So you’re madly in love. Heart-beating, back-tingling, mind-boggling love. When you’re around him, it’s like you OD’ed on caffeine and you’re on some unnatural high. He gives you so many butterflies that you’re practically growing wings. He’s the Romeo to your Juliet, the Darcy to your Lizzie Bennett. It’s your crazy, stupid, love for this man that finds you saying things like “let’s travel the world together!” But, on second thoughts, why not?
What better way to celebrate your extreme fondness for your significant other than to hop on a plane, train or automobile and travel to a city where all your romantic illusions can turn into a blissful reality? Whether you’re kissing him under a sparkling Eiffel Tower at midnight, or enjoying a glass of French wine with him to the sound of an accordionist, you’ll know what the epitome of romance looks like. So start saving those pennies for the ultimate romantic getaway.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that one night in Paris will leave any single lady longing for a man to hold her in his arms. Paris isn’t called the city of love undeservedly; it really is buzzing with romantic allure. ABBA’s song “Our Last Summer” has a little thing or two to say about this beautiful city:
The summer air was soft and warm
The feeling right, the Paris night
Did its best to please us
And strolling down the Elysée
We had a drink in each café
And you
You talked of politics, philosophy and I
Smiled like Mona Lisa
We had our chance
It was a fine and true romance
The beauty of Paris is so inspiring that sharing it with someone you love is twice the fun. It’s time to fall in love all over again as you admire the grandeur of Notre Dame together, flick through love post-its in the bookshop Shakespeare and Company, waltz in and out of quirky art galleries in The Marais, walk up the gorgeous cobbled streets of Montmartre for breathtaking views of the city, gorge on the sweetest macaroons from La Durée, head along to the finest jazz bars in Chatelet as you sip on Martinis and poke at gourmet olives with expensive cocktail sticks…
There’s a reason they serve Champagne out of flutes (albeit plastic ones) at the pinnacle of the Eiffel Tower. You might not want him to propose to you from such vertical heights, but that shouldn’t stop you from stealing a cheeky “bisous” from him. And getting an American tourist to take a snap of you two love-birds will certainly result in a fair few ‘likes’ on instagram if you go crazy on the “romance”, “paris” and “eiffel tower” hashtags. If that’s your thing, of course. Otherwise, save it for your screen saver.
[pagebreak]
If you’re a fan of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, then you might want to consider a dramatic kiss by the Seine under the Pont Marie. Just make sure he doesn’t run away at midnight (could be a little awkward). The Luxembourg gardens are also renowned for being a hotspot for lovers with their stunning flowerbeds, famous statues and abundance of benches.
And if you’re there for quite a few days, there’s so much going on just outside of Paris! HCX recommends going to Versailles for the day and experiencing the beauty and awe of the gardens and fountains. The inside of the Palace is equally beautiful but for a more peaceful and romantic day trip, there’s nothing like waltzing around the gardens, particularly during the “Dancing Fountains” shows. And if you decide to visit Paris at the height of Spring, there’s no place more beautiful than Monet’s home and gardens in the quaint little village of Giverny. Accessible by train, the hour long walk to the village is totally worth the romantic snap on the Pont Japonais with all the stunning water lilies.
This may not sound like your typical romantic activity, but the Moulin Rouge is certainly worth a visit too. For the theatre lovers, this fantastic spectacle will have you and your partner buzzing with excitement. It really is your time to “dress to the nines” and admire some of the world’s most skilled performers as you share a bottle of bubbly with your man. An expensive outing, but definitely on the top of our list.
In the 18th arrondissement (Paris is split into 20 quarters), there’s a wall of “I Love You’s” written in 250 different languages which is definitely worth a visit before you leave. And finally, for the ultimate sign of affection: why not buy yourself a lock to put on Le Pont des Arts (better known as the love-locks bridge). Oh, and need I remind you that this is also where Carrie and Big kiss in the last episode of Sex and the City. *Melts*.
Look out for more installments for the perfect romantic getaway with your man!
Photo credits: www.pinrerest.com, www.weheartit.com, www.womensunitedonline.com, www.flickr.com