PARIS, Feb 10 — Paris has emerged both the sexiest and most romantic city in the world, according to US travelers in a wide sweeping survey ahead of Valentine’s Day.

In a poll conducted by full-service travel site Expedia, the City of Light managed to retain its worldwide reputation as the ideal travel destination for lovebirds looking for love and romance.

More than half of the 1,000 US respondents polled (56 per cent) named Paris the most romantic destination out of more than 50 cities. Likewise, the French capital topped a list of the “sexiest” destinations, taking 61 per cent of the vote.

When it comes to igniting romance, US lovebirds are most keen on beach vacations, which was named the most romantic type of holiday for about a third of respondents, followed by travel to exotic, far-off locales (22 per cent).

Predictably, while the hotel room is the most popular place for being intimate, it seems that American couples like to shake it up once in a while by christening the bathtub (23 per cent), and the hot tub (21 per cent).

One-fifth of respondents also admitted to re-enacting love scenes in made-for-TV movies by rolling around on the beach with their lover.

Other places for nookie include the tent, hotel balcony, boat and in nature in the middle of a hike, and in their rental car.

When it comes to popping the question on holiday the answer was split down the middle, with just a little more than half (52 per cent), saying they would be “somewhat or very likely” to propose on vacation.

On the flipside, seven percent of respondents admitted they’ve ended, or considered ending their relationship while on holiday.

As for singletons, a modest 12 per cent of respondents said they’ve used the opportunity to “hook up” with a stranger.

And when it comes to new couples, the most acceptable wait time before taking the next step; an overnight vacation—is one to three months, for 29 per cent of respondents. Another 27 per cent believe that new couples should wait four to eight months.

Meanwhile, here are the top 10 sexiest and most romantic destinations around the world, according to the Expedia Heat Index Study:

Sexiest cities in the world

1.  Paris

2.  Las Vegas

3.  Cancun

4.  Bahamas

5.  Miami

6.  Barcelona

7.  New York

8.  Rio de Janeiro

9.  St Thomas

10. Jamaica

Romantic

1.  Paris

2.  Bahamas

3.  Cancun

4.  Barcelona

5.  London

6.  New York

7.  Las Vegas

8.  St Thomas

9.  St Martin

10. San Francisco

Beijing, Istanbul, Kowloon, Hong Kong and Bogota, meanwhile, were deemed the least sexy and romantic cities in the world. — AFP-Relaxnews