10 hidden places to propose

You can look for the obvious under the Eiffel Tower, in front of the Taj Mahal, or at a certain famous beach bar and ask the most important questions of your life. But if you really want to impress – at this stage, why don’t you? – then you better think outside the box.

Here are 10 of the best options that will set a holiday smoke screen on your intentions while providing a very romantic place to propose.

monaco monte carlo

Photo: iStock

Romance and lavish indulgence are the perfect match, and what better place than uber-glamorous Monte Carlo on the Mediterranean coast to be the playground of the rich and royalty? It’s a small town with a sun-soaked, cliff-top location, Belle Époque charm and modern flair. Enjoy the romantic high life in manicured gardens, sea promenades and sexy beach clubs. Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and the Thermes Marins spa are also sure to impress. The only downside: you’ll need a fairly large diamond to match Monte Carlo’s opulence. see visitmonaco.com

Havana, Cuba

Photo: Getty

Havana oh la la? why not. Cuba is a vibrant country full of aromas of spices to the beat of mambo and jazz. Havana is a sensual, gossipy, colorful city known for its festivals, street energy and fascinating collision of European and Afro-Caribbean influences. It will put you in a good mood. Sip a mojito at sunset, watch the dancers at the bar swing by, and chow down on ceviche in front of the harbour. The battlements of the Morro Historic Park (Parque Histórico Morro), high above the sea, may be the place to ask this question. See cubatravel.cu

Kurashiki, Japan

Photo: Natalia Lukiianova/Alamy

Located on the Kurashiki River between Osaka and Hiroshima, the gorgeous historic district of his port city looks like the stage for romance. Antique canals lined with weeping willows and well-preserved whitewashed houses are the perfect backdrop for Japanese wedding photos. Women in shimmering silk kimonos with flowers in their hair, and men in samurai-era formal attire, pose in front of willow trees and ivy-covered walls. For bonus points, visit during cherry blossom season and propose under a confetti of pink flowers. See kurashiki-tabi.jp

I turn around, Cook Islands

Photo: Cook Islands Tourism

Bora Bora or Bali? Um. You’ll see all the other romantic couples and cruise ship passengers. On the lagoon of Aitutaki, on the other hand, you’ll easily find a spot to call your own. Take off your shoes, tune your ukulele, and step out of the ring. Not only does it offer tranquility, but it’s perhaps the most stunning lagoon in the Pacific: a dizzying show of blues, in which swirls of white sand so fine it creaks underfoot. No buildings in sight, just coconut trees rattling like cheerleaders. See cookislands.travel

New York, USA

Photo: Alami

New Yorkers have a reputation for bigotry, and the hustle and bustle of the big city isn’t everyone’s idea of ​​romance, but what better place to be for couples who enjoy the glamor of the big city? Additionally, many Hollywood romantic comedies have been filmed here. It’s a cliché to ask questions on the top floor of the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center ice rink — try Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse under a constellation-decorated ceiling, where passing train passengers pause to applaud. Broadway shows, world-class restaurants and a great nightlife will be other reasons to celebrate. See nycgo.com

Coron, Philippines

Photo: Simon Danhauer/iStock

Suggest a vacation in Tahiti or some other honeymoon paradise, it’s pretty obvious what you’re doing. the Philippines? Now there is a surprise. The crown jewel of the Palawan archipelago, Coron is easily compared to the most beautiful Pacific islands: imagine steeply raised islands rising from turquoise lagoons, and coral reefs teeming with the wonders of tropical fish. Sail into electric blue waters in a traditional wooden boat, find a patch of fine sand backed by green jungle, and get down on one knee. see philippines.travel

Ibiza, Spain

Torre des Savinar, Ibiza. Photo: Dirk Renckhoff/Alamy

If you’re all young enough to be party animals but want a beautiful backdrop and suave European culture, this Mediterranean island will be buzzing. It’s known for its hedonistic and summer club scene, so you’ll enjoy plenty of beach clubs, nightlife and tunes from the world’s best DJs. However, in the morning (or afternoon) after you’ve explored the World Heritage Old Town, fine museums and the picturesque hinterland, combining whitewashed villages with olive groves on rugged hillsides. The Torre des Savinar tower above the beautiful blue bay may be a place you know. See ibiza.travel

YANGSHUO, CHINA

Photo: Getty

Well, if you’re Chinese, these landscapes in southwestern China don’t get much attention thanks to their squashed mountains, lush valleys, rice fields, meandering rivers, and dots of temples and pagodas. But delve deeper into Yangshuo’s landscape and you’ll find striking boutique hotels nestled among dramatic karst hills, and you’ll find less and more romantic places. Avoid the famous lookout unless you want to propose in a crowd. Instead, take a bamboo boat and float down the Yulong River to find your own peaceful corner of the countryside. See visitguilin.org

Vienna, Austria

Photo: Noppasin Wongchum/Alamy

Care about the culture instead of the beach? This is the place. Feel the romance in a horse-drawn carriage. Indulge in brioche at a famous café adorned with gilt and mirrors. Spend a sparkling evening at the Opera House. Visit excellent museums – be sure to see Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss – and enjoy romantic evening walks in the brightly lit Old Town. Many exquisite gardens provide excellent locations for proposals. Somewhere among the formal parterres and baroque fountains of Belvedere Palace is sure to melt your heart. see wien.info

Antarctica

Photo: Supplied

If you’re willing to go to the ends of the earth for the ones you love, let it be. There’s no more ultimate destination for the adventurous couple, and you don’t have to sacrifice the romantic element on a luxury expedition cruise. You’ll enjoy French and Italian cuisine, spa treatments, pool and butler service on board, as well as stunning frozen vistas and abundant wildlife ashore. Stay away from penguins when proposing — their fishy smell isn’t exactly an aphrodisiac — but what better backdrop for an engagement photo than a white continent? see silversea.com