You finally made it: You're canoodling in a Venetian gondola while a musician croons a melody that seems composed just for you and your paramour. It'd be the most romantic moment of your life if not for that stench from the canal and the bottleneck of gondolas up ahead.
Romantic destinations require three key ingredients: beauty, mystery, and a sense of exclusivity. But a foul smell can turn beauty into ugliness in a second, just as being one of thousands lining up to gaze upon a supposedly romantic sight can quickly rob it of its allure.
No one expects towns in the American rust belt or the cluttered backstreets of Mumbai to tug at the heartstrings in the same way as, say, Venice. Yet in some respects they have it easier. Destinations that lay a claim to romance are immediately held to a far more stringent standard. If those iconic hot spots don't deliver a swoon-worthy stay, the disappointment can be akin to being jilted at the altar.
After all, you can't assume other travelers will be on board with your romantic plans. That's a lesson Philadelphia-based Travel + Leisure reader Nanette learned the hard way on a recent cruise: "I expected The Love Boat, but it just ended up being a crazy booze cruise," she posted to Facebook.com/TravelandLeisure.
Anyone who's tried to arrange a memorable moment for a paramour knows that romance is tricky to orchestrate. Some of the destinations on our list can live up to their reputations as dreamy getaways -- it's just a matter of navigating their hidden hazards. Others face greater obstacles. But the bottom line: with the right partner and a spirit for adventure, almost anywhere can be romantic.
--Adam McCulloch
Slideshow: World's Least Romantic Places
Related Stories:
America's Best Cities for Singles
Best and Worst Airports to Find a Date
Best Romantic Winter Getaways
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Cheers!
Jenn Seeley
Community Engagement - Radian6
Branson, MO
Glendive, MT
Roosevelt, UT
Gary, IN
Ocala, FL
and finally...
Toad Suck, AR...not at all romantic...
(HP mistakenly had it in their "most romantic places" list last week.)
But really, save yourself the trouble (and save the world) by finding fun things to do at home. Or try to live in a fun place.