I’d like to share a really great thought by a reader named Sheldon!  His insights and descriptions on this romantic adventure was so great I wanted to share!

My two favorite romantic European destinations are Salzburg, Austria (specifically the “old town”) and Annecy, France.

Salzburg is absolutely storybook beautiful with cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages winding among wonderful restaurants, bakeries, and stunning baroque architecture. It’s the birthplace of Mozart and a central location in the movie The Sound of Music. And the city sits below the massive Hohensalzburg castle, which was built starting in 1077.

Salzburg, Austria

There’s a chapel in the old town with the date 900 or something on the cornerstone and it still has a nursery school operating in it. Salzburg is particularly romantic during the period between early November and Christmas when the Kris Kringle Markt is in full swing with street vendors filling the city with seasonal goodies and gifts. In the spring, Mirabel Gardens are absolutely stunning.

Annecy France is about 20 miles south of Geneva Switzerland in the foothills of the French Alps in the Savoie region. The center of the small city is at the end of the lake (Lac d’Annecy). Most of the architecture in the center of the city dates back to the 12th century. The city is packed with outstanding cozy restaurants featuring a range of local foods, wine, and fondue and Raclette. It seems every forth window is a bakery or chocolate shop with mouth-watering displays. The people are warm and friendly and the city is spotless.

Annecy, France

In fact, I’ve seen crews out in the middle of the night power-washing the streets and buildings. Adventure-seekers can head up to Col de la Forclaz where they can arrange to go tandem parapenting (paragliding) starting from about 3,000’ above the lake. Mont Blanc is a fairly short drive away with direct access to Northern Italy via the tunnel through the base of the mountain.

I originally traveled to both of these cities on business with my male colleagues and we all were wishing we had our wives with us. Years later I took my wife on a two-week vacation to Salzburg and Annecy and she agreed that they’re two of the most romantic cities we’ve ever visited.

Not quite so romantic, but equally beautiful, is Chipping Camden, England. It’s a beautiful little town that’s been spared development by big box stores. Many homes still have thatched roofs and impressive topiary borders. The pubs are friendly and serve up delicious comfort food. The surrounding hills are covered with commercial lavender fields as far as you can see. The area is noted for its yellow stone buildings made from stone quarried in the surrounding hills.

Chipping Camden, England