Romantic stuff to do help

Melissa, the 2012 guidebook for Rome is already available. Amazon has it; other than that, sorry, someone else will have to answer....

Depends on what you think is romantic. Do you want ideas for a day full of activities or just your evening plans? Do you like art? Modern or classical? Concerts? Opera? Hiking? What's your idea of a romantic day? Knowing that, I'll bet we can help you more. My idea for the evening: Go to the top of the Vittoriano for sunset (pretty early in October) via the Rome from the Sky elevator, then an aperitivo at the rooftop bar of Hotel La Minerva overlooking the Pantheon. Follow that with a dreamy dinner at a special spot. Rick has some ideas in his book for special dinners.

My girlfriend and I have been at Home Depot buying deer repellant and it's been romantic. Well ok just once, and even then just until we smelled the repellant. So in Rome, the romantic thing may happen anytime, except while climbing the St Peter's dome. I'm a guy so take these suggestions with an amphora of salt: Any after dinner stroll down a quiet cobblestone street in the Center with gelato in hand is romantic. It's one of the laws of physics.  Picnic in V Borghese, after a visit to the G Borghese. Get the food  and wine from any of the great delis in Rome, cram it into a backpack and check it at the museum. Then sit by a lake and relax with the food.  Dessert is non-negotiable: put Rome's best chocolate into the picnic basket   http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/italy/rome/32189/confetteria-moriondo-e-gariglio/shopping-detail.html After the picnic (and nap) walk it off by heading down the hill and out to Ponte Milvio. Padlock your love to the bridge then toss the key in the river. 
http://www.spottedbylocals.com/rome/ponte-milvio-mall/ Depending on what you like, there is a pretty cool shack sorta grungy outdoor place for mojitos, one of the oldest bars in Rome. Chioschetto di Ponte Milvio

Laurel: Unfortunately, my guy and I aren't romantically wired. That's why I was going to "steal" others' romantic ideas. ? Valentine's day at our house is just another day. Thank you for your ideas they sound romantic to me. Otariidae: Deer repellant – haha. Try fox urine to repel squirrels from your attic – whew romance abounds! Thanks for your ideas too/ guy perspective is definitely relevant.
Please keep them coming!

How about a visit to the Capuchin Bone Chapel in Rome? Now that is romantic............

Mellisa,
You will be in Rome, everything will be romantic. Personally I would skip those bus tours, read Rick's guide and do it just the two of you, that would be romantic. The "Nighttime Walk" from the guidebook is the most romantic, I believe. Plan a dinner near the beginning of the walk ( Al Bric was great) and then do it after dinner and an esresso. It is truly memorable.

ODG, James..... there IS a definitional difference between the words romantic and erotic. Romantic evoking feelings of love and sentiment, and I can clearly tell you don't need for me to define the other word for you (LOL). As Rick Steves always says, when we travel abroad, we represent our country. I sure hope your suggestion is not followed, especially on a windy day :) Cold shower, James!!!!!

Fox shmox. Out here it's cayote urine. Aside from clearing the deer while drawing cayotes to our neighborhood, none of my friends believed me that this product is on the market. So I brought a bottle to a friend's party. Cleared out the house and then some. Note to web site curator (I know there is none) this might be juuuust a little off topic.

My best suggestion, a casual dinner at a cafe with a view of the street near Spanish Steps. Follow that with a nighttime stroll from Spanish Steps to Trevi fountain, add a stop for Gelati. Toss a coin in the fountain, watch the people, listen to the water.

James, thanks for keeping the forum lively! Seriously, the picnic in Park Borghese and Brad's idea should work, but don't forget James' advise.

I like Carrie's idea.....