With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) announces its third annual ranking of the Top 20 Most Romantic Cities in Canada. They are:
- Kingston, Ontario
- Guelph, Ontario
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Oakville, Ontario
- Victoria, British Columbia
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- Calgary, Alberta
- Kamloops, British Columbia
- St. John’s, Newfoundland
- Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Red Deer, Alberta
- Langley, British Columbia
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Burlington, Ontario
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Barrie, Ontario
- Brantford, Ontario
- London, Ontario
- Burnaby, British Columbia
This list was compiled by comparing sales data of romance novels, sex and relationship books, romantic comedy DVDs and Michael Bublé CDs since January 1, 2012, on a per capita basis in cities with over 80,000 residents.
A closer look at Amazon.ca’s “most romantic” data reveals that:
- Sex and the (Smaller) City: Though nearly half of Canada’s 20 Most Romantic Cities lie in Ontario, both Toronto and Ottawa don’t rank as passionate as their less populous neighbours.
- Always a Bridesmaid: Guelph, Ontario claims the No. 2 spot on the overall most romantic list for the second consecutive year.
- Your Love is King(ston): Not simply the overall winner, but you’re also most likely to curl up on the couch with both a “Rom-Com” and a Danielle Steel novel in Kingston, Ontario than in any other Canadian city.
- Bublé-ing Over: Kamloops is crowned Canada’s largest buyer of Michael Bublé albums per capita, proving size (of a city) doesn’t matter. Overall, British Columbia’s crush on their local crooner remains at an all-time high, with five of the Top 10 Michael Bublé-loving cities within its borders.
- Prairie Love: Residents of Saskatchewan are heating things up in the living room. Both Regina and Saskatoon make the overall Top 10, keeping the flame burning, especially with date night DVDs. Red Deer, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba also place in the Top 20.
- Heartbreak City: Last year’s most romantic urban centre, Victoria just barely flirts its way into the Top 5 in 2012.
- Love Struck: No one does it better in Newfoundland than the people of St. John’s, whose love of love makes them the only Atlantic Canadian city on the list.
What kind of dumb list is this???? I am sorry but where is Quebec City or Montreal for that matter?! As an ex montrealer who now lives in BC my husband and I use to absolutely love going on weekend getaways to Quebec City and so would our friends from NYC who couldn't stop raving how romantic it was there. You CANNOT get more romantic than the French food and language.
Two of my favourite cities as well, but I could never admit that they are more romantic that Kingston. The list is a bit ridiculous, but considering how they came to their results (sales of Michael Buble CDs , Kama Sutra etc…), it makes sense.
Ok now I understand how they came to their results. I didn't realize I was commenting on the Kingstonist and of course didn't mean anything against Kingston or the list for that matter. Just was wondering where Montreal or Quebec city were. Will definitely have to pay Kingston a visit one day especially that my place of birth was in Ontario!
Brantford. How did that city make the list. The only thing romantic about Brantford is visiting Tim Hortons.
As a part Kingstonite who now lives in Belleville my hubby and i usually take our date nights to Kingston! Romantic strolls along the waterfront, beautiful limestone buildings, tons of incredible restaurants, live entertainment etc and a wonderfully clean and friendly city. I recommend a date night there for sure! Try woodenheads or a Thousand Islands dinner cruise in the summer!
It looks to me that this list is more indicative of cities where people are looking for romance, rather than cities that provide it…