Valentine’s Day is everyone’s holiday. We all deserve a little love whether it stems from a romance, arrives as a welcome hug from a friend, or just reminds us to love ourselves. Sometimes the best way to demonstrate your love for those you care about most — including yourself — is to travel to places you love. In my travels I’ve fallen in love with places all over the world. So for this Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing highlights from a few of my favorites. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to discover some new places to love this Valentine’s Day.
Germany’s Fairy Tale Route
Germany’s Fairy Tale Route stretches 375 miles winding through a landscape of picturesque villages, fortified castles, and sinister forests. Following the the footsteps of the Brothers Grimm, the road begins at the university town of Marburg where Jacob and Wilheim Grimm studied in the early 19th century. Marburg served as the inspiration for the brothers’ idea to collect the fairy tales that ultimately became one of the world’s most famous books from German cultural history.
Walking through the narrow alleys of Marburg’s medieval center, you’ll discover fairy tale statues and sculptures on houses, steps, and walls. Among them are a Frog-King, Red Riding Hood’s basket and cape, and the wicked stepmother’s mirror from Snow White. Perched high above the town on the climb up to the imposing Landgrave Palace you can’t miss an oversized version of Cinderella’s slipper.
Along the fairy tale route, you’ll also find Snow White’s cozy house in the tiny hilltop village of Bergfreiheit. Inside, seven little beds, seven little hats hanging on a rack, tiny place settings for seven, and seven little chairs await the return of Snow White’s elves.
Don’t miss out on a visit to the copper mine where the dwarfs went when they set off each day singing “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go.” And be sure to stop in the meadow between the village and the mine where the statues of the seven little guys make an ideal selfie backdrop!
Fall In Love With Trains in Switzerland
Every day in Switzerland locals board trains for routine commutes. But even then, it’s Switzerland, and no train ride is routine. In the land filled with lush landscapes crowned by snow-capped mountains, epic views appear everywhere. Here bell-wearing cows graze outside charming Alpine villages. Blue-green lakes shimmer in the sunlight. And those snow-capped mountains above it all add to Switzerland’s feast for the eyes.
Fortunately for travelers, Switzerland has a grand tour showcasing the country’s bounty of beauty. On the Grand Tour of Switzerland’s train journey, the stunning panoramic vistas are just outside your window. The jaw-dropping experience covers 795 miles and takes the “hop on hop off” concept to new heights…literally. Simply buy a Swiss Travel Pass, choose a route, and experience the romance of train travel.
Cross Through the Portal of Happiness in Norway
With deep narrow fjords flanked by majestic mountains displaying ribbons of cascading waterfalls—there’s no question Norway’s landscapes are spectacular. Beyond the landscapes, Norway’s cities offer a blend of culture, luxury, and culinary excellence.
Once the Viking capital of Norway, Trondheim, the country’s third-largest city, exemplifies this. The cultural center of the Trøndelag region, this picturesque city with its timber warehouses of red, gold, brown, and green flanking the Nidelva River provides a fascinating contrast of old and new. Home to the majestic Nidaros Cathedral, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and a lively music scene, there’s plenty to see and do here. Whether you want to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland or chase the midnight sun, Trondheim could be the answer.
For a touch of romance, be sure to cross the Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge). Built in 1691, the bridge is also known as the “Portal of Happiness.” It’s a popular spot for marriage proposals, but even if you’re not tying the knot, this portal of happiness leads to Trondheim’s “Old Town” known as Bakklandet, a true treasure. Here, cobblestone streets flanked by carefully preserved small 17th-century houses set the scene. Strolling through the cafes, galleries and shops inside these treasures is a treat. Be careful, you may become as smitten with Trondheim as I am!