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hot spotsNEW YORKVENICEBARCELONAWhether you’re browsing the engagement ringsat Tiffany & Co or sighing over skyscraper views,New York is undoubtedly one of the world’s mostromantic locations.If you don’t feel amorous in Venice – with itsglorious architecture, winding 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 anythingcould happen.Take a romantic stroll, hand in hand, over theBrooklyn Bridge to enjoy views of Manhattanfrom across the water. At night it is lit up withfairy lights.Murmur sweet nothings to each other at theWhispering Gallery in Grand Central Station. Theacoustics of the ceramic arches make even theslightest sigh audible.Enjoy rural pleasures in the heart of the city: hirea rowing boat, kayak or gondola from Central ParkBoathouse to explore the lake.Cruise along the Grand Canal, linedwith 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 exploring the ice cream stalls ofthe Dorsoduro district; this is whereyou’ll find the best gianduja ice creamin town.Take in an aerial view of the city, stretching 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 outdoorcinema screenings precededby live music.Have a drink 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, withundulating walls, mosaic lizards and fabulousviews of the city. Perfect for proposals.Employees Only in 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(in St Mark’s Square) and snuggle up togetherwith liqueur coffees in one of the ornate19th-century rooms.Gimlet in 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 TradingCompany in TriBeCa serves great cocktailsand Portuguese-Chinese fusion food, andis a seductive spot for dinner.Take a boat to Venissa, a wonderful restauranton the island of Mazzorbo, near Burano, forexquisite pasta, soft-shelled crab from thelagoon and local wine.Tram-Tram in Sarria has a fairy light-draped gardenand several private dining rooms, all servinghigh-end creative food, such as textured artichokedishes and red mullet.Visit the Empire State Building at night – as TomHanks and Meg Ryan did in Sleepless in Seattle.It’s quiet, the queues are short and the city looksmovie-ready with all its twinkling lights.Make like Helena Bonham Carter in The Wingsof the Dove (an all-time classic story of love anddeceit in Venice) and take to the water in agondola at sunset.The Sagrada Familia, Fundació Joan Miró andother famous landmarks shared the silverscreen with Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardemand Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen’sVicky Cristina Barcelona.The Kitano New York offers atranquil refuge in the heart offast-paced Manhattan; The AlexHotel in Midtown is perfect forbusiness or leisure; and TheHelmsley Park Lane Hotel®has great views of Central Park.A Summit Hotels& Resorts property willprovide you with theperfect getaway. For moreinformation, please visitwww.SummitHotels.comHotel Monaco & Grand Canalis housed in a former palaceoverlooking the Grand Canal,with Baroque details andbeautiful views.Originally built for the 1992 Olympic Games, HotelFira Palace offers polished interiors and spaciousguestrooms (complete with luxurious massageshowers and Gilchrist & Soames amenities) in theheart of the vibrant Montjuïc district.alamy, corbisvolume THIRTEEN Summit 77