Growing up I believed Paris was the most romantic city the world, diamonds are a girl’s best friend and without a plan, I’m planning to fail.

Although I’m spontaneous by nature, there’s no way around a marriage proposal. Selecting and buying the engagement ring, rehearsing the words, finding the perfect place and waiting for the ‘right moment’ to pop the question (and perhaps a sedative) all requires planning.

Paris is a financial stretch and after checking out too many restaurants, discovering cloud nine stops at the top of the Eureka Tower, I plan to reach cloud ten aboard a luxury gondola right here in the heart of Melbourne cruising along the Yarra River.

I am fortunate my wife to be (fingers crossed) refuses to read my work, so my proposal plan is safe. Until I journey down the Yarra and discover one of Melbourne’s romantic pleasures visit www.veniceontheyarra.com.au to catch a glimpse of the beauty I have discovered. “Sedative please.”

To be continued...