Romantic is when a lovers' Ferris wheel ride magically stops at its highest point as the setting sun sinks into the horizon and the blue sky burns into hues of gold and orange. -- JIS.

Picture: AFP/GETTY

Sipping coffee in small café by a quiet alley in Marais in Paris, France, sitting on a bench by the busy path of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, strolling under the heavenly Cherry Blossom trees in Kyoto, Japan, wading on the shallow waters of a deserted beach in a South Pacific island, shaking your bodies to the Salsa beat at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, riding the elephants through the forest of Chiang Mai, Thailand, or the Ferris wheel magically stopping at its highest point facing the setting sun in some theme park….

…. you stare at each other’s eyes, lips curled in smiles, time stands still….

… you are in a bubble made for two where no one else can enter, nothing else really matters…

… you are in the most romantic place in the world.

It doesn’t really matter where you are when you’re with the one your heart beats for. When you get caught in “that moment”, romance blooms, you’re sure you are in love, and that particular spot will become the most memorable site for you and your lover.

What a better time to revisit this special moment than this day of the hearts. There is something about Valentine’s Day that make lovers look back to the time they first met, held hands and felt that tingling sensation, dated, brushed lips, the first moment they whispered I love you, the day they exchanged vows and the days they spent together in bliss at some dream destination after officially blessed as bride and groom.

Here are some travel-loving women finding their most romantic place in the world and why they see it as such.


Malouchi Gahol. Paris just shouts "l'amour"... the lights, the old charm, the wine, the pastries, the language... all spell R-O-M-A-N-C-E. 

Louie & Malouchi Gahol at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

Stephanie Ong. Vancouver, Canada, strikes the perfect balance between cosmopolitan life and nature. It has always held a special place in my heart as this where I spent the best of my childhood. I was fortunate enough to have been able to share my love affair with Vancouver with my husband who was equally enchanted by its spectacular sights, sounds and tastes.

RJ & Stephanie Ong in Vancouver, Canada

Nikki Tan. Phuket, Thailand. Philip and I went there for our honeymoon. It was our very first getaway together and being ensconced in the beauty of the island, basking in the languid Thai hospitality and just being there for the first time as a married couple made it such an idyllic time for us.

Philip & Nikki Tan honeymooning in Phuket Island, Thailand

Marga Nograles. We will always be thankful for Rome and the opportunity to witness the canonization of Saint Pedro Calungsod. It was a quiet and prayerful time in a most beautiful ancient city! ... This was one sure date that Karlo and I hold dearest to our hearts.

Karlo & Marga Nograles in Rome, Italy

Debie Hao. The calm & comforting vibe, architecture of rare splendor & fine Italian cuisine make this for a perfect romantic escape. Where else can you experience the city with the Gondolas, but the charming Venice!

Chai Beng & Debbi Hao at the Pizza San Marco in Venice, Italy.

Vanessa Ong. Quaint little town of Solvang,the ambiance is like a small town in Europe but it's in California, perfect place to reconnect and have some alone time with the mister. They have to-die-for pastries at their Danish Village Bakery and just walking around town is simply divine!

Randall & Vanessa Ong in the quaint town of Solvang in California, USA.

Janette Teves. Hopfgarten, Austria. In 2000, my husband Gary and I spent our three-week honeymoon in Europe. In Hopfgarten, we seized an adventure and took a challenging 22-kilometer mountain bike ride. Along the ride, I wanted to give up but Gary was very supportive and kept on encouraging me to continue.

After our sumptuous picnic lunch, I felt much better as the last 11 kilometers were mostly downhill...thank God! I got to enjoy the scenic and breathtaking view of the snow-capped Austrian Alps with my dearest hubby as we rode our bikes side by side.

Gary & Janette Teves mountain biking in Hopfgarten, Austria

Bianca Uy. I consider the summit of Mt. Stanserhorn in Switzerland, the most romantic spot in the world. To be (literally) on top of the clouds with Morris was truly exhilarating and unforgettable.

Morris & Bianca Uy above clouds in Mt. Stanserhorn, Switzerland.

Bunny Sy. Sumilon Island, Oslob, Cebu: Private, Secluded and Historic. The island is so tranquil that you will forget your worries and erase bad memories! Your love story gets refreshed!

Mike & Bunny Sy enjoying their seclusion in Sumilon ISland, Oslob, Cebu

Des Aportadera. Barcelona, the people, the food, and the flamenco just make this place shout "amor".

Bong & Des Aportadera in Barcelona, Spain.

Kay Gempesaw. The most romantic place for us is Venice, Italy, where I celebrated my birthday a few years back. Being serenaded by the gondolier with TimTom amidst the beautiful Venetian architecture made us feel like we were transported in another time.

Tom & Kay Gemepesaw's gondola ride in Venice, Italy

How about you, where is your most romantic place?

For more travel & lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/