Travel & Experiences

Romantic destinations around the world

You can fly across the ocean, but you won’t get farther from American ways than the casas and cafes of Old Havana. Browse through vintage photos of Fidel and Ché at the Plaza de Armas, then walk up Calle Mercaderes, ducking into the panaderías and perfumeries. Order a Bucanero beer (or a mojito) in the Plaza de la Catedral; it’s such a great people-watching spot, you might even stay for dinner. After the sun sets, there’s music everywhere. Link arms and make your way down the Malecon (pictured), Havana’s legendary waterfront promenade. The old man with the patched-up guitar doesn’t ask for money, but his soft rendition of “Bésame Mucho” is as beautiful as any music you will hear in Cuba. Breathe the warm sea air as you gaze north, across the Straits of Florida, toward a continent that seems as distant as the setting moon.

-- Jeff Greenwald  (Javier Galeano / Associated Press)

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A vibrant street life, stunning visuals, food and drink that sweeten your lips. The world’s most romantic places seem to share these traits. But there is something more: a sense of style and spirit, a pace that’s almost musical. Here’s a list of ethereal places -- some expected, some not -- that can easily capture your heart. View destinations in .

The Tropicana nightclub has been celebrating decadence since 1939 with its large-scale floor shows.

The Tropicana nightclub has been celebrating decadence since 1939 with its large-scale floor shows.  (Gail Fisher / Los Angeles Times)

The imposing Konzerthaus, with its marble columns, is one of two venerable concert venues in Vienna.

The imposing Konzerthaus, with its marble columns, is one of two venerable concert venues in Vienna.  (Samuel Kubani / For The Times)

Where the locals resemble Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, nobody goes out to dinner before 10:30 p.m., and the streets teem with so much fantasy-fueled Gaudí architecture it leaves you breathless. It's easy to succumb in a city that has a beach lapping its southeastern edge, where even the ham -- procured from black-hoofed pigs fattened on acorns -- is a sensual experience. Start the day at Mercat de Santa Catarina, eyeing ripe figs and fleshy peaches. Then slip into Cuines Santa-Catarina and devour oily sardines and garlicky bread smeared with succulent tomatoes. Afterward, siesta at Hotel Omm, where the minimalist aesthetic won't get in the way of your own Gaudí-inspired fantasies. -- Janis Cooke Newman Pictured: Park Guell, with its unusual buildings, colorful mosaic-clad benches and large terrace overlooking the city, was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi.

Where the locals resemble Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, nobody goes out to dinner before 10:30 p.m., and the streets teem with so much fantasy-fueled Gaudí architecture it leaves you breathless. It’s easy to succumb in a city that has a beach lapping its southeastern edge, where even the ham -- procured from black-hoofed pigs fattened on acorns -- is a sensual experience. Start the day at Mercat de Santa Catarina, eyeing ripe figs and fleshy peaches. Then slip into Cuines Santa-Catarina and devour oily sardines and garlicky bread smeared with succulent tomatoes. Afterward, siesta at Hotel Omm, where the minimalist aesthetic won’t get in the way of your own Gaudí-inspired fantasies.

-- Janis Cooke Newman

Pictured: Park Guell, with its unusual buildings, colorful mosaic-clad benches and large terrace overlooking the city, was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi.  (Rosemary McClure / For The Times)

La Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudi's most ambitious work, began construction in 1885 and will not be completed for another two decades or more.

La Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudi’s most ambitious work, began construction in 1885 and will not be completed for another two decades or more.  (Rosemary McClure / For The Times)

Musee d'Orsay and its collection of Impressionist art attract about three million visitors each year.

Musee d’Orsay and its collection of Impressionist art attract about three million visitors each year.  (Loic Venance / AFP/Getty Images)

Sydney Opera House at dawn.

Sydney Opera House at dawn.  (Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)

A sunbather soaks up the summer sun on Bondi Beach.

A sunbather soaks up the summer sun on Bondi Beach.  (Ian Waldie / Getty Images)

Rio enjoys a reputation as a dreamy, steamy city, but there's far more to the place than bronzed beauties in thongs. Start with breakfast on the terrace of the elegant Mama Ruisa, an airy 19th century villa turned guesthouse in Santa Teresa, Rio's trendy boho village. Then take a stroll around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the iconic saltwater lagoon on the city's beach strip, ending at Fasano al Mare restaurant in the Fasano Hotel for lunch with a prime view of Ipanema Beach (pictured). Head to Arpoador Beach for a swim with the surfers, then catch the tram back to Santa Teresa, stopping for a quick pop at Bar do Gomez, a colorful local watering hole spilling onto the cobbled streets. If you're still hungry after trying the empanadas, spend the evening eating artisanal Brazilian food on the jungley patio of Aprazivel, also in Santa Teresa. -- Amanda Jones

Rio enjoys a reputation as a dreamy, steamy city, but there’s far more to the place than bronzed beauties in thongs. Start with breakfast on the terrace of the elegant Mama Ruisa, an airy 19th century villa turned guesthouse in Santa Teresa, Rio’s trendy boho village. Then take a stroll around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the iconic saltwater lagoon on the city’s beach strip, ending at Fasano al Mare restaurant in the Fasano Hotel for lunch with a prime view of Ipanema Beach (pictured). Head to Arpoador Beach for a swim with the surfers, then catch the tram back to Santa Teresa, stopping for a quick pop at Bar do Gomez, a colorful local watering hole spilling onto the cobbled streets. If you’re still hungry after trying the empanadas, spend the evening eating artisanal Brazilian food on the jungley patio of Aprazivel, also in Santa Teresa.

-- Amanda Jones  (Christophe Simon / AFP/Getty Images)

In this poor man's Paris, cabs and covers are cheap, and sensual little courtyards plentiful; there's even the occasional dungeon or two. If you can't have fun in New Orleans, you can't have fun. Start the day with beignets at Café du Monde. At lunch, wander Decatur Street for a muffaletta sandwich. Or canoodle all day, then come out at night. Hop a streetcar for a drink at the Columns Hotel, where scenes from "Pretty Baby" were shot. Then on to nearby Tipitina's, or "Tips," for live music and dancing. Time doesn't just stand still in New Orleans; it disappears. And so can you. -- Chris Erskine Pictured: Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter

In this poor man’s Paris, cabs and covers are cheap, and sensual little courtyards plentiful; there’s even the occasional dungeon or two. If you can’t have fun in New Orleans, you can’t have fun. Start the day with beignets at Café du Monde. At lunch, wander Decatur Street for a muffaletta sandwich. Or canoodle all day, then come out at night. Hop a streetcar for a drink at the Columns Hotel, where scenes from “Pretty Baby” were shot. Then on to nearby Tipitina’s, or “Tips,” for live music and dancing. Time doesn’t just stand still in New Orleans; it disappears. And so can you.

-- Chris Erskine

Pictured: Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Christina Gomez and Bobby Heinz enjoy beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter.

Christina Gomez and Bobby Heinz enjoy beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter.  (Cheryl Gerber / Associated Press)

What can be sexier than hip design, pan-global food, award-stealing wine, white-sand beaches and a pre-cocktail jolt of adrenaline from a great white shark dive? Cape Town seethes with sexiness, from its funky, art-gallery-and-cafe-lined streets in gentrified inner-city hoods such as De Waterkant and Woodstock to Camps Beach, where the gorgeous gather. Start the day in your sleek bed at POD, a boutique hotel that makes you want to don a backless dress and slink through the minimalist lobby. Head to a late breakfast overlooking the water at the Grand (Camps Bay). Later, stroll hand-in-hand through the market in the Old Biscuit Mill, where you can feed each other artisanal cheeses, sample beer and shop for the sparkling wine and snacks you'll take on your gentle hike up Lions Head Mountain. For dinner, don the backless dress and make sure you're booked (six weeks in advance) at the Test Kitchen, the hottest restaurant in Cape Town. Afterward, indulge in a Nutty Slutty cocktail at the rooftop bar TjingTjing. Next morning? The shark dive, of course. -- Amanda Jones Pictured: Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, lined with restaurants, shops, an aquarium and access to harbor cruises. Rising majestically beyond: Table Mountain.

What can be sexier than hip design, pan-global food, award-stealing wine, white-sand beaches and a pre-cocktail jolt of adrenaline from a great white shark dive? Cape Town seethes with sexiness, from its funky, art-gallery-and-cafe-lined streets in gentrified inner-city hoods such as De Waterkant and Woodstock to Camps Beach, where the gorgeous gather. Start the day in your sleek bed at POD, a boutique hotel that makes you want to don a backless dress and slink through the minimalist lobby. Head to a late breakfast overlooking the water at the Grand (Camps Bay). Later, stroll hand-in-hand through the market in the Old Biscuit Mill, where you can feed each other artisanal cheeses, sample beer and shop for the sparkling wine and snacks you’ll take on your gentle hike up Lions Head Mountain. For dinner, don the backless dress and make sure you’re booked (six weeks in advance) at the Test Kitchen, the hottest restaurant in Cape Town. Afterward, indulge in a Nutty Slutty cocktail at the rooftop bar TjingTjing. Next morning? The shark dive, of course.

-- Amanda Jones

Pictured: Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, lined with restaurants, shops, an aquarium and access to harbor cruises. Rising majestically beyond: Table Mountain.  (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

If San Francisco didn't exist, Lewis Carroll would've had to invent it. Surrounded by ice water, a decrepit prison off its bow, this old city still manages a twinkle all its own. The bread is better here, and the Chardonnay takes on a different glow. Sure, the streets are hell to walk and often cold to the bone, but that only makes you appreciate the company of others. Charter a sailboat (with captain) near Fisherman's Wharf, or take in a bike ride and sunset at the Golden Gate Promenade. Finish with dinner at the elegant and renowned Fleur de Lys, where the chocolate souffle will capture your heart, even if your date doesn't. -- Chris Erskine

If San Francisco didn’t exist, Lewis Carroll would’ve had to invent it. Surrounded by ice water, a decrepit prison off its bow, this old city still manages a twinkle all its own. The bread is better here, and the Chardonnay takes on a different glow. Sure, the streets are hell to walk and often cold to the bone, but that only makes you appreciate the company of others. Charter a sailboat (with captain) near Fisherman’s Wharf, or take in a bike ride and sunset at the Golden Gate Promenade. Finish with dinner at the elegant and renowned Fleur de Lys, where the chocolate souffle will capture your heart, even if your date doesn’t.

-- Chris Erskine  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Tourists wait to cross the street near the iconic Fisherman's Wharf sign.

Tourists wait to cross the street near the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf sign.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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