Let's celebrate love with 8 Local Guides from around the world

[DeniGu]

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who celebrates! 

Saint Valentine’s Day started as a religious holiday in Rome many centuries ago, but it was in the UK that the custom to exchange cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts originated. Today, many countries observe Valentine’s Day on February 14th, even if a similar local holiday exists. And while there’s a great deal of commercial popularity around this day, we wanted to take a moment and simply celebrate love!

Here’s what eight Local Guides shared about Valentine’s Day in their region and the ways in which Google Maps helps them to enjoy the holiday.

Caption: A storefront photo of Heaven Scent The Flower Store showing a red, white, and pink decoration of flowers, balloons, and glass cubes that spell the word “love.” (Courtesy of Local Guide @abermans)

In the UK, hearts, cupids, and roses take over the display decorations in stores across the country. “Chocolatiers unveil elaborate heart-shaped boxes of pralines and truffles. Card aisles burst with traditional cards and gifts like plush teddy bears holding heart balloons,” @abermans shares. Sam and his partner of 33 years tend to avoid the crowds on Valentine's Day, but instead keep the romance alive through small everyday gestures: a surprise home cooked dish, flowers bought “just because,” or a sticky note with a loving message.

Sam, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

I enjoy documenting the Valentine’s displays through photos on Google Maps. Being able to look back at the decorating trends over the years provides a sense of nostalgia. It would be wonderful if Maps featured some of these storefront photos prominently around February 14th each year. This could help locals and visitors alike get into the romantic spirit.

Caption: A photo of two chocolate cakes decorated as ships with the words “Damian, 5” and “Jayden, 3” on them. (Courtesy of Local Guide @Stephanie_OWL)

In Germany, Valentine’s Day was first celebrated in 1950. It took a while for the holiday to gain popularity across the country, but as @Stephanie_OWL puts it, “nowadays, you can't avoid this day; EVERY store advertises it.” While she always receives flowers, February 14th is special to Stephanie for another reason: her two sons’ birthdays. And with her husband’s birthday just a few days earlier, February is a month for love and baking! 

Stephanie, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

Now that our sons are older, things are getting more romantic again. For the past few years, I have been looking for a nice restaurant on Google Maps or even a romantic hotel for a weekend trip.

Caption: A selfie of Local Guide Luigi and his wife smiling while enjoying dinner at Pizzeria SUD in Lucca, Italy. (Courtesy of Local Guide @LuigiZ)

In Italy, bakeries, chocolates shops, and flower shops prepare special Valentine’s items in beautiful packaging and many restaurants introduce fixed menus for couples with champagne and dessert. @LuigiZ and his wife like to exchange the famous Italian chocolates “Baci Perugina” and sometimes even hide them around the house for each other to find. 

Luigi, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

I use Google Maps to look for flower shops and their opening times. If we plan to have dinner without the kids, we look for the right restaurant in the area. We have so many restaurants and so many offers that often we forget about all the options, so Google Maps comes in handy.

Do you have a favorite restaurant to celebrate? 

We really love Peperosa in Lucca. It is a very chic restaurant for special occasions; fine dining with excellent wine choices. Another favorite spot is the beautiful Serendepico, a villa on top of the hills just outside Lucca, where you can enjoy Japanese fusion cuisine.

Caption: A selfie of Local Guide Jake and his wife smiling in the snow during a trip to the town of Strawberry, Arizona. (Courtesy of Local Guide @JustJake)

In the U.S., kids exchange little cards and candy at school, while chocolate, roses, and jewelry are popular gift ideas among adults. @JustJake and his wife have been married for almost 15 years, and they like to acknowledge the day with a quiet evening at home with some takeout, which Jake says is “difficult with two young children.” He likes to leave funny cards with cartoons or puns about love around the house for his wife to find. 

Jake, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

We'll search around Maps for whatever we're in the mood to eat, looking at menus and photos. Our entire meal can be found and ordered directly from Maps, which is great. If we do have to pick up, I'll always snap a couple of photos of the restaurant or the food for Maps (again, difficult with 2 young children & 1 always hungry Dad). 

Do you have a favorite restaurant to celebrate?

Our go-to for, basically, any holiday or celebration (birthdays, solstice, Tuesday) is Chinese take-out from Flo's. Flo combines Chinese and other Asian-inspired dishes, and we're partial to the Spring Rolls, Chicken Lettuce Cups, and Thai Basil Chicken.

Caption: A photo of Local Guide Priscila and her partner sitting at a table decorated with three red roses and enjoying a meal for Valentine’s Day on board the Disney Dream cruise ship. (Courtesy of Local Guide @PriscilaJimenez)

In Argentina, Valentine’s Day is gaining popularity among couples who celebrate with flowers, chocolates, a fancy dinner or a nice date out. @PriscilaJimenez from Buenos Aires typically plans a romantic dinner with live music, while @SebaasC from Rosario always looks for the best gluten-free coffee shop or weekend trip ideas.

How do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

Priscila: I look into my Google Maps lists for a nice restaurant with a romantic and cozy vibe and read the latest reviews, updates, and promos. 

Sebastián: My wife is celiac, so we try to discover new places with gluten-free products. Sometimes, it is not easy, so when we do find a good one, I leave a proper review to help other people with the same problem. I have even made a Maps list of Gluten-free places in Rosario.

Caption: A selfie of Local Guide Sebastián and his wife Mariana smiling on top of a hill in Córdoba, Argentina. (Courtesy of Local Guide @SebaasC)

Do you have a favorite spot to celebrate?

Priscila: My favorite Valentine’s Day options in Buenos Aires are: Las Patriotas (great live music, wine selection, and mini dishes to share), Bebop Jazz Club (awesome live music, empanadas, and drinks), and the SushiClub Recova (amazing sushi and drinks).

Sebastián: Some of our favorite gluten-free restaurants are Maururu and Aquabar and for coffee and pastries, we go to Delulú and Gout Gluten Free Alto Rosario.

Caption: A selfie of Local Guide Alexandre and his wife Adriana in a restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, celebrating Valentine's Day. (Courtesy of Local Guide @AlexandreCampbell)

In Brazil, there is a holiday called “Dia dos Namorados” or “Lovers’ Day.” It’s celebrated on June 12th, the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, who is known as the “Matchmaker Saint.” According to @AlexandreCampbell, many people celebrate their love on both Lovers’ Day and Valentine’s Day, and those not in a relationship can choose to go to special parties to find a partner! 

Alexandre, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

The “Brazilian Valentine's Day” on June 12th is busy, so I use Google Maps to select a restaurant based on its reviews and location, get contact information to check whether a reservation is needed, and find the best route to it.

Do you have a favorite restaurant to celebrate?

I intend to celebrate Valentine's Day this year at Porto Geraes Restaurante. I've been a few times. It's close to home, has very good food, and is affordable.

Caption: A photo of a student browsing shelves of packaging supplies in various patterns, with paper flowers, bear balloons, and “Valentine’s Day” signs arranged at the top. (Courtesy of Local Guide @Izumi)

In Japan, where @Izumi lives, Valentine’s Day means chocolate. Whether it’s female students confessing their love to male students by giving them carefully wrapped handmade chocolates, friends exchanging tomo choco (“friendship chocolate”) or women buying beautiful limited edition chocolates for themselves, 30% of the country’s yearly chocolate consumption happens in the two weeks before Valentine's Day!

Izumi, how do you use Google Maps during Valentine’s Day?

I like limited edition chocolates. However, in my case, I choose gluten-free and low-FODMAP foods. That's why I search for gluten-free restaurants and confectionery shops on Google Maps, read the reviews, check the directions, and pick a place that best suits my taste and is within one hour from where I live.

Do you have a favorite spot to celebrate?

Some popular spots with beautiful illuminations that I would like to visit during this period are the Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima Sea Candle. Valentine's Day events are also held at the Moominvalley Park in Hanno, Saitama.

Local Guides, do you celebrate Valentine’s Day or a similar holiday in your region? Let us know below.