With it being Valentine’s Day this week, we thought we’d get all romantic and share our top 10 places in the world to share a kiss with your loved one. In no particular order…

The Cloud Gate, Chicago, USA

What’s the deal?

Well it’s Anish Kapoor’s 110-ton stainless steel sculpture – known locally as “The Bean”. Because it looks like a bean, albeit it a big shiny one. An American Bean, perhaps?

Why’s it romantic?

Look at the sky being reflected in it! It’s really beautiful and the atmosphere in the park itself is one of pure joy.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Young Love: You’re going to snog it up, and you don’t care if it makes people feel awkward to see because you just love each other SO much.

Best suited to: Voyeurs. Stand below the arch itself and keep your eyes open mid-snog to watch yourselves from all angles.

 

Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris, France

A cemetery?

Yes, but one packed with artists, writers and all sorts of famous people!

Why’s it romantic?

It’s hard to explain but this necropolis is filled with all sorts of beautiful, weird and wonderful monuments brought together with a thoroughly French approach to groundskeeping which is at once deliberate and nonchalant.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Being and Loveliness: “Hell is other people” – apart from your loved one – so be inspired by Sartre and Beauvoir’s commitment to eternal nothingness and kiss it up existentially.

Best suited to: Undergrads. Whilst others queue to have their moment on the top of the Eiffel Tower (what a cliché!) you two will be snogging it up with the Fin de siècle stars, quoting Beckett to each other.

 

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

What’s the deal?

The two-mile long plateau dominates the Cape Town skyline at 3,563 ft above sea-level at its highest point.

Why’s it romantic?

LOOK AT IT. Seriously, what a daft question. Some people!

Appropriate type of kiss: The Transcendent: This is the big one. Looking out at the view you’ll soon realise you’ve a lot to live up to. This kiss has to beat the view – so we’re talking out-of-body experience stuff.

Best suited to: Hikers – though you can take a cable-car, that kiss will be feel all the better for being well earned. And as we say, you’ll need all the help you can get.

 

The London Eye, London, UK

What’s the deal?

Since its arrival in 1999, the 135 metre tall ferris wheel – formerly known as the Millennium Wheel – has become as much a part of the London skyline as the BT Tower and the Palace of Westminster.

Why’s it romantic?

The views that the viewing capsules command over the city are truly spectacular, particularly at night. You can even go all out and book yourselves a private ride, for a cool £375.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Commitment: No short, stolen moment kissing! A trip on the London Eye lasts about half an hour- you’re in this for the long haul – obviously with breaks for breathing/looking at the view.

Best suited to: Confident couples. It’s a great place to pop the question. It’s a terrible place to be rejected.

 

The back of a gondola, Venice, Italy 

What’s the deal?

The centuries old mode of transport in the Venetian lagoon remains synonymous with its home city. Without them it’d be just like that awful Kevin Costner film Waterworld. Almost.

Why’s it romantic?

Drifting through the beautiful river ways of Venice, reclining with your love in your arms, what’s not to like? It may seem obvious, but what’s wrong with that? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Keep Your Eyes on the Road: Yes, your overly chatty Venetian gondolier is standing right behind you, but pull your sun hats down to make your intentions clear and provide you with a little privacy, then perhaps remind him that his tip rides on watching where he’s going…

Best suited to: The rich. Let’s face it, it’s an expensive mode of transport. Also potentially suitable to the young, drunk and stupid who end up having to live on pasta and pesto for the rest of their trip. There are worse fates.

 

The Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, Harbin, China

What’s the deal?

Held once a year during the entire month of January, what started as a local bit of fun is the largest ice and snow festival in the world. Cool…

Why’s it romantic?

If you find yourself in this remote – and really rather cold – part of North-East China, to stumble upon this apparent city of ice is altogether magical. Think real life Frozen.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Let It Go: One of you is going to start singing that massively popular, and thoroughly annoying, hit song. The job of the other is to stop them, by applying pressure directly to their mouth with yours. Shutting someone up has never been so much fun.

Best suited to: The bearded. It’s really, really, really cold, so its either a beard or a balaclava, your choice.

 

Angel Falls, Venezuela

 

What’s the deal?

At 979m, it’s the world’s highest waterfall – its location actually inspired the Pixar classic Up. Seems to be a link between romantic snogging spots and animated films…

Why’s it romantic?

It’s isolation in the jungle gives you a certain sense of separation from the world – even when surrounded by the inevitable tour group.

Appropriate type of kiss: The No Angel: It’s pretty hot and sweaty in the jungle. We’ll leave it there.

Best suited to: Cagoule wearers. It’s pretty wet.

 

The Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

 

What’s the deal?

This Sikh temple, often simply referred to as the “Golden Temple” was built in 1604 and is visited by over 100,000 worshippers a day.

Why’s it romantic?

The combination of its architectural beauty and its spiritual power make it a centre of calm despite the hustle and bustle that surrounds it.

Appropriate type of kiss: The From a Distance: Not only is it respectful to not canoodle within the vicinity of the holiest of Sikh gurdwara, but the Harmandir Sahib is most beautiful seen from across the water.

Best suited to: The Aspirational. It’s “the abode of God” after all.

 

Mount Sunday, New Zealand

What’s the deal?

An unassuming hill in Ashburton District’s high country.

So… why’s it romantic?

It was the setting for Edoras in The Lord of the Rings! Perfect for Tolkien/fantasy geeks to indulge themselves.

Appropriate type of kiss: The Slo-mo: One of you pretends to be Aragorn, pushes aside a pair of invisible, but nonetheless heavy doors, and strides towards the other to swoop them up in one kiss to beat them all – all in slow motion.

Best suited to: The Superfan. It’s quite a pain to get to – but what do you care? It’s the riders of Rohan’s hometown!

 

Wherever you are

Wait a minute, what’s the deal?

Well, woe betide us to say it as a travel bookshop, but you don’t have to go anywhere at all to share a kiss do you?

But then how is it romantic?

BECAUSE, it’s about the person you’re kissing, not the place.

Hmm. Feels a bit like a cop-out. Appropriate type of kiss?: The True Love: that cares not for baubles and First Class tickets, and views and fancy-pants cocktail bars, but is totally fine with a night in with a pizza and a sofa.

Aww, how lovely! And who is it best suited to?: Everyone. Try it! It’s fun!