Most romantic destinations for a declaration of love

You can say “I love you” anywhere, but February is a special month. It’s a time when you either want to escape winter to the tropics, or, conversely, find comfort in snow-covered ancient cities, warming yourselves with mulled wine and hugs. A trip for two at the end of winter is the best setting for Valentine’s Day or simply a reason to remind each other of your feelings. Leading up to February 14th, we’ve chosen 6 specific locations — from scorching tropics to the harsh north — where romance becomes tangible.

The Wall of Love in Paris without the tourist crowds

February Paris has a special charm: there are far fewer tourists, and the city is enveloped in a light misty haze. Square Jehan Rictus in Montmartre, where the Le mur des je t’aime wall is hidden, becomes quiet and intimate in winter. The trees stand bare, which gives the place a graphic quality and melancholic romance. The phrase “I love you,” written 311 times on dark blue tiles, looks especially vibrant against the gray winter sky.

Ideal scenario: come here in coats and scarves, warming each other’s hands. After the declaration at the wall, there’s no need to look for a park bench — immediately head to the legendary “Café des Deux Moulins” nearby to warm up, where they serve excellent onion soup and hot chocolate. To arrange this French weekend, you need to buy tickets to Paris on Kupi.com, for example, with a layover in Belgrade, and then take the metro to Abbesses station.

Verona in Love Festival in Italy

In February, the famous Arena di Verona is silent — open-air operas are not performed due to the cold. However, in mid-February, the city transforms for the Verona in Love festival. The streets are decorated with thousands of red hearts, and heart-shaped market chalets are set up in Piazza dei Signori. Winter Verona lacks the summer heat but is filled with the atmosphere of a celebration of love.

Ideal scenario: stroll under the illuminations on Via Mazzini, peek into Juliet’s courtyard (it’s less crowded in winter), and have dinner in a cozy trattoria with hearty polenta and local Amarone wine, which is perfect for warming up in cold weather. The easiest way is to find plane tickets to Venice, and from there it’s just an hour by train to Verona.

Snowy fairy tale in Cappadocia

Cappadocia in the snow is a sight that surpasses even summer views. The reddish rocks and “fairy chimneys” are covered with white caps, creating an absolute sense of a fairy tale. Hot air balloons fly even in winter (if there’s no strong wind), and the contrast of bright domes with the white ground looks fantastic.

Ideal scenario: book a room in a cave hotel with a fireplace. At dawn, step out onto the snow-covered terrace, wrap yourselves in warm blankets, and watch the balloons ascend into the frosty sky. After this, you can go warm up in a Turkish hammam. It’s worth getting tickets to Istanbul in advance, and then transfer to a flight to Kayseri.

Misty Venice and Carnival

February in Venice is a time of mystical fogs and the famous Carnival. The city at this time doesn’t smell of blooming water; it smells of dampness, coffee, and fried “fritelli” donuts. The canals are often enveloped in a thick haze, from which gondolas silently emerge. This is the most mysterious and cinematic atmosphere for lovers.

Ideal scenario: rent a gondola, wrap yourselves in a thick blanket, and glide along the quiet canals of Cannaregio, where the fog muffles the city sounds. And if you happen to be there during the Carnival dates, you can become part of a grand ball, wearing masks and cloaks. The easiest way is to buy tickets to Venice on Kupi.com (usually with one layover).

Mountains and wine in Sighnaghi

In February, the “City of Love” Sighnaghi is often dusted with snow, and the view of the Greater Caucasus Range becomes even more dramatic due to the glittering glaciers. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the “City of Love”: its architecture with narrow cobbled streets and red tiled roofs resembles Italian Tuscany. But its main feature is the House of Weddings, which operates 24/7. This time of year, it’s quiet and peaceful here. The 24-hour registry office is still open, but there are no queues, and Georgian hospitality only gets warmer to compensate for the outdoor chill.

Ideal scenario: get married or simply say important words while looking at the snow-covered Alazani Valley, and then hide away in a restaurant by the fireplace, ordering hot khachapuri, kharcho, and homemade red wine. You can even get married at 3 AM. You don’t need to apply a month in advance — just have your passports, two witnesses, and the desire to be together. First, you need to buy tickets to Tbilisi on Kupi.com, and then get to Sighnaghi by taxi or marshrutka.

Tropical rain in Bali

February in Bali is the rainy season, but for lovers, it’s more of a plus than a minus. Rains in Ubud are usually heavy but warm and refreshing, making the jungle incredibly vibrant green. There are fewer tourists, prices are lower, and waterfalls are fuller than ever.

Ideal scenario: rent a villa with a private pool and jungle views. When a tropical downpour begins, there’s nothing cozier than watching the wall of water from a dry terrace, listening to the sounds of nature. And in the “windows” between rains, walk along the damp and fresh Artists’ Trail. Look for tickets to Denpasar to swap your down jackets for swimsuits.