Where is the best place to say, “I love you”? What framework to choose for a marriage proposal? Under what latitude can we still coo in peace?

Obviously, the choice remains personal and fundamentally subjective. Whether you’re an urban lover or a lazy hiker, romanticism is not necessarily expressed in the same way.

For Valentine’s Day, Routard.com offers you this file on 20 romantic places, among others, in the world. Obviously, a selection dictated by favorites. Hoping that you will share them with your sweet half.

Where to go as a couple? France and Europe

Often named as the romantic city par excellence, Paris is not the only place in France, or in Europe, filled with romance. On the contrary! Discover our first selection of ideal places for couples in love.

Pincio Gardens – Rome, Italy

Difficult to select a particular place in the Eternal City. Located at the edge of Villa Borghese, accessible via a staircase from Piazza del Popolo, the Pincio gardens overlook all of Rome. Intimate atmosphere and beautiful spectacle, especially at sunset when the gaze embraces the domes of Rome ablaze with the light of the setting sun.
Afterwards, there are many possibilities for lovers, such as having an aperitif at the chic Antico Caffè Greco (via dei Condotti, a stone’s throw from Piazza di Spagna) where Goethe, Stendhal, Wagner or Sophia Loren seated themselves or dine in in love in a Trastevere trattoria.

San Giorgio Maggiore – Venice, Italy

The advantage of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore: its location, opposite the Doge’s Palace. Suffice to say that the panorama of the Serenissima has enough to melt the most hardened hearts. The other plus: San Giorgio Maggiore is much less crowded than San Marco. The island served as a control point for maritime flows at the height of the Venetian republic. You can visit the beautiful chiesa San Giorgio Maggiore, one of Palladio’s masterpieces.
Do not miss going up to the Campanile of San Giorgio Maggiore, much less crowded than that of Saint Mark’s Square. Ideal for lovers.

Serpentine, Hyde Park – London, England

A haven of serenity in the heart of London: The Serpentine, an artificial lake created in 1730 that separates Hyde Park and Kensington Garden. This must obviously remain the canoe ride on the placid waters of the Serpentine.
Afterwards, take a stroll in the beautiful districts of Chelsea and South Kensington to admire the wonderful Georgian and Victorian mansions and go shopping in the many chic boutiques in the area or at the legendary Harrod’s.

Dingle Peninsula – Ireland

The height of Gaelic romanticism, one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland. Love at first sight! The Dingle Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic, in the form of a chain of arid mountains and rocky hills covered with moor that descend towards the sea.
Multiple hiking trails crisscross the peninsula and make hikers discover small mountain lakes. This is where the films Ryan’s Daughter and Distant Horizons were filmed.
We love Slea Head Drive at the end of the peninsula, with its menhirs, ruins, sheep and beautiful views.

Pont des Arts and quays of the Seine – Paris

One of the symbols of romantic Paris. The Pont des Arts footbridge, the first iron bridge in Paris, connects the two banks of the Seine, from the Institut de France to the Louvre. From the current footbridge, installed in 1984, magnificent 360 ° view over the heart of Paris, from Île Saint-Louis to the Eiffel Tower.

Not far from there, at the western end of Île Saint-Louis, another place to get a lot of love at first sight: Square du Vert-Galant, at river height. Superb sunsets in summer and picnic more than recommended, if possible, with champagne.

Facing Mont Blanc (Bellachat refuge) – Alps

For lovers of the summits, one of the most impressive viewpoints on Mont Blanc. From the Bellachat refuge, at 2,152 meters, the view of the massif, on the other side of the Chamonix valley, is breathtaking, especially during sunset (in good weather of course). Located below Mont Brévent, the refuge is accessible by cable car then a short walk for the less courageous. The most motivated (love sometimes grows wings) can climb there on foot.
The must is to spend the night there so that you can contemplate the spectacle comfortably installed on the panoramic terrace.

Good to know: the amenities (sinks, toilets) are rather basic. But when we love, we don’t stop at this kind of detail.

Santorini Island – Greece

Almost a romantic shot! Everything is perfect. Santorini is one of the most extraordinary landscapes there is: the island is formed by the crater of a volcano buried under water. Santorini offers the image of a long steep cliff 80 to 120 meters high, where geological layers of black or red ash overlap, with a white village perched at the top. That’s wonderful.

We advise you to sleep in a cliffside cave hotel, in the most beautiful village on the island, Oia. Breathtaking view of the caldera, sublime even at night. Attention go there out of season: in summer, the island is taken by storm and prices soar.

Geirangerfjord – Norway

One of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. Something to make your heartbeat faster! The Geiranger Fjord is unforgettable. If you arrive from the South, you will be struck by the spectacle. A dizzying descent makes you fall from 1,000 meters in altitude to 0 meters in less than 10 kilometers! The Geiranger Fjord is one of the best-known panoramas in Norway. The place is classified World Heritage by Unesco.

Take the ferry or an excursion boat to Hellesylt: the fjord is bordered by a gigantic rock wall from which descend waterfalls. The walk lasts between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes, but it feels like you are living in a moment of eternity. Gorgeous.

Tip of Vasilyevsky Island – Saint Petersburg, Russia

The Hermitage, the canals, the palaces steeped in history, the memory of the tsars and the Orthodox churches. Saint Petersburg has everything you need in a dream setting, which will whet the romantic minds. Love at first sight for the Strelka (“The Needle”) at the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Winter Palace and the spire of Saint Peter’s Cathedral -and Paul.

To continue in style, have a romantic dinner in one of the restaurant boats on the Neva ( Aquarel , at the foot of the Birjevoï bridge) or, for a touch of madness, a quick tour of the Caviar Bar at the Grand Hôtel Europe to taste these precious black pearls to the sound of gypsy violins, stars in their eyes.

Where to go as a couple? Americas

North America or South America, cities or wide-open spaces, there are as many diverse and varied places as there are different romances. It’s up to you to choose your destination according to your tastes.

Manhattan seen from Brooklyn Bridge – New York, United States

Unquestionably, the most beautiful view of Manhattan, especially at sunset. But the crossing of the bridge by the pedestrian bridge over the cars is rather noisy.
We advise you to go on the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier, at the foot of the bridge which is reached by going down to the High St. subway station. From there, magnificent panorama of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. The wealthiest will declare their flame at the River Cafe, the others will settle for an ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory next door.

Magdalen Islands – Quebec, Canada

In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands are a kind of end of the Quebec world. An impression of infinity submerges you in the tranquility (especially out of season) of this archipelago lining dunes, green meadows, sandy beaches and red cliffs. Serenity is there as well as delicious lobster dinners at affordable prices.
We advise you to sleep in Havre-Aubert, the oldest village on the islands founded in 1793. A charm!

Ipanema – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The cidade maravilhosa is full of romantic sites, from the Sugar Loaf to the Corcovado Christ via the essential Copacabana. To get out of the clichés, it is on the tip of the Arpoador, between Copacabana and Ipanema, that you must coo with happiness. From there, magnificent view of Ipanema beach and its surfers, symbol of the dolce vita carioca.
Afterwards, go to toast in one of the neighborhood cafes such as Garota de Ipanema, where Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes composed the famous song of the same name.

Salar d’Uyuni – Bolivia

For the more adventurous romantics and vice versa. One of the most extraordinary places on the planet: at 3,650 meters above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is a huge salt desert, the largest in the world. Over 40 meters thick, alternate layers of salt and clay: the place is white and spread with the horizon endlessly, perfectly flat. Above, there are some islets with cacti from 10 to 12 meters high.
Please note, it is cold at night and in winter (down to -25 ° C) and you can only venture there in the company of a driver guide. You have been warned.

At the end of the world Ushuaia – Argentina

Darling, take me to the end of the world. Well, here it is, “El fin del mundo”, Ushuaia. At the tip of the Andes and the mainland, Ushuaia is the gateway to Antarctica and the South Pole. With its exceptional site, which sees the Andes plunging into the sea, Ushuaia, which is not strictly speaking a beautiful city, is one of the most fascinating places in the world.

To impress your lover even more, take a boat for an unforgettable cruise on the Beagle channel or towards the Eclaireurs lighthouse, which we confuse here with the lighthouse at the end of the world (it is actually located at from Tierra del Fuego). On the way, the majestic tail of the Andes mountain range unfolds before your eyes. Be careful, cover up, the wind is freezing.

Where to go as a couple: Africa, Asia and Oceania

Okay, romance level, it’s hard to do better than the Taj Mahal, which is in itself one of the greatest proofs of love in history. But rest assured, on all the following continents, you will find places where you can declare your love.

Essaouira – Morocco

Essaouira, one of the most enchanting cities in Morocco. Surrounded by fortifications at the edge of the Atlantic, its white medina is classified as World Heritage by Unesco. Essaouira has always attracted artists from all over the world, from Orson Welles to Jimi Hendrix, who settled there to breathe the magical atmosphere of the old Mogador. A timeless city with intense charm.
Sleep in one of the medina’s riads for an atmosphere worthy of the Arabian Nights or, better yet, in a hotel directly overlooking the Atlantic.

Table Mountain – South Africa

The Table Mountain rises abruptly above Cape Town from the top of its 1,000 meters. You can climb to its completely flat summit by cable car. At the top, many hikes are possible, in the middle of hundreds of plant species. A unique place in the world, at the end of the African continent.
Do not hesitate to venture out on the trails, as the crowds do not usually stray far from the cable car. But be careful, bring good walking shoes. Signal Hill and Lion’s Head, the other two hills overlooking Cape Town, offer nice views.

Taj Mahal – India

The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and 1653 on the initiative of the Mughal Shah Jahan by… love. Legend has it that the emperor, in mourning grief, wanted to build a monument in the image of his late wife Mumtaj Mahal. In memory of this irreplaceable “elected harem”, the mausoleum must have looked like no other.
The Taj, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, became by paradox of history the icon of the cradle of Hinduism. Verses from the Koran and floral arabesques in precious stones are encrusted in the diaphanous marble. The colossal but airy Taj Mahal shines on a garden symbolizing the paradise of Muslims.

Halong Bay – Vietnam

The charm of Long Bay is irresistible. One of the most famous landscapes in Asia, the bay has around two thousand sugar loaves of all shapes and sizes emerging from the sea and stretching for hundreds of kilometers. The landscape is constantly changing, the atmosphere is strange with the jagged shapes of the rocks, the caves, cavities and tunnels that pierce them. The place was classified as World Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 1993, under the criterion of “natural beauty”.
To make the most of the mysterious atmosphere of the place, embark on a hotel junk and spend the night in the bay.

Angkor – Cambodia

Stone dream, disappeared city invaded by the jungle, treasure of the universal inheritance… Who did not dream to see the temples-mountains of Angkor Wat ignite in the setting sun? The charm of Angkor, the Khmer capital from the 9th to the 14th century, comes from the still unresolved mystery of its civilization and its proximity to nature. How not to remain petrified with admiration before the gigantic roots of banyan trees surrounding the ruins?
Plan to visit at least three days, as the gigantic Angkor site covers 400 km2. Many people on the most famous sites – Angkor Wat or the Bayon -, but we often find ourselves (almost) alone in the more distant temples of the Grand Circuit. Our favourite: Banteay Srei, the “citadel of women”, with its reliefs carved to perfection in pink sandstone.

Bora Bora – French Polynesia

And, last but not least, Eden Bora Bora is the very image of the paradise island, the perfect example of a sunny retreat where the white sandy beaches stretch for miles. It is formed by an extinct volcano, surrounded by a reef fringe, protecting it like a barrier, and a shimmering lagoon.
A little extra for diving fans: the underwater fauna is amazing. And then, what could be more romantic than sleeping in a Polynesian faré or a hotel on stilts?