The most romantic month of the year is here, the time when everyone starts thinking about Valentine’s Day or a romantic getaway.
Whether for Valentine’s or for a honeymoon at any other time, we have created the list of the world’s 10 most romantic cities in the world.
Of course there are the predictable destinations always associated with love and romance, but also others you may have overlooked.
Think of strolls down tree-lined boulevards, picturesque neighborhoods, fairytale architecture, magical views, horse-drawn carriages or trips down a canal, passionate dancing, and sensory pleasures. Think any of these seductive cities: THE 10 MOST ROMANTIC CITIES IN THE WORLD

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With no Olympics, World Cup, or World Fair, 2011 sounds like a largely uneventful year. That means there’s no major reason to visit (or avoid) any particular city, and no one destination will take over much of the travel media coverage. With that in mind, we guide you to the best city-break options for the new year, where you can catch some exceptional exhibitions.

1. LONDON
Every year is a good year to visit London, but an exception will probably be 2012 before and during the Olympics. So if you’ve never been to the city or wish to return, now’s the time or you better wait a couple of years. You’ll probably see a lot of the city around April in media reports of a certain famous wedding, but we suggest a visit at any time of the year, or perhaps in November for the unprecedented exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings at the National Gallery.
To save you a few pounds, consider getting the London Pass, and for a cultural experience outside the city, plan a visit to Stonehenge.

2. ISTANBUL
One year after it was the European Capital of Culture, Istanbul continues to present a list of major cultural events. In the new year (until the 20th of March), you can see an outstanding exhibition of over forty of Frida Kahlo’s and Diego Rivera’s works at the Pera Museum, and in a short city break in such a large city, you may look into the several organized tours and activities.

3. BARCELONA
You’ve probably seen many Picassos by now, but you’ve never seen an exhibition of the artist’s earliest works like this one. Barcelona’s Picasso Museum, in a co-production with Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum will show works from the early Paris years from June to October. There will also be works by Cézanne, Rodin and Van Gogh who were all inspired by Parisian life in the first decade of the 20th century.
After this exhibition, be sure to also check out the Miró Foundation, and to save you time and money in a short city break, get the Barcelona Card which also comes with a guidebook.

4. NEW YORK
The MoMA is always a must in the Big Apple, and until April 25th you can catch one of several exhibitions worth seeing this year. That’s “On to Pop,” showing works by Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, among others. They’re artists who came to define American Pop art, painting the usual objects and images encountered in daily life.
The New York CityPass gets you free admission to MoMA and to a number of other attractions.

5. SAN FRANCISCO
After New York’s, visit San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art which from May to September will co-organize an exhibition with New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and Paris’ Réunion des Musées Nationaux. It will present paintings, drawings, and sculptures collected by the Stein family which lived in Paris in the early 20th century and returned to California in 1935 when the SFMOMA was founded. Their collection was instrumental in the creation of the museum, with works by Paul Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso.
As always, in a short city break, the tourist pass is the best investment, so be sure to get your Go San Francisco Card.

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We love Naples and know that despite its not-so-flattering reputation as a chaotic city, you’ll love it too. So before you even think about moving on to the Amalfi Coast nearby, dedicate at least two days to this soulful and fascinating place. The best time to go: December, when it celebrates the Christmas season with nativity scenes everywhere.
We have created this 48-hour itinerary to help you experience the best of it.

DAY 1
Start your day at Caffè Gambrinus (one of the world’s most beautiful cafés). It opens at 7AM every day and serves coffee and pastries until 1:30AM. Not only is it a local landmark, but it’s also just steps from the city’s largest square, Piazza del Plebiscito. That’s where you’ll find the Palazzo Reale and San Francesco Di Paolo Basilica, two of the city’s icons.
Nearby is also Galleria Umberto I, a shopping gallery that’s more of a destination for its architecture than its shops, although the Barbaro department store is worth a look.  The San Carlo opera house is found right outside.
From there, continue to the other must-see attraction, the Duomo, before lunch at the historic Brandi Pizzeria, where it is said that the Margherita pizza was born.
In the afternoon visit Pompeii for a truly fascinating trip to ancient times, but if you prefer to stay in the present, head to the MADRE, the top contemporary art destination in town.
For dinner, don’t miss La Stanza del Gusto where you find a menu of inventive Italian cuisine and the best wine list in the city.
If you want to check out the nightlife scene, the place to be is S’move for late-night drinks in a cool high-tech interior.
When it’s finally time to go to bed, sleep in style at Hotel Romeo, or for a lower-priced alternative, check out UNA Hotel by the train station (we especially enjoyed having breakfast at the top floor terrace with a view of Mount Vesuvius).
If you’re on a budget, consider the excellent Hostel of the Sun.

DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the National Archeaological Museum, home to one of the richest archaeological collections in the world, but if you prefer painting and decorative art, don’t miss the Capodimente Museum which displays major works by Caravaggio, Raphael, El Grego, and many others.
From there check out the local art in the kitchen, at the elegant Terrazza Calabritto. The menu is particularly rich in seafood and downstairs is a trendy wine bar.
Burn the lunchtime calories in a stroll down Chiaia and Piazza dei Martiri as you browse the Italian labels, and end the afternoon relaxing with aperitivi at Gran Caffè Cimmino. That’s where the local yuppies get together, but the attractions for you are the excellent drinks, coffee, tiny pizzas, and pastries.
At night, say good-bye to the city in the waterfront Castel Dell’Ovo, the landmark castle that is often the stage of special exhibitions and events.

-See the complete Naples city guide.
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The name of Marrakech’s “Hotel La Renaissance” has never sounded so appropriate after its recent rebirth as an even more sophisticated design hotel.
As one of the tallest buildings in the city, it was already a very popular address in the 1950s and 60s, but is now more attractive than ever, and not just because of its views that go from the Medina to the Atlas Mountains. There is a spectacular rooftop swimming pool, a hot cocktail bar with live DJs, restaurants, and cool new contemporary interiors.
Each room has its own private balcony, and after a day of exploring the city guests can relax with a treatment in the Hammam.
Although this is the perfect place in which to escape from the stressful everyday life, you may be connected to the world through the free wi-fi available throughout the hotel.
To (re)discover La Renaissance, check out all the details here: La Renaissance Hotel, Marrackech

-See the complete Marrakech city guide.
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Halloween/All Saints’ Day/All Souls’ Day Special:
From celebrity resting places to historical and monumental burial grounds, to haunted graveyards, these are THE 10 MOST HAUNTING AND FAMOUS CEMETERIES IN THE WORLD

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The Dream Hotel is one of our dream hotels in New York, and that’s why we’ve awarded it one U_Star. So we’re happy to announce the recent opening of The Chatwal by the same owner.
It’s a boutique hotel that stands out for its 1930s Art Deco interior but it also mixes some contemporary design. Located within walking distance of Broadway’s theaters, it’s perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate Gotham experience (there are theatrical references throughout the building, in names like Producers Suite and Directors Suite).
Guests can start their day at the gym or relax at the spa after a long day crossing the city’s streets and avenues. If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel in the evening, you can enjoy contemporary cuisine by accomplished chef Geoffrey Zakarian in “The Lambs Club” restaurant.
Complete hotel information and bookings here: The Chatwal Hotel

-See the complete New York city guide.
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Istanbul’s already-rich offer of boutique hotels just got richer with the recent opening of “The House Hotel.” This is the second of The House chain, this time in the Nisantasi neighborhood which is known for the city’s best shopping.
The sophisticated interior has a contemporary-classic look, with each of its 45 rooms featuring a walk-in dressing room and beautiful marble bathrooms.
Breakfast is served on the outdoor terrace, and guests can always enjoy a cocktail at the bar on the top floor. The bar also merges into the restaurant which stands out for its fine wines.
The city’s top attractions are easy to reach from the hotel, and the location close to the business district makes this a choice for both leisure and business travelers.
Complete details and booking information: The House Hotel Nisantasi, Istanbul

-See the complete Istanbul city guide.
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Fans of the famous Magnolia Bakery‘s cupcakes often crossed the street to a biographies-only bookstore that existed on that spot for years (400 Bleeker Street). That’s now a space taken over by Marc Jacobs, but not as a fashion boutique — it’s a book store called “Bookmarc.”
You’ve always been able to find some art and design books in Marc Jacobs’ flagship boutiques, but this is the first books-only store. Actually, it’s more than books, as you’ll also find journals and CDs, writing utensils and key chains especially selected by the company’s creative team.
Also planned are book signings, and the MJ empire plans to expand further in the Big Apple, with an upcoming MJ café. The location will likely be uptown, and although this will be the first café of the brand in New York, it’s not the first in the world. You’ll find a Marc Jacobs café in Milan, in that city’s “Marc by Marc Jacobs” store.

-See the complete New York city guide.
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BAR BOULUD
You’ll notice the new restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel has a New York feel and that’s because it was first conceived for the Big Apple by French chef Daniel Boulud. But it ended up in London after Boulud’s almost three decades of living in the great American metropolis where he was awarded three Michelin stars. In the British capital he serves his signature French dishes accompanied by an excellent list of French wines.

THE MOUNT STREET DELI
A strong contender for the title of best Italian coffee in town, the Mount Street Deli is a new destination for any time of the day. It’s perfect for breakfast early in the morning, for people-watching in the afternoon, and to pick up something to eat later on (there are daily specials, salads and sandwiches). The coffee beans come from a family in the coffee business since the 1940s, and coffee lovers will tell you there is a unique taste to it.

SOLANGE AZAGURY-PARTRIDGE
It has shops in New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, and now it has a new address in London’s New Bond Street. The fine jewelry of Solange Azagury-Partridge is on display under a signature mirror ball and around other features designed by the jeweler.

SKITSCH
London’s first Skitsch showroom brings together original high-end design by over 30 world-renowned designers. The new space looks and feels like a gallery which together with its own collection also presents pieces from other contemporary design brands.

ACNE
The new London boutique of Swedish fashion brand Acne is much more than a shop, it’s also a true gallery filled with art. Next to the label’s denim collection are murals, drawings and sculpture by international artists which together create the retailer’s largest store in the world.

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The new hotspot of London’s East End is the new Town Hall Hotel and its restaurant and bar. It’s located in the former Bethnal Town Hall, an imposing building now offering 98 spacious and stylish rooms and apartments, with each apartment having been given its own Scandinavian-inspired look.
But more than its accommodation, it is its food and beverage services that have made this one of the most talked-about spots in the city. The restaurant, “Viajante,” serves creative cuisine in a space designed by an award-winning team, with tasting menus made up of flavors inspired from all corners of the globe.
Also attracting London’s young and smart crowds is the bar, with an extensive wine and beer list as well as a choice of ten excellent cocktails.

-See the complete London city guide.
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