麻豆社

Countless surveys have confirmed what many will have already suspected – Paris is the most popular city on the planet for romantic getaways and surprise proposals.

Whether it's the iconic photographs of Robert Doisneau, the heady atmosphere of movies like Moulin Rouge! or Amelie, or the Insta-friendly and strangely addictive Emily in Paris, France's capital has enjoyed numerous depictions that reinforce its status as love central.

However, be warned, these representations have a downside. "There's actually a 'Paris syndrome'," explains Iszi, "which describes the disappointment some tourists feel when they visit the city for the first time and feel it doesn't live up to their romantic expectations. It's basically a severe form of culture shock that can cause physical reactions!"

The Japanese are reportedly the most susceptible to 'Paris syndrome'. But they don't need to go outside of their own country to find romantic inspiration. This is particularly the case in spring when, as Iszi notes, "the iconic cherry blossom trees show off all their finery."

The season for sakura (cherry blossoms) typically runs between late March and mid-April. Among the various locations in Japan to see the cherry blossom is Japan's second city and cultural capital Kyoto, which has various spots, including the Botanical Garden and a canal walk known as The Philosopher’s Path.

Further afield – around 100km south of Kyoto – the most famous viewing spot is Mount Yoshino (or Yoshioyama) in Nara. The area is covered by approximately 30,000 cherry trees of numerous varieties.

The pink, dreamlike backdrop is perfect for every stage of your romantic adventure, from first kiss to honeymoon. And, says Iszi, "the sakura season is celebrated with plenty of sunny hanami [flower viewing] picnic parties - so it's a great time to meet new people, should you be looking for love."

The practice of hanami does seem like a tailor-made activity for lovers. However, as Shaun reminds, "you’d better be quick - the cherry blossoms usually only last for a week, which to be fair, is a long relationship for some."

Las Vegas, USA

With replica elements of Paris, Venice, Florence, New York and Egypt, Las Vegas tries to double for a few romantic destinations. However, Sin City's big pull on the heartstrings is the ready access to wedding venues.

And while Las Vegas has plenty of options for elegant, chic wedding packages, for most people, the archetypal Las Vegas wedding has to be one overseen by their very own Elvis impersonator. Both Shaun and Iszi know people who have run away to get hitched in Vegas.

The Graceland Wedding Chapel, where this all happens, started out as the McKee Wedding Chapel in 1939. It was a visit from the King himself, in 1967, that inspired the owners to change the name a decade later, after Elvis' death. That same year the chapel claimed to be the first in the world to conduct an Elvis-themed wedding ceremony.

"I did honestly used to think when I was younger and unemployed that maybe I would become a bad Elvis impersonator marrying people in Vegas," recalls Shaun. But, as Iszi notes, there's still time, Shaun.

While not partaking in an Elvis wedding (as far as we know) the chapel has hosted the nuptials of a number of musicians, including Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Ray Cyrus, members of rockers Deep Purple and, very appropriately, Kiss.

Shaun suggests that one advantage of choosing Las Vegas for the happiest day of your life is that "there’s always the opportunity to win back the cost of the wedding". Not that we advocate gambling, because, as Iszi asks: "What could be more romantic than an overweight Elvis singing in your face while you lose all your money?"

Sticking with the US, pretty much anyone who has ever watched a film or television show will get a thrill when they make it out of JFK Airport, and away from the austere welcome given by its security staff. As Guy Garvey, Elbow frontman and the city's champion, says: "You suddenly get this vista of Manhattan and it really takes your breath away. You're constantly in a movie when you're in New York."

The vista of Manhattan really takes your breath away. You're constantly in a movie when you're in New York.

Guy Garvey

Of the movies made there, there's no shortage of romantic ones, including When Harry Met Sally, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Annie Hall, West Side Story and You've Got Mail.

All of these films draw inspiration from the skyline, and landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge loom large. These settings help make the city "synonymous with marriage proposals," observes Shaun.

The measure of any romance is endurance, so Shaun's ultimate testimony to the city says it all: "Whenever I see adverts saying 'New York's Open Again, why don't you come over?', my heart sings and I think ‘right, okay, I’ve got to go back there'."

With millions of return visits, many lovers of the Big Apple feel exactly the same way.

Cape Town, South Africa

Located where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, Cape Town is a vibrant and diverse city, with 11 official languages spoken. The language of love is arguably an unofficial one as Table Mountain, which dominates the Cape Town skyline, is the site of at least two engagements a month.

Although not among the betrothed, broadcaster Michaela Strachan did meet her partner on a hike up the mountain. "We were supposed to be in a group, but it was just the two of us," she recalls. "He brought a bottle of Chardonnay and a packet of cashew nuts, and it was absolutely beautiful. We saw the sun go down on one side of the mountain and the Moon come up on the other – and that was it!"

The views from Table Mountain aren't its only romantic mood enhancer. The natural habitat around it (the 'fynbos') is made up of 8,200 different plant types, and numerous species of colourful birds can also be found there.

The only downer, warns Iszi, is 'tablecloth': "That's the thin layer of wispy clouds that can appear to pour over the mountain like a waterfall, blocking the view. Legend has it that it's the result of a smoking competition between the devil and an ancient pirate called Van Hunks."

Still – as every good romantic knows – every cloud has a silver lining, and for the intrepid lovers who manage to climb up to Table Mountain's summit on a clear day, it's these breathtaking views that stir the heart.

You can hear more about Shaun and Iszi's recommendations for romantic destinations worth visiting by listening to the Mini Guide in full here.

In their Animal Magic Mini Guide, Shaun and Iszi go on a whirlwind tour of wildlife, including getting up close with penguins on Boulders Beach in Cape Town, thanks to a tip from Michaela Strachan, and some esteemed and venerated Galapagos tortoises. Shaun baulks at the idea of swarms of flies above Lake Malawi but is intrigued by the mongoose-like Fossa of Madagascar and the swimming pigs of the Bahamas.

Get your trolleys at the ready, as you will be overloaded with bounty from the examples of markets featured in Shopper's Paradise. These bustling consumer havens include the long and winding flea market of La Grande Braderie de Lille, France, the nomadic Masai Market in Nairobi in Kenya and the canal-based Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand. If you’re after a kind of potpourri of weirdness, then The Witches’ Market in Le Paz, Bolivia might be for you, while there are nocturnal treasures to be found in the celebrated night markets of Taipei, Taiwan and Carnac, France.

In Offbeat Art, Shaun and Iszi tap into their creative side with a round-up of some of the world’s buzziest and unconventional art hotspots. Strictly's Janette Manrara recommends the graffiti artist nirvana of Wynwood Walls, Miami, while there's more wall art at the East Side Gallery in Berlin. For intriguing new perspectives, why not try the largest model railway system in the world at Miniatur Wonderland, Hamburg and the world’s biggest sandcastle in Finland’s Sandcastle Lappeenranta, near Lake Saimaa?

Listen to all the other destinations covered in Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny, including new episodes with Rob Delaney and Thomasina Miers, here.