With Valentine’s Day coming up, right now is the best time to start planning your Valentine’s Day surprise, instead of leaving it to the last minute like most people do. If you’ll be in Johannesburg for Valentine’s Day, and are stuck for ideas, look through the following suggestions and romantic styles before picking one that will sweep your partner off their feet. If you know of any other romantic Johannesburg spots, we’d love you to share them with us in the comments below.
1. Indulgent Romance:
Everyone wants to feel special on Valentine’s Day, so surprise your significant other by delivering a dozen roses to their workplace in the morning. Meet them after work armed with a box of their favourite chocolates, before whisking them away to an affordable getaway such as a fancy manor, homey guest house, or cosy B&B for the night. If you explicitly request it in advance, and are happy to pay an additional fee, many accommodation owners will gladly go the extra mile and lay out rose petals, champagne, or a bath-goodies basket for your special evening together.
Those after a few more luxurious touches could consider a couples massage at a day-spa, an evening show at a local theatre, followed by a decadent dinner at a nearby restaurant.
2. Simple and Sweet:
Slow your life down to those discernible moments of awe and happiness again by surprising your romantic partner with an afternoon excursion to Montecasino’s Bird Gardens. You’ll walk hand-in-hand through quaint cobbled streets, and get to enjoy the peaceful environment as you view the various habitats. Once you’re done walking, take in a Flights of Fantasy bird show. Depending on what time you arrived, consider sticking around for the Musical Fountains that will go off at 19:30, at the Montecasino Piazza; otherwise ensure you’ve pre-booked supper at a nearby restaurant in the casino complex.
If you’re not completely sold on the beautiful birds, another great option is to do a sunset or night time tour of the Johannesburg Zoo. Pack a picnic basket to bring with, and watch first-hand as the sleep cycles of the animals kick in. If you like this idea, then you’d probably enjoy a sleep-over inside the zoo even more! You’ll get to go on an evening walking tour, watch the night come alive around you as the nocturnal animals arise, and can end your day off by cuddling under the moonlight.
3. Civilized yet Cosy:
If you’ve both had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city, a leisurely river cruise away from it all is in order. Make a night of it, by spending an hour or so taking in the sights and surroundings of nature, while listening to the rumble of the engine coupled with your scintillating conversation. Ensure you’ve booked a cruise that offers dinner as well, like the Petit Verdot Floating Restaurant. You can then enjoy a sumptuous meal surrounded by the soft romantic glow of candle and star light.
4. Energy and Excitement:
What better way to inject some oomph into your afternoon than by turning your Valentine’s Day date into a challenge? Adventure Golf offered at Park Meadows shopping centre has a beautiful tropical setting, complete with waterfalls and waterways surrounded by lush vines, roses and palm trees. Your significant other will enjoy the gorgeous setting, and you can spend as long as you like competing, before grabbing a well-deserved drink at one of the nearby cafés, with the loser buying for the winner. If your partner’s the one who lost, make it up to them by presenting them with the box of chocolates you stashed in the car’s glove-box.
If adventure golf sounds too tame, then take to the skies with a chartered helicopter ride, (or the more budget-friendly hot air balloon ride). You’ll get to marvel at the city fading from view, as the multi-coloured landscape takes shape below you. After such an adrenaline-rush, slow things down by enjoying an evening picnic at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
What other Johannesburg specific Valentine’s Day ideas have you come up with?
Main image courtesy of niseag03 (Flickr)
