The top 20 most romantic places on earth have been named, with Paris, Santorini and Venice taking the top three spots.
A poll found that the French capital along with the tiny Greek island and the watery Italian city are the best places for a romantic rendezvous.
While in the UK, the number one spot for love is the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, according to the survey, closely followed by Grasmere in the Lake District.
The French capital Paris, which has been named as the most romantic place on earth
The Greek island of Santorini, known for its idyllic beaches, epic views and blue-topped buildings, is second
The study of the best places to fall in love was commissioned by romantic novel publisher Mills & Boon, which quizzed a leading panel of travel experts on the locations that would be best for romance – 2,000 people then voted on their shortlist to produce the final top 20 rankings for the world and the UK.
Number one city Paris, also known as the city of love, with the Eiffel Tower one of the best-known spots in the French capital for proposing marriage.
Number-two ranked Santorini is known for its idyllic beaches, blue-topped buildings and jaw-dropping sunsets and is extremely popular with honeymooners.
And in third spot Venice, couples flock to take a cosy gondola ride along the city’s narrow canals.
The highest ranked Italian destination is Venice, which is in at number three
Coming in at number four is the stunning Amalfi coast in Italy. Pictured is the cliffside village of Positano
Fourth on the list is Italy’s Amalfi Coast and in fifth place is Maui in Hawaii, which has 30 miles of beaches.
Bruges in Belgium makes number six on the list, beating the islands of Bora Bora in seventh and the mountain of Kirkjufell in Iceland in eighth.
Rounding off the top ten are the resorts of Cerf Island in the Seychelles and the Gili Islands in Bali.
Also in the top 20 are St Petersburg, Russia (11th); Agra and Taj Mahal in India (12th), the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland (13th), Amsterdam (14th) and the Galapagos Islands (15th).
Squeezing into the final part of the list are the Whitsunday Islands in Australia (16th); Big Sur, California (17th), San Francisco (18th); the Fuji Five Lakes in Japan (19th) and Zanzibar (20th).
The Fairy Pools in the Isle of Skye topped the UK ranking no doubt thanks to the beautiful scenery surrounding its waterfalls. It has been described by VisitScotland as the ‘most magical place in Scotland’.
Second place Grasmere in the Lake District, meanwhile, is surrounded by rolling green hills and has a mesmerising lake – it’s also aptly the hometown of romantic poet William Wordsworth.
Love-ly: The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye in Scotland has been named the most romantic spot in the UK
An aerial view looking out over Grasmere in the Lake District, which is second on the list
The city of Bath is third on the UK top 20 list, Durdle Door on England’s picturesque Jurassic Coast is fourth followed by the small island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly.
The postcard village of Portmeirion in Wales is sixth in the ranking followed by the rural village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.
Another village, Porthcurno in Cornwall, is eighth with Cambridge in ninth and the dramatic Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland 10th.
Royal landmark Windsor Castle makes the list in 11th, followed by Abereiddi’s Blue Lagoon, Wales (12th); the Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland (13th); Leeds Castle in Kent (14th) and Llyn Padarn in Wales (15th).
Just making the top 20 are Stratford-upon-Avon (16th); The Falls of Bruar (17th); Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh (18th); Cornwall’s St Nectan’s Glen (19th) and the city of Oxford (20th).
Among those polled waterside locations appear to be a favourite for love with most of the UK top ten places in close proximity to the sea, rivers or waterfalls.
The old Roman baths in the historic city of Bath, which is third on the list of romantic places in the UK
Durdle Door, pictured, on the picturesque Jurassic coast is fourth on the list followed by the small island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly
However the five key factors for a romantic location in rank order were beautiful views (identified by 69 per cent), luxury accommodation (55 per cent), warm climate (49 per cent), fabulous restaurants (39 per cent) and amazing walks (33 per cent).
Lisa Milton, Mills & Boon executive publisher, said: ‘When it comes to a summer getaway with a loved one, we all want to make it as romantic as possible.
‘Our survey has identified the definitive romantic places in Britain and the world. With all of us looking for any opportunity to bring a little extra romance into our hectic lives, holidays in these places offer the perfect chance to switch off and rediscover romance.
‘Readers everywhere can find an instant escape with Mills & Boon – and whether you are reading on holiday or at home, our brand new stories will whisk you away to some of the most romantic places in the UK!’
- Mills & Boon has commissioned a series of short stories set in the most romantic locations in the UK. Click here for more information.