of the best...5cities forromanceFrom grand,sweep<strong>in</strong>g vistasto cosy, candlelitd<strong>in</strong>ners, these<strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g citieshave all the<strong>in</strong>gredients forthe perfectromantic breakBy LAURA DIXON<strong>in</strong> anutshellClassicromanceQuirkycourtshipBeautyspotCosycocktailsTablefor twoPARISNo explanation needed: ask people to name themost romantic city <strong>in</strong> the world, and there’s everychance most of them will say Paris, aka the Cityof Love.A champagne river cruise along the Se<strong>in</strong>e willtake you gently past all the major sights, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gNotre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Pont Neuf andthe Louvre.Wander round Père Lachaise cemetery, whereyou’ll f<strong>in</strong>d the graves of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf andJim Morrison – an offbeat, but strangely romanticway to spend the afternoon.The Jard<strong>in</strong> du Luxembourg (where Mariusand Cosette meet <strong>in</strong> Les Misérables) is full ofromantic symbolism, from the many statuesscattered around the gardens to theMedici Founta<strong>in</strong>.Flûte Paris Bar & Lounge, nearthe Arc de Triomphe, stands outfor its scarlet velour seat<strong>in</strong>g,jazz sessions and sensationalchampagne cocktails.For romance with a capital R, headto Ciel de Paris. Located on the 56thfloor of the Montparnasse Tower, it offers<strong>in</strong>credible views of the Eiffel Tower.PRAGUEBaroque architecture, gold-tipped statues anda castle overlook<strong>in</strong>g it all – Prague is bathed <strong>in</strong>history and romance from top to toe.Every fairy tale needs a castle, and Prague’sUNESCO-listed version, overlook<strong>in</strong>g the town,is a must-see. Try to catch a classical music concert<strong>in</strong> St George’s Basilica there.Adrenal<strong>in</strong> is supposed to be an aphrodisiac,so why not head out of town and try bungeejump<strong>in</strong>g from Zvikovské Bridge over the Vltavavalley? Guaranteed to get your heart rac<strong>in</strong>g...Housed <strong>in</strong> the Baroque Kaunický Palace, theMucha Museum celebrates the Art Nouveauartist Alphonse Mucha and his romantic,decorative images.Swap the cocktails for a local beer:the city’s many famous brewerieshave superb beer halls and cellarswith well-chosen brews. Try thecosy front room of U Vejvodu.One of the city’s most exclusiveplaces to eat, Mlýnec (‘The Mill’) hasan award-w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g menu and a riverterrace with views of the Charles Bridge.MoviemomentTake <strong>in</strong>spiration from Woody Allen’s Midnight <strong>in</strong>Paris and stroll the streets at night, soak<strong>in</strong>g upthe atmosphere and imag<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g years gone by.F<strong>in</strong>d James Bond-style romantic thrills atPrague’s Strahov Monastery – its historic libraryprovided one of the locations for Cas<strong>in</strong>o Royale,starr<strong>in</strong>g Daniel Craig.Whereto stayHotel François 1er is set on a quiet side street nearthe Champs-Élysées; the Hotel Napoleon Paris iswith<strong>in</strong> easy reach of cultural attractions; <strong>in</strong> additionto elegant guestrooms, the Hotel CaliforniaParis Champs Elysées houses an impressive artcollection; and the Hotel Reg<strong>in</strong>a offers historic ArtNouveau style close to the Louvre and the Tuileries.A short tram ride from Wenceslas Square,andel’s Hotel & Suites Prague is a sleekly modernhotel with light, airy guestrooms, an atmosphericbar/brasserie and a gym and wellness centreoffer<strong>in</strong>g relax<strong>in</strong>g beauty treatments.76volume THIRTEENSummit
hot spotsNEW YORKVENICEBARCELONAWhether you’re brows<strong>in</strong>g the engagement r<strong>in</strong>gsat Tiffany & Co or sigh<strong>in</strong>g over skyscraper views,New York is undoubtedly one of the world’s mostromantic locations.If you don’t feel amorous <strong>in</strong> Venice – with itsglorious architecture, w<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g canals andsecret squares – maybe you never will. It’sa romantic’s dream.The vibrant maverick spirit of Barcelona gives ita unique romantic appeal. It’s a city full of colourand creative freedom, where you feel anyth<strong>in</strong>gcould happen.Take a romantic stroll, hand <strong>in</strong> hand, over theBrooklyn Bridge to enjoy views of Manhattanfrom across the water. At night it is lit up withfairy lights.Murmur sweet noth<strong>in</strong>gs to each other at theWhisper<strong>in</strong>g Gallery <strong>in</strong> Grand Central Station. Theacoustics of the ceramic arches make even theslightest sigh audible.Enjoy rural pleasures <strong>in</strong> the heart of the city: hirea row<strong>in</strong>g boat, kayak or gondola from Central ParkBoathouse to explore the lake.Cruise along the Grand Canal, l<strong>in</strong>edwith beautiful palazzi, and underthe Rialto Bridge – ideally on oneof the vaporetti (water buses)with outdoor seats at the front.Indulge a shared love of gelatoby explor<strong>in</strong>g the ice cream stalls ofthe Dorsoduro district; this is whereyou’ll f<strong>in</strong>d the best gianduja ice cream<strong>in</strong> town.Take <strong>in</strong> an aerial view of the city, stretch<strong>in</strong>g asfar as the beaches of the Lido, from the top ofthe San Giorgio tower; it’s a short vaporetto ridefrom St Mark’s Square and less crowded than thecampanile there.In summer, take a picnic blanket,basket and bottle of cava toMontjuïc Castle for outdoorc<strong>in</strong>ema screen<strong>in</strong>gs precededby live music.Have a dr<strong>in</strong>k at the Bosc de lesFades café near the Wax Museum– a unique fairy tale-themedeatery complete with occasionalthunderstorms and a magical forest.Gaudi’s famous Park Güell is a beautiful spot, withundulat<strong>in</strong>g walls, mosaic lizards and fabulousviews of the city. Perfect for proposals.Employees Only <strong>in</strong> the West Village is a small,trendy cocktail bar, with a tarot reader besidethe door to tell you about your future together.When it’s cold outside, head to Caffè Florian(<strong>in</strong> St Mark’s Square) and snuggle up togetherwith liqueur coffees <strong>in</strong> one of the ornate19th-century rooms.Gimlet <strong>in</strong> the Gothic Quarter is a stylish cocktailbar where you’re transported to the 1950s, withsmartly dressed waiters and bar staff who’ll whiskup a personally designed concoction for you.Darkly lit and quirkily styled, Macao Trad<strong>in</strong>gCompany <strong>in</strong> TriBeCa serves great cocktailsand Portuguese-Ch<strong>in</strong>ese fusion food, andis a seductive spot for d<strong>in</strong>ner.Take a boat to Venissa, a wonderful restauranton the island of Mazzorbo, near Burano, forexquisite pasta, soft-shelled crab from thelagoon and local w<strong>in</strong>e.Tram-Tram <strong>in</strong> Sarria has a fairy light-draped gardenand several private d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g rooms, all serv<strong>in</strong>ghigh-end creative food, such as textured artichokedishes and red mullet.Visit the Empire State Build<strong>in</strong>g at night – as TomHanks and Meg Ryan did <strong>in</strong> Sleepless <strong>in</strong> Seattle.It’s quiet, the queues are short and the city looksmovie-ready with all its tw<strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g lights.Make like Helena Bonham Carter <strong>in</strong> The W<strong>in</strong>gsof the Dove (an all-time classic story of love anddeceit <strong>in</strong> Venice) and take to the water <strong>in</strong> agondola at sunset.The Sagrada Familia, Fundació Joan Miró andother famous landmarks shared the silverscreen with Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardemand Scarlett Johansson <strong>in</strong> Woody Allen’sVicky Crist<strong>in</strong>a Barcelona.The Kitano New York offers atranquil refuge <strong>in</strong> the heart offast-paced Manhattan; The AlexHotel <strong>in</strong> Midtown is perfect forbus<strong>in</strong>ess or leisure; and TheHelmsley Park Lane Hotel®has great views of Central Park.A Summit Hotels& Resorts property willprovide you with theperfect getaway. For more<strong>in</strong>formation, please visitwww.SummitHotels.comHotel Monaco & Grand Canalis housed <strong>in</strong> a former palaceoverlook<strong>in</strong>g the Grand Canal,with Baroque details andbeautiful views.Orig<strong>in</strong>ally built for the 1992 Olympic Games, HotelFira Palace offers polished <strong>in</strong>teriors and spaciousguestrooms (complete with luxurious massageshowers and Gilchrist & Soames amenities) <strong>in</strong> theheart of the vibrant Montjuïc district.alamy, corbisvolume THIRTEEN Summit 77
Change language