TO SEE AND DO
KAVALENKAVA / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
PONT DES ARTS BRIDGE , PARIS , FRANCE What better place to begin our journey than the City of Love ? Picture the scene : twinkling lights flicker as you stroll the ancient cobblestone streets , the smell of freshly baked goods wafting through the air . You stop to admire a boat passing through a nearby narrow canal , and a local Parisian throws you a wink . Pretty romantic , right ? All of this is to say that it ’ s no surprise that Paris — and the fairytale-like atmosphere that it exudes — has acted as a muse for artists and romantics alike for centuries . And of all the city ’ s iconic monuments — the Eiffel Tower , the Lourve Museum , Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris — Pont des Arts Bridge is one of the most romantic .
The victim of shipwrecks and WWII bombings , one might be surprised to find that this symbol of amour has suffered a somewhat tragic history . However , after its reopening in 1984 , Pont des Arts began its legacy as a place where couples and lovers professed their undying love to each other in the form of initial-engraved metal padlocks . Today , travelers who traverse Pont des Artes can admire over 700,000 ‘ love locks ’ placed by visitors past . Interestingly , while sentimental , the locks are beginning to cause some trouble as their combined weight is roughly the same as 20 elephants . For this reason , tourists are discouraged from adding to the collection , but that doesn ’ t make Pont des Arts any less romantic as it is the perfect place to snap a cute photo or enjoy a picnic at sunset during the summer .
CASA DI GIULIETTA , VERONA , ITALY A staple in literary history , many travelers are familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet , a pair of star-crossed lovers who paid the ultimate price in the name of love . However , travelers might not know that you can visit the very same home that is said to have inspired the infamous tale — Casa di Giulietta . Located in Verona , Italy , Casa di Giulietta , also known simply as ‘ Juliet ’ s House ’, attracts nearly two million visitors each year .
While its Shakespearean connection is what puts Casa di Giulietta on the map for many tourists , the historical home also attracts a sizeable crowd of honeymooners and lovers looking to leave their mark on the world in the form of sticky notes and love locks . The story goes that if you leave a message with your name on it and post it beneath Juliet ’ s famed balcony , she will cast a lucky spell on you , binding your love for eternity . Another popular tradition on the premises includes writing letters to Juliet where travelers disclose their deepest desires to the young maiden , sometimes burning the edges of the paper to mimic the look of medieval parchment . Finally , for good measure , a life-like bronze statue of Juliet sits in the courtyard , and it is rumored that those who touch her right breast will be lucky in love and fertility .
BATHS OF APHRODITE , LATCHI , CYPRUS If anyone were to know the ins and outs of matters of the heart , it would undoubtedly be Aphrodite , the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty . And when travelers visit Cyprus , they can explore the backdrop that inspired the legends that tell of Aphrodite ’ s
SERG ZASTAVKIN / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
Top : the Romeo and Juliet inspired Casa di Giulietta in Verona , Italy , bottom , in Cyprus , lovebirds can visit the Baths of Aphrodite
life , escapades and romantic encounters . Of particular interest to lovebirds are Cyprus ’ Baths of Aphrodite , a collection of crystal clear spring water pools hidden amongst foliage and fig trees that are said to bless all those who enter with the gift of eternal beauty , youth and fertility .
Unfortunately , thanks to a family of electric eels and other concerns , swimming in the Baths of Aphrodite is strictly prohibited . However , travelers can still enjoy a splash of the famed waters from a nearby fountain that spouts the same enchanted liquid .
FALL 2022 / THE COMPASS / 57