Remember that scene early in "Titanic," when Jack leads Rose to the front of the ship, urging her to step onto the guardrail, giving her the exhilarating impression of flying? Well, Jack timed that moment just right. As the camera pans away, we’re left with a vivid sunset, a swelling soundtrack and the conviction that she’s fallen in love.
Sunsets may mark the end of the day, but they also have a knack for sparking romance — whether that means falling in love with a person or a place. It’s not hard to see why when you take an already picturesque setting and then flood it with the intense reds, purples and blues cast by a sinking sun.
We went through the photos submitted by Travel + Leisure magazine’s well-traveled community members to find the most breathtaking images of sunsets. Their, shall we say, titanic efforts showcase romantic travel.
Sit patiently with a cocktail along the water’s edge one evening in Key West, Fla., while sailboats drift by, and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display of reds, oranges and yellows, as if the entire sky is ablaze.
Trust us: it’s more romantic than a night in front of a tiny fireplace.
Sometimes you’re even lucky enough to get an after-show, as one lucky T+L community member discovered at Crescent Bay Point Park in Laguna Beach, Calif. A mere 10 minutes after the sun set, a full moon lit up the sky, turning it a beautiful shade of blue, with hues of purple along the horizon.
Don’t just linger after the sunset; take a moment to look around and appreciate its effect on the surroundings. Instead of focusing on the horizon, one reader in Austin, Texas, pointed the camera down to the water below. The setting sun transformed it into a sea of liquid gold.
See for yourself by checking out our favorite shots of romantic sunsets around the world. Just be warned: you’re in for a serious case of wanderlust.
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