Love inspires travel, and for many couples, a getaway is the perfect way to celebrate connection.
Exploring the world, and the growth that appears while together along the way, can’t be replaced with any tangible consumer gifts. Booking.com’s travel predictions for 2026* found that more than half (54%) of Canadian travellers (54%) would consider travelling to a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort. 50% are intrigued by role-reversal retreats, where the usual planner hands over control or the introvert takes the lead, and an equal 50% would embrace travel with clear constraints, such as budget limits, language barriers, or limited connectivity.
A global leader in helping make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com celebrates the many ways love is expressed far and near. 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.
Hangzhou, China
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 19th. 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, not to mention, featured as one of the most welcoming regions in Zhejiang, China, in Booking.com 2026 Traveller Review Awards.
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.
Llandudno, Wales
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.
Manila, Philippines
Every February 14th, 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, travellers 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 (also one of Booking.com’s 2026 Traveller Review Award winning partners) 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.
Saint-Valentin, France
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, a Booking.com Genius partner 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.
* Travel Predictions 2026 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 29,733 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1,009 from Argentina, 1,005 from Australia, 500 from Austria, 1,013 from Belgium, 1,008 from Brazil, 1,018 from Canada, 1,009 from China, 1,005 from Colombia, 508 from Croatia, 501 from Denmark, 1,010 from France, 1,003 from Germany, 1,004 from Hong Kong, 1,007 from India, 509 from Ireland, 507 from Israel, 1,005 from Italy, 1,003 from Japan, 1,003 from Mexico, 1,019 from The Netherlands, 1,033 from New Zealand, 1,006 from Portugal, 500 from Singapore, 1,003 from South Korea, 1,009 from Spain, 511 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 1,001 from Thailand, 501 from the UAE, 2,003 from the UK, 2,010 from the US and 505 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in July-August 2025.
