Valentine Weekend Breaks in the City of Love 

Best Luxurious Romantic City Breaks in Europe

After a hectic Summer and all that focus on the family, why not arrange a rendezvous with romance to recharge those batteries with your special someone once the kids have gone back to school. Here is a collection of our most loved European destinations for romantic escapes to treasure. There is something for every hopeless Romantic.

Yves Saint Laurent Museum Paris To Open

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris is opening its doors on the 3rd October for a glorious display of the former designer’s body of work. The museum is located in the Hôtel Particulier on 5 Avenue Marceau where Laurent spent most of this life designing his collections from the beginning of 1974 to the early 2000’s. The museum will feature retrospective collections on rotation as well as themed exhibitions which displays earlier and later works that show the uniqueness in design. It will also discuss the couturier’s creative flare and how he began designing haute couture and the lifestyle that accompanied it. This stunning museum will be the first of its kind to display this level of dedicated work to one designer, that being one of the greatest in the twentieth century. The latest exhibition on fifty haute couture designs along with accessories, photographs, films and sketches. Including some of the most iconic pieces such as the tuxedo, the trench coat and the safari jacket – all of which has been inspired by travelling to countries like India, China and Russia. For more information visit the website for tickets and enquiries.

How to spend an indulgent weekend in Madrid

Madrid has really renewed its appeal as a top European city destination over the last 10 years. It offers a diverse experience with its cultural and architectural heritage set amongst  the new trendy boutiques, cafés and gastro-bars. So, what should you consider doing in Madrid for the weekend if you want to indulge yourself in luxurious experience and decadence? If you have a passion for driving fast cars why not head over to the Jarama Circuit, the first ever permanent race track in Spain, and take a Ferrari for a spin? Alternatively, if shopping’s more your thing, you can’t go wrong with a visit to la Milla de Oro (Golden Mile). This area of Madrid, located in the Salamanca district is devoted to luxury shopping and you´ll find high-end Spanish and international fashion brand shops with something to suite everyone’s tastes. Our pick of the must-visit shops in this avenue include: Manolo Blahnik, Pretty Ballerinas, Bimba & Lola, Purificación García, Custo, Kina Fernández, DelPozo, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Roberto Verino, Hanibal Laguna, Pedro del Hierro, Adolfo Domínguez, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, La Perla, Gucci and Prada. After all that excitement, lunch at the only 3 three-star Michelin restaurant in Madrid, DiverXO by David Munoz is where you can spend some down time. Situated in the new NH Collection Euro building. David describes himself as ‘the Cirque du Soleil of gastronomy’ and his dishes are created as works of art on a plate. Set amongst a space designed by Lazaro Rosa Violan, dominated by flying pigs, one of the symbols of the chef’s cooking, it’s certainly worth putting your name on the restaurant’s waiting list early to avoid missing out. After this creative lunch, why not relax at a city spa? Our top pick would be the Urso Hotel, a five-star, boutique hotel in a chic area of Madrid. The Natura Bissé spa is everything an urban spa should be. For something really special, our top pick is the magnetic mud treatment with diamond dust. Lolling in the seven-metre hydromassage pool feels good after shopping, while the sauna comes in handy for a quick detox the morning after the night before. After all that pampering, it’s time to sample some of Madrid’s nightlife. We highly recommend DUCADOS CAFÉ – A restaurant by day and club by night. Owned by former fashion model Gustavo Gorosteguy, it is one of the most happening venues in town and can guarantee you a fantastic end to your day. Madrid Factfile Flight time from UK: 2hrs 30 from London Stansted Transfer time from airport: approx. 20 mins Best for: A couple’s city break Why Exquisite Loves Madrid: Madrid offers something for everyone. There’s no shortage of exclusive experiences on offer and you can find yourself from Stansted to the centre of town in just 3 hours!

Sisley Winter Parisian Make-Up Look

Parisian chic for the party season… It is the beginning of the party season and who knows better than Sisley how to create the ultimate Parisian chic look! This look is easily created by a nude complexion with a slate grey smokey eye and finished with a blush rose shade on the lips. Sisley have given Exquisite the products that you need to create this look: