Lady’s 9 Places to Travel in a Leap Year

Leap Day is coming! If you’ve been waiting four long years for February 29th to come around again, now’s the time to get out of your seat and celebrate. Or travel. In fact, if you’re thinking about taking a trip (or ten) this year, you might want to plan carefully. Some countries consider leap years lucky, while others see them as cursed. To help you plan, here are great places to travel in a leap year—and a few to avoid!

Places to Travel in a Leap Year

1. Ireland

If you’ve seen the film Leap Year, you know it’s an old Irish tradition for women to propose marriage to men on Leap Day.

The origins are debated—some say it started when St Bridget popped the question to St Patrick in the 5th century.

Regardless of where it came from, it’s a great excuse to travel to Ireland this year. Especially if that boyfriend of yours just won’t get down on one knee.

2. Finland

Finland is another country with a female proposal tradition on Leap Day. However, if the man says no, he owes the woman fabric for a skirt. Presumably so she can wear it to attract a better man.

So if you’re in the market for some new clothes this year (and you don’t mind getting rejected by your beau), head over to Helsinki and get that Marimekko pattern you’ve always wanted.

3. Denmark

In Denmark, the tradition is similar, although the proposal should take place on February 24th in a leap year, not the 29th. And if the woman is rejected, the man owes her 12 pairs of gloves.

This is probably so she has something to cover her ring finger with after it turns black and blue when she punches him for rejecting her. 12 pairs of new gloves could be worth the pain (and airfare, if they’re nice gloves), though.

4. USA

Anthony, Texas is the self-proclaimed “Leap Year Capital of the World”, so the town is one of the best places to travel in a leap year.

Each Leap Day, it holds a four-day festival that includes a big birthday party for all leap year babies. Hopefully the rest of us are welcome to attend, or it’s going to be one small festival.

Places Not to Travel in a Leap Year

5. Scotland

It’s with great sadness that I warn you against traveling to Scotland in a leap year.

Well, at least if you’re a shepherd bringing your flock over Hadrian’s Wall. According to legend, “Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year” in Scotland, and your ovine companions might not fare as well as you do in the Highlands.

6. Greece

Rumor has it that it’s bad luck to marry in a leap year in Greece.

If you’re planning a wedding this year, that beautiful beach on that remote Aegean island probably isn’t the best idea. Which is too bad, because Mamma Mia! really inspired some of us.

7. Italy

In Italy, the phrase “anno bisesto, anno funesto” or “leap year, doom year” is invoked.

There are many theories as to the origin of this saying, but it’s thought that everything from natural disasters to erratic behavior in women can be seen during years with a Leap Day in them.

8. Russia

Russia also considers leap years times of bad luck. As with Greece, marriage is out of the question in a leap year, as is buying a house.

And like Italy, these years are said to bring climactic extremes and general gloom and doom. Which is also funny, because I thought gloom and doom were kind of every year things in Russia. Have they not read Tolstoy?

9. Taiwan

Taiwan is another place to avoid on Leap Day.

Parents are thought to be more likely to die during a leap year, so some daughters return home around February 29th to bring pig trotter noodles and wish their mothers and fathers good health and fortune.

Where to Travel in a Leap Year

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to places to travel in a leap year (and places to avoid). Wherever you go this year, I hope you have a great time.

Where do you consider good or bad places to travel in a leap year?

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