I had been planning it for a year since Miss F’s best pal had got married – and it ended up being Malta.
I had a vision that it would have been Istanbul on the Bosphorus but that wasn’t to be but there’s water around Malta. Right?
Only as we traipsed around Bugibba I couldn’t find the restaurant with a piano on the front which I’d been looking for.
Miss F being fair was getting tetchy in the beating sun and the atmos wasn’t conducive for a proposal.
But I went ahead anyway (I still maintain I was only down on one knee to tie my shoelace) and she yelled yes.
I’ve been back (without her, but I hasten to say not with someone else) Malta easer.
If I was to do it all over again, and in this a Leap Year here’s where I’d hope she’d ask the question.
Turkish delight (obviously!)
Istanbul: I fulfilled a lifetime‘s ambition last year by visiting the majestic Turkish city which straddles Europe and Asia… Wham bam, thank you Hamam.
And it surpassed even my wildest expectations.
Yes, Herself knows I like the flesh of an animal and Sultanahmet Koftecisi http://www.sultanahmetkoftesi.com does the best kofti meatballs in the city.
But if she really wants to romance me she’ll take me on the Bosphorus with TTG Travel (Turkish Travel Group) www.turkeytravelgroup.com.
And we’ll have a boogie…
For more on Istanbul visit https://visit.istanbul and, of course, when I head east it’s always my pals at Turkish Airlines www.turkishairlines.com.
The heart of America
Washington DC: My favourite US city although I’m open to have my mind changed.
Seeing that DC’s most famous resident is half-Scottish I’d say he’d lend us a room.
But where I’d really like to have my romantic moment is at Robert E Lee’s house in Arlington.
Where the National Guard never miss a Passing of the Guard.
And where John F Kennedy told an aide, in perhaps a prescient moment, that when he died he would want to be buried looking down on DC.
Visit www.washington.org.
I love you too Tobago
Tobago: With apologies to Barbados but I‘d be worried the Scary One would run into Dee-Dee.
I can’t think of many more romantic places to get a proposal than Nylon Beach where Princess Margaret said the sea was as clear as her stockings.
And where you can stand in a sand bank in the middle of the Caribbean with a glass of bubbly or Carib lager in your hand.
Still, maybe best that the 5ft 5ins Mrs M doesn’t get down on one knee there.
Visit www.tobagogov.tt and read On your marks, get set, GOAT in Tobago.
All ring roads lead to Rome
Rome: Because it’s here where She took me for my 40th as a surprise and we returned as a family.
And I, eventually, found the Eternal City, at the end of my Via Francigena pilgrimage www.viafrancigena.ie.
If only there was some roads that lead to Rome!
On my perfect day we’d take in an AS Roma match at the Olympic Stadium, visit the Pantheon where it would rain and she would pop the question.
Visit www.rome.net, http://www.italia.it/en/home.html and read my misadventures Small roads lead to Rome.
Malta and the altar
Malta: Of course nothing beat that moment we got engaged… she told me to say that.
And our place is still there. Malta remains one of the gems right under our nose.
English-speaking. English-friendly (and Scottish, Irish, et al) you can also day-trip to Sicily.
And beautiful Gozo and Comino. Visit www.visitmalta.com.
Just a few romantic spots I’m proposing – tell me yours.
MEET YOU ON ONE KNEE
