Holiday brochures often peddle the clichés of desert islands and cocktails for romantic holidays. Nothing wrong with that, but for romantic breaks with a difference – and at a fraction of the cost – we think Wales is pretty hard to beat.

Wales is made for love. Which other country has a Patron Saint for Lovers? The ancient lovelorn princess, St Dwynwen asked God to look kindly upon all who share true love after her father forbade her from marrying her lover. Her saint’s day is celebrated on 25th of January. You can take a romantic stroll at low tide along a pristine white sand beach from the isle of Anglesey to the tiny islet where you’ll find a well dedicated to her to her memory.

Wales is steeped in the traditions of love too. Ever heard of the lovespoon (or llwy in Welsh)? Young Welsh men would spend hours carving intricate wooden lovespoons to present to the girl of their dreams as a keepsake. The more intricate the design, the more it showed the depth of the creator’s love. You can buy them in lots of places in Wales – a perfect gift to show your affection to someone special.

But there’s far more to romantic getaways in Wales than traditions and lovelorn princesses…

Romantic Restaurants
Fine dining always tops the list when it comes to ideas for warming the fires of love. And Wales is rightly famous for some of the most romantic restaurants, unique flavours and top chefs skilled at turning out creative, tasty cuisine. Any chef worth his salt will tell you it’s the quality of the ingredients first and foremost that dictates the depths and subtleties of flavour in a dish and Wales is blessed with fertile hills, fresh waters and abundant rainfall. Wonderfully textured crumbly cheeses, sparklingly sharp cider and perry, flounderingly fresh salmon and trout, succulent and tender lamb and beef are regular favourites on the Welsh kitchen table.

Oysters, strawberries, champagne… the list of foods to light your fire is well known. But why not try some Welsh delicacies to get you in the mood for love?

• Succulent local produce – Tender Welsh lamb, soft crumbly cheeses, flappingly fresh fish, hoppy local ales and fruity wines – the list of fine Welsh food is long and varied. And yes, of course we have oysters! Anglesey oysters are world-renowned.
• Love some laver bread? – there are more unusual Welsh dishes to tempt love-hungry palates too. Laver bread might be made with seaweed, but it’s the perfect breakfast for the morning after the night before!
• Awesome eateries – from Michelin-starred dining to gastro-pub delights, cheerful beachside chip bars to top-notch Italian diners – Wales-based chefs are cooking up a storm with creative cuisine that’s winning acclaim way beyond the Welsh borders.

Romantic Hotels
Romantic breaks away are often about the accommodation first and foremost. If you’re looking for something seductive and stylish, Wales has plenty of lovely places to choose from, regardless of your budget.

• Lap of luxury – if money’s no object, there are five star luxury spa resorts, snug sexy boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants with rooms and more.
• Love don’t cost a thing – you don’t need to pay a fortune for the perfect love-nest though, Wales has plenty of options for cheap romantic getaways. How about snuggling up in a yurt or a cosy gypsy caravan for the night, or the seclusion of a cliff-top campsite?
• Something different – or to really have a night to remember, you could stay in a grand castle or mess about in your very own canal boat?

Magical Memories
A walk along a deserted beach; a cosy log fire on a cold winter’s day; a wander round the flamboyant rooms of an extravagantly gothic castle; taking a top-down drive into the sunset on a warm summer’s evening – what’s your idea of a perfect romantic break?

• Landscapes for love – swoon-worthy peaks, crenelated keeps, flower-bedecked beds – Wales has scenery to woo the hardest of hearts at any time of year.
• Just made for two – whether it’s spa treatments for two, jumping hand-in-hand into the sea (suitably attired in sexy life preserver, wet-suit and helmet of course!) or wandering along the prom in the autumn sunshine, Wales is wonderful for having fun together.
• Warmest of welcomes – you’re guaranteed the friendliest of welcomes wherever you wander and we’d love you to come and try it for yourself.

For more information visit: http://www.visitwales.co.uk

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