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York on one knee - things you can only do as a couple in Britain's most beautiful city

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Shared experiences strengthen the bond of togetherness, so try these great ways to get closer to your loved one in York, Britain’s most beautiful city:

Kiss - under the West Window of York Minster and you’ll remain together forever, according to local superstition. Look up at the window to see the heart-shape worked into the tracery, known as the ‘Heart of Yorkshire’.

Find out how well matched you really are by riding a tandem – a bit like a good relationship, the trick to riding a tandem is trusting each other and being able to work together, if you can pull that off, balancing, steering and pedalling are a doddle! A newcomer to tandem riding? Sit on the ‘back seat’ and you’ll have every excuse to put your arms round the waist of your loved one instead of the handlebars – apparently it helps you learn! York is one of the UK’s most cycle-friendly cities and you can hire your bicycle made for two from Scoot Cycling Holidays.

Soak in a double ended bath that’s fit for two! Book the Loft Suite at Marmadukes Hotel and not only can you enjoy a two person double ended bath but also a large double shower and even a barrel sauna! Double walk-in showers are also a feature of some of the bathrooms at the city’s five star Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, and also at Grays Court, in their principal suite; the Cumberland. And if watching TV together is your thing, at The Grange Hotel, some baths come complete with 17" flat screen TVs.

Chill out together with a couple’s massage – want to spend as much time together as possible? Then a couple’s massage is a good choice. York boasts two spas which have a couple’s suite. At 5 Senses Thai Day Spa and Kuki Spa you and your loved one will be massaged in the same room, at the same time by two different therapists. If you prefer your massage alone and to meet up afterwards to relax, Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa, and Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa both offer couple’s spa packages.

Share a platter – food and love go together and eating off the same plate goes a long way to make you feel more emotionally connected. The grazing platters, charcuterie boards and cheese slates Mannion & Co dish up from their deli counter always turn heads, while the assiette of mini puddings to share at The Blue Bicycle Restaurant are divine. Once a brothel, the design of the Blue Bicycle capitalises on its ‘blue’ history and the old ‘boudoirs’ now make the most intimate setting for a romantic candlelit dinner.

Hire a two seater classic car and head off for a picnic – nothing could be more romantic than exploring the beautiful countryside around York, with its magnificent settings such as the 18th century Castle Howard; the perfect place for a Brideshead Revisited inspired picnic.

Lose yourself in the Argentine Tango! Loved for its beauty, passion, drama and excitement, the Argentine Tango is essentially about the relationship between a man and a woman and is a sure-fire way to develop a deeper connection. This authentic dance of Buenos Aires is taught by Argentinean native Tango dancers at York Tango Academy.

Get married! York has any number of unique venues for an extra special day. You can do it on a train, you can do it on the platform, you can do it at the Races, you can do it amid the ruins – you can even do it in a doublet and hose! Hold your ceremony in the authentic medieval Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, for example, or in one of the city’s outstanding historic churches. Not forgetting the host of hotels and attractions happy to host a wedding reception. For information on unique and unusual wedding and reception venues visit www.visityork.org/weddings

Where to stay

If you want somewhere extra special to stay, try somewhere like:

  • Middlethorpe Hall - a distinguished Queen Anne house in 26 acres of parkland, yet convenient for the city centre. Part of the National Trust. www.middlethorpe.com

  • The Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa – complete with your own butler service; Downton Abbey style.

  • Grays Court - a boutique hotel and historic heritage property situated in the shadow of York Minster.

  • The Grange - an elegant Regency townhouse with 30 individually-designed bedrooms and three excellent restaurants. www.grangehotel.co.uk

  • Blue Rooms at the Blue Bicycle - two luxurious apartments, with Villeroy and Bosch bathrooms, steam showers, luxury kitchens.... www.thebluebicycle.com

  • The Hazelwood - comprises two elegant Victorian town houses with many original features in the quiet Gillygate conservation area next to the ancient city wall. www.thehazelwoodyork.com

  • Best Western Plus Dean Court Hotel - magnificent location adjacent to York Minster.  www.deancourt-york.co.uk

  • Lendal Tower- fabulous 3-bedroom luxury holiday home housed in a Grade 1 listed tower dating back over 700 years, with breath-taking roof-top terrace with 360 degree views of York. ENDS

York Factfile

The following information will provide useful reference points for your readers and we kindly request you to include our website address www.visityork.org and details about the York Pass in your article factfile:

For more information and to book your stay visit – www.visityork.org

The York Pass – Once purchased the York Pass offers you a choice of free entry into over thirty York attractions and tours as well as restaurant and shopping offers. You can buy a 1, 2 or 3 day pass making it a superb addition to your leisure break. To buy a Pass Tel York Visitor Information Centre, tel: 01904 550099, email: info@yorkpass.com or visit: www.yorkpass.com

When was the last time you had a first time? Discover York for the first time in 2014 – visit www.visityork.org/first and book your accommodation with Visit York for an exclusive 20% discount off a 3 day York Pass.

Press contacts:

Kay Hyde, Head of Communications, Visit York. Email: kh@visityork.org. Tel: 01904 554451.

Katie Parsons, Senior Communications Executive. Email: kp@visityork.org. Tel: 01904 554436.

Website: www.visityork.org/media