Beautiful, romantic Venice is ideal for a break with elegant gondolas for hire which can be rowed into even the narrowest and most shallow canals by experienced oarsmen.  While every tourist heads for the crowded Rialto market where fish is sold as well as meat, fruit and vegetables, you might fancy rising at dawn to see the delivery barges arriving and the stall holders setting up for the day.  Instead of filling up with dessert at the table, why not take a stroll in search of some really good gelato. Look out for stores that carry the Gelato Artigianale sign or Propria Produziona (made on the premises.)

This city of 118 islands and 400 bridges is now charging a tourist fee of €5 for day trippers. But you’re exempt if you’re staying overnight. Despite the throngs of tourists (and risk of floods), Venice is delightful, great for creating memories.

Paris, France

Known as both the ‘City of Light’ and the ‘City of Love’, Paris will never disappoint. It’s a busy city but there are welcome refuges from the clamour of the streets. You can enjoy a breathtaking view of the French capital from the 8th floor of Galeries Lafayette. Opéra Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur and Notre Dame can be seen from the rooftop of the department store. The store’s massive glass skylight is its much revered dome. You may be lucky enough to gaze at a splendid sunset from there, camera phone at the ready. You can meet up on the terrace all day up to early evening. In the warmer months, sample mouth watering dishes from one of the pop-up restaurants on the terrace. The terrace is a wonderful place to share a romantic meal while enjoying a magnificent view of the monuments and rooftops of Paris. Bon appetit!

 The Maldives, South Asia

For something a little exotic, The Maldives is a popular destination for honeymooners drawn by white sand beaches with clear water. Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the best time to visit is between November and April for sun and beachside relaxing. It’s a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. It is made up of 1,200 separate coral islands and really is a tropical paradise with luxury resorts – many of which are situated on their own island. You can either chill out under blue skies or you can go snorkelling or scuba diving. Snorkelling amidst the coral in The Maldives is an experience you’ll store away to be revisited on gloomy days back home. There’s also parasailing, kite-surfing and wind-surfing. If you fancy indulging the senses, you can opt for spa treatments to get you in a truly blissed-out zone. On the food front, treat yourself to delicious curries and fresh fish.

West Cork

For perhaps a mini moon, you can’t go wrong with a visit to scenic West Cork with its coastal towns, impressive landscapes, rich cultural heritage and fabled food scene. Skibbereen is considered to be the capital of West Cork and a great base from which to explore Baltimore, Mizen Head and Castletownshend. Skibbereen’s Uilinn (the West Cork Arts Centre) is worth checking out for contemporary art exhibitions with prints on sale there. Another town on the itinerary is Clonakilty where there are colourful shop fronts, giving it a welcoming and cosmopolitan feel. Traditional pubs proliferate with music on tap, a big draw for visitors. Schull is also worth a trip. You can walk along the harbour, witnessing the spectacular scenery. For a change of scene, take the ferry to Cape Clear Island where you can see various ancient ruins. Don’t forget Bantry to admire Bantry House and Gardens, a stunning Georgian manor. If you’re of a literary bent, the West Cork Literary Festival takes place in Bantry in July and always has an impressive line-up of both Irish and international writers.

West of Ireland

Galway is the second largest county in the country and is divided in two by Lough Corrib. Between it and the Atlantic is the wild and stunning Connemara where Irish is still spoken in some areas. At the mouth of the Corrib is Galway city. While it has extensive suburbs, the city – compact and lively – retains much of its historic charm. The streets still have their medieval layout. It’s an easy city to explore, on foot, with traditional music seeping out from its many pubs. The annual Galway Arts Festival attracts big crowds while the renowned Druid Theatre stages plays that have toured internationally and won awards. As a loved-up couple you may want to buy Claddagh rings (called after the fishing village on the outskirts of the city) that symbolise friendship and love. Go on....be romantic!