Global Love Stories: Valentine’s Traditions Across the Globe
Love inspires travel, and for many couples, a getaway is the perfect way to celebrate connection. In fact, 45%* of travelers plan to journey with their partner, significant other, or spouse next year, and make memories that last a lifetime. Tripeden.com, a global leader in connecting travelers with extraordinary places to stay and unforgettable experiences, celebrates the many ways love is expressed around the world. From ancient legends and vibrant community rituals to charming villages and hidden festivals dedicated to affection. These cultural traditions prove that love transcends language, and that genuine experiences create the most remarkable romantic escapes.
Often referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day, the Qixi Festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, taking place this year on Wednesday, August 19. Rooted in a legendary Han dynasty love story, the festival celebrates devotion, reunion and enduring romance. Set in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou provides a fitting backdrop for Qixi’s romantic spectacle. Renowned for its poetic scenery and timeless beauty, the city comes alive during the celebrations as West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, transforms into an enchanting tableau. Lanterns drift across the water, flowers bloom in abundance, and traditional performances bring the ancient myth to life. Couples stroll hand in hand along willow-lined paths; their reflections mirrored in tranquil waters beside elegant pagodas, honouring lovers reunited beneath the stars. Beyond the festival, Hangzhou offers year-round beauty through tranquil teahouse experiences, historic temples and serene gardens, all steeped in cultural tradition and natural beauty.
Where to stay: Located beside the ethereal beauty of West Lake, The Nook Hotel offers a serene retreat surrounded by misty willows, UNESCO-listed gardens, pagodas and ancient temples. Blending warm wooden foundations with stone, glass and aluminium, the hotel is furnished with locally inspired photography and handcrafted-style furniture, capturing Hangzhou’s timeless elegance. It provides a peaceful haven where couples can linger over morning tea and soak in the lake’s tranquility.
Nestled along the dramatic North Wales coastline, Llandudno is a classic seaside town celebrated for its Victorian elegance, sweeping bay views and beautifully preserved promenades. On January 25, visitors can experience St. Dwynwen's Day, Wales' own celebration of love, named after the country’s patron saint of lovers, Saint Dwynwen. The day is marked by thoughtful gestures and the exchange of hand-carved wooden love spoons, a centuries-old symbol of affection and commitment. Beyond the celebrations, visitors can take a stroll along the iconic Victorian pier, ride the historic Great Orme Tramway for panoramic coastal views, or enjoy traditional seaside pleasures along the North Shore. For those wanting to explore more of what the country has to offer - a one-hour drive will open up North Wales’ treasured landscapes, from Mount Snowdon’s rewarding summit hikes to the enchanting valleys, lakes and storybook villages of Snowdonia National Park.
Where to stay: Just moments from the seafront, this 5-star Escape Boutique B&B blends Victorian charm with contemporary comfort. Guests wake to sea breezes and soft coastal light, before enjoying breakfast made with ingredients from award-winning local butchers. This intimate hideaway offers the perfect base for couples exploring Llandudno’s romantic traditions.
Every February 14, Manila hosts one of the world’s most extraordinary celebrations of love and equality: a government-sponsored mass wedding festival that brings together thousands of couples from all walks of life. Their collective “I do” becomes a powerful declaration of hope and commitment, surrounded by the support of family, friends, and community. Following the city’s emotive declaration of love, travelers can explore the historic streets of Intramuros, browse vibrant markets, admire historic architecture, and savor the city’s diverse culinary scene. On an immersive culinary tour visitors can taste Manila's soul first-hand, experiencing generations-old family recipes reimagined by street vendors, each telling a story of Filipino heritage and innovation. Manila pulses with creative energy, from galleries and underground music venues to its waterfront promenade - a city of surprises at every corner.
Where to stay: In the heart of Makati’s bustling central business district, Makati Diamond Residences offers modern, luxurious accommodations with fully equipped kitchens in every room. Just steps from the Mass Weddings Festival, in addition to other local attractions including bustling Ayala Avenue, and the lifestyle and enterprise hub of Legazpi Village, it provides a peaceful urban retreat where guests can return each evening to relax and reflect on the day’s unforgettable experiences.
As autumn paints Cleveland in burnished golds and crimson hues, the city comes alive for Sweetest Day, a uniquely Midwestern tradition celebrating love through small acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures. Observed on the third Saturday of October, the holiday invites travelers to exchange handwritten notes, tokens of affection, and create meaningful memories. Cleveland also offers a rich cultural tapestry rooted in its industrial heritage, independent galleries, and a vibrant music scene that continues to define the city's identity. Explore the city like a local on guided e-bike tours through its vibrant neighborhoods, stroll along the scenic shores of Lake Erie, or immerse yourself in its legendary music history. Food lovers can savor innovative small plates and locally crafted brews in the city’s celebrated culinary scene. With fewer crowds than traditional Valentine’s destinations and the warmth of Midwestern hospitality, Sweetest Day offers a distinctly American celebration of love amid one of the Midwest’s most dynamic urban backdrops.
Where to stay: Located in downtown Cleveland, near the waterfront, Fidelity Hotel is a warm refuge where Midwestern hospitality meets contemporary elegance. Guests wake to Lake Erie's seasonal palette, steps from Cleveland's pulsing cultural epicenter, then retreat to thoughtfully appointed rooms, a sophisticated restaurant, craft-focused bar, and rejuvenating wellness center to unwind after days of discovery.
True to its name, Saint-Valentin is a charming village in France’s Indre department, nestled in the Centre-Val de Loire region, named for a third-century priest who risked imprisonment to marry lovers in secret defiance of Roman law. Celebrated as the village of lovers, it carries a legacy of rebellion, honoring love's triumph over all else. Saint Valentin transforms into a living Valentine’s postcard each February 14, with streets and squares awash in red and rose-gold decorations for symbolic vow renewals. Year-round, Saint-Valentin captivates with its medieval charm. Visitors can wander cobblestone streets, browse local artisan shops, enjoy intimate cafés serving traditional French patisserie, and stroll through romantic gardens filled with vibrant red roses. Set against rolling pastoral landscapes, this intimate village offers a distinctly authentic French experience, free from big-city bustle, yet saturated with timeless romance and cultural tradition.
Where to stay: Just a short drive from the village of Saint-Valentin and tucked within a beautifully restored historic building, Le Logis de Saint-Cyr in Issoudun is an intimate stay that seamlessly blends period charm with modern comfort. Guests awake to garden views from their rooms, where kitchenettes and private dining areas invite leisurely mornings paired with daily continental breakfasts made up of fresh pastries and local cheeses. Step onto the sun terrace or settle into the tranquil garden to embrace the timeless French countryside atmosphere. This property captures the authentic charm and peaceful togetherness that defines the Saint-Valentin spirit in every corner.
*Research was commissioned by Tripeden.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who had taken a leisure trip in the last 12 months with an overnight stay and plan to travel in 2025. The sample comprised 32,106 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January 2025. USA N=2,000, Canada N=800, Spain N=800, Italy N=800, France N=1800, UK N=1800, Germany N=1800, Netherlands N=800, Denmark N=500, Sweden N=500, Croatia N=501, Switzerland N=800, Belgium N=800, Ireland N=504, Austria N=500, Portugal N=800, Mexico N=1,800, Colombia N=800, Brazil N=1,800, Argentina N=800, India N=1,800, China N=800, Hong Kong N=500, Thailand N=800, Singapore N=800, Taiwan N=500, Vietnam N=800, South Korea N=800, Japan N=1,800, UAE N=500, Australia N=1,800, New Zealand N=500.