I know that the world at large sees Paris as the epicenter or romance, and to some extent, I think it’s a pretty great place for love. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be proposed to in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower?

But honestly, Paris isn’t all that. True, I was there with my Mom and not the great love o’ my life, but in my travels alone, I’ve discovered some cities that plucked at my heart strings in a way Paris, with its big city rush and crush could never come close to.

Edinburgh. Cobble stones, castles and kilts. I felt a little bit like I was in a fairytale. And a walk up King Arthur’s seat will take your breath away. In more ways than one.

Venice. Forget the gondolas; the real charm is in the color and the quality of light. Everyone is beautiful on a fall evening on the canals. In the early morning, before the tourists come on strong, there’s almost nowhere in the world that is quite as charming.

Lucca. Medieval fortress walls, narrow streets that end in even narrower streets, smelling of baking bread, and home to the man who made me fall in love with Opera. I think if you were to take me back to Lucca, you’d get lucky. Just sayin’.

Where’s your capitol of romance? If you say Paris, that’s okay, too. Just have a really good reason for it.

Thursday, February 14, 2008 | general