Valentine’s Day: Hot Tips in Hungary

What better way for a couple to mark Valentine’s Day than to enjoy a specially designed pamper for two at one of the luxury spas in Budapest. Levendula Spa offers a ‘Time to Share‘ package for two, similarly Isis Day Spa provides a ‘Dream Couple‘ package complete with candle lit, scented baths and massage for two. Also, remember that among Budapest’s famed thermal baths, the Lukács and Széchenyi are fully co-ed, as is the Rudas at certain times, allowing you to cozy up to your better half in steamy surrounds, albeit with throngs of tourists for company.

For those who’d like to treat your date to something a little less predicable, how about a romantic afternoon in a hot-air balloon. Sup-air balloon will take you and your loved one up into the sky for a date to remember. Flights float over the spectacular Danube Bend and Lake Valence. Some what more down to earth, but equally fun is a day of bob-sledding in Visegrád. This all weather bobsled track offers summer and winter fun. Ice-skating is the winter date, and you couldn’t get a more honeyed setting then the Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park (bring your passport if you need to rent skates), or if you are more concerned about showing off your moves in some high quality ice, nothing beats the Astra Zenica ice center. Dance is, as always, the last word in date activities.

After years of salsa, jazz-fused swing dance is all the rage and an upcoming Lindy hop impro February workshop held in English with international teachers might be the way to swing, jive and charleston your way into your lover’s affections. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to save your energy till later, maybe you could enjoy all the thrills at the year round circus in City Park.

But if you’d rather whisk the object of your desire off to a romantic destination, then don’t dream of settling for anything less than a castle break. Hungary is sprinkled with relics of past grandeur now restored and transformed into luxury hotels, available to pamper those who can afford them: The Degenfeld is in the Tokaj region. The Széchenyi ancestral home of Nagycenk, the Festetich Hotel, the Hedervary and Szidonia Manor House all play host in Western Hungary. Meanwhile, Almásy Castle can be found near Szolnok. Apponyi Castle Hotel is in Southern Hungary. If you fancy a trip further afield, Transylvania will reap the greatest reward in the guise of Kálnoky Castle where you’ll be the guest of a genuine count. Or for a easy weekend just outside Budapest, the Polus Palace Country Club should supply the goods.

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