Coming up with the perfect scenario to propose to your significant other can be surprisingly stressful, especially for those of us who don’t have a romantic bone in our body. There’s the whole rigmarole about the engagement ring – is it three weeks’ salary or three months’? – establishing the right moment to pop the question, how to phrase it (should I quote Shakespeare?), and, of course, seeking out that idyllic location.
Need inspiration? With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, vacation accommodation company Holidu have come up a helpful list of Europe’s most popular destinations to propose, based on numbers drawn from social media.
Famed for its breathtaking sunsets, it’s no surprise that Santorini slides in at number three, ahead of other romantic hotspots like Venice (4th), Barcelona (7th), and Prague (10th), with Mykonos in 12th, Crete 20th, and Athens 22nd.
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The Cycladic island is already regarded as one of the world’s ultimate honeymoon destinations, bejewelled with scenic whitewashed villages, luxury accommodation (think fancy infinity pools), and some of Greece’s top fine-dining restaurants. With unbroken vistas of the island’s volcanic caldera, set against the azure blue and turquoise waters of the Aegean, it’s almost as if Santorini was made for romance.
Dubbed the “Greek island of love,” Santorini is also a clear favorite for couples in search of that unforgettable proposal spot. Citing the sheer number of Santorini proposals that end up on social media – proposals that were accepted, of course! – Holidu recorded a staggering 2.5 million hashtag views on TikTok, and 7,000 hashtags on Instagram.
One of the many wonderful things about Santorini, and why it draws so many couples, is the sheer number of romantic activities and backdrops on offer; from horseback riding on a secluded beach or spending the day on a private yacht, to strolling around one the island’s charming villages, or simply enjoying a glass of local wine as the sun slowly melts into the sea. Whatever your taste, there are plenty of dreamy locations to drop down on one knee and pop the question.
