Celebrating Valentine's Day in Eastern Europe is a unique way to make memories that you can cherish in the future. Though many destination cities in the region continue to huddle under a blanket of cold weather in February, seasonal activities and festivals show how the locals embrace their winters. Hotels and restaurants are aware of the importance of Valentine's Day for travelers and accommodate with special pricing or package deals. For the most romantic February 14th visit to the region, plan well, pack thoughtfully, and take advantage of what each city has to offer by way of cultural activities, food and drink, and evening performances.

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• February in Eastern Europe

Celebrating Valentine's Day in Moscow will make for vibrant memories. The winter wonderland Russia turns into from around October to March is a side of the country that leisure travelers rarely experience. However, Russians know how to enjoy their long months of freezing temperatures, and travelers can learn from the locals. Warming meals and evening performances help to stave off below-zero temperatures and outdoor ice skating rinks, icebreaker cruises, and other winter activities enable visitors to take advantage of this special time of year.

Flowers and Chocolates photo credit: iStockphoto/cglade

If you've ever considered spending Valentine's Day in a European city, why not consider Warsaw? Warsaw's modern vibe that takes history in stride sets the perfect backdrop for romantic activities, which range from relaxing at a jazz club or spending a few hours in Old Town. Warm up over a candlelit dinner in the city center before resting up for another day of exploration in a cozy hotel.

• Valentine's Day in Warsaw

Love in Warsaw photo credit: iStockphoto/Tomasz_Domagala

Suzdal's long list of sights makes it a good candidate as a stop on your tour of the Golden Ring region of Russia. A kremlin, monasteries, convents, and what's left of the historic trade center are some of its attractions. A museum of wooden architecture preserves significant examples of these fragile structures. Though Suzdal has suffered plunder, fire, and the absence of a railway, it continues to thrive as a destination for visitors curious about Russia's past.

Suzdal photo credit: CC BY-NC-SA Routard05