The festive period is a great time for a city break - whether it's to visit family or friends, getting a chance to explore the Christmas markets, or for a romantic getaway with your significant other. Europe is full of stunning and picturesque locations, and Angelic Diamonds have shared with us their top destinations for proposing this winter. Unsurprisingly, Christmas Eve has been voted the best day of the year to propose. Probably because of the magical essence to it and the fact that most of your family and loved ones are all under one roof. If you are heading abroad this Winter here are some of the locations that are perfect for popping the question.
Los Bunkers del Carmel, Barcelona
A hidden gem with a beautiful view is Los Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona. It is now considered as a viewing platform by many but it was once part of the anti-aircraft battery that was used during the
Spanish Civil War. There is no transport that takes you to the very top. Instead, you can get the metro to Alfons X and walk 30 minutes from here or you could get the bus from the city centre which will leave you 10 minutes away from the bunker. The outstanding view of the city is best at sunrise however, if you and your partner can’t face getting up that early you can head there for sunset instead for an equally beautiful experience. You can see here one couple who chose this place for their special moment.
There are many Christmas markets that are around the city too for you to enjoy. For example, the Fira de Santa Llúcia is the market around the Gothic cathedral close to the city centre and there is the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia from where you can see the unfinished Catholic church, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Another great factor is that even in December temperatures remain relatively moderate here, so you won't be freezing the whole evening!
Grotta Lighthouse, Reykjavik
In recent years, Reykjavik has become a popular winter holiday destination with all visitors and pictures of it's lagoon have been all over Instagram. It’s an ideal place to visit with your other half and offers the perfect balance between beautiful landscapes and quirky bars and restaurants. One unforgettable backdrop to a proposal would be the northern lights, visible from Iceland. The best time to see the lights is from October to March when the sky is clearer so they should be visible on your Christmas trip. However, there's never a guarantee they'll appear - I was lucky to see them whilst on holiday in Sweden in March. You don’t have to book an excursion to see the lights and can often be seen at Grotta lighthouse which is situated outside of downtown Reykjavic where light pollution is low.
You can walk here but if you have hired a car, due to the cold temperatures, it could be best to drive
to the spot. For a romantic proposal, pop the question outdoors with the lights dancing behind you or for a more private setting (and if the temperature is too cold for you to take your gloves off), ask the question from the warmth of your car. There are other festive activities to enjoy here too. You could head to Hafnarfjörður (It's a good thing this is being typed and I don't have to pronounce it) which is around a 20-minute bus ride from downtown Reykjavik to see the Christmas village — complete with hand-made crafts and live music.
Petřín Hill, Prague
Often Prague is ignored as a city of romance due to its renowned nightlife and attraction to stag and hen parties. However, there are many sights to see in Prague that don’t involve the local pubs and one of these is Petřín Hill - the views from here are gorgeous, particularly when the sun is shining.
The hill is surrounded by gardens and you can take a funicular to the top that departs from Ujezd Street in the Malá Strana. On top of the hill there is an observation tower, designed to be a mini version of the Parisian Eiffel Tower where you must climb 299 steps to reach the top to be rewarded with the 360-degree views. You could pop the question in any of the beautiful landscaped gardens or head to a restaurant in Petřín park such as Nebozizek which overlooks the Old Town, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Vltava River. Little Venice is also a cute little area on your way down from the castle with lots of cute cafes and bars. If you're a Beatles fan, make sure you don't miss out on seeing the John Lennon mural.
Mont Chèry, Val d’Isère, France
There aren't many places that are as romantic as France, and not just including Paris. With an extra-long season from the end of November to the first week of May, Val D’Isère is a popular choice of location for people interested in skiing and a more active weekend away. In fact, more Britons choose to take their annual skiing holiday here than anywhere else in the world. Part of their popularity lies in their differing slopes — there’s pistes for all abilites and if your other half discovers that skiing is not for them you can head to La Folie Douce (the famous après-ski bar).
There’s jaw-dropping views aplenty as you head to the top of the slopes and are surrounded by outstanding views of the mountains. But, for a proposal you might want to head somewhere warmer where you can enjoy meal and drinks with your other half. One place to do this is at La Grande Ourse, a restaurant situated on Mont Chèry. They offer an authentic fine dining experience where you can get your own personal chauffeur to take you up the mountain in a Kassböhrer (a specialised snow trailer). Here, you can be met with views from an altitude of 1725m and enjoy a five-course meal in the restaurant — a memorable place to get on one knee.
The Dome, Victoria Square, Belfast
Belfast is well-known for its vast Christmas markets that sit in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Which means you don't have to venture far from home to find a beautiful location for your special moment. For an impressive proposal spot, you should head to the top of Victoria Square in the city centre. Here you will find the Dome. Pop the question here for 360-degree views of Belfast as a backdrop, featuring the Prince Albert Clock and Scrabo tower.
You are not far from more breath-taking views either. Take a trip to the northern coast of Ireland where you can cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge with your loved one or retrace the steps of a giant at the causeway. You can visit The Dark Hedges nearby too — a romantic passageway of intertwined trees that were planted in the 18th century and featured on popular TV show, Game of Thrones. Make sure to wrap up though as it’s likely to be chilly here in December!
* This post was submitted on behalf of Angelic Diamonds but I make sure all posts published on Tea With Gi are suited to the blog and audience *
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