Chocolate, flowers, or a romantic trip for Valentine’s Day? It looks like the Romanians want to share a beautiful vacation with the person they love, as the number of those who choose to spend this special day abroad increases by the year.

Local online tour operator Paravion has sold 40% more city breaks for this year’s Valentine’s Day, compared to last year, the average budget for a romantic weekend in Europe amounting to some EUR 230 per person.

However, the Romanians’ budget and the list of favorite destinations have changed this year. If the couples paid an average of EUR 300 for a romantic mini-holiday and chose destinations such as Rome, Paris, Munich and Prague in 2015, this year’s average budget amounts to EUR 250 per person (EUR 500 per couple) and the top destinations are Amsterdam, Lisbon, Paris, and Rome.

Most tourists have chosen Amsterdam for their Valentine's getaway and paid an average of EUR 257 for plane tickets and three night stays at a 3-star hotel. The most popular packages for Portugal’s capital had an average price of EUR 340 per person and included the plane ticket and a 3-night stay at a 3-star hotel, breakfast included. When it comes to Paris, most Romanians preferred the packages with an average price of EUR 280 per person, which includes a 3-night stay at a 3-star hotel, breakfast included, and the plane ticket.

“Given that the overall sales for city breaks have increased by more than 55% from the beginning of the year until now, compared to the same period last year, the Valentine’s Day holidays have also increased significantly. The Valentine’s Day city breaks have a share of 11% in the total sales registered so far,” said Remus Visan, managing director Paravion.

The most expensive Valentine’s Day package sold by Paravion this year had a price of EUR 950 per person and included the plane ticket and a 7-night stay at a 4-star hotel in Dubai, breakfast included.

According to Paravion, the Romanians started booking the Valentine’s Day city breaks early this year. January 8 was the busiest day, with 8% of the romantic city breaks being sold on this day.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com