The best places in the world to get engaged

First up on our list of the world’s best engagement locations is, of course, Paris, known around the world as the City of Love. You simply can’t go wrong with a proposal in France’s capital. It’s a place that oozes romance and sensuality.

Choose the right moment as you wander the city hand in hand – after a romantic meal in a Michelin–star restaurant, on a stroll along the Seine at dusk, or up the Eiffel Tower at night overlooking the city’s twinkling lights. 

This one’s for you if you’ve got a steady hand and want sweeping ocean vistas as the perfect backdrop. Keep the ring safe as you bend down on one knee atop the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. 

With its dramatic landscape of rolling hills that stretch for miles, this is certainly one of the best places to propose for picture-perfect photos. We recommend coming at sunrise or sunset when the views are most extraordinary and the crowds are at their lowest.

The world’s best engagement locations aren’t necessarily public places, some of us would prefer a more private proposal – a sweet moment when it’s just you two alone and no one else around. So, if you want to save your partner the embarrassment of onlookers, how about proposing in your own luxury private villa in the Maldives?

One of the Maldives’ most breathtaking villas is The Romantic Residence at Velaa Private Island. Set on stilts out in the ocean seemingly away from the rest of the world, this place is quite literally made for loved-up couples seeking privacy. It's also one of our favourite luxury beach hotels.  

Order a bottle of the finest champagne to the room and get in the bubbling Jacuzzi bath just as the sun starts to set. We see the romantic sparks flying from here…

 This one’s for you if you’re an active couple who loves nothing more than setting off together for an action-packed adventure. America is home to all sorts of picturesque settings, but you can’t beat the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. 

This place is an absolute gem perfect for a romantic proposal out in the middle of nowhere. You’ll be amongst snow-capped mountain peaks and endless fields of grazing elks and wildflower blooms.

One of the best spots in the whole 415 square-mile park is along the Longs Peak trail just as The Diamond comes into view, a mammoth 900 feet mountain that’ll make a splendid backdrop to your first picture together as engaged fiancés.

Next up on our list of the world’s best engagement locations is perhaps the bougiest – onboard a multi-million-pound super yacht, the best of which you’ll find docked up in the glamorous harbour of Saint-Tropez in the Côte d’Azur.

One of Saint-Tropez’s best resorts for yacht-chartering is Hotel Saint Amour - La Tartane, a gorgeous island-chic hotel offering the chance for you to captain their very own private Chato yacht.

By day you’ll sail the seas around local islands and by night you’ll dine on a fancy alfresco meal out on the deck terrace – the perfect opportunity to propose! Plus, you can also opt for a multi-day excursion, allowing you to bed down for the night in the largest of the four luxury en-suite bedrooms scattered with roses.

One of the best places to propose for thrill-seekers is Cappadocia in Turkey, the world’s most renowned spot for hot air balloon flights. So, if you’re looking to plan a sky-high out-of-this-world type of proposal, this is for you. 

But it’s no ordinary hot air balloon experience here. Cappadocia is known for its hundreds of hot air balloons that take flight simultaneously, providing an otherworldly panoramic shot you can’t help but feel in awe of. It really is a sight to see.

Just make sure your partner would be up for it – this isn’t a particularly great plan if they’re afraid of heights! 

Have you always longed for a happily ever after? If so, take them to Germany, specifically along the so-called Romantic Road – a stretch of highway celebrated for its mediaeval architecture and vast forestry, bringing with it an undeniable air of love and enchantment. 

Make the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle your destination, a 19th-century palace set upon a hill in the village of Hohenschwangau.

With its grand spires and ornate turrets, you’ll notice right away it’s what inspired Cinderella’s Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom – but quite frankly Neuschwanstein Castle makes Disney’s attempts look like child's play in comparison. 

Last on our list of the world’s best engagement locations is Venice – of course we had to mention The Floating City, one of the romantic destinations in the world.

With its colourful Renaissance-inspired architecture, atmospheric cobblestoned streets, ever-winding canals, and romantic hotels such as Aman Venice Hotel, there are many places you could propose around the city, but we recommend the old classic – a romantic gondola ride.

Best of all, there are plenty of charming bars and restaurants to head to once they’ve officially said yes and it’s time to celebrate. What better way to start your new beginnings together than a delicious bowl of Arrabiata washed down with a chilled glass of Prosecco? Buon appetito!

What do you say when you propose?
It’s okay if you get tongue-tied, just speak from your heart. Don’t be afraid to blurt out whatever you feel like saying most in the moment. The more you try to practise a big, romantic speech, the more you’ll get worked up about it. 

If you’re stuck for words, try talking about your favourite memories or expressing how excited you are about spending the future together. Plenty of compliments always go down well too. And the number one rule is to always end on the famous four words: “will you marry me?”

What should you do before proposing?
Although we’re big believers in the romance of a spontaneous proposal, if you are pre-planning a gesture, there are a few things you should do before popping the question to make everything go down more swimmingly, including:

• Ensure you’re on the same page and marriage is what you both want.
• Let their parents know about the proposal beforehand. It’s polite and respectful.
• Buy the ring and keep it safe – and well-hidden!
• Hint for them to dress up smartly on the day you plan to do it. They’ll thank you for it later.