All you need is love
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Whether or not you like to celebrate Valentine’s day, it’s difficult to escape all the heart shaped signs that
surround the occasion.
Curious to know some of the stories behind this tradition?
Saint Valentine’s day has its origins in both Christian and Roman history, but it became the day of romance
in the Middle Ages. It was commonly believed in France and England, that the middle of February was the
beginning of birds’ mating season and when Chaucer composed a poem celebrating the royal engagement
of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia February 14 became associated with love. The tradition evolved and
in the late Middle Ages, young lords were invited to draw the name of the maiden who would “be their
Valentine”, the one they would woo for a week in the hope of winning her heart.
Over the centuries, the tradition of exchanging love messages and gift giving has evolved, with cultures
around the world putting their own spin on it.
In Japan, it is the women who give chocolates on Valentine’s Day, not only to their lovers, but to all the
men in their lives, co-workers included! A month later, on a day called “White Day”, the gentlemen are
supposed to return gifts to the ladies, in the form of chocolates, flowers, sweets or other gift, often white in
colour.
In the Chinese tradition, lovers like to exchange gifts they can wear or keep on them. Love is also
celebrated on the Qixi festival (also known as the Double Seventh because it falls on the 7th day of the 7th
lunar month), a date associated with the folk legend of the impossible love between a cow herdsman and a
fairy, who are reunited in the Milky Way for one night a year.
Want to surprise your loved one on Valentine’s day? Let us inspire you!
Top 5 romantic places in Geneva
to enjoy a glass of champagne "en tête à tête"
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In the back of a taxi-bike while riding along the embankment
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While crossing the lake on a “Mouettes" water bus
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On the world’s longest bench overlooking the Bastions Park
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On the footbridge of the Conservatory in the Botanical garden
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In the cablecar going up to the Mont Salève
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