Romantic Getaways

The day of hearts is just four days from now. Despite the negative perceptions of Valentine’s Day as mere commercialism and a lot of hogwash, I still value its symbolism. Amidst jaded people, young and old, who no longer believe in the lasting emotion called love, Valentine’s Day must all the more be given importance. Love must be nurtured. Love must be given time and effort for it to reach its full effulgence. One day in the year stands out for love. Hurrah for that!

Here are a few places where lovers indulge in romance because the ambiance just enhances that loving feeling. I share with you places I visited in the past… and would love to visit again and again, if only to revive that old universal magic called love.

When I was in Kuala Lumpur last July, I got an intriguing book entitled 101 Romantic Getaways published by Bounty Books in Great Britain. I base my list from this book.

1) Salzburg, Austria. I was sooo enchanted by this birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg is sometimes part of a European land tour. The whole city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved baroque architecture. My foodie son Allen Arvin discovered Mozart round chocolate here that has him hooked! He now looks for it. Don’t forget to get a glimpse of the mansion used in “The Sound of Music.”

2) Brugges, Belgium. This charming little city, also spelled Bruges, can be reached by coach from Paris. I joined a day tour to this lovely city when I was in Paris for 10 days. It is called “the Venice of the North.” There is water everywhere with quaint ancient bridges at every corner and colorful fairy story houses, especially around the main cobblestone square. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. They produce such dainty lace, luscious chocolates and lovely beer.

3) Paris, France. Ah, need I say more? I was there for 10 lovely days and despite my solo journey, I got intoxicated with the chic sophistication the city exudes. L’amour can be imbibed, unconsciously and in subtle ways.

4) The Loire Valley, France. This has not been named “The Garden of France” for nothing. The riot of blooms was breath-taking and the fragrance unforgettable. Most of all, there are many mansions, called chateaux, in this place. My favorite – which is world famous – is the Chateau Chenonceaux. I had a photo taken with my elder son Ian Irving, with this as background. That photo now greets me at work. The romance is easily recalled with just a glimpse of this mansion that once housed Catherine de Medici.

5) Bath, U.K. This is the equivalent of Camiguin Island in English soil. The sulfuric springs that made this a spa town during Roman times, gave rise to the numerous extant temples and bathing structures. These are referred to as the Roman Baths, giving the city its name.

6) Venice, Italy. Built on piles in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is a jewel-colored dream one should visit in one’s lifetime. One can take a vaporetto or water taxi along the canals to get to one of the other islands, like Torcello, Murano or Burano. But who wants to hurry as the sun sets? One can lie in a gondola and sail through the Byzantine palaces with their private gondola landings. Check out the Bridge of Sighs, the fabulous Doge’s Palace (constructed in 1309-1424) and the pigeons at St. Mark’s Square.

7) The Amalfi Coast, Italy. Running along the southern coastline of the peninsula of Sorrento, Amalfi stretches 40 km of vivid turquoise blue waters and the cantilevered town of Positano clinging on its cliffs. Take a sip of their famous lemoncello or bring back a bottle, like what my son did. And oh, the ride up to Sorrento is a breath-taking experience, affording a spectacular view of the Bay of Naples.

8) Verona, Italy. This city of bridges (there are 10 in such a small place!) in Northern Italy became legendary with Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” — and the balcony of what is purported to be the Capulet’s house is still there.

9) Istanbul, Turkey. This city is the gateway of Europe to Asia and vice versa. The Old City sits across the Bosphorus, and belongs to the European side; while the Modern City is the start of Asia. Istanbul used to the Byzantium, then Constantinople, when Constantine was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Steeped with history, it is also a melting pot of Christian and Muslim faiths where Ayasofya, a mosque that became a Christian church, and the magnificent Blue Mosque are found.

10) St. Petersburg, Russia. The massive Winter Palace of the Tsarina Elisabeth, mother of Tsar Peter the Great, spans 660 ft along the pretty Neva River. Catherine the Great’s Hermitage (built in 1764) houses the world’s biggest private art collection. The intricate onion-domed, golden-skinned cathedrals of the Eastern Orthodox faith are captivating.

11) Agra, India. How can one go to New Delhi and miss out on the symbol ofundying love – the mystical Taj Mahal? Ustad Ahmad Lahori, an Indian architect of Persian or Iranian descent, is credited with this masterpiece of design and structure. Standing before such beauty can make you cry…

12) Kyoto, Japan. Japan’s capital city from 794 until the 1860s, Kyoto is a tranquil flower-filled place famous for its numerous temples and the Imperial Palace. I wore a kimono for a whole day when I was last there, as it was kimono matsuri and I minced my steps in my wooden clogs! The Kinkakugi Temple was unforgettable!

There you have it! With the blustering snow storms in the U.S. and in some places in Europe, and the floods in India and nearby places, why not opt for Boracay – this resort town made it in my book (the only Philippine destination!) alongside Bali and the Maldives! Not bad!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!