The Westminster Insider.

Because it's about time someone held the people of Westminster to account. We thought it might as well be us. Enjoy. (for fictional purposes only)

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DATE TWENTY-FOUR - NEW YORK.

Ballet at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC - Enjoy the Swan Lake followed by a nice dinner.

Winners: Francisco Vidal & Kathleen Zhao.

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DATE TWENTY-THREE - TURKIYE.

Start the Istanbul trip away at the private hamam in a converted 16th-century bathhouse for a steamy reset. When dusk arrives, take a private boat out onto the Bosphorus, watching the minarets of the Old City silhouette. Dinner, later that evening will comprise meze and raki at a quiet waterfront table in Kuzguncuk, away from the main tourist hubs. And, affer a great day, the night ends on a hidden terrace in Galata, drinking Turkish coffee by the Golden Horn. 

Winners: Olivier Fontaine & Emine Yalaz.

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DATE TWENTY-TWO - SWITZERLAND.

Zermatt, Switzerland. To start the date: take the Gornergrat railway up the mountain just as the sun starts to rise, and take in all the views. Followed by reaching the top as the sunset begins to dip, watching the Matterhorn change over a glass of warm, spiced wine. Dinner is simple: a truffle fondue in a tucked-away mountain cabin by the cracking hearth. The way back down to the village, in the early hours of the morning is by a horse-drawn sleigh, wrapped up in heavy furs and blankets under a sky that’s completely clear of city light. Where a star guide will join you, and explain the constellations. Before heading back to the cabin, in the snow. 

Winners: Benjamin Vox & Lyudmila Korshunova.

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DATE TWENTY-ONE - SPAIN, SAN SEBASTIAN.

“Dining for just us two” at Akelarre - San Sebastián, Spain.

Winners: Étienne Canet & Alexis Larsson.

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DATE TWENTY - SPAIN, BARCELONA.

A trip to Barcelona including a stop at the Mercado de La Boqueria to pick up fresh food and wine for a picnic and walk through Park Güell, dinner at the Michelin starred experimental seafood restaurant Disfrutar, and a show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes.

Winners: Félix Rodriguez & Olivia Coppola.

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DATE NINETEEN - SPAIN, ANDALUSIA.

Set in Andalusia, this date focuses on warmth, ease, and shared presence rather than spectacle. The evening begins with dinner at a small, local spot. Unpretentious, passionate, and full of good food meant to be shared. Afterward, the pair visits an intimate flamenco bar, where the music feels ALIVE. Later, they drive out of town into the surrounding hills, away from the lights. The vehicle is already set up with blankets/pillows, soft lighting, a telescope, and dessert packed earlier in the evening. The rest of the night is unstructured: stargazing, quiet conversation, comfortable silences, and the option to stay as long or as briefly as they like. Maybe even a boombox to play classic Latin music. No dress code, no strict schedule. Simply a relaxed night meant to feel grounding & have genuine conversation.

Winners: Óscar Romero & Yvonne Rutherford.

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DATE EIGHTEEN - PORTUGAL.

In Lisbon, start the evening tucked away in the limestone alleys of Alfama, wandering between bars for a quick Ginjinha. Two seats booked in a Fado house, for a show. After some late-night tapas, a walk by the Tagus River, before taking a drive out to the cliffs of Cabo da Roca: a bottle of aged Port, and a candle lit table over looking the views.

Winners: Kerem Dogulu & Maria Azenha.

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DATE SEVENTEEN - MOROCCO.

An escape to Marrakech! Designed to balance calm indulgence with immersive local experience. Morning begins slowly with a private visit to Majorelle Garden; timed early to enjoy the quiet paths, shade, and color before the crowds arrive. The afternoon is reserved for a traditional hammam and spa experience, offering time to rest, reset, and be cared for without obligation or schedule. Later, the evening centers on a private Moroccan cooking experience held within a riad kitchen. It’s hands-on, playful, unhurried, and ending with a shared dinner prepared together. The night concludes with a leisurely walk through Jemaa el-Fnaa, taking in music, lights, and street food at an easy pace before returning to the privacy of the riad.

Winners: Théodore Chaussard & Jordana Velásquez.

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DATE SIXTEEN - MONTENEGRO.

Travel to Kotor, Montenegro, for the perfect blend of historical and coastal break. Explore the local museums, Old Town, and the San Giovanni fortress by day, before spending the evenings enjoying the local seafood and other cuisine along the coast. The second day, a boat trip to the Blue Cave and surrounding islands, before returning to the mainland for a final meal overlooking the Kotor Bay.

Winners: Giorgio Pecatti & Ayda Demir.

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DATE FIFTEEN - MONACO, YACHT.

Three days on a private luxury yacht off the coast of Monaco. A personal chef will attend to all meals not spent on the shore, and the days will be filled with plenty of champagne and lazy afternoons spent in the hot tub. Come evening, dress in your finest attire to explore the casinos and luxury restaurants on land, partying into the early hours of the morning. Need not apply if you get seasick when hungover. Or ever.

Winners: Spencer Berkeley & Melissa Lin.

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DATE FOURTEEN - MONACO, HOTEL.

Dash off to Monaco for a private rooftop breakfast at Amù, before exploring the cliffside gardens of the Jardin Exotique. Spend the afternoon as you please; shopping for luxury goods along the Boulevard des Moulins, watching the Formula One Grand Prix, or trying your luck at the casino which inspired James Bond. Work up an appetite for dinner at the Louis XV and for dancing at the Salle des Etoiles, serenaded by the Orchestra Philharmonique. Spend the night in the lavish Hôtel Hermitage – enjoying the company of your Valentine in the Duplex Diamond Suite, or your own peace in the private jacuzzi and the terrace overlooking the sea.

Winners: Gideon Rutherford & Valérie Dautremer.

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DATE THIRTEEN - LONDON PUBS.

A Valentine’s evening in London begins with a quiet drift between historic pubs of literary and philosophical note, followed by a bespoke dinner at the rooftop Lido in East London, and concludes with a private reflective session on the terrace at The Curtain Club, where the city stretches quietly below, framing conversation and thought rather than spectacle.

Winners: Hasan Demir & Nora Berkeley.

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DATE TWELVE - ABANDONED THEATRE.

Midnight at the abandoned theatre - a truly mysterious eve in North London.

Losers: Anatoly Veselov & Svetlana Vorshevsky.

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DATE ELEVEN - JORDAN, WADI RUM.

After arriving in Wadi Rum, Jordan, the afternoon will be spent drifting through red sands in a private jeep, ending at a Martian dome tucked against the rock face. When the night progresses, dinner is a traditional Zarbcooked underground, shared outside by a crackling fire. There is no light pollution to be found here, so the rest of the night is just lying back on woven rugs, tea in hand, watching the starscape. 

Winners: Maksim Kurylenko & Lara Rutherford.

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DATE TEN - JORDAN, PETRA.

Two days in Jordan. The trip starts with an early start, visiting the ancient city of Petra. As it takes at least a day to enjoy it properly, you’ll spend the night at the nearby Bedouin camp after exploring until nightfall. The next morning, take the scenic route back to the Dead Sea. Enjoy your time in the water, the mud baths, and the nearby spa where you can spend the time relaxing instead of talking.

Winners: Aviv Kasyanenko & Nevra Erdogan.

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DATE NINE - ITALY, ROME.

A private excursion to taste and see all that Rome has to offer. To begin, an early dinner at Le Colonnette in Rome. A special favor was called in with the management to ensure the candlelight dinner will be the only table on the floor. After food, drinks, and desert, enjoy a private guided tour of the eternal city with La Dolce Vita, while sipping prosecco on an handcrafted Italian luxury boat. To round out the evening, a personal tour of St. Peter’s Square and Vatican City, followed by a great nights rest at Singer Palace Hotel Roma.

Winners: Lorenzo Mastronardi & Adriana Amaro.

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DATE EIGHT - ITALY, FLORENCE.

A weekend break in Florence. Spend the day appreciating the works of the Uffizi gallery, before an evening of fine Italian dining and wine tasting. Close out the night with a walk across the Ponte Vecchio. The next day will be spent exploring the San Lorenzo market, enjoying street food and shopping, before a walking tour of the most beautiful sites the historical city has to offer.

Winners: Varden Lefebvre & Amélie Castaignède.