Calling all students in love, or indeed, in lust. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and this is not, I repeat, NOT a drill. Before you know it, you'll be sitting there surrounded by roses and various shades of red and overpriced chocolates and THEN WHAT? I'll tell you what, you'll wake up on Valentine's day with one angry girlfriend and no present and everywhere will be booked out or you won't be able to get a table until 10.30pm at the earliest and suddenly, without even meaning to, you've become the very worst person in the entire world and there's no going back.
Look, I get it. I get that you're living at home (probably) or failing that, you're living with six mouldy housemates and the same probably goes for your partner in crime, so by now, you're probably crying out for a little privacy and some 'us' time. Well, you can thank your lucky stars or indeed, thank me, because I'm quite literally about to save your skin, my friend. We've done a little digging and found you some of the best getaway offers around so you can have a totes cute, totes romantic weekend away this Valentine's day, without getting yourself into a deep, dark hole of debt, of course. Even better, why not be really romantic and plan this all as an elaborate surprise? I won't say anything and you can pawn off the idea as your own because I'm really sound like that. Are you ready Romeo?
Dunboyne Castle, Meath
Eh, you had me at castle, to be honest. There can surely be no better way to escape the dreary day to day monotonies of your life than with a little 'living it up like a king' lifestyle for the weekend. Think lots of peace, quiet and romantic gazing into one another's eyes *ha*. Treat your other, better half to some pampering, love and romance in the royal county and you'll be the envy of crappy girlfriends and boyfriends everywhere. For less than €150 big ones (and hey, there's nothing wrong with asking them to go halves), you'll get bed, breakfast, a two-course dinner and a discount on the spa and so now, your only real question should be, "how the hell am I going to go back to my normal life after this?"
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork
We won't get into the whole 'real' republic thing here, there just isn't enough time in the day, but that aside, Cork really is a great place to kick back and relax with your Bae in tow. This offer covers either one or two nights (depending on how long you want to be stuck with your S.O, that is), so choose wisely, but hey, once you're out, you're out, right?! The offer includes breakfast each morning, €40 credit for the onsite spa so you can be a pampered princess if even for a weekend and a craft beer tasting in association with the Franciscan Well Brewery, just in case they start to annoy you and you need a little something to numb the pain. *Wink*
The County Arms Hotel, Offaly
For those of you who tend to fall on the lazy side of the spectrum, The County Arms just so happens to be the place for you. Lying right in the middle of the county, in a faraway land called Birr, the County Arms is just waiting for you to come along and chill the hell out. Escape the homestead or the horrible housemates for two nights away (for under €100 might I add) in the very heart of the country, all including bed, breakfast, use of the leisure center and any choice of pampering treatments because you've got to take care of yourself, you know? This would literally be perfect for the city slickers among you who are desperately in need of a change of scenery and a little peace and quiet (unfortunately, I can't do anything about your girlfriend).
Glamping in Kinnity, Offaly
Let's mix things up a little here (now I know why you're going away on Valentine's...) and go for a little glamping. This could be the solution to those of you who want to stray from the usual Valentine's day clichés. Think a pretty yurt or a log cabin, fresh air, pretty countryside for all of the Facebook pictures you're likely to upload (feeling spoiled #blessed, you know, the usual), you also get a half day bike hire thrown in so you can go for a romantic bike ride in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and pretend to be cultured, if even for a weekend. And fear not, you're not going to end up stuck in a fancy tent with your other half if that's not what you're after, because there's a free (locally crafted) pint waiting for you nearby, as well as loads of pubs, restaurants and other bits and bobs to do. Prices start at €79, so go forth and yurt it up you little daredevil you.
The Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise
Sometimes, you just need to pack up and leave all of your troubles at home for the weekend (relationship ones aside in this context, obviously). You know, those weekends where you just want to veg out and do absolutely nothing strenuous, whatsoever. Well, you're in luck, my procrastinating little pal because the Maldron in County Laois is about to spoil you like you've never been spoiled (by your other half, at least). For €115 for two nights or €59 for one night, you'll get 10% off all meals (did someone say food?), 50% off selected spa treatments, just to make you feel even more relaxed, unlimited usage of the leisure centre so you can keep fit (you can't fool me) and best of all? A VIP pass to Kildare Village Shopping Center so that even if you don't have the cash dollar to flaunt about the place, you can at least pretend to be rich (I'll say nothing).
For more information on this and all other getaway deals, see the Pigsback website. T & C's apply.
