from sculptor, David Cerny.
Marrakech
With Morocco opening up its doors again, Marrakech will be high on the list for many for 2022. Whilst this bursting-at-the-seams city is an intoxicating and mesmerising mix of heady scents and sprawling souks, Marrakech (which is Africa’s Capital of Culture) is so much more than just a city for the senses. From surfing and shopping to sunken gardens and snake charmers, it’s easy to see why Marrakech is such an iconic and enticing destination.
Top tip – Renew the mind, body, and spirit with a visit to a hammam – a traditional, Moroccan bathing experience. The hammam is an unmissable experience and makes for a relaxing retreat when you want to escape the relentless sun and the dust of the medinas.
Salzburg
Stroll along the intimate cobblestone street and the pristine Mirabell palace gardens to really capture a feel of the magic of Salzburg. Whilst this beautiful city is synonymous with schnitzel, sachertorte and strudel, Salzburg is fast becoming a hard hitter on the culinary scene in Europe and has garnered a reputation as Austria’s culinary capital.
From budget-friendly traditional taverns to Michelin-starred modern eateries, there’s something for every age, taste or palate. We love ‘Heart of Joy’ – an Ayurveda-inspired cafe that caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. If you love to ski, Salzburg is a mere hour or two away from top ski resorts like Kitzbuhel and Mayrhofen.
Top tip – Eisriesenwelt is a shimmering ice empire full of twinkling ice crystals. Nestled into the heart of the mountains. It is the world’s largest ice cave, visitors can enjoy a guided tour through the natural ice sculptures, spikes and walls – sensible footwear is a must!
Paris
It’s an evergreen destination for romantic breaks, but you can’t not talk about the city of love when it comes to Valentine’s breaks, but Paris is also a great place to explore with friends too. Whoever you are with, you can’t fail to be charmed by the incredible museums and galleries that pay homage to L.O.V.E. In fact, on Valentine’s Day itself, the Musée Rodin is hosting a ‘Love Night’ where lovers are invited to have a stroll in the gardens and the museum under the spell of love, while listening to music and soft light.
Top Tip – Take a stroll through the pretty neighbourhood of the 20th arrondissement where you will find no shortage of things to do. Take in the striking street art (some of which is the best in Paris) and enjoy a relaxing drink on the terrace of Aux Folies, a Paris institution that is unmissable.
Dubrovnik
Renowned for its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, it’s easy to see why Dubrovnik with its iconic city walls, cobbled streets and top-drawer cuisine and wine is the most-visited place in the Adriatic. Games of Thrones fans can marvel at some of the instantly-recognisable locations from King’s Landing which includes the Old city – a swirling labyrinth of tiny walkways and arches. Take a walk along the Lovrijenac Fort which also doubled up as the Red Keep.
Top Tip – Get off the beaten track and take a boat trip over to the nearby Elaphiti Islands for beautiful scenery and to attain a great insight into Croatian culture. There are six islands that make up the Elaphiti archipelago such as Lopud and Kolocep where you can find the freshest seafood, ruined fortresses, olive groves and exotic gardens.
Cyprus
Are you ready for a deep dive into the jewel of the East Mediterranean? Sure you have the stunning beaches, but if you are looking for endless things to do with your nearest and dearest, you will not be disappointed.
Cyprus is often referred to as the island of Aphrodite who was the Greek goddess of love and beauty and you simply must pay a visit to Aphrodite’s rock (or Petra tou Romiou as it’s also known) thanks to the impressive rock formations rising from the waters which make for the perfect photo opportunity. Legend has it that for those who swim around the rock three times in succession that this will bring them a myriad of blessings which includes good luck and true love.
Top Tip – Did you know that you can ski in Cyprus? Head over to Troodos on Mount Olympus and whether you favour skiing or snowboarding, relax and unwind après ski with a shot of Zivania, a traditional Cypriot brandy which is a whopping 45% proof. Yamas!
Reykjavik
Despite being small in size, Reykjavik is big in culture, food and easy access to some of the best natural wonders in the world such as the Northern Lights and the Blue Lagoon. It is also a great place to start navigating the iconic Golden Circle which takes in the likes of Lake Silfra, the Gullfoss waterfall and the famous Strokku geysers which erupt every ten minutes or so.
One of the best ways to explore the city is via a walking tour where you can take in some of Reykjavik’s highlights which includes the Parliament building, Tjörnin Lake, Harpa concert hall, Hallgrímskirkja and the City Hall.
Top Tip – What could be more magical than enjoying whale watching? This activity is a great year-round activity in Iceland and if you are lucky you might even spot pods of white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.
Oslo
Astonishing architecture, world-class museums and galleries with a wide selection of more than viridescent green spaces, Oslo has it all, fjord real! Its uniqueness lies in the fact that you can enjoy city life with a great juxtaposition of old and new architecture with an abundance of beautiful nature. It has lots to offer whether you are flying solo, with your partner or even with a group of friends. It’s rich history, striking landmarks and intriguing gastronomy make it an enchanting city break all year round.
Top Tip – Oslo is a dream if you love art. From the renowned Munch museum to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, art, design and sculpture are in abundance and you have over 30 museums and galleries to choose from.
Barcelona
Medieval and modern, fine art, food and festivals, it’s no understatement to say there’s something about Barcelona. If you had a capsule edit of ‘must see’ attractions, admittedly La Sagrada Família, La Rambla and getting your park life on at Park Güell surely tops that list, but if you are looking to swerve all things mainstay, then you are in the right place. Take a walk in the Collserola Natural Park where you can enjoy some stunning panoramic views of the city, drink a coffee in the under-the-radar neighbourhood of Sants and after dark, check out the Torre Agbar, a striking part of the Barcelona skyline.
Top Tip – If you adore all things vintage, take a trip over to Carrer De Verdi where you can find one-of-a-kind vintage items that you will love forever.
Rome
Well, we couldn’t include the city of Rome in this round up. The clue is in the name and it is a delightfully romantic destination. However, there’s more to this gorgeous city than just the big ticket attractions. Look past the Trevi fountain and pass by the Pantheon and consider an alternative Rome. Why not explore the city and beyond on a vespa where you can scoot and see the sights. Ever thought you would see a combination of classic art and a power plant? Us neither, but you can see this in all its glory at Centrale Montmartini.
Whilst we are all for not doing the typical thing in Rome, we have to draw the line at not eating gelato. Rome is home to the world’s first Gelato restaurant – Gelato d’Essai da Geppy Sferra where you can enjoy savoury dishes and more made from the cold stuff.
Top Tip – It’s THE place to be seen, the Rione Monti neighbourhood is packed with hip eateries, quirky shops and it’s also the home of the glorious Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
