Name a place where you would love to go to with that special someone for a special occasion. It is difficult to just name one place, isn’t it? It becomes even more difficult when you need to decide on a place where you can pop the question or share special moments together to renew the bonds of love. To help you solve your problem of plenty, we present you five most romantic cities of the world, which have rightfully earned the title. We have handpicked these places by including both classics as well as contemporary cities. These places have that indefinable quality of romance, which makes spontaneous expressions of love and closeness more possible than anywhere else in the world.

Venice, Italy

What can be more romantic than a city standing on waterways, edged with colourful palazzos benignly overlooking the gondolas moving
silently through the water? The fairy-tale atmosphere is enhanced by ancient buildings in Gothic, Byzantine or Baroque styles of architecture. Charming Piazzas, quaint bridges, lovely canal views, restaurants, bars and art galleries all contribute to the magic of Venice. The waters seem to resound with sweet nothings murmured by lovers through the ages. Venice is truly a city made for love with many beautiful places to see and interesting things to do.

St Mark’s Square (considered one of the world’s most beautiful squares), located on the banks of the Grand Canal is a must-see with its lovely, historical monuments. The legendary Rialto Bridge with a 400-year old history has a quaint market, where you can buy trinkets, souvenirs and Murano glass. The Bridge of Sighs, the lovely onion-domed St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are other top attractions of the city.

We have it from the great bard himself that music is the ‘food of love’; discover the truth of it as you lose yourself in soulful performances at the famous theatres of Venice (Teatro La Fenice, Teatro Goldoni). Discover the Grand Canal in the best way possible by taking a tour on a vaporetto (the public boats). The beauty of artistic Venice can be seen in the Gallery dell’Accademia. Finally, remember that happiness is found in the little things. So just roam around the city and discover its charm (just make sure you have a gelato in hand!) Sample Venetian cuisine, seafood and wines, catch an unexpected sunset and let the magic of this romantic city envelop you.

Top romantic thing to do: A gondola ride in sunset or moonlight. Choose the smaller canals for lesser crowds.

Paris, France

Paris is a beautiful city with its lovely Gothic buildings, delightful cafes and beautiful avenues. The city is steeped in art, architecture and history and has some of the world’s most famous museums including the Louvre. The Seine River heightens the romance of the city with its scenic bridges and stunning views from the banks. There are many fascinating places to visit in Paris.

Any Parisian visit would be incomplete without a visit to the famed Louvre. The museum houses some of the most famous and precious art treasures of the world including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Equally a must-see is the iconic landmark of Paris – the Eiffel Tower. It soars over the skyline standing 300 m tall. Have a candle-lit dinner at the Jules Verne restaurant here, while watching the breath-taking view. Visit the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the Champs Elysees, dubbed the world’s most beautiful avenue. Marvel at the lovely stained glass and spires of the Notre Dame Cathedral. See the ‘city of lights’ twinkling beneath you from the Sacre-Coeur at the highest point in Paris.  Spend time together in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, admire the lovely view from the Pont Neuf Bridge or seal your love by putting a lock on the Lovers’ Bridge.

The list of things to do in Paris is endless. There are endless restaurants serving the best of French food and wines. You can head to the Michelin starred Le Grand Vefour if you are well heeled or simply enjoy a lovely meal at any sidewalk café in the Latin Quarter, on the Montmartre Hill or near the Louvre Museum. For an unforgettable luxury stay, book in George V or a luxury French chateau. Parisian chic is world-renowned and you can shop in any of the top class boutiques or pick up a deal in the flea markets. Perfumes, antiques, handicrafts, Paris has enough to satiate the most avid shopper. You can also head with your partner to any of the jazz clubs, nightclubs or bars and party the night away. Whatever you choose to do, the romantic setting of Paris will make it an incredible experience.

Top romantic thing to do: Enjoy a romantic dinner cruise on the lovely River Seine!

Prague, Czechoslovakia

This is a fairy-tale capital city with golden-spired towers, winding cobblestone streets, charming bridges, quaint street lamps and horse drawn carriages creating a magical look and feel that is simply irresistible. It has many famous attractions as well as unexpectedly lovely romantic nooks, which invite lovers and couples from all over the world to come here.

The famous Charles Bridge tops the must-see list of Prague. From here, you can watch the River Vltava flowing below, the bridges across the river and city landmarks like the Prague Castle and St Nicolas Cathedral. The bridge has towers at either end and is lined with statues of saints (touching the statue and making a wish is a popular ritual). Street vendors, artists and musicians enliven the whole scene. The best time to visit the bridge is at night when all is quiet and the illuminated Prague Castle and sparkling lights across the river create sheer magic. Prague Castle, one of the oldest and largest castle complexes in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Worth visiting are its palaces, towers, gardens and churches, especially the magnificent St Vitus Cathedral. Do not miss a visit to the charming Old Town Square with its cafes, souvenir shops and galleries. The marvellous 600 year old Astronomical Clock still ticks away here.

Other places to see are the National Museum, Old Jewish Cemetery, Rudolfinium, Dancing House and Petrin Hill (take the funicular railway). Remember to take the Prague Card, which gets you free entry to more than 50 top tourist attractions. Sightseeing is not the only thing to do here. Enjoy coffee in the cafes, drink Czech beer (among the bests in the world), go shopping or enjoy the nightlife (head to Zizkov which has over 300 bars).

Top romantic thing to do: Go for a dinner Cruise at River Vltava and take the Prague Night Tour.

Cape Town, South Africa

One of the most beautiful cities of South Africa, Cape Town has myriad things for tourists to do and see. It has stunning mountains and ocean scenery and numerous attractions including great restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

The spectacular Table Mountain dominates the city landscape, standing tall at 1085 m height. A revolving cable car takes you to the summit where you can grasp at the view of the city, sea and forests below. A restaurant on top provides a refreshing break for a quick meal and/or drinks. On the eastern slopes, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens stretches over 528 hectares and has beautiful views. For sheer diversity and beauty of South African flora, it is unbeatable (the perfect spot for a couple to wander in or share a picnic lunch). The popular Wine Route is a tour through beautiful Cape Wine lands. Feast your taste buds on top class wines and your eyes on the simply gorgeous views of grand mountains and rolling vineyards. Stop at a farmhouse, sample delicious local food, see cheese making (and taste it too) or pick strawberries. Head to the V&A Waterfront for stunning harbour views, pubs, shopping and movies. To experience the thrill of swimming with penguins, take a trip to Boulders Beach.

The open bus tour is a fantastic way of exploring the city. Visit Robben Island, and discover its evolution from a harsh prison island to a symbol of victory over apartheid. Other popular spots include Cape Point, the beautiful beaches of Cape Town, Kalk Bay, Chapman’s Peak and Noordhoek. You can make your own sushi at Florentines, go for a romantic hike up Lion’s Head or delight your partner with flowers at the Adderley Street Flower Market.

For the adventurous couples there is kayaking, hiking, hot air ballooning, paragliding and lots more to do. For food lovers, there are numerous restaurants serving great seafood, game dishes and traditional local fare. Do not forget to order the wines for which the city is famous. Shop till you drop for jewellery, craft work, souvenirs or clothes at Hout Bay Harbour, V & A Waterfront or Long Beach Mall.

Top romantic thing to do: Go for a ‘one couple only’ romantic sunset cruise dinner at the V&A Waterfront.

Melbourne, Australia

One of the most liveable cities of Australia, Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures. It is ideal for a romantic getaway with its old world charm, lovely parks, romantic alleys and beautiful European architecture. It has a host of charming cafes, restaurants, shopping areas, a lively nightlife scene, music, theatre and sporting events.

Melbourne Cricket Ground is the ultimate destination for sports lovers. It is associated not only with cricket and Boxing Day but also with the Australian football grand finals. Nothing can beat the thrill of catching a match live at these grounds. The Hall of Fame contains fascinating memorabilia and will delight sports lovers. Federation Square, the art and civic centre, is the place to catch art exhibitions, snacks at restaurants and cafes and enjoy free Wi-Fi (the biggest free Wi-Fi site in Australia). For nature lovers, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place to visit; it has over 12,000 species of flora and fauna. The Melbourne Zoo is another fascinating place. Sovereign Hill, Ballarat evokes the past with its recreation of the historic gold rush. St Kilda is for the beach lovers. It has amazing shops, cafes (don’t miss the European cakes), the iconic Luna Park and a lively art scene, playing host to different cultural events. The scenic Yarra Valley is famous for its wineries, fruit farms, nature reserves (Healesville Sanctuary) and restaurants. The Dandenong Ranges are also famous for their spectacular views and beautiful gardens. Other attractions include the Shrine of Remembrance, the National Gallery of Victoria and Flinders Street Station. The free City Circle Tram is a great way to explore the main attractions of the city.

Top romantic thing to do: Watch an open air screening of a classic film in the lovely Royal Botanic Gardens with your partner, some snacks and a bottle of wine.

Discover the beauty of a vacation in any of these romantic cities. In case you completed exploring all of them, remember there are many more cities. Florence, Rome, Vienna, Salzburg, Victoria (Seychelles), London, New Orleans, Buenos Aires, Barcelona are all awaiting their turn. Begin travelling and add your own favourite names to the list. Happy Valentine’s Day!