The red-enveloped cards didn't clog your letter box today; nobody loves you, but hey, you didn't really want a card anyway after all, Valentine's Day is a just a commercial con, right?.

Well, dry your eyes and spare some love for these romance-starved destinations.

Truelove Lowlands, Devon Island, Canada – world's loneliest Island
Don't be fooled by this Canadian island's name; it may sound romantic but in fact you're highly unlikely to find any loving there; Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on Earth and the only company you'll find is the odd musk ox and a polar bear or two; they may look cuddly, but these carnivorous beasts are more likely to eat your heart than warm it.

Rotorua, New Zealand – love stinks
If you looked at a picture of Rotorua, you would be fooled into thinking it was a romantic love zone due to its handsome appearance. Set in beautiful countryside with numerous opportunities for spa treatments and pampering, it certainly seems to be a good place to woo a lover. But there's one big turn off sure to extinguish any hopes of romance; the whole town absolutely stinks. As a thermal hotspot the air is saturated with the smell of eggy sulphur; not exactly the scent of love.

Belgorod, Russia – where Valentine's Day is banned
This town in Western Russia has banned Valentine's day shenanigans in schools and government offices, claiming that it promotes promiscuity rather than true love. "It's designed to swell the emotions, and you know what kind of teenage liaison happens then" – said Grigory Bolotnov, a spokesman for the governor of Belgorod.

Japan – it's a man's world
Valentine's day in Japan really is a man's world. On February the 14th, women buy men gifts (normally chocolates) and men buy women: nothing! However, hard line feminists should not start getting their knickers in a twist; the ladies get their own back the following month. The 14th of March is White Day, where men return the favour and buy a necklace, ring or a stuffed animal (a toy, not a real one!). Japan is also the land of the ‘Love Hotel' where amorous couples can rent rooms by the hour in often bizarrely themed establishments across the country.

Bronx Zoo, New York – love bugs
Forget flowers; cockroaches are the new Valentine's gift for Americans who have ‘caught the love bug'. The Bronx Zoo is selling naming rights for Madagascar hissing roaches: "Flowers wilt. Chocolates melt. Roaches are forever" goes the strapline. We're wondering whether naming a cockroach after your boyfriend would be more apt as a breakup ritual rather than a Valentine's gift, but apparently 1000 names were sold on the first day of the promotion.

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