by Jill Fergus Every single day someone is dreaming up a romantic way to pop the question. Whether it’s a simple proposal or something more over the top, most likely it will take place in a scenic destination. We’ve showed you the best places to propose within the US, but there’s a whole world out there with spectacular views that will not only look great on the ‘gram but also resonate on a personal level.
No matter where you go, if you’re carrying something as valuable as an engagement ring on you, you better have insurance.
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Quebec City, Canada: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Rue des Carrières, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Why here: OK, so it’s not a real castle, but the Frontenac comes pretty close, making it an ideal north-of-the-border spot to get engaged. Once a stopover for guests traveling on the Canadian Pacific Railway, the 1893 hilltop hotel definitely gives off big-time fairytale vibes. You can visit the city year-round, but winter, with its frequent snowfalls and the candlelit bistros in the Old Town, is especially romantic. (Photo by @fairmontfrontenac)
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Savannah, Georgia: Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park, West Gaston Street, Savannah, GA, USA
Why here: While you’re in Savannah, you’ll no doubt be snapping selfies in its famous squares but the city’s most iconic green space is 30-acre Forsyth Park. Get down on one knee beside the Forsyth Park Fountain, erected in 1858 and surrounded by live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Afterward, celebrate with Champagne and lowcountry cuisine (cornbread-fried oysters, anyone?) at The Olde Pink House. (Photo by @visitsavannah)
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Newport, Rhode Island: The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn
Castle Hill Inn, Ocean Drive, Newport, RI, USA
Why here: A blue blazer isn’t required to visit this posh New England resort and yachtie hangout, but you’ll certainly be glad if you packed yours. If you have your heart set on a nautical proposal, Cliff Walk and The Breakers mansion come to mind, but the Lawn at Castle Hill Inn is hard to beat. Sit on white Adirondack chairs on the manicured slope overlooking the harbor, watch the sailboats gliding along, and wait for just the right moment. (Photo by @castlehillinn)
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Chicago, Illinois: Lincoln Park Zoo’s Nature Boardwalk
Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, North Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL, USA
Why here: If you’re into nature but still want Chi Town’s famed skyline in your proposal pics, the zoo’s Nature Boardwalk—and particularly its architecturally stunning South Pond Pavilion—fits the bill. The surrounding habitat is home to native birds, turtles, and fish (but don’t worry, you won’t have any funky smells ruining the big ask) and in the distance are downtown’s skyscrapers, including the iconic John Hancock Center. (Photo by @seanxmollyphoto)
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Oahu, Hawaii: Halekulani
Halekulani Hotel, Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI, USA
Why here: Hawaii has been done to death for the honeymoon but definitely not for the proposal. During a stay at the Halekulani hotel along Waikiki Beach, picking where to pop the question will be your biggest worry. The oval-shaped pool featuring a massive mosaic orchid on the bottom is an obvious choice, as is a waterfront table at the elegant Le Mer restaurant. (Photo by @halekulanihotel)
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Ballymoney, Northern Ireland: The Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges, Bregagh Road, Stranocum, Ballymoney, UK
Why here: Game of Thrones fans—we will not be talking about that last season—might recognize this other-wordly avenue of beech trees in County Antrim as the Kingsroad. You won’t find any White Walkers in this tree tunnel (though it’s said to be haunted by a ghost called the Grey Lady); rather, just lots and lots of other camera-wielding tourists, so try to arrive as early as possible if you want some privacy when you bend the knee. (Photo by @passeando_a_limpo)
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Lake Como, Italy: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Via Regina, Tremezzo, Province of Como, Italy
Why here: It’s all about indulging in la dolce vita in northern Italy’s Lake Como, where George and Amal Clooney are the resident lovebirds. While at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, an Art Nouveau palazzo with a floating lakeside pool and antique-filled suites, you can propose in plenty of romantic spots, including the hotel’s private motorboat or at the restaurant’s waterfront terrace where risotto and prosecco reign supreme. (Photo by @ghtlakecomo)
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Rioja Valley, Spain: Ysios Winery
Ysios Winery, La Hoya Bidea, Laguardia, Spain
Why here: Once you get your “yes!” it makes sense to toast with a few glasses of wine, so things are made a whole lot easier if you actually propose in a winery. For the sheer wow factor, there’s Ysios Winery in northern Spain’s Basque country, housed in a Santiago Calatrava-designed building that will make you stop in your tracks the first time you see it. Take a tour and in the tasting room, sample robust rioja wines and tasty tapas. (Photo by @lauratord)
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Amsterdam, Netherlands: Prinsengracht Canal
Prinsengracht Canal House, Prinsengracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Why here: Who needs Venice when Amsterdam has gorgeous canals, too? Not to mention the Van Gogh Museum, brown cafes, the Heineken Brewery, and the Red Light District (not that you’d be venturing there—at least not on this trip!). Prinsengracht Canal, located in the city’s central canal district, is lined with gabled houses and houseboats along its banks while charming little bridges with parked bicycles help to complete the picture. (Photo by @amsterdam_by_karin)
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Plitviče, Croatia: Plitviče Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvička Jezera, Croatia
Why here: Proposing atop Dubrovnik’s massive city walls is nothing to sneeze at, but you probably have something more adventurous in mind if you’ve traveled all the way to Croatia to get engaged. Plitviče Lakes National Park isn’t easy to get to—it’s a two-hour drive from Zagreb—but once you arrive and remove her blindfold (just kidding), she’ll totally be saying yes when she sees the park’s many waterfalls emptying into terraced lakes. (Photo by @thatsfabofficial)
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Lisbon, Portugal: Parque Eduardo VII
Parque Eduardo VII, Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon, Portugal
Why here: You might have to wait your turn to get the best shot in Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon’s largest public park, but trust us, it’s worth it. Standing atop a small lawn-like green hill, you’ll be in front of a series of geometrically patterned hedges sweeping downward toward Marques de Pombal Square and the Tagus River. When the happy deed is done, toast each other with glasses of port in the buzzing Bairro Alto district. (Photo by @_snap.shotz_)
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Beijing, China: The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou, China
Why here: Sure, getting engaged at such a world-famous attraction less than two hours from the capital is a bit of a cliché but sometimes the cliché lives up to the hype. This restored portion of the centuries-old fortification, built to keep invaders from crossing the kingdom’s northern border, is a spectacular three-mile-long stretch that includes 23 watchtowers and crenellated parapets. Keep walking until you find your own tourist-free nook to get down on bended knee. (Photo by @jefforsi)
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Singapore: Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay
Marina Gardens Drive, Supertree Grove, Singapore
Why here: With the success of Crazy Rich Asians and the reopening of the iconic Raffles Hotel, Singapore is definitely having a moment. So why not join the party and get engaged in this tiny island nation off Malaysia? One of the coolest proposal sites is the park that’s home to the Supertrees, tree-inspired sculptures that are beautifully lit at night. The best way to view them is by taking a stroll along the OCBC Skyway. (Photo by @musecam.co)
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Kyoto, Japan: Kinkaku-ji Buddhist Temple
Kinkaku-ji, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Why here: Japan has plenty of well-known temples but none can compare with the splendor of Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto. Built in the 14th century for a prominent shogun, the three-story Zen Buddhist temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion due to the fact that it’s covered in gold leaf, which is especially photogenic in the sunlight. It sits at the edge of a reflecting pool, making it a peaceful refuge that’s just perfect for what you have in mind. (Photo by @thatmysteriouskat)
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Bali, Indonesia: Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Jalan Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Why here: Bali, with its lush interiors and Hindu temples, never goes out of style with adventurers. After a few days of hitting the Indian Ocean beaches in the trendy coastal town of Seminyak, head inland to Ubud, the island’s cultural heart, to check out the island’s famed Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a series of emerald green terraces spilling down the hillside and framed by coconut trees—it’s absolutely a worthy proposal site. (Photo by @josefinjohannesen)
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Al Maha
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve - Dubai - Al Ain Road - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Why here: When you’ve overdosed on Dubai’s decadence—look at the two of you on top of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper channeling Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, getting blinged out in the Gold Souk, and dropping beaucoup bucks in the mega malls—head out to the desert for a relaxing stay at Al Maha, a luxury eco-camp. A camel ride on the sand dunes during the magic hour is the ideal time to make your union official. (Photo by @almaha_resort)
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Sacred Valley, Peru: Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo, Peru
Why here: As stunning as Machu Picchu is, and as tempting as it is to profess your undying love here, it’s just a little too obvious—and obvious is not you. So why not be a trendsetter and pop the question at the nearby Incan ruins of Ollantaytambo? Not only is the name really fun to say, this Sacred Valley site on the Urubamba River features stone terraces and sites like the Princess Bath and the unfinished Temple of the Sun. (Photo by @findlocaltrips)
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Patagonia, Chile: Explora Lodge
Explora Lodge - Salto Chico, Torres del Paine, Torres de Paine, Chile
Why here: If you’ve decided to go big and pop the question in the remote region of Patagonia, base yourself at Explora, a high-end eco lodge within mountainous Torres del Paine National Park (the best time to visit is November through March). The lodge offers numerous adventures, ranging from horseback rides through the pampas (grasslands) to hikes besides glaciers, so they’ll be plenty of opportunities to make a dramatic proposal. (Photo by @exploratravel)
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Cartagena, Colombia: Old City
Walled city Cartagena, Calle 34, Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia
Why here: It seems all the cool people are still going to the coastal Colombian city of Cartagena, at least according to your social media feeds. When you see its walled Old City, you’ll understand why, so plan a visit and add your own twist—a proposal. It’s got a mix of colonial charm (colorful buildings with cascading flowers, cobbled streets) and cosmopolitan vibe (rooftop bars, boutique hotels), as well as hip areas like Getsemani. (Photo by @asiescolombia)
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Cape Town, South Africa: Table Mountain
Table Mountain, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, South Africa
Why here: When it comes to pretty cities, Cape Town is at the top of the list. Not only is it on the water, but it sits in the shadow of Table Mountain. Not surprisingly, the latter is a popular engagement site. If you’re feeling ambitious, hike to the summit or better yet, take the cable car up and after taking in the stellar views, work up the nerve for the big question. Continue the good vibes in the nearby Stellenbosch wine region. (Photo by @cityofcapetown)
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Mara Triangle, Kenya: Angama Mara
Angama mara, Kenya
Why here: If you really want to make an impression, get engaged while on an African safari just like William and Kate did. At Angama Mara, a luxury safari lodge on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, you’ll see plenty of elephants, giraffes, and lions on ranger-led game drives. Hot air balloon rides, private picnics, and sunset cocktails around the fire pit are just a few activities that lend themselves to romantic proposals. (Photo by @angamasafari)
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St. John, US Virgin Islands: Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
Why here: If your heart’s set on a beach proposal, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the US Virgin Islands, comprised of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. The majority of St. John is a protected national park, so the turquoise waters and powder-soft sand of Trunk Bay beach will thankfully never be marred with unsightly condos or all-inclusive resorts, making it an idyllic spot for on-the-sand engagements—just don’t drop the ring! (Photo by @swimlady)
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Jalousie, St. Lucia: Ladera Resort
Ladera Resort, Jalousle, Saint Lucia
Why here: The magnificent views of the Piton Mountains from the exclusive hilltop Ladera Resort on St. Lucia provide the perfect backdrop for those intending to get down on one knee. Rooms here come with just three walls (to maximize the views) as well as private plunge pools. There’s also a spa for plenty of couples massages and the award-winning Dasheene restaurant, which offers open-air dining. How’s that for romantic? (Photo by @laderaresort)
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Northern Territory, Australia: Uluru
Uluru, Petermann NT, Australia
Why here: This massive sandstone monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock is considered to be sacred to the Anangu aboriginal people. And while not the easiest place to get to (it’s a five-hour drive from Alice Springs or you can fly straight to the airport in Yulara from most major Australian cities), Uluru is certainly worth the effort; the perfect backdrop for a spiritually minded proposal in the Outback, especially at sunrise or sunset. May through September, when it isn’t so hot, are the best months to go. (Photo by @exploreuluru)
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Southland, New Zealand: Milford Sound
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Why here: New Zealand is blessed with some of the world’s most jaw-dropping natural scenery—little wonder it doubled for Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings films—so it’s a sure bet if you’re looking for a far-flung place that’ll inspire major FOMO among your friends. Perhaps the most proposal-worthy locale is the Milford Sound within Fiordland National Park, featuring landscapes of snow-capped peaks and colonies of penguins and fur seals. (Photo by @southerndiscoveries)
