Veni, Vidi, Amavi: We Came, We Saw, We Loved
Where were you this Valentine’s Day? Where have you travelled to and then fallen in love, with the place or a person? In collaboration with travel bloggers, PackThePJs has compiled this A – Z of the most romantic destinations around the world. Today we are focusing on V – X: Verona, Italy; Whitianga, New Zealand; and Xi’an, China. We hope you enjoy our journey of love!
V: Verona, Italy
If I have to choose my most romantic place in the world, I would pick Verona in the northeastern part of Italy. What place can be more romantic than an Italian medieval town that is the background to the tragic love story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? The house of the lovers and their rivalling families has become a lovers pilgrimage in Verona. You can still see the famous balcony where the couple declared their love for one another.
Love is truly in the air in this romantic location, where love letters cover the entrance to the courtyard. But the beautiful town of Verona has more romantic elements to offer. The famous opera house, the Roman arena in the Piazza Bra, the beautiful churches, gothic tombs and buildings with characteristic red rooftops, the view over the city from the from the top of the Torre dei Lamberti, gourmet bistros, and cafes … they all add up to a feeling of classic nostalgia and passion. Verona is great for culture and history buffs as well as couples looking for romance. It is the perfect place to enjoy a lovely glass of Italian wine and soak in the rich culture of the country.
Thanks to Travel Passionate
W: Whitianga, New Zealand
Romance can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places and The Hubs and I found it in Whitianga. Whitianga (pronounced Fit-ee-enga) is a stunning coastal town on New Zealand’s North Island about 2½ hours drive from Auckland.
While it might be tempting to cosy up in a fab hotel and indulge in some alone time you would be remiss if you didn’t explore just a little bit of this sleepy town. Start the day early and head over to Hot Water Beach at low tide to dig your own just-for-two-spa before spending the day splashing in crystal clear waters, taking romantic strolls on pristine white sand or clicking glasses at the local wineries.
Adventurous couples should grab a double kayak from Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours and take a leisurely paddle through the conservation zone of Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. Even better do it at sunset and pack a bottle of wine! When the sun sets step out for a romantic dinner in one of Whitianga’s restaurants. I recommend No. 8 or Al Camino. In Whitianga, you can do a lot or very little.
Thanks to Flights to Fancy
X: Xi’an, China
What’s more romantic than exploring somewhere new with your partner? Stevo and I lived in China for three years, and were lucky to travel to many parts of the country. One of our favourite places was the ancient capital city of Xi’an, which is steeped in romance and history. The most famous draw for visitors in Xi’an is the Terra Cotta Warriors. In his quest for immortality, Emperor Shi Huang designed thousands of life size warriors and animals nearby his mausoleum to protect him into the afterlife. It is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century.
Another romantic activity is strolling hand in hand or riding a tandem bicycle along the top of Xi’an’s city wall, one of the oldest and best preserved fortifications in China. The 14km long rectangular wall surrounds some of the oldest parts of the city, and there are interesting points to stop at all along the way. There are many exciting culinary adventures to have in Xi’an, whether you are dining at a fancy restaurant or at a roadside stall in the old Muslim quarter. Beautiful pagodas, six museums, and a fountain and lights show in front of the Giant Wild Goose pagoda are other fun activities. You will find both romance and adventure in Xi’an, China.
Thanks to Two Can Travel
We hope you have enjoyed reading this post of our A – Z Series. Please come back tomorrow for the next three letters of the alphabet!
