London, 25 February 2020: For those planning to propose on February 29th 2020, multi-mode travel planning platform Omio has unveiled further romantic inspiration by revealing the charming destinations that are considered the birthplaces of ancient leap year traditions. 

Folklore surrounding the extra date in the calendar, which was introduced by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. and only appears every four years, goes back as far as the 5th century. It is believed the rule which allows women to propose to men on February 29th stems from a deal that Saint Brigid of Kildare struck with Saint Patrick in Ireland to equal out rights between the genders, similar to how the extra day balances out the calendar. Back in the olden days, if a leap year proposal was refused, the man was expected to buy the woman 12 pairs of gloves so she could hide her ringless hand.

Over in Scotland it is alleged that in the year 1288, Queen Margaret of Scotland created a law that allowed women to propose marriage - as long as she wore a red petticoat. If a woman's love interest rejected the proposal, he was also forced to pay a fine. Meanwhile, the Fins believed that February 29th was the only day of the year to bring a couple luck if the woman proposed to her partner - with a fine high enough to cover a new skirt due if he turned her down. 

A tradition in Germany's Rhine region usually sees young men leave a small birch tree decorated with colourful ribbons on the doorstep of their crush on the 30th of April. During a leap year the custom can be reversed so female admirers can surprise their love interest with the romantic offering on February 29th.  However, while a proposal on February 29th might be blessed with luck, couples should avoid getting married during a leap year according to a Greek myth, which deems the entire 12 months unlucky.

For travellers planning to take a 'leap of faith' and get down on one knee on February 29th, Omio has revealed the most enchanting destinations that will add not only a romantic backdrop, but also a sense of tradition to the occasion.

Dublin, Ireland

With its rich cultural offering and vibrant nightlife, Dublin is always a good idea! The tranquil County Kildare - protected by Saint Brigid who is believed to have struck the leap year deal - is less than a 40-minute drive away for travellers wanting to combine a romantic countryside proposal with a lively city engagement celebration.

Fly from London to Dublin in just under 1.5 hours.

St Andrews, Scotland

St Andrews is not considered one of Scotland's most romantic destinations for nothing. From blustery walks by the seaside to marvelling at the dramatic ruins of the ancient Roman Catholic cathedral,  the town oozes historic charm. Those planning to pop the question won't be short of proposal spots - as long as they don't forget their red petticoat!

London to St Andrews is just over an hour by plane. 

Helsinki, Finland

With Finland named the world's happiest country for two consecutive years, the capital, Helsinki, makes for the perfect spot to celebrate an engagement. Known for its sea-facing cityscape, diverse architecture, design and culture as well as delicious Nordic cuisine, there are plenty of reasons to say 'YES' to a Finish proposal - and hopefully avoid the need for a new skirt.

Fly from London To Helsinki in just three hours.

Heidelberg, Germany

The charming university town of Heidelberg is located on the river Neckar and makes for the perfect couple's getaway thanks to its romantic cityscape which includes the picturesque Baroque old town,  Heidelberg Castle and what is dubbed the 'Philosopher's Walk'. Heidelberg is considered a hub of creative arts, especially literature – so where better to profess your love with an eloquent proposal? 

Reach Heidelberg by train from London via Brussels from just £61.

Athens, Greece

Travellers daring to tempt fate shouldn't miss out on beautiful Athens, the capital of Greece and a key pillar in the history of civilisation. Brimming with 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, there are plenty of romantic sights to soak up. The lush Diomedes Botanic Garden, or the atmospheric Orizontes restaurant overlooking the city's lights from its perch on Lycabettus Hill, both offer breath-taking spots to pop the question.

Fly to Athens from London in just under four hours. 

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About Omio, formerly GoEuro

Omio is a travel app and platform that allows customers to find and book trains, buses and flights across Europe. Partnering with over 800 European transport operators, Omio is revolutionising the travel planning experience, providing customers with more choice, transparent pricing and easier booking.

Omio lets travellers search for any location, including cities, towns and villages, showing the best possible transport combinations while eliminating the need to visit multiple websites to plan an entire trip. With Omio, travel planning is simple, flexible and personal.

The travel startup was founded as GoEuro in 2013 and rebranded to become Omio in 2019. Headquartered in Berlin, it has more than 300 employees from 45 different countries. The most recent funding round, totalling $150 million and led by Kinnevik AB, Temasek and Hillhouse, was announced in October 2018.

Omio is a brand of GoEuro Corp.

Press Contact

Kate Jones
kate.jones@omio.com
+49 (0)151 12403153