World's Most Romantic Cities
By Charis Atlas Heelan
Whether you choose to travel with your loved one -- or hope to find one when you get there -- these cities will rekindle the passion in your life.
Here's how to fall in love all over again in Paris, Florence, Prague, Marrakech, and six other romantic cities around the world.
Photo Caption: View of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo. Photo by renecunningham/Flickr.com.
Here's how to fall in love all over again in Paris, Florence, Prague, Marrakech, and six other romantic cities around the world.
Photo Caption: View of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo. Photo by renecunningham/Flickr.com.
Paris, France
Cliché or not, Paris really is a city for lovers. Everywhere you turn, a picture-perfect moment awaits: strolling along the Seine, sharing a crêpe, walking hand-in-hand through a museum, kissing under the Eiffel Tower.
Just a word of advice -- if you are in a long-term relationship and not planning on proposing, you may want to save Paris for another time.
Romantic Experiences: Cross the 16th-century Pont Neuf at sunset; linger at the top of the Eiffel Tower; visit Île de la Cité; sit by the pond at Jardin du Luxembourg; wander through Place des Vosges in Le Marais; and explore the Sully Wing at the Louvre.
Photo Caption: A couple walks in the rain along the Seine, Paris. Photo by Wanderlust07/Frommers.com Community.
Just a word of advice -- if you are in a long-term relationship and not planning on proposing, you may want to save Paris for another time.
Romantic Experiences: Cross the 16th-century Pont Neuf at sunset; linger at the top of the Eiffel Tower; visit Île de la Cité; sit by the pond at Jardin du Luxembourg; wander through Place des Vosges in Le Marais; and explore the Sully Wing at the Louvre.
Photo Caption: A couple walks in the rain along the Seine, Paris. Photo by Wanderlust07/Frommers.com Community.
Florence, Italy
Florence oozes charm, romance, and the chance to indulge in some of Italy's finest cuisine and wines. Ignore the tourists and wander down cobblestone streets that offer glimpses of the River Arno, cathedrals, and stone bridges.
Romantic Experiences: Relax in one of the seating niches on the Ponte Vecchio; stroll through the Boboli Gardens; admire Botticelli masterpieces at the Uffizi; climb Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile); and soak in panoramic city views from Piazzale Michelangiolo.
Photo Caption: Piazza della Signoria, Florence. Photo by duder1209/Frommers.com Community.
Romantic Experiences: Relax in one of the seating niches on the Ponte Vecchio; stroll through the Boboli Gardens; admire Botticelli masterpieces at the Uffizi; climb Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile); and soak in panoramic city views from Piazzale Michelangiolo.
Photo Caption: Piazza della Signoria, Florence. Photo by duder1209/Frommers.com Community.
Prague, the Czech Republic
Best experienced at night when the city monuments are illuminated, spring and summer are particularly ripe seasons in Prague for romance.
Romantic Experiences: Stroll along the river Vltava at dusk and gaze at the castle; walk across the Charles Bridge; and take a cable-car ride to the top of the Petrin Gardens, where you'll find a mirror maze and a waterfall.
Photo Caption: Overlooking the Vltava River toward Prague Castle.
Romantic Experiences: Stroll along the river Vltava at dusk and gaze at the castle; walk across the Charles Bridge; and take a cable-car ride to the top of the Petrin Gardens, where you'll find a mirror maze and a waterfall.
Photo Caption: Overlooking the Vltava River toward Prague Castle.
Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the iconic Opera House, and the beaches all make for a popular honeymoon locale.
Romantic Experiences: Swim at Camp Cove Beach; ride the ferry to Taronga Zoo; walk from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach; enjoy a seaplane flight along the northern beaches; share a pie floater at Harry's Cafe de Wheels at 2am; and find anywhere with a harbor view.
Photo Caption: Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Photo by Linh_rOm/Flickr.com.
Romantic Experiences: Swim at Camp Cove Beach; ride the ferry to Taronga Zoo; walk from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach; enjoy a seaplane flight along the northern beaches; share a pie floater at Harry's Cafe de Wheels at 2am; and find anywhere with a harbor view.
Photo Caption: Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Photo by Linh_rOm/Flickr.com.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
If tango is the dance of lovers, why not go straight to the place of seduction? Elegant and refined, Buenos Aires has also historic architecture, gardens, and tree-lined boulevards perfect for promenading.
Romantic Experiences: Dine al fresco in the Palermo Viejo neighbourhood; scour for antiques at the Plaza Dorrego market in San Telmo; see an opera at Teatro Colón; go to a milonga to watch professional tango dancers; and take a tango lesson for two at Academia Nacional del Tango.
Photo Caption: Street tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by rgrossman/Frommers.com Community
Romantic Experiences: Dine al fresco in the Palermo Viejo neighbourhood; scour for antiques at the Plaza Dorrego market in San Telmo; see an opera at Teatro Colón; go to a milonga to watch professional tango dancers; and take a tango lesson for two at Academia Nacional del Tango.
Photo Caption: Street tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by rgrossman/Frommers.com Community
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto's historic shrines, castles, and temples are laid out in imperial gardens that are simply breathtaking, especially during cherry blossom season or when the red, yellow, and orange hues of autumn dominate the landscape.
Romantic Experiences: Stay in a traditional ryokan and sleep on plush futons on tatami floors; bathe at an authentic bath house like Funaoka Onsen (¥410); follow the Philosopher's Stroll, which takes you to the Temple of the Silver Pavilion; and take a day trip to Nara, where you can feed deer by hand.
Photo Caption: Summertime in Kyoto, Japan. Photo by zaimoku_woodpile/Flickr.com.
Romantic Experiences: Stay in a traditional ryokan and sleep on plush futons on tatami floors; bathe at an authentic bath house like Funaoka Onsen (¥410); follow the Philosopher's Stroll, which takes you to the Temple of the Silver Pavilion; and take a day trip to Nara, where you can feed deer by hand.
Photo Caption: Summertime in Kyoto, Japan. Photo by zaimoku_woodpile/Flickr.com.
Bruges, Belgium
If you're looking for a romantic city with canals, forget the crowds of Venice and head northwest to Bruges instead. Here, the intimate lanes almost require hand-in-hand walks.
Romantic Experiences: Take a boat ride through the canals; hop on a horse-drawn carriage from Market (Markt) Square (€35); check out the Food and Flower Market; cycle along the canals to the historic village of Damme; and visit Minnewater Park to see the swans in the aptly named Lake of Love.
Photo Caption: Bruges, Belgium. Photo by Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr.com.
Romantic Experiences: Take a boat ride through the canals; hop on a horse-drawn carriage from Market (Markt) Square (€35); check out the Food and Flower Market; cycle along the canals to the historic village of Damme; and visit Minnewater Park to see the swans in the aptly named Lake of Love.
Photo Caption: Bruges, Belgium. Photo by Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr.com.
Bath, England
Rolling countryside and a winding river make Bath one of Europe's most romantic and adored cities. Any city that includes a "Places to Propose" section on its official website has to be a place to visit with your intended.
Romantic Experiences: Marvel at the thermal waters of the Roman Baths (£59 per person with lunch); climb the 154-step spiral stairway at Beckford's Tower to enjoy the city views (for £75, you can have a private tour); and take a boat trip along the River Avon.
Photo Caption: view from the roof tops of the Parade Gardens in Bath
Romantic Experiences: Marvel at the thermal waters of the Roman Baths (£59 per person with lunch); climb the 154-step spiral stairway at Beckford's Tower to enjoy the city views (for £75, you can have a private tour); and take a boat trip along the River Avon.
Photo Caption: view from the roof tops of the Parade Gardens in Bath
Marrakech, Morocco
It's easy to get swept away by the grandeur of this former imperial city, which is surrounded by palm trees, the Sahara Desert, and Atlas Mountain peaks.
Romantic Experiences: Ride a camel or a horse through the dunes of the Palmeraie at the foot of the Atlas Mountains; get lost in the labyrinthine Jemma el Fna and surrounding souk; stay in a Moorish-style traditional riad; and share fresh dates right off the tree.
Photo Caption: Jemma el Fna souk, Marrakech. Photo by Bitten Dallas/Flickr.com.
Romantic Experiences: Ride a camel or a horse through the dunes of the Palmeraie at the foot of the Atlas Mountains; get lost in the labyrinthine Jemma el Fna and surrounding souk; stay in a Moorish-style traditional riad; and share fresh dates right off the tree.
Photo Caption: Jemma el Fna souk, Marrakech. Photo by Bitten Dallas/Flickr.com.
Jaipur, India
India's famed Pink City features gardens, monuments, and regal 18th-century palace hotels harkening back to the reign of the Rajput princes. The vibrant street bazaars of Jaipur can only enhance your passion.
Romantic Experiences: Take a elephant ride to the Amber Fort; walk through the Jaldhara water fountain and park; sleep on silk sheets in a former maharaja's palace; have high tea at the Taj Rambagh Palace; and ride a rickshaw up to Jaigarh Fort at sunset for unparalleled city views.
Photo Caption: One of the attractions in Jaipur is the elephant ride from the edge of the city to the Amber Palace. Photo by Julieanne/Frommers.com Community.
Romantic Experiences: Take a elephant ride to the Amber Fort; walk through the Jaldhara water fountain and park; sleep on silk sheets in a former maharaja's palace; have high tea at the Taj Rambagh Palace; and ride a rickshaw up to Jaigarh Fort at sunset for unparalleled city views.
Photo Caption: One of the attractions in Jaipur is the elephant ride from the edge of the city to the Amber Palace. Photo by Julieanne/Frommers.com Community.