Europe's most romantic town?
 

Which one gets your vote and why? :-)

Well, aside from the fact that a Romantic Town is only So Romantic when you are with the Right person-(you can be with a real dud and nowhere will be that romantic:)

I think Paris is IT for us! Just walking around the city is romantic, the cafes, the weather, the parks, the music, those bridges!! That river!!

I have to go with Venice.

Absolutely Scarlett, I totally agree!! You DO need to be with the right person otherwise you are screaming to get out!!

So...assuming you are with the right person, where would it be?

Paris likely pops into everyone's mind, but how about Salzburg?

Surprising, but true. An afternoon walk through the narrow streets, browsing around in the outdoor market, buying some fruit and some wine and then taking the funicular up into the fortress and having dinner with an unparalleled view of the valley below. Afterward, you can walk through the small, but unusually quaint cemetary that is just beside the funicular entrance. Heading back to the square, you can take a carriage ride around town, then arriving back at the square, have an ice cream while you watch some of the locals play chess on the oversized set there and head back to hotel as the sun sets.

If that doesn't get get her in the mood, you're doing something wrong...

Hi Ally

Paris, Dijon, Venice, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Prague, Bruges, Amsterdam, a cruise down the Rhine, London.

Wow! Salzburg sounds fantastic!!

As far as cities I've had the good fortune to visit, I'd have to pick Venice followed, in a close tie, by Paris and Rome.

Venice for its incomparable canals; Paris for its lighting and the Seine; and Rome for its warm colors, piazzas, and fountains.

I vote Dubrovnik.

I know I am in the minority here but I have never been able to develop an affection for Paris, despite multiple attempts.

Salzburg is very pretty but I think limited.

I vote for Rome. It's a fascinating city and the night time view from a rooftop restaurant with all the monuments lit up in the background takes your breath away!

I find this very hard to answer. You said " town" but I see mostly cities. It is hard to compare Venice or Prague with Hallstatt or Orta San Guilio. I prefer the latter.

Bruges. Hands Down. Stay in the
Hotel Bourgoensche Cruyce
website: http://www.hotels-belgium.com/hb-brugge-bourgcruyce.htm
Remarkable. But there is only enough to do there for a couple of days.

Tough call, but I have to go with the Venice crowd. Yes, it's too obvious. But it's obvious for a reason.

Honorable mentions to Paris & Rome. Italian lake towns too (Bellagio/Mennagio/Stresa/Orta S.G.).

Paris wins my vote everytime. Its clean, beautiful, full of lights and passion. Nothing more romantic than watching the sun set over the Seine from Pont Neuve, with teh Eiffel tower in the distance..sigh

Tie goes to Heidelberg and Clonakilty

1. Salzburg
2. Hallstatt
3. Brugge
4. rothenburg

Verona.

Ummm... Italy just abounds with romantic places.

(Previously hooked-on-Paris)

St. Petersburg - especially during the "White Nights". Incredible!

I totally disagree that a romantic town is ONLY So Romantic when you are with the Right person. (And, I'd never have a "real dud" along, but even if I did would not permit that to diminish my experience...)

Regardless, St. Petersburg has canals (clean, no odors), gorgeous bridges over them and the river (even one designed by the same architect as Pont Alexandre III in Paris), a fabulous river, stunning architecture all about, and the Hermitage (not quite as extensive with regard to the collection as the Louvre, but more gorgeous decor within).

We just returned. Go now before the word really gets around...

djkbooks, what do you mean by "white nights?" I haven't heard that term.

dln, at this point only a abstract of the June 19 (2003) article is available online for free (with registration), but it has a brief explanation of St. Petersburg's "White Nights."

"St. Petersburg Journal; Oh That Glow. White Nights Beg for a Painter" by Michael Wines

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstrac...AF0894DB404482

Much thanks, capo. My jaw hardly drops but it did when I read that! It must be the most amazing thing to see, and yes, very romantic.

You're welcome, dln. I was especially familiar with that article since a friend of mine just spent a few weeks in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and I posted it for him to read on a message board while he was over there.

I haven't read the article yet but "White Night",isn't that a Russian term for midnight-sun? In some other languages, this term is translated litearlly though in French, "nuit blanche" means a sleepless night and all this made me think of Al Pacino movie "Insomnia".

Celtic Dreams:
Clonakilty? Until now best known as the epicentre of the Famine? Long known locally as "Clonakilty, God help us"? And, if we're honest (no, frankly flattering to the place), a very ordinary town in very ordinary countryside

You have to help us here. What inspired that nomination? Or is the reason...well, personal?

I thought Heidelberg and Bruges were incredibly romantic, even though I visited Bruges with my mother!! I love Bath in the winter but not in the summer when there are too many tourists. I also think Prague is romantic, especially the view of the city from the park across the river..

Cities or towns count - it doesn't matter which.

1. Venice - Italy
2. Bruges - Belgium
3. Paris - France
4. Prague - Czech Republic
5. Rome - Italy

Flanneruk....

I was the sole Americian at my best friend's wedding, there. It was held at the spa there - can't think of the name off the top of my head Inchydoney? Maybe? The church, the ceremony, the mulled wine pre-reception. So, I guess the reason is highly personal. Just makes me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it...

Rome, because it's my husband's favorite city! He's at his best there, so in turn, it works for me. Plus I love Italy, and I think Rome is probably my favorite city as well. (Although it's a very close race for me, whereas his only other contender for favorite is London!) And like Capo mentioned, you've got to love those fountains!

Where is Flanneruk?

Nice during Mardi Gras

My vote goes to Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic in the wintertime...

The warm amber glow of streetlamps reflect softly off the cobblestone streets, which are slicked over with ice as the slush freezes over again at night. Despite the fact that you feel entirely unsexy bundled up in a big winter jacket, your cheeks are flushed pink...and turn even pinker when you blush from embarrassment after you fall on your behind trying to navigate the treacherous ice! He leans over and helps you up, not letting go of your hand...and your laughter mingles with the soothing run of the Vtlava River...

Ah...I miss Europe.

The "White Nights" are when the sun never really sets. As we cruised toward St. Petersburg, on night there was what seemed to be the most gorgeous sunset imaginable. At 11:15, the sky was pink and blue and white - with the moon on the other side! We stood there for an hour or so, waiting for the sun to set, but it did not. We went inside for a cocktail or two and a bit of dancing to the wonderful band, and when we went back outside, there was still the incredibly glorious pink, blue and white horizon! We went back to our room and watched out the window for quite a while. Still, the sun didn't drop. We finally hit the bed and dozed off. We awoke, just a few hours later, to the most incredible sunrise! The "White Nights" are really indescrible. You must experience this for yourself!

P.S. We've been to Paris many, many time and just adore it and being there. But, there ARE many other worthy destinations!

I would suppose that if you are "with the Right person" anywhere will be quite romantic.

But, if you're seeking a truly romantic desination, for you and your special someone, you must research to determine which places may be most appealing to YOU with regard to scenery, architecture, cultural opporunities, climate, walking all about and cafe possibilities!

I've been to Paris many times and yes, it is romantic. But the place we love is Murren, Switzerland. The mountains are beautiful, the sky georgous, the cows enchanting (lol), and the people lovely. We sat on the balcony of our hotel sipping wine and watching the mountains light up in the evening while listening to the tinkling of cow bells in the distance.

In the morning we could open the drapes in our room and watch the mountains again. And when it rained, we could count waterfalls across the valley. We really enjoyed Murren. Would go back in a second.