The perfect sunset paddle; Blouberg Beach, Cape Town
I asked my wife the other day: what makes a particular place a romantic one? She immediately replied that it was about the person you’re with, rather than where you are. So I asked her if it would make any difference if I took her for a romantic weekend to Paris or to Cleethorpes (for those who have never experienced the delights of Cleethorpes, or have never even heard of it, do a search and see what you’ve been missing). Needless to say I got a strange and unimpressed stare from Sam, betraying a very clear preference for the French capital.
So do we take it that there is something about the location that makes it romantic? (it’s not looking good Cleethorpes; sorry) But wait: the label romantic can be applied to such a diverse range of places. Think of a deserted long white sandy beach on a Seychellois outpost, then think of the canals of Venice; both considered romantic, yet couldn’t be less alike. A hotel in one town can offer a romantic break while another property on the same road would never get away with trying. And now many cities promote themselves as perfect places for romantic breaks while at the same time offer cheap booze to attract stag and hen parties. Is there a way to reason beyond these contradictions? Is there is still hope for Cleethorpes?
Perhaps romantic isn’t about a particular type of place – after all, it could be a beach, it could be a city or it could be a hide-away hotel. Romantic certainly should involve doing things together; but those activities could be as diverse as fine dining, learning to paint or rock-climbing. It’s the togetherness that makes the romance, rather than the glamour (a night dressed up to the nines in a glamorous casino or a walk hand-in-hand along a deserted path in rough and ready outdoor gear? You get the picture).
Is it even about being together alone? Certainly the good folk who market Venice, Paris or Prague can’t sell the exclusive aspect of being alone in their romantic dreams. In their eyes tens of thousands can come to their cities and jostle each other for space while being romantic together.
So if it’s just being together that defines romantic then what does indeed separate a walk along the beach in Cleethorpes from a stroll along the Seine (smells of fish and sewerage, some would say)? Is ‘romantic’ just a label attached to a marketing campaign to attract high spending couples, who will shell out more money as a result of the romantic label than they otherwise would? Is real romance something that does exist between two people, and therefore totally independent of location and surroundings?
Others are coming round to this way of thinking. Look at this video from the guys who set out to promote Blackpool (yes, Blackpool!) as a romantic hot-spot.
Perhaps I’ll have another look at Cleethorpes after all. I hear the smell of fish isn’t so bad these days.
Mmm… Tough question…
Besides the clichés (Venice, Maldives beaches, etc) I wonder if what makes a place romantic is that perfect blend of reciprocal love, intimacy and similar sensitiveness.
Lots of places and situations can be romantic. But it’s so subjective. And it changes over time. So probably the only thing that really matter is finding The Right Place for both at a certain moment.
Having said that… Are you going to have a romantic gateway with your lovely wife in Paris?
Thanks Simon
You’re right, it is so subjective. The right place for both at that moment- well put. As for Paris, yes I’m sure we’ll get there before we go to Cleethorpes.
Spot on the money, it doesnt matter where you are or what you are doing its all about the person you are with! Its like anything, if you enjoy yourself and the people you care about are good then thats all that matters.
Paris was amazing. That said, it was my honeymoon and my first visit!
I agree with the comments so far, although for me it’s as much about time as space.
Getting away from it all is what it’s all about. And this can be done in an instant, and with a simple gesture.
But just how did Paris affect the moment ? I’ll have to go back to find out…
Thanks again for the comments, and the shared sentiments. Mark, you should go back to Paris and see how you experience it again. Of course, if you take your wife on a break you should find it just as amazing as ever.
I’ve been there with work, with friends and with my wife, and of course enjoyed it most with Sam – it’s a different place each time – but then doesn’t that apply to every place?
Romance in general is very loosely defined, that’s why it’s hard to specify what a romantic location is. Different people see it in a different way, so the different locations may be considered romantic or not by different people. What you’re right about, though, is that “romantic” has become a label travel agencies put on pretty much everything.
Thanks Ivo. Yes, romantic is, as you say, a marketing label used by many companies to add to their profits. But the true meaning does not require any glitz or glamour; of that I think we all agree.
Very interesting article. I agree that its all in the mind. My company organises weekends away and we have put coupls in some really nice hotels that are romantic but we later find out that the couple didn’t get on with each other when they were there.
I believe that its all about the people your with rather than locations or hotels.
Great discussion