There is something about dates at a museum which makes our heart skip a little; romance just seems to go perfectly in these places rich in history, drenched in beauty and art, and they seem to render that perfect atmosphere for a romantic date! To coincide with Valentine’s Day, take a peek at some of the museums we’ve chosen where we wish we could be swept away to with our better halves this year.
The Uffizi Gallery Florence, Italy
The birthplace of the Renaissance, all around the city of Florence you will see the evidence of the incredible advances resulting from this time, especially within the Arts. Florence is a truly beautiful and romantic place. Perhaps that’s why it was chosen to be the setting for one of the most romantic films of all time, ‘A Room with a View’, where a young Helena Bonham Carter stars as Lucy who is swept up in a passionate love affair; and again in the Japanese blockbuster hit ‘Calmi Cuori Appassionati , which is the story of Yunsei, an art restorer working in Florence, who hopes to rekindle his love with Aoi by fulfilling a promise they had made ten years ago.
The Uffizi Gallery is where you will find some of the world’s most recognized and treasured artworks from the Renaissance time, from masters such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli. The beautiful pastel colored corridors provide for the best backdrop for these exquisite artworks, with stunning window views of the Tuscan cityscape that will take your breath away. Check out the upstairs to the cafe terrace for more views of the city and a coffee break. What we also think is really sweet is that the Uffizi has its own post office within its premises, allowing visitors to send off goods acquired from the nearby museum shop with less hassle.
Art inspiration: ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Sandro Botticelli. Amongst all the amazing artworks here, do not miss this glorious painting depicting the goddess of love herself emerging from the ocean.
The Rodin Museum Paris, France
Paris. Need I say more? It’s coined the ‘City of Love’ for a reason: We can feel the tugs at our heartstrings when we think of an evening cruise on the River Seine, the sight of the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and even from listening to the French language alone! It is also the place where so many ground-breaking artists, such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet had lived and breathed in, and this makes it a magical place full of inspiration and excitement.
There are so many beautiful museums and galleries to choose from in Paris which could make for a perfect date. We’ve picked the Rodin Museum, a beautiful 18th century mansion which houses over 6,000 sculptures and 8000 drawings and 7,000 works of art that were donated to the French State by Auguste Rodin himself, including some of his most famous works. His sculptures look as if frozen in the midst of movement, which makes his work look dynamic and alive. Rodin was able to capture emotion through his works; through the body language of his figures, through texture and the use of dramatic light and shadow.
It’s best to visit the Rodin Museum on a fine day so that you can enjoy the crisp outdoor sculpture gardens and see pieces such as the iconic Thinker surrounded by nature. We bet that these pieces can speak far more than words ever can due to the intense emotions that emanate through them. The garden café is also a perfect place to stop for a refreshment. Art Inspiration: ’The Kiss’ by Auguste Rodin. Such a powerful piece, you can almost feel the kiss. Almost!
Belvedere Museum and Castle Vienna, Austria
So, we’ve passed the City of Love. Now for the City of Music! Vienna is the home to several grand opera houses and the place where some of most notable classical musicians such as Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven had lived and worked in. As well as all the cultural hot spots and museums that Vienna holds, we love the decadent Belvedere Museum within Belvedere Castle, which holds a huge collection of art right from the Middles Ages up to the present day over its two Baroque Palaces, the upper and lower Belvederes. It even has a contemporary art section 21er so it really has something for everyone. The Museum is also home to the biggest collection of Gustav Klimt’s works, which could be one of the main attracting magnets to this place. The ornate interiors of the palace are reflected in his work also. Can we also mention the amazing gardens, fountains and extensive palace grounds? Hours of fun.
Art Inspiration: The Kiss (Lovers), Gustav Klimt. Part of the artist’s Golden Period, you will find this spectacular piece at the Upper Belvedere amongst its permanent collection. The layers of gold leaf together with the oil paint on this piece makes it precious, and the kiss has become a sacred act.
The Maurithuis - The Hague, the Netherlands
Sitting on the picturesque Hofvijver, the Maurithuis is a relatively small museum within the Hague, however do not under estimate what it has in store: it is packed full of Dutch art from the Golden Age of painting, including the amazing works of Johannes Vermeer. Pay the Mauritshuis brasserie a visit which also serves food from a menu inspired by the same period of time!
Artwork: ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer is subject to a number of unanswered questions. Who is she? What does she want to say? What was her relationship with the artist? Although we will never get to the bottom of this, the flirtatious look of the mystery girl’s eyes and her gaping lips will continue to play with our imagination.
The Victoria and Albert Museum - London, United Kingdom
Due to its rich history and the royal landmarks, London is considered time and time again as a classic choice for a romantic getaway. The Victoria and Albert museum is a constant favorite of ours; it just ticks all the boxes be it the beauty of the architecture of the buildings, the detail in the interiors and the beautiful outdoor café and gardens. With everything just right, this is one of our favorites of romantic museums. The romance of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is a firm foundation to this museum and although it is one of the sweetest and most romantic of royal love stories, it is tinged with sadness, due to the early death of the Prince. The museum holds collections of some of the works by the Pre-Raphaelites, and beautiful as they are there is a bitter sweetness which is captivating.
Make sure to check out three tea rooms of the museum café, which are designed and dedicated to Morris, Gamble and Poynter. The ‘Morris Room’ or the ‘Green Dining Room’ has stained glassed windows by Edward Burne-Jones which really sets the mood of Pre-Raphaelite romance.
