Italy is often called a romantic destination. In the context of travel guidebooks, brochures and websites, I tend to bristle at “romantic” as an accolade. It evokes the chintz and cheese of a cheap restaurant on Valentine’s Day, all pink balloons, teddy bears and crap chocolate. But despite these associated clichés, “romantic” is a dangerously evasive target, a nebulous concept which if you aim for, you will surely miss – whether you’re a restaurateur or a would-be lover. (Aim for “thoughtful” instead, always.) Aside from the intrinsic naffness of an intentionally “romantic” hotel or restaurant, there’s something intensely insulting about a one-size-fits-all approach to pleasure. I certainly feel affronted that this destination, restaurant or hotel professes to know what turns me on. Whether we’re talking about floral interiors or toe-sucking, what one person finds romantic, others find revolting. Humans are complex, diverse and weird, and these are our very best qualities. So I recoil when I see the word “romantic” used to sell me stuff, expecting me to find the same stuff sexy as the next consumer.
Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Gourmet Traveller.
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Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Gourmet Traveller.
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