Deutsche Bahn, the German railway company, has a great Valentine’s Day special: Flirt Express. The special rail service runs from 15 cities across the country on February 14 and passengers being encouraged to change seats every five minutes. And the best part is - the train ride is completely free. Click here to read more.

And when you end up in Munich, don’t forget to check out our favorites in that city, especially Acquarello, a restaurant that serves very delicious Northern Italian dishes. Click here to see our Munich suggestions.

If I were to pick a romantic place to have dinner in a rustic setting, I would go to L’Eau Vive just outside the town of Profondeville in Belgium, not far from the city of Namur (in the Ardennes). The restaurant is located in an old water mill and boasts of one Michelin star. I’ve eaten in a lot of restaurants and I would say dinner at L’Eau Vive was the best meal I’ve ever had. Below is their Valentine’s Day menu.

L’Eau Vive is opening a small hotel called Espace Medissey in April 2008 so guests can simply stagger down the street after an exquisite meal and many glasses of wine.

L’Eau Vive
Route de Floreffe 37
5170 RIVIERE (PROFONDEVILLE)
+32 81 41 11 51
www.eau-vive.be

Since it’s almost Valentine’s Day and I’ve been posting about romantic hotels in Paris, what about romantic places to have dinner? If I had but one choice, it would be 1728, a restaurant situated in a 17th century town house on quiet side street off the rue du Faubourg Saint Honore. This isn’t just any restaurant. It really does feel like dining in the palace at Versailles with high ceilings and tapestries. The food is French-Asian fusion, not what you would expect in an historic, classically French building.

• Vibe: Pretend you are Marie Antoinette for one evening in these exquisite surrounding; service is professional and friendly, not intimidating; lots of young couples.

• Pros: fabulous French-Asian fusion dishes that are light and inventive

• Cons: if you are dieting, you’ll be doing penance for the next two weeks

Their salon de thé opened recently so if you can’t make it for dinner, you can still enjoy the luscious pastries and teas.

Restaurant 1728
8 rue d’Anjou
75008 Paris
+33 1 40 17 04 77
www.restaurant-1728.com

UPDATE: Read this 16 March 2008 review in the New York Times.

I missed two more hotels that should have been mentioned in the previous article: L’Hotel and Hotel Bellechasse. So if Hotel Particulier Montmartre and Hotel Odeon St. Germain are fully booked, you should consider these two dazzling hotels.

L’Hotel

Located in the 6th arrondissement, this opulent 20-room design hotel is probably one of the most romantic and decadent places to stay in Paris. If you decide not to stay at L’Hotel, just try the restaurant and bar. They are fabulous.

L’Hotel
13 rue des Beaux-Arts
75006 Paris
+33 1 44 41 99 00
www.l-hotel.com

Hotel Bellechasse

French designer Christian Lacroix has created yet another fantasyland, this time at the Hotel Bellechasse, also on the Left Bank, in the 7th arrondissement, a few steps from the Musee d’Orsay. Lacroix had previously done the interiors at the Hotel du Petit Moulin in the Marais. Lacroix’s style is definitely not Zen, so if you are looking for clean, Japanese-style minimalist interiors, go elsewhere. Lacroix is loud, bombastic, otherworldly but always fun.

Hotel Bellechasse
8 rue de Bellechasse
75007 Paris
+33 1 45 50 22 31
www.bellechasse.com

If you are looking for a romantic place to stay in Paris — it could be for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion — check out these two design hotels: Hotel Particulier Montmartre and the Hotel Odeon St. Germain (Left Bank).

Hotel Particulier Montmartre

Of the two, the Hotel Particulier Montmartre is very special indeed. It is a grand townhouse in the midst of the Montmartre (which used to be quiet but is now crawling with tourists in part due to the popularity of the film “Amelie”). There are five luxurious suites, each one designed by a different artist.

This has to be one of the most dazzling and atmospheric places to stay in Paris, not only because of the location (a townhouse) but because it does not have that “chain hotel” feel. It is expensive — the junior suites start at 390 EUR per night — but for that amount of money, you could be staying in a much less inspiring place.

Hotel Particulier Montmartre
23, avenue Junot
75018 Paris
+33 1 53 41 81 40
www.hotel-particulier-montmartre.com

Hotel Saint Germain Odeon

Not quite as elegant as the Hotel Particulier Montmartre, but perfect for those who want to stay on the Left Bank, the St. Germain Odeon has recently undergone a renovation and come out looking like a design hotel. Standard double rooms start at 260 EUR per night but a junior suite costs between 280 EUR and 370 EUR which makes you wonder why you don’t just stay at the Hotel Particulier Montmartre (390 EUR per night). That’s the thing about design hotels anywhere in the world. You could be paying the same about of money for a much more ravishing experience.

Hotel Odeon Saint Germain
13, rue Saint Sulpice
75006 Paris
www.hotelparisodeonsaintgermain.com

Other design hotels and apartments in Paris

• Hotel Marceau Bastille: boutique hotel close to the Marais and the Bastille metro stop, located on a quiet street, reasonably priced, lovely rooms, good breakfasts.
• Appartment Blanc: apartment in the Marais, reserve well in advance; the owner has other apartments for rent so if you can’t get this one, ask for the others
• Hotel Mayet: quirky boutique hotel on the Left Bank
• Swell Apartment: beautifully restored apartment in an Art Nouveau building, very Parisian
• Hotel Arvor Saint Georges: 1960s style, rooms in white with splashes of color
• Hotel Amour: luxurious bordello style, some rooms designed by artists, 8 rue de Navarin, +33 1 4878 3180
• Hotel Chopin: located in one of the traditional shopping arcades or passages

If you want a brief overview of recommended places to stay in Paris (and France), Weekendhotel.nl has a good selection. Click here (in Dutch).