I am looking for a romantic long weekend mini break to an European Destination, travelling by train.

The key criteria are:

Off the beaten track
Romantic
Decent Restaurants
A bit of culture.

Where have you been that seriously impressed your laydees?

Cheers!

San Sebastian, but the train trip might be pretty long (depends on where you are coming from obviously though)

where are you starting?

Toulouse on the TGV?
Amsterdam? Lovely city.

Dont know if its off the beaten track but Bruges is very accessible by Train, and ticks alot of those other points, IMO.

I shall be starting in West Sussex, realistically we will be getting on to the Eurostar as a first move.

Bruges

We did think about that but then wondered if it had maybe suffered a little from the success of the movie.

Bruges +1

You don’t want to spend the entire weekend on a train.

*Curve ball*

Could I ask why the train specifically? With LGW on your doorstep (Sort of!) you could get to all manner of amazing places beyond the reach of a train for a weekend away.

Either way, if you do end up in the ‘Dam, let me know! I can recommend all manner of places to go!

Bruges is edging it, with Amsterdam a firm second.

Not sure about Bruges, nice to look at but dull once it gets dark and all the tourists go.

Have a look on the sheepskin cottages website. Not abroad, but the cottages are really romantic. We went to one after new year near Hye on Wye, and it was so pretty and lovely. Little wood stove, really really comfy bed. Gorgeous

Could I ask why the train specifically?

Good question, not sure to be honest. I reckon the train might be a bit more romantic than flying.

If flying was an option, what would you suggest CFH?

Lille is quite nice – a little touristy, but the food is great (if you like Flemish food, so meat-heavy). Last time I was there I had mature cheese and whiskey as a starter. 8)

get rid of your travel budget and blow the accomodation budget:
http://www.lainstonhouse.com/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/the_hotel.aspx

Or one of the ‘sister’ hotels they make fantastic romantic getaways, the rooms and bathrooms are mind blowing

Flying can be very pleasant. Just need to know how to do it right!

If flying, I’d look at the following;
Amsterdam (Again! I like it. It’s a lovely city!)
Barcelona or Madrid – Take your pick, both rather lovely.
Munich – Great city, often very much overlooked
Turin – As above
Moscow? Long shot, but what an amazing/fascinating place to go.

If we are talking flying, then Vienna.

Not sure about Bruges, nice to look at but dull once it gets dark and all the tourists go.

Its best in the dark when the tourists go, lots of dark back alleys to explore with your loved one, so to speak 😯

Not sure about Bruges, nice to look at but dull once it gets dark and all the tourists go.

Depends what you want. Party central or romantic dinner….

The OP wants a romantic weekend away so I would anticipate a nice restaurant and relaxed drink.

Bruges is spot on for that.

I must admit the prospect of getting on a train and watching the world fly by on our way somewhere sounds far more appealing that dealing with an airport and then boarding a plane so I am going to stick with the train.

Bruges or Amsterdam are still looking like the main contenders.

Munich could be a great place to go as well, I am told the service in Germany is leagues ahead of the UK.

Most of the restaurants in Bruges just seemed to serve beer and chips.

The tourist ones do – be a little more adventurous. 😉

Edit: Clicky

I like beer and chips mind.

sounds lovely torm, when are we going? xx

Bruges is beautiful, lots of lovely places, nice beers, culture, easy to get to. Tie it in right and watch Tour of Flanders kick off from there 😉

Amsterdam okay but over the two (having been to both) I would say Bruges is way nicer and better.

sounds lovely torm, when are we going? xx

I am thinking February old chap. How you fixed?

By yourself, et al. or with the Mrs. ?

florence…the most romantic place ive ever been…loads of cheap airlines go there
food/wine is awesome
citys very cool too

Amsterdam, stay near the leidesplein (quieter) but within an nice 15 min walk to the red light district, stunning place especially at night and loads to do and see.

By yourself, et al. or with the Mrs. ?

With the soon-to-be Mrs.

florence

Ooo, that sounds like a good plan. [goes to research]

By yourself, et al. or with the Mrs. ?

If you had any ‘lady-skills’ at all, you wouldn’t even be thinking about it. You see, if you give, they expect. If you don’t give, they expect, but don’t expect. Clear yeah?

Now go organize a biking weekend and MTFU.

I have spoken.

you can’t just expect me to drop everything for a bromantic trip abroad!

i’m going to sulk now until you buy me enough things to be forgiven.

If you go to Amsterdam – the Supper Club is an interesting place to try (or it was about 8 years ago when we last went)

theyres loadsa quaint hotels..i had a great time there.so did the last missus.

i should have proposed… 😥
numpty..

i’m going to sulk now until you buy me enough things to be forgiven.

Two words my friend: Separation anxiety. I like your dog too much to whisk you away for bromance and gentle strolls along European riverbanks.

If you had any ‘lady-skills’ at all, you wouldn’t even be thinking about it. You see, if you give, they expect. If you don’t give, they expect, but don’t expect. Clear yeah?

Do you do correspondence classes?

i should have proposed

Too late?

Another vote for Bruges. Been 3 times and loved it everytime, but particularly enjoyed the year we stumbled upon the canal festival (think its normally summer time though) which I can HIGHLY recommend for a weekend.

surely, considering your mutual interests…. research into some kinda computer game convention type thing you could visit, you’d be the only person their in a relationship so be prepared to battle for her

canterbury – tasting menu with wines at Abode (Michael Caines – he of the rubber hand).