If you’ve ever thought about eloping to a mystical land made of chocolate, shoes, fast cars; where the street vendors are hot hunks or dazzling damsels and manufactures love by the minute… then I’m afraid that the reality of that is as impossible as stapling water to a tree and would only come alive in your imagination. Sorry for the dream crushing, however, you can get a glimpse of heaven by making your way to the following Top Ten most romantic places on earth. They embody beautiful scenery, good food and wine and obviously epitomise romance!

1 | VENICE

If Venice didn’t exist it would still probably come to life in some Hollywood screenplay for the imagined backdrop of a romantic feature. Even so, it would most likely not be the fantasy that it is in reality, a fairytale of canals and breathtaking architecture. What can be more romantic than a gondola ride down a canal, or a walk over narrow bridges, getting lost through narrow lanes, and ending up at monumental squares? If you’re not yet in love, you will be.

2 | PARIS

Paris allows itself to be promoted as the city of love, and who can deny that? It really is a city for lovers, for strolls along the Seine, sipping coffee at a café, and for picture-perfect moments in romantic neighborhoods like Montmartre. Then there’s the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, and the many gardens like the Jardin du Luxembourg. In Paris, love is in the air everywhere you look around.

3 | PRAGUE

Prague is one of the world’s great romantic wonders, thanks to an immaculately-preserved old town filled with fairytale architecture. Walk hand-in-hand from the castle to the monumental Old Town Square through Charles Bridge, and stand together as you hear the chime of a 600-year old astronomical clock. Then it’s time to lose yourselves in the beauty and romance of this ancient city, through a sea of spires and cobblestones that make this a lovers’ paradise.

4 | FLORENCE

The Renaissance ambience of Florence gives it a romantic storybook atmosphere, especially for lovers and lovers of art. This is a magical setting filled with works by Michelangelo and Botticelli, where you can admire fabulous views from the top of the Duomo or from the famous Piazzale Michelangelo. End with a kiss on the legendary Vecchio Bridge after a candlelit dinner of fine Italian cuisine and wine.

5 | ROME

Evoking images of gladiators and ancient treasures, Rome is one of the world’s most dazzling cities. Lovers gather by its many fountains to throw coins as they make a wish, share gelatos and sip cappuccinos in the middle of beautiful piazzas, and walk past three thousand years of history. In Rome, life really is dolce.

6 | LISBON

Overlooked by an ancient castle, with breath-taking scenery admired from hilltop viewpoints, tiled buildings, cobblestone designs, vintage trams, a river on its way to the Atlantic, and flashbacks to the days of the great explorers of the Age of Discovery, Lisbon has all the ingredients that make it one of the world’s most romantic cities.
And if it’s not enough there’s Sintra (the European capital of Romanticism) nearby, and the unbelievably picturesque medieval village of Obidos which was once a wedding present from a king to his queen.

7 | VIENNA

This city seems made for romantic walks, with monumental avenues circling around pedestrian streets. The soundtrack is usually Mozart’s classic sounds, and when your legs finally need some rest there are the horse-drawn carriages. In between, lovers get a sense of what it’s like to live as a king and queen, visiting the regal splendour of the city’s palaces and museums.

8 | SEVILLE

Soak in the exotic charm and atmosphere of Spain’s most beautiful city, the capital of Andalusia where there’s fabulous Moorish architecture everywhere you turn. Catch a traditional bullfight, see some flamenco dancing, and go on a horse-and-carriage tour of the city before a leisurely walk through whitewashed and flower-filled streets. End up at a tapas bar and you’ll have experienced one of the world’s most soulful and romantic cities.

9 | BUENOS AIRES

Buenos Aires oozes passion, especially when you catch a Tango performance on the street. The streets are a sensual mix of European elegance and Latin American seduction, with monumental architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and al fresco dining. It’s perfect for promenading, and a place that provokes unexpected desires.

10 | MARRAKECH

Spices, labyrinthine markets, camel rides, snake charmers… Marrakech offers 1001 nights of sensory pleasures to be shared with a special someone. It is home to arguably the most romantic boutique hotels in the world (called Riads), as well as the perfect setting for a romantic getaway, surrounded by palm trees, views of the Atlas Mountains, and of course the Sahara Desert nearby.

And  unfortunately if you do not have anybody to go with, think you have no hope for love in the future or your bank account only allows you to go as far as a 5 minute drive to McDonalds… there’s still no reason to fret as you can fall in love with the pictures and the idea instead! Or even consult your imagination once again.