Hello,
I will be taking my now girlfriend, hopefully soon to fiance, on a trip to Europe during the first week and a half of October to propose to her.
We will fly into Paris and immediately leave to spend a few days in Beaune because we both love wine and are obsessed with charcuterie boards haha. From there we will travel to and spend a few days in Mürren, Switzerland. It is while we are in Mürren that I plan to propose.
The destination after that is what I am seeking advice about. We are going to be ending the trip with a few days in Rome and flying back to the USA from there. So the question is, where do I take her right after I have popped the question in Switzerland before we end in Rome? I have narrowed it down to either Venice, the Cinque Terre, or Lake Como. We will not have a car and will be traveling by train, leaving Switzerland on Monday and arrive in Rome two days later on Wednesday to give you a time frame.
I have been to all three already by my self and feel that each of them is very romantic. But she has never been to Europe so they would all be new to her.
Which place do you all recommend we go to have a romantic setting to celebrate our engagement for about two days?
I am 25 and she is 23 years old. However, we enjoy low-key and relaxed intimate settings like breweries and patios with a nice drink as opposed to clubs and crowded bars. She is also very much into historical locations. We are also both practical and prefer to go middle-of-the-road with our spending, considering we are two young adults freshly out of college.
I want it to be as romantic as possible since it will be the trip during which I propose and could use all the help I can get deciding between either Venice or the Cinque Terre or Lake Como.
Thank you all so much!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7454 posts
Congratulations, and what a romantic plan! If you’re into some fall hiking, the Cinque Terra could be really nice, although we got there from Nice, France, following the coast. Coming from Switzerland will involve more time on the train. Haven’t been to Lake Como area (yet), and not aware of the scene there in October.
But it hardly gets more romantic than Venice, and when you were there before, did you do a gondola ride? That would be a “must,” this time, with your betrothed, gliding along canals, maybe with a serenading gondolier.
Oh, and history? Venice has that all covered! And spring for a drink at a table in St. Mark’s Square - quite the setting! On 2 trips to Venice (both some time ago, before there was ever AirBnB), we used Vacanze en Familia, http://www.vacanzeinfamiglia.it/?lang=en . First time, we got a private bedroom with its own bath, attached to a couple’s atmospheric house in the north end of Venice. Second trip, we got a larger apartment with kitchen in the Arsenale neighborhood. You could find the right place at the right place - check them out.
Posted by
Indiana
975 posts
Oh, Venice for sure! You’ll want to pop the question all over again.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10257 posts
Here is a 3rd vote for Venice.
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
A good friend was prposed to on a gondola in Venice. She said it was wonderful and extremely romantic.
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1570 posts
I suggest you don't get a firm location in mind and wait for a romantic moment to present itself. So many times in my travels I've expected perfect romantic spots -- that weren't romantic at all (crowds, weather, fatigue, etc). And then some unexpected places have been the most romantic! So be ready to propose when you realize you are in the perfect place at the perfect moment. You will know when it happens!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16894 posts
I know your question is about a romantic destination, but the travel time makes a difference, too. Any of these options would be better with an extra day to visit, perhaps taken from your time in Rome.
Combined train travel time for the two legs from Muerren to XX to Rome are like this, assuming morning departures:
Stresa - 8.5 hours
Lugano - 11 hours
Venice - 11.5-13.5 hours
Monterosso - 13.5-15.5 hours
Note that the most "civilized" departure times are not always the fastest connections, and also that you sometimes have to trade off between fewer hours and fewer train transfers.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you everyone for your help and input! I was leaning towards the Cinque Terre but now am seriously considering going back to Venice due to all of your comments. And I will definitely keep the travel times in mind too! Does anyone have any suggestions on a good website to use to find and book trains across Europe? I used to use the GoEuro website and absolutely loved it but, unfortunately, I can't seem to find the site anymore.
Posted by
San Francisco
123 posts
I love Sorrento and isle of Capri, but that’s might not fit into your schedule. So Another Vote for Venice!
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2427 posts
Venice without a doubt
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
303 posts
Lake Como is closer to Switzerland than Venice, and it is romantic as well. We were there ( staying in Varenna) in mid May a few years ago, so I'm not familiar with the weather in October. I agree with the previous poster about intrinsically knowing when the right moment arrives and seizing upon that as opposed to locking yourself in on a specific day and location. Does your intended have a preference? That might be important as well. Whatever you decide, I'm sure this will be a proposal will be memorable. Congratulations!