Hi, I have decided to take my girlfriend away for a couple of nights where I plan to propose to her but I am having a hard time on choosing where to go. I would like to use the Eurostar and have narrowed my choices down to Bruges or Paris.
I have never been to either city or have heard pro%26#39;s and con%26#39;s for both places. I haven’t got a huge amount of money to spend (due to spending most of my cash on the engagement ring!). Obviously Paris is the city of love and has quite a bit to do but I have heard it can be very expensive.
Bruges I don’t know much about, I believe it’s fairly cheap in comparison to Paris and is a beautiful (but quiet?) place to go.
I want to make this a weekend she will never forget so I want it go perfectly. I don’t want to be to stereo typical and propose at the Eiffel tower, I want to be a bit different.
Anyone had a similar experience and can push me on the right path to making a choice??
Thanks in advance
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What a romantic idea!
Both cities would be perfect.
I have been to Paris and Bruges (it%26#39;s only a 30 minutes drive from where I live) many times, and to be honest: as far as I have experienced, Paris is not more expensive than Bruges. In fact it is a much bigger city, where you can find cheaper hotels and restaurants than in a small town like Bruges.
+ for Bruges: small and quaint, very romantic (especially the %26#39;Minnewater%26#39;: the name refers to lovers)
+ for Paris: as you mentioned: the city of love! There are so many lovely places, where you can avoid the tourists. I would personally choose Paris, but then again: I%26#39;m a Paris-addict :-)
My advice: go to the Paris forum and search for %26#39;proposing%26#39; or %26#39;proposal%26#39;, and you will find a lot of threads with the same question and lots of fantastic suggestions! My personal favourite would be the garden of the Musée Rodin.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the quick and very helpful post.
Is there any parts of Paris you could recomened, such as hotels etc? And also any specific places to totally avoid? I dont want to end up in the %26quot;bronx%26quot; lol.
I checked out Minnewater, looks a lovely, romantic place. So many pro%26#39;s to bothj places, its going to be a struggle to make my final choice. I have 3 months but I%26#39;d like to get it sorted well in advance.
I will have a scout through the %26quot;proposal threads%26quot; and see if i can pick up any helpful tips.
Thank you
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Both are romantic but I think the small quaintness of Brugge is more romantic. Evenings in Brugge when the daytrippers leave is wonderful.
Paris is beautiful and romantic but a big city and very noisy.
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For what it%26#39;s worth, I would have said Paris: thinking of future anniversaries etc., I think it offers more scope. As for the actual place for the proposal, indeed I don%26#39;t think the Eiffel Tower would be appropriate: if for some reason you wanted it to be somewhere with a view, I think the top of the Arc de Triomphe or the Tour Monparnasse would be less stereotypical, or perhaps the steps of the Sacré Coeur at sunrise or sunset (especially if you have seen Amélie..). However, there are more romantic spots, like the bridges (Pont des Arts..), the quaysides, the Square du Vert Galant on the Ile de la Cité.... See photo on here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aldor/121384591/
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I would definitely recommend Bruges as a romantic and relaxing place.
Accommodation can be as cheap or expensive as you like, as can eating out. There are many restaurants and hotels and everything in the town is within walking distance.
In the evening, when most of the tourists have gone, all the beautiful buildings are lit up and the atmosphere is very romantic.
Have a romantic meal in a traditional resataurant with roaring fires, (I can recommend Cafedraal) then stroll around town until you stumble upon a romantic view...
Don%26#39;t forget the many chocolate shops selling the BEST chocolate in the world to treat your new fiancee.
Good luck whichever venue you chose.
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Have to give my vote for Bruges. Have many fond memories of this beautiful little city and spent happy times here during the first 2 years we were married. We lived near Mons and would go to Bruges for day trips or weekends. Unfortunately haven%26#39;t been back for ages. It is a beautiful place to wander around in. There is a lovely life size bronze statue in one of the squares of a wedding couple or the lake near the Beguinage is called Lovers Lake. You can also do horse and carriage rides. Also we always felt the Belgians were much friendlier than the French - and as Bruges is in the Felmish speaking North most people speak excellent English. Can thoroughly recommend the beer by the way - to celebrate afterwards when she says yes. Good luck !
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Extremely friend folk and everyone spoke English in Brugges.
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Not been to Paris yet but keep in mind, Bruges is very touristy as well.
It has been for a while (decades?) now. Therefore, NOT inexpensive. And it is tiny compared to Paris. But they do speak English, probably more so than in France.
Brugge can be romantic with the canals, boat tours, carriage rides and old cobblestone streets. Just visited a couple weeks ago. The architecture is charming, and Michelangelo%26#39;s Madonna with Child sculpture in Our Lady Church is worth viewing.
You will likely find more adventure and much more to do in Paris, if you have more time, but Bruges would be fine for a weekend trip.
Best wishes.
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Hi, Firstly, good luck with the proposal.
If you are on a budget, may I suggest a couple of travel ideas? Transeuropa ferries run from Ramsgate and straight into Ostend harbour. So you can take a car and a weekend return is around the same fare as Eurotunnels single crossing. From there you can either drive or take a quick train into Bruges - it isn%26#39;t very far away and well signposted.
My personal choice would be Bruges. There is a stunning centre square with the cathedral on one side, ornate town hall on the other and surrounding are street cafe%26#39;s where I have to admit I%26#39;ve never had anything but excellent service.
If you want a little more privacy, there are some beautiful parkland walks especially around the city gates, also there are quite a few canal boat trips and walks over old bridges with traditional shops.
The hotels in the centre are mostly older, romantic types with low beams and open fires.
What decided it for me however are the welcoming attitude of the Belgians.
Wishing you every success!
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