Romance on the Road: Russians Favor Exotic Getaways Over Paris for Valentine's Day

A new survey reveals a shift in how Russians envision the perfect romantic escape. According to data from the ticketing service KupiBilet, shared with Lenta.ru, traditional notions of Valentine's Day travel are being replaced by a thirst for adventure.

The top choice for a dream February 14th trip with a partner is an exotic destination, with Sri Lanka and Madagascar leading the pack. This option appealed to nearly a quarter of respondents. In second place were classic seaside resorts like the Maldives, Sochi, and Turkey, favored by 21% of those surveyed. Mountain getaways, including Mineralnye Vody and Austria's Hallstatt, rounded out the top three.

Perhaps most telling is the declining allure of the so-called 'City of Love.' Only 13% of Russians now consider Paris the world's most romantic destination, suggesting its iconic status is waning among these travelers.

The survey also highlights an untapped market: while a mere 8% have actually taken a Valentine's trip, a significant 33% express a strong desire to do so. The majority, 59%, remain uninterested in the concept altogether.

This data follows earlier research from the same service indicating that 32% of Russian women dream of traveling to Europe, a contrast to the broader preference for long-haul exotic locales for the February holiday.