January, 18 2023 ( Updated January, 27 2023)
The history of the day of love has many versions. Some say that St. Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter while he was in prison and sent her a letter signed “Your Valentine”. Some believe that the patron saint of all lovers helped young soldiers get married secretly when the emperor forbade it. One way or the other, the day is about love and has not lost its importance ever since it started being celebrated!
So read on and get inspired to celebrate your love in some of the most romantic holiday destinations with a history!
The only country with the word “Love” in it celebrates Valentine’s in quite a special way. Slovenia has, what is called, St. Gregory’s Day on March 12. The idea behind the celebration is to usher in spring days and celebrate the first sprouting of the plants after winter. Another popular belief is that on February 14, the day of Valentine’s is when birds propose to each other and that on St. Gregory’s Day, they enter into wedlock!
Slovenia has many distinct experiences to enjoy on St. Valentine's and you can find adorable experiences almost everywhere in the country. There are “Love Benches”, which are usually set in front of a stunning background, castles with a romantic story, or subtle yet sweet experiences like driving on “Heart Shaped Road” near Maribor.
The adorable heart-shaped road in the hilly countriside about 30 minutes drive from Maribor
In the gorgeous Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, the LUV fest (February 8th - March 12th 2023) is a continuous celebration with concerts, photo spots, unique culinary experiences and creative workshops to celebrate the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren.
If you want to get away for a 2-3 day trip, then the magic of Lake Bled is perfect. Here you can get onto the classic romantic horse ride, enjoy the delicious Bled Cream Cake, take a boat ride to Radovnija in a traditional “Pletna” or just go for a hike in unspoiled nature!
Don’t miss a romantic boat ride on Lake Bled with your loved one
Another experience is that of the Island of Love, which is a natural island carved by the playfulness of the River Mura in the Prekmurje region. The island is an atmospheric retreat for those who want to enjoy untouched nature with boat rides and the old-style bread called “pajani kruj” combined with the fish dish “Riba na patu”. The island also has a speciality that is bound to ignite the hearts of both young and old, and is rightly called the Love Potion!
Looking for stays in Slovenia for Valentine’s? Check out our wide range of nature and city holiday homes!
Originally, Valentine's Day was celebrated to bring in the beauty and splendour of spring in Italy. Another tradition for unmarried women was also to wake up early on Valentine’s, even before daybreak because, according to the legend, the first man you’ll spot will be your husband.
Nowadays, most Italians celebrate Valentine’s by locking their loves on railings and bridges with a padlock. The Baci Perugina chocolate is also quite a phenomenon and the sweetness of these unique hazelnut chocolates with simple origins and a superior taste is sure to increase the sweetness of your love.
Some of the locations that have become timeless to celebrate St. Valentine’s in Italy are certainly the lakes (Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore), the gorgeous Mediterranean-hued villages of Cinque Terre, city of the poet Dante-Florence, and Verona, the backdrop of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
A lovely view from Bellaggio lakefront
At Lake Como, get onto the boat and sail through the meandering shoreline with lakeside villages sitting on the edges like colourful jewels on the crown of mountains. You can take trips to the beautiful towns of Bellagio, Laglio and Varenna or visit the iconic villas of the lake and top your day off at any of the romantic lakeside restaurants!
If you are looking for a romantic fairy tale, then you can head to Apulia, where cobblestone streets and the white-washed houses of Locorotondo will cut you off from the world and transport you into a world of your own or to Vieste - an iconic symbol of love.
Lose yourself amidst the pretty white houses of Locorotondo, Puglia
Want to savour La Dolce Vita in Italy with your loved one? Find our holiday homes in all these romantic destinations!
Spain celebrates Valentine’s with the usual chocolate, flowers and a romantic dinner. But the country has another day dedicated to love, which is April 23, St. George’s Day. The day is also called “Lover’s Day” and is celebrated to signify the iconic battle that St. George fought with the dragons to rescue the princess–a timeless tale of winning your love. In fact, since the legend of St. George’s is attached to Lover’s day, this day in Spain is considered even more romantic than Valentine’s!
What’s more, the country has been one of the top destinations for the LGBTQ community. Especially Costa del Sol, which has designated gay beaches and bars. Among these, the town of Torremolinos is super LGBTQ-friendly, with La Nogalera being the hotspot!
The artistic fountain at the Parque de La Bateria, Torremolinos, Spain
Celebrating Valentine’s with your loved one in Costa del Sol means going to romantic restaurants, enjoying high-quality food and an intimate ambience along with mild temperatures perfect for alfresco dining. There are many restaurants near Marbella and Málaga that offer special Valentine’s night dinners. Some of these are La Pala d'Oro in Benalmádena, Los Robles de León in Málaga and Casa de la Era near Marbella!
Arial view of a romantic sunset in Málaga, Andalusìa
Alternatively, this Valentine’s, Los Naranjos, one of the most renowned golf courses in Costa del Sol is offering golfing with a twist that includes a special romantic main course and dessert. But if romantic dinners seem too mainstream, then Málaga’s Al Andalus hammam is sure to bring you an atmosphere of pure relaxation and connection with your partner. This year the hammam has a special gift card that you can share with your Valentine along with the splendour of the Nazar era.
Ready to celebrate Valentine’s with amazing restaurants and a festive vibe? Book your sea view or city holiday home!
The French people celebrated Valentine’s Day with “The Lottery of Love”, where single men and women were paired up on the day of love. Since men had a choice to leave the women if they did not like their pairing, things soon got out of hand with women burning photos of the men. So, now the day is celebrated in a toned-down version, with flowers or a romantic dinner.
The beautiful and expansive view of the coastline of Villefranche sur Mer
It is also thought that the country behind the tradition of giving Valentine’s cards (or cartes d'amitiés in French) is French as Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent cards to his wife from the prison after the 1415 Battle of Agincourt! However, one thing to note about this day in France is that it really is only for adults. Children and even teenage couples do not indulge in the celebration, and the French usually go out for a romantic dinner or present their partner with a small gift.
The Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur gives you every reason to indulge in a feast of senses. From visiting perfume giants factories like Fragonard and Galimard in Grasse to Mimosa fields that shine bright in the winter sun, these olfactory experiences are one of a kind!
Bormes-les-mimosas, a hidden gem in Cote d’Azur
The Southern Alps also offer one of the cleanest air and “no pollution peaks”, where you can just look up and gaze at the starry night with your loved one! And if you want to have a picnic included in the plan, then do not forget to add the excellent Provence honey and the blue cheese from the region for a true French experience!
Stay in one of the amazing French Riviera towns with our chic and flexible holiday homes.
Want to prolong your Valentine’s in these incredible holiday destinations? Check out the best Carnivals that you can attend in Europe in 2023!
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