St. Lucia – The Caribbean may have more than its fair share of magical island getaways, but St. Lucia is far and away one of the most popular destinations for couples. Maybe it’s the fact that so much of the island remains unspoiled, a Garden of Eden-style oasis of bright green mountains, waterfalls, fragrant tropical flowers and tranquil rainforests. Maybe it’s the plush resorts with their intimate balconies and private plunge pools overlooking The Pitons, St. Lucia’s pair of soaring volcanic hills. Then again, it could be the many lush gardens or the miles of powder-soft beaches, both of which are perfect for those long, lazy strolls with someone special. My advice? Grab your partner, head to St. Lucia and find out for yourself. Santorini – There’s a good reason why Santorini, the jewel of Greece’s Cyclades Islands, is plastered across so many posters, postcards and travel brochures; this unique and beautiful island has the power to draw visitors after just a single look. Santorini is long and crescent-shaped—it’s actually the lip of a sunken volcano which erupted over 3000 years ago—and its bright white buildings hug tight to the steep rim of that crescent and offer spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. Since the island and the majority of its hotels and restaurants face west, spectacular sunsets can be enjoyed from almost any vantage point. Some hotel rooms are actually carved into the face of the cliff, creating a cozy haven for couples who prefer to enjoy their sunsets in private.
Paris – No matter what the season, no
matter how warm or cool the weather may be, Paris remains the paragon of
romance. Every couple at every café seems to be gazing at each other with love
in their eyes. Every fountain feels like the perfect backdrop for a kiss. Paris
embraces romance the way its residents and visitors embrace each other, whether
it’s strolling hand in hand down the Champs-Elysées or sharing a blanket for a
picnic beside the river Seine. In fact, it’s hard to find a spot in Paris that doesn’t feel romantic. For a true romantic
treat, pick up tickets for a show at the Palais Garnier. It’s one of the
loveliest opera houses in the world, and was the setting for the world-famous Phantom of the Opera.
Quebec City – The only walled city north of
Mexico, Quebec City exudes the type of charm that most travelers only associate
with the venerable towns of Europe. The city was founded nearly 400 years ago
and its traditional French architecture whispers of bygone days. Its most
romantic winter activities are of the plain and simple variety; long walks down
snowy cobblestone streets by lamplight, drinks beside a roaring fireplace in a
quiet bistro, or horse-drawn carriage rides with you and your sweetheart
enjoying the scenery while snuggling beneath a comfy blanket. In addition,
Quebec City hosts the biggest winter carnival in the world, the Mr. Christie
Winter Carnival, which runs from late January through mid-February. Activities
include a snow sculpture exhibition, horse and dogsled races, an elegant
ball and two night parades.
Guanajuato – Most of Mexico’s famous vacation
spots are on the coast, but those with romance in mind might prefer a little
out-of-the-way place where they can pause to gaze into their beloved’s eyes
without being jostled by tour groups or harangued by hawkers selling T-shirts
and souvenirs. The beauty of Guanajuato comes from the fact that it’s an
immensely popular destination for Mexicans yet few travelers from other
countries have even heard the name. The town was founded in 1559 and was once a
fabulously wealthy mining town producing nearly one-third of the world’s supply
of silver. Grandiose mansions and ornate plazas from this time period still
remain, intermingled with a collection of unique, colorful houses and shops
which line the narrow, winding streets. One of its most famous streets is
dubbed Callejon de Besos, the Alley
of Kisses, because the balconies are so close that a person on one side of the
street could lean across and kiss his neighbor on the opposite side. The
atmosphere here is pure Old Spain; charming, rustic and oh-so-romantic.
Puerto Rico – Small enough to still project an island atmosphere but large enough to contain just about everything a vacationer could wish for, Puerto Rico has the ability to cater to the whims of just about any couple. Old San Juan, the historical district of the second-oldest city in the Americas, is just right for those long romantic walks. Natural wonders such as El Yunque rain forest and the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve are excellent places for lovers to lose themselves among the trees, waterfalls and lagoons. Beaches here are pristine and the variety of Las Vegas-style nightlife means you can enjoy a gourmet meal followed by dancing, a floorshow or casino gambling. The island’s most unique and romantic attractions, though, are its two phosphorescent bays where couples can enjoy a late-night dip in water that glows with the light of a million fireflies.
Verona – If
you’re looking for romantic backdrops, it’s tough to find one better than the
Italian city of Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It’s
easy to imagine the two young lovers meeting secretly in one of the many piazzas or pausing beneath the exquisite
Romanesque architecture for a hurried kiss. Verona is old-world Europe in all
its glory with castles, cathedrals, stone bridges, and a sweeping river that
winds through town like the melody of a song—in other words, the perfect
locale for a modern-day knight to woo his lady. Some of the best bets for a
romantic evening are enjoying an opera at the city’s 2000-year-old amphitheater
or dinner at Bottega del Vino, which features some of the best food in Italy
and a staggering 80,000-bottle wine cellar.
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