Hi

My girlfriend and I,along with her sister, are travelling around Europe over a month. We arrive in Paris at the Hotel Opera Cadet in Faubourg Montmartre on the 1st of August, and stay for 4 nights. We then stay in Barcelona for 4 nights;Venice 4 nights,Lyon France 8 nights, Florence and Rome 5 nights each I think and finish off 4 nights in Hong Kong before heading back home to New Zealand with the good news (hopefully lol).

My main question is where would the best place to propose be?

Paris, amazing as it is, seems a bit cliché as a few friends & people I know have popped the question there. I did think Venice the best place to do it, but it seemed kinda cliché too... I don't know-I may be wrong... I thought maybe Barcelona could be a place I could ask her?? I would hate to have the burden of holding onto the ring for any longer-Barcelona is the second place we fly to so that kinda makes sense...

Any info/tips/experiences-good and bad-aswell as sites/places not to miss-you are more than welcome to share please!

We are all mid to late 20s, and this will be the first time any of us travel Europe. I want it to be as memorable as it can be-especially the moment I get down on one knee and ask the woman of my dreams to marry me.

Cheers

Cliche or not, I would do it in Paris. Buy a lock now and have your names engraved and put it on the bridge of locks, then get down on one knee. You could propose to me in front of Monet's waterlilies or many other romantic spots but skip the Eiffel tower, that has been done a lot. Congrats. I just would rather be proposed to in the Paris than any other spot in the world. You could do a picnic on the banks of the river and ask there also. So many possibilities.

I have friends/clients who live in California. I met them in Paris. He had just proposed to her the day before, on a picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg. It seems to have held. ;-)

I think that would be perfect for me.

There is a reason so many romatic themed movies, ad campaigns, etc....are set in Paris. It IS romantic.
And, anywhere you two are together can be romantic. So, it will depend on your personalities.

I like the park behind Notre Dame, as the Seine is right there and you have the view of Notre Dame. Sanite Chappele is intimate and beautiful, so that might be an option.

Venice is gorgeous and Rome offers a variety of options. Outside the city is gorgeous Villa d'Este. If they have evening hours while you are there, it becomes even more romantic. I love fountains so that would appeal to me.

Enjoy your trip and congratulations.

Anywhere you can get rid of her sister for the evening?

Propose to her sister and make her jealous.

During a walk along the Seine at night.

You are going to some beautiful cities. The fact that you are going with the love of your life will make them even more beautiful.

Keep the ring secure in a good pocket and when you've had one of the best laughs or romantic moments of the trip. Propose then. You will know the moment. If you just let it happen it will be a joy forever.

You never know what you will look back on in the years to come. It could be an incredibly funny moment that you renews your desire to hear her laughter for the rest of your life.

It could be an incredibly stressful time. For instance, my husband and I were lost in Prague. The street was all torn up, I had hurt my ankle, it was dusty and not a good day. He said, "we're going for lunch! Right here!" Then he opened the door to this beautiful restaurant, in the middle of this dusty, dirty and very loud street. It was gorgeous, soft lighting, soft chair and beautiful tables. I'll never forget the food or the wine.
We have never forgotten that restaurant or how we felt walking into it.

What I'm saying, if you plan for that moment in front of the Sacred Cour, that may be the day she has a headache and you have an agenda. How is that going to work?

Do not buy a locka dsfunless you find tagging acceptableasd, because that is what attaching a lock represents; and I believe that it is more destructive than spraying your tag or carving your initials on the trunk of a tree.

Sorry for the typos, I am not used to the ipad.

While I think that Paris is magnificent and the Eiffel Tower is iconic, it might be a bit "expected". If you hold off until you get to Rome, you could throw her off the trail a bit (like it won't happen if it doesn't happen in Paris). Villa Borghese in Rome. You could hire a boat in the lake at do it then. You are guaranteed to be alone. It is amazing there.

Propose before you leave, when you are alone.

(Have you considered her sister - is she in a relationship? Will your oh-so-romantic proposal put a damper on her vacation in any way?)

And, do not add to the litter of bridge locks - so ugly.
Why can't people admire something without possessing or marking?
Not much different than those tourists who had to have "just a little piece" of Stonehenge.

Good point by LSky..
You need a bit of luck to have a "perfect" moment.

Just as a back-up if Paris does not work out:

On the harbor cable car while you enjoy the spectacular vista of Barcelona (or get air sick).
Or the (tamer) cable car to Montjuic castle. This may be even more romantic as you don't share one huge cabin with many people as on the harbor cable car.

At night on the rooftop terrace of Casa Fuster (upscale hotel/ Modernisme building) while having drinks - and again a vista of all of central Barcelona (and not a chance to get air sick). If you remember the movie Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona - this hotel was used for several scenes.

Another romantic viewpoint/ bar/ restaurant is Mirablau - at the lower station of Tibidabo cogwheel train.
If you feel a bit "silly" you could do it on of the rides of the Tibidabo fun park (actually almost a historic place with many old-fashioned rides) - with the danger to drop your rings there

Parc Güell could also be an option.
Or at night at the Magic Fountain - though it is pretty dark there (to see the colorful fountains), and somewhat loud (the fountains dance to music).

Barcelona is a beachfront city. There are also nice places (bars, clubs) on the waterfront promenade - especially at night.


From a more generic point of view, you could think about locations where you are more or less on your own. Many places lose their magic when you have hordes of people bumping into you, or have a stag party screaming and puking near you ;-)

I'd suggest to do it somewhere with significance. Do any of those places have special meaning for your girl? Would she prefer it in a moment alone, or in front of a large area of people? Only you guys can answer that.

In my case, I knew from my first date with my fiancee that she had a poster of Neuschwanstein Castle since she was 7 and loved it so much that when we had the opportunity to go, that's where I proposed.

The other thing I'd advise is be ready to adapt. You never know if your plan A might be closed or unavailable for some reason (it was in my case, since I wanted to propose from the bridge overlooking the castle that was closed, but instead, I did it when we were alone on a balcony). She said yes

I would vote Barcelona. It is an incredibly beautiful and romantic city.

I haven't read all the replies yet, so don't know if it's already been mentioned, but DON'T do the lock thing in Paris. It's incredibly bad for the environment (the keys thrown into the river are harmful to wildlife) and they are trying to stop people from doing it. Unsurprisingly, all the hawkers along that bridge selling padlocks/pens etc are doing it illegally. Please don't fuel this damaging trade.

I do agree with broncoal06 though about having a plan B. Very important!

Where you propose is not going to influence her response unless you are both shallow or immature.

When the moment is right, hopefully when you are alone and not feeling stressed, propose and if you are meant to be together, she will be feeling the same already. The presence of a sister could be a dampener, you could propose at home where real life goes on. And don't deface anywhere with a lock.

Apart from those provisos, good luck.

Venice is unique, Paris is pretty but Venice has a magical air about it (worse at high tide when the lagoon has had a chance to warm up) I'd book a restaurant with a fine view over the lagoon and let rip

If you choose Barclona, ask at the top of Montjuïc or by the peppers at La Boqueria.

I am sure you already considered at the Eiffel Tower or on a Venetian gondola. The one I favor is to wait for one of the Parisian gold ring scammers and . . .

What I don't get is do you want to be alone with your girlfriend when you propose, or will her sister (quite naturally since you are travelling together) be there too?

The sister is there to take a photo of the moment.

I would opt for Paris or Venice, as they are two of my favorite places in the world. While I really like the other places you mention, Paris and Venice are tops on my list.