Italy

Originally, Valentine's Day was known as the Spring Festival in Italy. The young and in love congregated outside in gardens and other public places to listen to poetry readings and listen to music before enjoying a stroll with their lover.

Another Valentine's Day tradition in Italy was for young, single females to get up before dawn to look for their future spouses. The first man a lady saw on Valentine's Day was thought to be the man she would marry within a year. Or, at the very least, he'd look a lot like the man she'd marry.

Today, Italians commemorate Valentine's Day by exchanging gifts between lovers and hosting romantic dinners. Baci Perugina, miniature chocolate-covered hazelnuts wrapped with a love statement printed in four languages, are one of the most popular Valentine's Day presents in Italy.