Scots voted UK’s true Valentines

Forget notions of ‘city break’ Londoners putting others to shame this Valentine’s Day. It is people in Scotland (36%) and Yorkshire (34%) who are most likely to whisk their loved ones abroad this February, and European city breaks have overtaken the Big Apple and winter sun breaks for a February getaway, according to new research from American Express Insurance Services.

With Valentine’s Day looming, American Express Insurance Services asked 2,500 people where they plan to go this February and, for those thinking of popping the question, where the ideal place would be to go down on one knee.

Key Findings

Love is in the air - 37% of those planning a February break are setting off on a romantic city break. A cultural trip to a European city proved a much bigger draw than a trip to New York or an island paradise. Valentine’s breaks also pushed aside non-romantic breaks – including; family holidays (14%), ski breaks (3%), a spa break with friends (5%), a golf trip (2%) and a drinking holiday with friends (3%).

The Valentine spirit of romance seems to favour the under 25’s. These are the age group most likely to go away this February, whereas those over 55 are least likely to plan a romantic break (22%).

The research also suggests that busy working Britons that usually struggle to have quality time week-in week-out are making up for this by doing something special on Valentine’s Day. Couples that both work full-time are the people most likely to be jetting off this week (48%), yet they are also the group that generally claim to struggle in juggling home and work commitments (35%). They also claim to have no free time at weekends (44%), and lack time to sit down daily and have a proper meal (9%). For busy working Britons, Valentine’s Day is a welcome oasis in a year punctuated by long working hours, stress and limited time to connect with loved ones.

When thinking about popping the question on Valentine’s Day, almost one in four people (23%) say it is not where you propose, but how you propose that matters. New and emerging ideas on popping the big question include: going on a hot air balloon; proposing on the ski slopes; hiring a private yacht; assembling loved ones at a top restaurant and taking a cruise. That said, a vocal minority bring love back to earth with a thump - thinking it is acceptable to propose in the local pub (4%) or by text message (1%).

Chris Rolland, Head of American Express Insurance Services commented: “The variety of romantic breaks being taken, in terms of location and new ideas about how to pop the big question, dispels notions of there being a typical or average way to spend Valentine’s Day. This is one of the reasons why American Express doesn’t offer average travel insurance. We recognise people are busy and individual in their travel preferences and this shows itself in the range of travel insurance products and services we offer.”

How to escape Valentine’s Day - top choices for single Britons

A culture break in Europe with friends
A stress - busting pampering holiday at a spa with girlfriends
A ski holiday with friends
A drinking/clubbing holiday with friends
A relaxing break alone – away from partner
A singles holiday to find love
Round of golf with friends in the sun

American Express has launched three new travel insurance products to meet the varying needs of British travellers – Annual Essential Cover, Select Cover and Annual Prestige Cover. Visit americanexpress.co.uk/tis for more information.