This Valentine's Day, find the romance

A statue of Giulietta Cappello is located oustide her home, from the 13th century, in Verona. From Kaiserslautern, count on a seven-hour drive to Verona, Italy. For details, visit, www.tourism.verona.it/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

A statue of Giulietta Cappello is located oustide her home, from the 13th century, in Verona. From Kaiserslautern, count on a seven-hour drive to Verona, Italy. For details, visit, www.tourism.verona.it/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

This stone balcony, said to be the home of Giulietta Cappello, is a great place to profess your love. (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

This stone balcony, said to be the home of Giulietta Cappello, is a great place to profess your love. (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

Boat rides through the canals of Bruges are available and make for a lovely afternoon.
From Kaiserslautern, Bruges is a four-hour drive. For more information visit, www.brugge.be/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

Boat rides through the canals of Bruges are available and make for a lovely afternoon. From Kaiserslautern, Bruges is a four-hour drive. For more information visit, www.brugge.be/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

Only 90 minutes from Kaiserslautern, Strasbourg is the perfect romantic getaway.
Strasbourg, France, is only a 90-minute drive from Kaiserslautern. Find out about guided tours at www.ot-strasbourg.fr/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

Only 90 minutes from Kaiserslautern, Strasbourg is the perfect romantic getaway. Strasbourg, France, is only a 90-minute drive from Kaiserslautern. Find out about guided tours at www.ot-strasbourg.fr/ (Photo by Monica Mendoza)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Sometimes there is more to visiting a historic city in Europe than rushing from one monument to the next, checking off that museum from your "must-see" list. 

Sometimes, it's about the stroll - the leisurely lunch and the long walks in the park. This Valentine's Day, find that town - find the romance. 

In the city of Verona, Italy, you can't help but savor the beauty of Verona − Roman structures, including the amphitheater, bridges and sculptures. This is where you want to take your time wandering down Via Mazzini, which leads to the town center, to shop in quaint boutiques or chic stores. 

Verona's town center is lively and the town's center boosts sculptures and fountains that will make you swoon. 

Verona is so romantic, so beautiful, that Shakespeare made it the setting for his story of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Legend has it that a girl named Giulietta really lived in Verona. And, on Via Cappello, there is a small stone balcony said to be where she professed her love to Romeo. You can go there, and profess your love too. 

Bruges, Belgium, is a wonderful place for chocolate lovers, where you can stop in one of dozens of chocolate shops and buy small bits of the good stuff. This is that town where carriage rides through the narrow cobblestone streets screams romance, or "I love you!" Or, "Will you marry me?" This historic town is best to walk. Here, you can do some serious sightseeing - Michelangelo's "Madonna and Child" in the Church of Our Lady, medieval architecture and many museums. 

But, this gorgeous city, sometimes called "Venice of the North," is surrounded by canals and is more a place where you might discover, or rediscover, love. 

Strasbourg, France, was founded by the Romans in 12 BC - sometimes called the "city of streets" − it is surrounded entirely by water. Le Petite France − with its Hansel and Gretel half-timbered houses − is where streets were named for the craftsmen who worked there. From here there are outstanding views of the canals and flowers.
Find the Gutenberg statue and there begins the shopping district, with everything from Prada to French scarves. 

Strasbourg, in the Alsace Region of France, is known for its rare wines. Wine growers are limited on the amount of grapes they can grow per acre. So, grab that special someone by the hand and endulge in a little romance this season.