It’s Valentine’s Day and love is most certainly in the air. This is a time of year when sweet sentiments, soppy cards, stuffed animals and mountains of roses are completely acceptable, regardless of how you are the other 364 days of the year.
As a celebration of love February 14th has become a day when men around the world are most likely to get down on one knee and pop the big question; will you marry me?
Therefore we’ve constructed a list of the nine most romantic places to propose, which stray away from the usual. After all, a proposal on the Eifel Tower is getting a bit clichéd these days.
1. The Waipi’o Valley – Hawaii
Also known as the Valley of Kings, this stunning area on the Northeast Shore of Hawaii’s big island is perfect for a proposal, with a romantic and stunning backdrop. Surrounded by a lush green landscape, taro fields and lotus ponds alongside cascading waterfalls and rolling hills; this would be an exotic proposal like no other.
2. A Deserted Sand Spit – Fiji
With the crystal clear waters, empty skies, white sands and scorching temperature, Fiji is stunning, romantic and tranquil in equal parts. But what makes a romantic getaway even more romantic? Proposing to the one you love on one of the private islands, where guests experience the ultimate in romantic isolation.
3. The Antipodes Islands – New Zealand
New Zealand may not have a reputation for being the most romantic of holidays, in fact it’s more known for its sporting prowess than anything else. But the volcanic Antipodes Islands toward the south of New Zealand, although inhospitable, offer stunning scenery and a magnificent and sheer backdrop for a proposal that breaks the norm.
4. Petrin Hill – Prague
More renowned for its reputation as a stag party destination, Prague does house some beautiful and stunning places next to its famous watering holes. After climbing the staggering 299 steps to the top of Petrin Hill, you’ll be met by one of the most beautiful settings. Filled with greenery, statues and ponds, it sets a romantic mood, fit for a proposal, from the offset.
5. Mo’orea – Society Islands
Part of the Society Islands, which are part of French Polynesia, is Mo’orea. This stunning location opens up a utopian island paradise as far away from the tourism hustle and bustle as you could imagine. With a stunning landscape filled with gorgeous greenery and turquoise blue waters, you could propose at one of the lagoons or on a beach with a coastal sunset backdrop.
6. Whitsunday’s Islands – Australia
Although this part of Australia is stunning, you can make a lasting impression with your proposal by booking a seaplane adventure. This will fly you around for three hours, and once you hover over the heart shaped island in the middle of the ocean, it’s time to make one of the most romantic proposals known to man.
7. Lucerne – Switzerland
Not the tropical paradise that’s become synonymous with romantic getaways, Lucerne will leave you both shocked and surprised at the romance it can offer. Take the world’s steepest cogwheel rail track to the top of Mount Pilatus, and feast your eyes upon the stunning views of the Aegean Sea from the edge of the volcanic crater in Oia; which will make this an unusual yet Dr Zhivago-esque proposal.
8. Sorrento – Italy
Head to the Italian coast for a stunning romance entrenched vacation. With stunning little houses built into the rolling hillsides, delicious Italian food, picturesque flower filled landscapes and an ocean view that blends with the sky; the romance here knows no bounds. Rent a boat and spend the day discovering the nearby small island, where you can propose in peace, tranquillity and undying romance.
9. Paris – France
No not the Eifel Tower, instead head to Paris and spring a bigger surprise by not proposing at the famous attraction, and head off the beaten track. You could do this by popping the question as you watch the sunset on the Square du Vert Galant, or enjoy the secret romance of the Rue Des Thermopyles or at the Quai Saint Bernard. Either way there are more unusual romantic ways to propose in the city that emits love wherever you are.