Frequently Asked Questions About Seasonal Trips & Celebrations...

It’s always the season for a holiday and the good news for you is that we’ve cherry-picked some of the most romantic hotels worldwide to make sure you’ve a wide range deals to choose from. So whether it’s the time for a steamy trip with a new love, or you’re after a group getaway with friends and family, or for anything else… we’re sure to have you covered. Here’s everything you should think about when planning a seasonal trip.

Seasonal trips are busy times to travel – what should we be thinking about?

While last-minute delays and cancellations can happen at any time of the year, the holiday seasons are particularly risky times to travel. Therefore it’s important to make sure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place long before you go away. The terms and conditions of each insurance policy will be different, so look into the Ts & Cs with care. At the extreme end of the scale, you could get protection if your tour provider goes bust. Also, don’t forget that purchases of over £100 and under £30,000 made on credit cards can be covered by the government’s Consumer Credit Act for added peace of mind.

More commonly, a strike at an airport could hamper your dream trip. If you’ve planned to pick up a rental car, you could try to establish what would happen if your flight gets delayed and you turn up at the airport and it’s out-of-hours. Many rental companies track flights and might stay open if they see you’re delayed, so include your flight number when you’re reserving a car. If you are forced to pay extra for an out-of-hours collection or drop-off, see if you can claim the money back on your travel insurance.

Where should we go for New Year’s Eve?

Places like Sydney or New York are well known for NYE celebrations, but there are lots of options a bit closer to home in Europe too. Towns and cities across Spain get into the spirit with (almost) the same enthusiasm as their summer fiestas. You could indulge in the carnival celebrations at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol – ringing in the New Year with a dozen grapes, as is the country’s quirky tradition to encourage good luck in the 12 months ahead.

Meanwhile in Italy, a feast on lentils is the Venetian way as December 31 is marked by St Sylvester’s Feast Day. Across the country, extravagant meals are enjoyed by all. Apparently their lentils are meant to symbolise wealth (as they’re shaped like coins) and around Venice, the restaurants and bars serve up romantic festive menus amid singing gondoliers and their vast winding canals and magnificent bridges. 

Where’s hot during our winter?

Broadly speaking December to February is summertime for the southern hemisphere, while you can expect a colder northern hemisphere during the same months. In January places like South Africa and Australia are good for sun-chasing adventures, with average temperatures into the late 20s and early 30s. New Zealand is a good choice as well is you’d prefer a slightly cooler feel to the air. Much of Latin America basks in sunshine around this time of year too, so a spot of hot Salsa dancing with your partner in Brazil or Colombia may be more your thing? If you’re willing to splash out then you should consider heading to the Caribbean for long-haul winter sun.

St Lucia and Barbados are both equally romantic. Learn more about how both of these are idyllic locations for romance. The warm Indian climate can also be very appealing around January and February – the Taj Lake Palace is well worth a review. Obviously, none of this will be a concern for you if your Mecca is a ski chalet high in the Swiss Alps…

What about in spring?

If you’d prefer to wait until the European temperatures start to lift and spring blossoms, then be sure to check out the 5-star Madrid-based Hotel Hesperia or the imperious Spring/Summer package at the Schlosshotel Kronberg castle near Frankfurt in Germany. In March, and looking further afield, south-east Asia can be really attractive for a warmer getaway. Phuket in Thailand enjoys its hottest weather during this month, with average daily temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. Whether or not wedding bells are on the cards for you, have a look at 25 of the most romantic places we’ve found to get married in Asia.

How can I make our trip extra special?

Well, as it happens The Romantic Tourist is set up to facilitate those extra moments of magic and romance. Our website lets you add-on bespoke experiences if you want something extra special– that could be anything from a romantic picnic to a Champagne and hot tub combo under the stars.

What’s more, when booking through us you get the chance to talk directly to the host provider of your holiday putting you in control to get exactly what you want - whether it’s a New Year’s Eve celebration, an Easter weekender, a summer holiday or something entirely different.

Compare and choose your perfect holiday package – including some exclusives to our website – for your seasonal celebrations now .