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Want to escape the city smog for something a bit more romantic? Well put thoughts of Paris out of your brain, because – bloody lovely though it is – on February 14 it'll be chock-a-block with only the most unadventurous of couples, all crammed under the Eiffel Tower like loved-up lemmings. Instead, check out our top five alternative getaways.
1. The Pink Fire Truck in Norway
Who wants to be holed up in a hotel with other couples when you could be tucked up in a repurposed fire truck? It's located in ‘The Pearl of the Oslo Fjord’, meaning the surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful, yet not too far from Oslo if your urban cravings get the better of you. In the perfect shade of Valentine’s pink, the truck houses a double bed and even has internet access, just in case you get bored of each other.
2. The Shepherd’s Hut in Skye
Scotland’s not all battered Mars bars and bottles of Buckfast; our neighbours in the North also have some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole of the UK. Set on the remote Isle of Skye, this dinky hut has everything you could possibly need to escape the noise of London life.
3. The Astronomic Dome in Chile
So perfect you could puke, this has to be one of the most absurdly romantic locations in the world. Set in the Elqui Valley – which has none of London's light pollution problems – the dome has a detachable roof you so can stargaze from the comfort of your bed.
4. The Treehouse in Italy
Suspended in the treetops, overlooking a beautiful garden, this elevated shack is amazing. Not least because it’s located in one of Italy’s best wine-producing regions, making it ideal for boozy couples. And don’t forget that this is utterly romantic Italy: home of opera, the real-life Romeo and Juliet, not to mention Berlusconi’s bunga-bunga parties.
5. The Stargazer in Somerset
Down at the bottom of the garden among the birds and the bees, there lives what would pass for a studio flat in London. Essentially a shed, its glass roof for stargazing makes it more dreamy than dowdy. It's also a short commute away from both of Devon’s perfectly pretty coasts, do don’t forget your bucket and spade.
Prefer to stay in London? Here's what you can do this Valentine's Day right here.