Chelsea and the Tower the big winners for Valentine’s Day, reveals London Sightseeing Pass

When it comes to lovers, Chelsea FC is in the premier league.

While the high-profile off-field antics of captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole have landed both players in hot water, they appear to have caused a massive Valentine’s Day peak in foreign tourists taking the club’s Stadium Tour.

According to figures from the London Sightseeing Pass – the smartcard giving tourists entry to more than 55 of the city’s top attractions – Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground was the eighth most popular tourist site in London on 14 February, leaping up the table from its usual spot of 15th place for weekend sightseers.

That means it attracted more visitors than established London attractions such as the Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, London Zoo and Hampton Court Palace.

Amanda Truman, product marketing director, London Sightseeing Pass, said:

“It’s always interesting to see where visitors choose to spend Valentine’s Day. We’ve been very surprised that Chelsea has been the big mover this year – maybe people were hoping some of the club’s recent naughtiness would rub off on them!”

The Tower of London – where Henry VIII avenged the adultery of two wives by beheading – remained the capital’s top visitor spot on Valentine’s Day.

Meanwhile, German tourists made up the largest number of London Sightseeing Pass users (17 percent) on February 14 treating their loved ones to days out, beating the traditionally romantic French who made up 15 percent of sightseers in the capital. American tourists, who normally top the list for use of the London Sightseeing Pass, slipped to making up just 12 percent of sightseers whilst Brits lagged behind in the romantic stakes making up just 8 percent of those out and about on Valentine’s Day using the London Sightseeing Pass.

The London Sightseeing Pass is a convenient and affordable pre-paid pass designed to help visitors make the most of their stay in the city, with hassle-free entry to tourist destinations, hidden gems and special offers in selected retail outlets, theatres, restaurants, bars and commission-free currency exchange.

For more information and to buy a London Sightseeing Pass please visit www.londonpass.com, call 0870 242 9988 or buy in-store at the Britain and London Visitors Centre on Regent Street, London.

Had your fill of oysters now that Valentine’s Day is over? Then why not head on down to Rye, East Sussex for some sizzling scallop sensations? 2010 sees a number of new events to tickle your taste buds. For the latest of these, read on.

The ancient Cinque Ports town of Rye, East Sussex is famous for many things but maybe none more so than its seafood and arts. What better way to enjoy both of these specialities than an evening of music and food? The Rye Wurlitzer and Rye Bay scallops join to great effect.

The Rye Wurlitzer, the second oldest theatre organ in the country, has been given its own unique identity by the addition of scallop emblems on either side of the console, on the music rest, bench, pedal board and other parts of the cabinet. It’s a delight to see as it rises out of the pit on concert days. The scallop emblem is an interpretation of our popular local delicacy – the Rye Bay scallop, so special that it even has a week named after it each February.

“For One Night Only – The Sequel” will take place on Friday 26th February as part of Rye Bay scallop week. The Rye Wurlitzer musical experience and the delicious Rye Bay scallop will combine with a Coquilles St Jacques supper and a fabulous programme of music with Len Rawle, the acclaimed “Mr Wurlitzer”, rounding off the evening with a unique scallop-themed finale.

Tickets are £9.50 in aid of Rye College and are available by calling 01797 222545 or 01424 444058.

Rye Bay Scallop Week runs from 20th – 28th February with over 20 events including cookery demos, scallop tastings, gourmet evenings, wine tastings and competitions. The week starts on Saturday 20th Feb at Simmons Quay with Scallop Tasting at Rye Bay Fish and Scallop Cutting demonstrations at Market Fisheries.

www.ryebayscallops.co.uk
www.ryewurlitzer.co.cc

For this Valentines, treat your loved one to a long weekend away in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Wander along the stunning sea front, enjoy a coffee overlooking the picture-postcard harbour, and dine in one of Tenbys famous restaurants.

Your accommodation is a cosy cottage or quaint town house, within easy reach of all that Tenby has to offer.

For example, stay in Lantern Suite is a perfect couple’s hideaway! Part of a Grade II listed building it offers spacious accommodation in a lower ground floor apartment. There is a stylish, but romantic bedroom with feature bath. The large open plan kitchen/dining area leads through to the lounge which opens onto a small terrace with 2 steps up to your own pebbled garden. A smart and highly recommended base for this beautiful town with all its great amenities & beaches an easy stroll away.

Cost – £499 for a romantic couple, four nights accommodation, roses and chocolates on arrival and gourmet dinner in a popular restaurant.

Are you looking for a spectacular way to propose this Valentine’s Day? Well the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is offering a watertight solution which will be impossible to say no to – an exclusive underwater proposal service. Those wishing to pop the question to their loved one in a totally unique and utterly surprising way can organise for a diver to emerge amongst the rare Turtles, magical rays and shoals of exotic tropical fish, clutching a personalised “will you marry me?” sign (waterproof of course!) The amazing marine setting provides the perfect romantic backdrop to make a special event completely unforgettable. Water way to get engaged!

The once in a lifetime service costs £60, which includes a glass of champagne and a photo capturing the moment. Numbers are extremely limited and slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Those who are sure there really aren’t plenty more fish in the sea and are interested in taking up this unique offer should contact the aquarium to reserve a slot by emailing sllondon@merlinentertainments.biz.

For couples who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge and tie the knot, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is still the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day date, with its stunning array of fish, Seahorses and Turtles. The tropical glass tunnel walkway is an ideal tranquil backdrop to whisper sweet nothings, whilst the terrifying Shark Walk finale provides the perfect excuse to hold hands. Check www.sealife.co.uk/london for full details.

Love will be in the air in Poland this February as the country’s men get ready to honour their wives and girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.

Only celebrated in Poland since relatively recent times, Valentine’s Day has quickly become one of the country’s most popular days for couples. It’s a time when men across the country give gifts of flowers and sweets to the love of their lives.

A popular treat on14 February sees couples heading to the northern town of Chelmno, renowned as a ‘lovers’ city’. Prayers are offered at a Valentine altar for a long and happy live of love, while Polish men give their loved ones spectacular floral arrangements made of red roses and bows, heart-shaped cookies, cakes, pastries and buns, all specially prepared for the occasion.

After dark, the town holds a singing concert that fills the air with romantic lyrics and song. The finale sees thousands of lights placed in the town square in the shape of a giant love heart.

Acting Director of the Polish National Tourist Office Bogdan Becla said: “Poland is a special place at any time of year, and we’re a very romantic nation. That romantic side will definitely be on show on 14 February.

“Polish culture is well known for honouring women and Valentine’s Day is certainly no exception.”

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the award winning Lake of Menteith Hotel in Perthshire has been featured in the new edition of Peter Irvine’s Scotland the Best in his list of Top 10 Romantic Hideaways.

Widely regarded as the leading authority on Scotland’s best hotels and restaurants, Peter Irvine also rates The Lake of Menteith Hotel as No 5 in his Best Hotels & Restaurants and describes the hotel as “a placid place in the heart of the Trossachs, Scotland’s most romantic landscape..”. The Lake of Menteith Hotel was awarded Romantic Hotel of the Year 2009 in the Hotel Review Scotland Awards 2009

To coincide with all things romantic, The Lake of Menteith Hotel has launched its Romance in Recession Valentine’s Package, for guests who are keen to increase their love credit rating but without breaking the bank.

Available throughout the month of February (excluding the 14th), Romance in Recession includes a pre dinner glass of fizz, handmade chocolates, waterfront dinner, breakfast with breathtaking views and a choice of room types, starting from just £70.00 per person per night dinner, bed and breakfast.

Ian Fleming, owner of the Lake of Menteith Hotel said, “Our special R in R Valentine’s package is perfect for those who are suffering from a financial rather than a love deficit! It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy an endearing yet cost effective break with our priceless views thrown in free of charge.”

Peter Irvine’s Scotland The Best, now in its 10th edition, is published every two years and is described as “a gospel and a patriotic tract” by The Observer and “Makes all other guides to Scotland redundant” by The Times.

Ian Fleming said; “Peter Irvine is the superlative authority on the best that Scotland’s travel and hospitality industry has to offer. For him to feature The Lake of Menteith Hotel in his Top 10 Romantic Hideaways is the ultimate accolade and captures the essence of our hotel to perfection.”

The Lake of Menteith Hotel enjoys a unique waterfront setting at the Port of Menteith. Only an hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, the hotel has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and is decorated in the warm, welcoming style of a classic New England waterfront hotel. The muted tones, light fabrics and extensive use of local timber and stone perfectly compliment its unique lakeside location.

With February being the month of love, the first of the hotel’s newly refurbished lake view suites has just been unveiled, providing the perfect romantic retreat. Featuring a freestanding bath, shower for two, spacious dressing and seating area and a divinely comfortable half tester bed, the suite is decorated in welcoming rich teal, aquas and bronze tones, making it a perfect echo of its waterfront position.

Visit Leeds (www.visitleeds.co.uk) the city’s official tourism body, has released the Top 10 things to do and places to stay to help visitors plan their Valentine’s Day 2010.

Top 10 Things to do in Leeds

1. Book a box at Leeds Grand Theatre for Opera North’s spellbinding performance of La Boheme .
2. Hold hands as you ice skate on the UK’s largest temporary ice rink The Ice Cube and warm up afterwards with a mug of hot chocolate!
3. Your funny Valentine will love nothing more than a few giggles at The HiFi Club comedy night.
4. Take half an hour out to visit the Elemis Spapod at Harvey Nichols. Highly skilled therapists perform power-booster facials in the world’s first intelligent massage chair.
5. For a special Valentine’s night treat pick up some lingerie at the risqué Agent Provocateur boutique in the Victoria Quarter.
6. If you’re thinking about popping the question visit the Amore jewellery showcase at Leeds Craft Centre & Design Gallery for unique, affordable pieces.
7. Raise a toast to yourselves at Epernay champagne bar. They stock an extensive range of vintage, rare and exclusive bottles and the stylish surroundings are perfect for sampling bubbles until the early hours.
8. Experience James Turrell’s Skyspace artwork at sunset followed by a delicious evening meal at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
9. If you fancy a romantic meal with lively entertainment book a table at Bibi’s Italianissimo restaurant and enjoy the 9- piece ‘Schwing’ band playing classic tunes to get you up and dancing.
10. Snuggle up with your loved one at one of the UK’s oldest cinemas The Hyde Park Picture House showing both the heart-warming French favourite Amelie and touching Norwegian vampire flick Let The Right One In over the Valentines weekend.

Why not book a short break in Leeds to make the most of all the events on offer? If you’re spoilt for choice, find inspiration with Visit Leeds’ list of the 10 most romantic places to stay in the city:

1. Chic, unique and boutique, Quebecs’ elegant bedrooms and suites provide the perfect oasis for a romantic stay. Enjoy a glass of Champagne on arrival with nibbles, discover rose petals on the bed, luxury bubble bath to unwind, L’Occitane’s ‘Try Me’ travel kit to keep, a luxury double room plus breakfast from £150 per night. www.theetoncollection.com
2. The Queen’s Hotel is Leeds landmark hotel, with a beautiful art deco interior, located on City Square. Double rooms start at £89 including breakfast. Tickets for the hotel’s Valentine’s dinner dance featuring a 4 course meal and a Frank Sinatra tribute act are just £34.95 each. www.qhotels.co.uk
3. For pure relaxation head to the Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa. For £149 enjoy a 3 course dinner in the restaurant, a full English breakfast, unlimited use of the spa and fluffy robes for use during your stay. www.thorpeparkhotel.com
4. Book a Valentines break at the stylish and contemporary Woodlands and receive a bottle of Champagne in your room on arrival, a 3 course candlelit dinner and full Yorkshire breakfast in the morning from £199 per room. www.tomahawkhotels.co.uk
5. De Vere Oulton Hall is a lavish retreat with a golf course and spa alongside luxury accommodation. A 2 night break for 2 people in February starts from £149 including dinner on the first night, wine in your room on arrival and a late checkout. www.devere.co.uk
6. If you fancy a view of the city from a hot tub, check into the penthouse suite at The Chambers serviced apartments. Book a superior apartment this Valentine’s weekend and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne! www.morethanjustabed.com
7. From £195 per night you can enjoy a glorious suite at Malmaison, champagne on ice, chocolate dipped strawberries, aromatic oils and candles, a chilled Mal CD and that all important champagne breakfast in your room. That’s Mal life. www.malmaison-leeds.com
8. Snuggle up with this romantic package for one night at the riverside 42 The Calls hotel in Leeds. Stay in a deluxe double room with an ice cold bottle of Champagne, rose petals on the bed, sensual bath oil, delicious chocolates and a full Yorkshire breakfast for two in the morning. Prices from £170 per night. www.42thecalls.co.uk
9. Treat your loved one to an evening away from it all, with the Romance @ Roomzzz package. Pamper yourself with Espa soothing massage oil and chill out and watch one of a wide selection of movies in the privacy of your luxury apartment. Enjoy some Haagen Dazs ice cream & a huge bar of Green & Blacks organic chocolate and chocolate drink. Prices from £69 per apartment per night at weekends, plus £29.95 for the Romance package. www.roomzzz.co.uk
10. Whisk your loved one off to City Inn Leeds to celebrate Valentines. 2 nights from £149 includes a bottle of Champagne on arrival, a romantic 3 course evening meal on one night, special free gift for your loved one, a double room, delicious breakfast on both mornings and a 2pm checkout. With stunning views of the city, the Skylounge bar is also a fantastic place to propose! www.cityinn.com

Celebrate this year’s St. Valentine’s Day with a difference by whisking your loved-one away for a romantic European city break. Specialist tour operator, Dertour offers a range of long weekends, including historic Vienna, the colourful city of Cologne and cosmopolitan Geneva.

VIENNA £369pp – Depart 12 February from London Heathrow for two nights in romantic Vienna, staying at the three star Hotel Graben. The hotel is family-run, designed in Art Nouveau style and situated close to many boutiques and antique shops right in the centre of the city, with St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Imperial Palace very close by. Priced from £369 per person, based on two people sharing on bed and breakfast basis, including return flights.

COLOGNE £299pp – Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities and there is lots for romantic couples to see and do, including the Chocolate Museum and the breathtaking Cathedral. Depart 12 February from London Heathrow for a two night stay on bed and breakfast basis at the three star Hotel Konigshof, a family-owned hotel in the heart of the city. Price also includes return flights. Based on two people sharing.

GENEVA £329pp – Geneva is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city in the French speaking part of Switzerland, framed by the stunning Alps and situated at Europe’s largest lake, Lake Geneva, so it provides an ideal romantic backdrop for a Valentine’s weekend. Depart 12 February for a two night break staying on bed and breakfast basis at the three star Hotel Longchamp located a short walk away from Lake Geneva. Price also includes return flights. Based on two people sharing.

Escape for a romantic Valentine’s weekend break to the 5 star Barceló Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa on the Costa Blanca and fill your senses with the traditional Thai philosophies of peace, calm and harmony when you indulge your loved one in this perfect romantic setting.

Arriving on Friday, 12 February receive a VIP check in to a superior sea view room or a suite and toast the weekend with a bottle of Moet Chandon and luxury chocolates in room on arrival.

On Saturday morning start the day with a truly indulgent continental breakfast in bed then at a leisurely pace explore the grounds of the hotel which is set in an acre of pine forest and built on three levels into the foothills of the striking Sierra Cortina Mountains, wandering through its lush fragrant gardens, which include over 60 varieties of plants and cascading water features.

If you prefer to start the day with a run there are several running routes around the grounds and hills then cool off in one of the hotel’s seven swimming pools, two of which are heated year round.

Having built up an appetite there is time to relax and enjoy an intimate dinner on Saturday evening at the hotel’s stylish ‘In Black’ restaurant where a special tasting menu has been prepared accompanied by live music and continues after dinner with dancing and drinks in the hotel’s Shanghai Saloon.

To round off the weekend book one of the range of exotic traditional eastern style spa treatments (available at an extra cost) such as the classic ‘Nuad Thai’ massage, the ‘Look Pra Khob’ and ‘Nuad Thai’- a massage using herbal compresses with traditional massage, before taking part in the hotel’s Grand St. Valentines Day Sunday Brunch and the receive a parting gift from the hotel.

A special two night stay for the St. Valentine’s weekend costs from €960 (£840) per room for a sea view and €1400 (£1,227) per room for a suite based on two sharing for two nights, including a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne and chocolates on arrival, continental breakfast served in your room each morning dinner at ‘In Black’ on Saturday evening and a St. Valentine’s bunch on Sunday. Taxes included. To book call Barceló Asia Gardens on 00 800 4 227 23 56 or book via the website at www.asiagardens.es or www.barceloasiagardens.com

A 60 minute spa treatment cost from £85 (95 Euros) per person.

Barcelo Asia Gardens is 35 minutes from Alicante airport.

Every year Cyprus celebrates spring carnival at the start of Lent when the city of Limassol comes alive for 10 days with parties, parades and music. This year the Carnival’s Grand Parade takes place on 14 February, the last Sunday of the carnival season. The Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri Bay, not far from Limassol, is this year offering two short break packages to celebrate Carnival, Valentine’s Day or both together!

The Carnival party starts on 4 February and streets where festivities take place are elaborately decorated, particularly around the Medieval Castle in Limassol’s old town. These celebrations date back hundreds of years originating from Greek mythology and the Dionysiac festivals. Serenaders traditionally called ‘Cantadori’, with their melodic guitars and mandolins wander the streets on floats enchanting young and old alike. Fancy-dress parties take place at night across the city and around the Medieval Castle.
This is the time to try special Cypriot foods too in the weeks leading up to Lent. The first week of Carnival is called the Meat Week (Kreatini), as it is the last week for eating meat before Easter. The second week is known as the cheese week (Tyrini), when cheese and other dairy products may be consumed. The Pentecost, which is the period of 50 days of fasting before Easter, commences with Green Monday right after the end of the Carnival and the special package below includes a special Green Monday lunch.

Carnival & Green Monday package
• 5 night’s accommodation in a Junior Suite for 2 persons on a Bed & Breakfast basis
• One Traditional Cyprus Meal per person
• Green Monday Lunch – the first day of fasting before Easter
• Flights are not included**
Cost: £640 or Euros 720 for 2 persons (£340 each based on two sharing)

In contrast to all the festivities the Columbia Beach Resort offers seclusion, elegance and discreet luxury in the Bay of Pissouri. So enjoy the party in Limassol and then escape for a romantic break at one of the island’s most exclusive hotels. This is the place for passion and romance to be re-kindled.

Cyprus is famous for Aphrodite, ancient mythological goddess of love, who, legend tells us, emerged from the foam of the azure sea just a short distance westwards from the Resort. The Columbia Beach Resort’s Valentine’s package includes a massage treatment in the award-winning* Columbia Spa and so after relaxation or a good work out in its excellent gym you can emerge feeling renewed ready for the influence of Aphrodite.

Valentine’s package
• 4 nights accommodation in a Junior suite for 2 persons on Bed & Breakfast
• Back – Neck – Shoulder massage per person
• Valentines dinner with a glass of champagne
• Gift in the suite upon arrival
• Flights are not included
Cost: £624 Euros 700 for 2 persons (£312 each based on two sharing)

The distinctive architecture of the Resort is inspired by local Cypriot villages featuring low rise buildings in local stone. The sloping roofs furnished with reclaimed terracotta tiles and shutters on the windows and abundance of natural wood give this hotel a discreetly aged and traditional look, landscaped so that old and new blend together. The 94 suites in this all-suite hotel are arranged in ‘villas’ clustered around the 80m lagoon style pool that flows into the Columbia Spa.