Celebrate the last days of summer with a bit of al fresco romance this Valentines Day
Not that kind of romance…
When we talk about al fresco romance your thoughts might immediately move to all kinds of racy things done in gardens, but thanks to South Africa’s very strict public decency legislation, that is NOT where this is going.
We are much more interested in all the invigorating, exciting and perfectly legal ways you can have some outdoor romance with your special person.
A good ole’ picnic.
Nothing beats a lazy day, a comfy blanket, a spot of shade and a picnic basket packed with treats and snacks and special drinks.
Pack a perfect picnic, find a peaceful park, and spend some real one-on-one time with your loved one. Picnics are perfect for relaxing and starting important conversations away from tech-distractions and over eager waiters.
Here’s a list of picnic essentials and some delicious picnic friendly recipes
Our favourite picnic spots include:
https://www.getaway.co.za/travel/travel-ideas/6-tranquil-picnic-spots-in-gauteng/
Hike it up.
If you need a bit of action, why not go for a hike and test you and your partner’s physical limits?
Hikes and the act of walking (and enduring) together can teach you a lot about your partner. Are they tenacious, are they whiney? Do they have staying power and a bit of grit? Either way, you can learn a lot from a hike. The real magic is the fact that it is good for you, mind AND body! A day hike is perfect but if you want to elevate the experience you can also go on a hiking mini-break and attempt a couple of hikes over a weekend spent in one of our beautiful mountain ranges.
Some of our favourite hiking spots include:
https://www.getaway.co.za/things-to-do/hiking-activities/hiking-bucketlist-south-africa/
Outdoor concerts
If sitting down is more your thing, an outdoor concert, festival, or screening might be the thing for you. Many parks and botanical gardens or estates often host these kinds of outdoor experiences, and they are always a treat. Just remember that the seating here is usually first come first serve, sometimes camping chairs are not allowed which means you might be spending an evening on the ground, and it is not always possible to get a refund if you bought a ticket and the event is cancelled due to weather. Also – very little privacy is guaranteed.
Kirstenbosch gardens regularly host these kinds of evenings, and they can be extremely special.
https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/kirstenbosch-concerts/
Jo-burg also offers a few:
https://www.songkick.com/concerts/41501341-orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark-at-marks-park
Beach day(s) or weeks…
If all of this sounds way too intense for you (we are being sarcastic) and you just want to hang out with your partner, why not just opt for a nostalgic beach day? We are blessed with some of the best beaches in the world and whether you head northeast to the warm Indian ocean or brave the raging Atlantic of the west coast, we guarantee you will have a wonderfully relaxing time. Unless you live close to the coast, it’s probably best to make a long weekend or even mini-vacation trip of this. It’s up to you. Just remember, it is critically important to stop for ice-cream!
South Africa’s best secret beaches
On the west coast we love these little hidden beach gems:
On the east coast we love:
