Paris again? Not this year. Despite the undeniable allure of the French capital, there are myriad other places in Europe where the celebration of love can take on a more imaginative spin tailored to specific interests. Here are five European destinations to tug at the heartstrings this February. 

CAMBRIDGE: INTELLECTUAL LOVE

The busy streets of London can be far too frantic for a romantic getaway these days. Instead, set your compass northwards and head to Cambridge for a quintessentially English experience without the thronging crowds or troublesome traffic of the big city. The small-town feel of Cambridge, a romantic’s vision of English civility coming to life, is a serene antidote to urban madness. Formidable architectural marvels line the uncrowded streets, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of times when a harmonious aesthetic counted more than mere functionality. World-renowned Cambridge University is the vibrant young heart and soul of the town and, thanks to its presence, there is a diversity of interesting events taking place throughout the year. From folk music concerts in beautiful venues to science seminars led by the many Nobel laureates associated with the university, the options for entertainment range from serene to cerebral. Booklovers will be in their element in Cambridge, thanks to an abundance of beautiful libraries that are found here, including Cambridge University Library and the historical Wren Library, founded in 1676. The quirky G. David bookshop, down a picturesque lane called St Edward’s Passage, is a browser’s delight.

Among the many sights to see hand-in-hand with that someone special is the chapel of King’s College, one of the most impressive buildings in England. The superb stained glass windows under a soaring ceiling are as spectacular as they are inspirational; not necessarily because of religious affiliation, but rather simply as manifestation of the beauty human beings are capable of creating. Down the road is the estimable Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge’s foremost institution showcasing a wide variety of art, science and historical displays in yet another superb building. To make the most of one’s time in a place where much of the good stuff lies hidden behind walls, down alleys, and in the knowledge of the locals, a private walking tour with one of Cantab Tours’ expert guides gives invaluable insight into Cambridge life as it is and as it was.  Specially themed itineraries like the Science Tour and Hidden Cambridge are popular options; custom tours can be tailored to individual interests. 

It is possible, indeed preferable, to stay in yet another of Cambridge’s historical buildings. Operating as a hotel since 1834, the very English University Arms, a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is the elegant complement to the Cambridge scene and offers a unique Couples Getaway experience. The hotel’s specialty suites with expansive views over the adjacent greenery of Parker’s Piece are especially appealing. A classic afternoon tea for two in University Arm’s library is a cosy winter treat; dinner served in the hotel’s Parker’s Tavern, a stylish archetype of contemporary English pub dining, is equally impressive. For a more intimate dining experience, private dining is easily arranged with bespoke menus to suit personal preferences.  

MUNICH: AUTOMOTIVE MOTIVE

Perhaps not the first place that comes to mind for romance, Munich is a lovely and lively place where romance takes various forms. As Germany’s most affluent city, Munich affords its residents a high quality of life enthusiastically shared with visitors. The joie de vivre encompasses accommodation, dining, sights to see, and, not least, cars. Munich is home to Bavarian Motor Works, better known to the world as BMW, and the exhibits at BMW Welt are an automobile enthusiast’s dream come true. Every model produced by BMW’s various brands, from Mini to Rolls-Royce, is on display here. Setting eyes on the new Rolls-Royce Spectre, the first electric vehicle produced by the most venerable of automobile manufacturers, is a highlight of the exhibition (and taking one home would make a delightful Valentine’s Day gift). Private factory tours are possible in addition to museum visits. 

Munich is endowed with other sights just as dazzling as the Spectre, albeit somewhat older than the latest product from Crewe. The very grand Residenz München — home to the stunning Antiquarium, seashell Grotto, and Cuvilliés Theatre — reminds visitors of Bavaria’s rich regal past. More streamlined in its Art Deco style is Villa Stuck, a former home now open to the public where innovative design elements remain avant-garde decades after their creation. Between these two splendid homes is the famous Eisbachwelle. Far from the ocean, Munich is Germany’s surfing capital thanks to a small stream with a surge of water that never recedes. The wetsuited surfers simply drop their boards into the stream and ride for as long as they want; the wave is permanent and it is not unusual to see spotlights illuminated here for night surfing right in the centre of the city. 

One of the most romantic sights in the world is found south of Munich. An inspiration for Disneyland’s Cinderella Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle does indeed evoke a sense of fantasy in its fairytale setting high at the edge of the Alps. To be treated like royalty in the Munich of today, The Charles Hotel makes an ideal base for exploring the city and the surrounding region. As elegant as it is discreet, The Charles has no need to trumpet its excellence; people just know. As a member of Rocco Forte Hotels, the exceptional service complementing the hotel’s refined decor and outstanding dining experiences at Florio comes as no surprise. The suites at The Charles culminate in the Monforte Royal Suite, among the city’s most exclusive accommodations. As for romantic experiences, the concierge can arrange a trip to Neuschwanstein as well as a private visit to Parfümerie Brückner where a unique fragrance can be created just for that special someone. 

GSTAAD: SNOW ROMANTIC

Switzerland in winter is one of the most romantic destinations in the world and Gstaad is one of the most romantic locations in Switzerland. Long famous for the wealth of its residents and visitors, this tiny village nevertheless maintains an unpretentious air; people here have no need to impress others as they stroll along Promenade, the pedestrian thoroughfare that serves as Gstaad’s quaint main street. 

Gstaad’s beautiful scenery is complemented in February by beautiful music. The annual Sommets Musicaux classical music festival brings world-renowned artists to the village for a series of concerts in intimate venues where acoustics are optimal and audiences appreciative. Following the concerts, gala dinners with the musicians are held in the legendary Gstaad Palace, the very real fairytale of a hotel that has been the last word in Gstaad glamour for decades. Set on a hill above the village, Gstaad Palace presides over it with an unmistakable presence. Naturally, rooms and suites are extremely comfortable and dining options are superb, as are the spa treatments. A couple’s treatment in one of the private suites in the hotel’s opulent spa makes for a cosy moment to remember long after returning home. Unusually for a hotel of its size, Gstaad Palace can be reserved in its entirety for private use. 

From the cheese vending machine outside the Molkerei dairy shop to the most glamorous of hotel restaurants, Gstaad is ready to please the gourmet traveller. Rather unexpectedly, one of Switzerland’s best Indian restaurants is found here. Mango serves a variety of dishes from the subcontinent, all exquisitely aromatic and generous in portion size. Rialto, a chic bar/restaurant on Promenade, serves as a locus for A-listers looking for a paparazzi-free evening out to enjoy drinks and dinner among friends. For an exclusive cheese experience, Molkerei offers private cheese tasting sessions in its famous Cheese Grotto. 

Any visit to Gstaad would be incomplete without a visit to the nearby Glacier 3000. The cable car ride to the top of the glacier, over 3,000 metres in elevation, is a highlight even before reaching the summit where the exhilarating walk across a metal footbridge connecting two mountain tops awaits the intrepid visitor brave enough to look down and take in the extraordinary panorama of the Swiss Alps below. Speaking of panoramas, one of the nicest ways to arrive in Gstaad is on the GoldenPass Panoramic, a special train fitted with oversized windows to allow for maximum sightseeing as the rail line rises along the route from Montreux on Lake Geneva towards Zweisimmen in the scenic Bernese Oberland. The very useful Swiss Travel Pass, valid for unlimited First Class rail travel and museum entry across the country, is also valid for travel on the GoldenPass Panoramic and can be acquired online though Switzerland Tourism.

VENICE: LOVE UNMASKED

Venice is a city like no other — that is well known. What is less well known is that masks have been part of Venice’s storied history for nearly a thousand years. In the past, it was normal — at times even obligatory — that Venetians wore masks to conceal their identities when out in public. Masks, therefore, are taken very seriously in Venice to this day, which is why the traditional shapes and styles of the city’s famous Carnevale masks have remained relatively unaltered for centuries.

Now famously a victim of overtourism, Venice maintains a less congested existence in its enchanting winter season. Sometimes sunny, sometimes engulfed in an ethereal fog, the charms of Venice are perhaps more wonderful in February than July. This year, the famous Carnevale di Venezia begins in mid-February and lasts into March, so get out the bauta and colombina masks and mingle at the private parties and exuberant celebrations around the city. Many of Venice’s most important sights become part of the festivities, hosting extravagantly beautiful balls in such venerable locations as La Fenice Theatre and Palazzo Zeno. The most supremely exclusive event of them all, The Doge’s Ball, takes place on March 1. Costume hire, makeup artists and personal stylists can be easily arranged to make a Carnevale trip to Venice an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.  

Located on a private island with boat service right to St Mark’s Square, San Clemente Palace Kempinski is an indulgent place to stay, yet provides the convenience of access to the heart of the city within minutes. One can always rely on Kempinski for all-around excellence in hospitality; the company’s Venice property exemplifies the superb accommodation, dining options and local experiences arranged by well-connected concierges typical of all the company’s properties. The Palazzo Suite in the hotel’s Navegante Wing is separate from the main part of the hotel and has its own pier. The entire Navegante Wing can be reserved for exclusive use, elevating the privacy factor to a yet higher level in one’s very own Venetian palazzo. San Clemente Palace’s Acquerello restaurant has been acclaimed as the best Italian restaurant in Europe by Haut Grandeur – quite an accolade given the number of fine Italian restaurants on the continent. Naturally, all the needs for participation in a Carnevale ball can be put in place for hotel guests.

TENERIFE: FUN IN THE SUN, ON THE MOON, UNDER THE STARS

Perhaps sand and sea are preferred to snow and even in the European winter, there are sunny places where beaches beckon, none sunnier than Spain’s Canary Islands. Long the haunt of budget tourists on package tours, the Canary Islands in fact have a more opulent side to them. One place to enjoy the good life in this part of the EU, off the coast of North Africa, is The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama, near the town of San Juan in the southwest of the island. A golf resort with a private beach, the enormous red building rises castle-like above the local terrain just as Tenerife’s famous volcano, Teide, rises red above its lunar landscape at sunset. Maybe a trip to the moon is still impossible for Earthbound travellers, but the lunar landscape surrounding Teide is close enough that astronauts have come to train here. 

Although it is easy to spend an entire holiday without leaving the grounds, there is more to Tenerife than its sandy beaches and fine weather. The island is dotted with picturesque villages such as Masca, tucked into a deep fold in the surrounding valley, and Garachico, where the small but imposing Castillo de San Miguel lords over the scenic coastline. Tours arranged by Tenerife First Excursions can be customised to showcase the best of the island, culminating in a visit to Teide just in time to catch the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean, while a private yacht or catamaran charter allows for enjoying a day out on the water before sundowners. Tenerife First also arranges a plethora of activities on land and sea, from hiking the mountains to fishing, diving and jetski excursions. A romantic dinner under the stars can be arranged here in a place where the world’s most ardent astronomers come to observe the million points of light dotting a black sky in Tenerife’s ideal atmospheric conditions.