Your Valentine’s plans sorted!

In case you’re out of ideas for the perfect Valentine’s Day date with the man in your life or your girlfriends’ party suggestions just aren’t up to scratch, we’ve got some ideas for fun activities for lovebirds and single ladies alike to get up to.

Looking for the perfect outfit for your night out? Find it here, then watch as GLAMOUR fashion director Bronwyn Day styles local celebs like Nomuzi Mabena, Pearl Thusi and Chianosky in romance-ready looks.

Durban

If mellow, live entertainment is your thing, watch Gangs of Ballet and the Durban City Orchestra at the Durban Botanical Gardens this Valentine’s Day. The combination of nature and live music – Durban City Orchestra’s lush sounds and Gangs of Ballet’s indie rock – is sure to make it a day well spent. Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za and cost R120 presold and R140 if you buy them on the day.

Check out the Valentine’s Date Decider on Spiga D’Oro’s Facebook page to find out what the restaurant (and its bar, The Upstairs) has planned for the loved-up weekend. Think dinners (you’ll want to make a booking soon if you’re planning on dining at the ever-popular Spiga), a concert, and our personal favourite, delicious Spiga d’Oro picnic hampers that can be ordered, collected or enjoyed at your leisure in a location of your choice.

Feeling decided unromantic, but definitely in the mood to party? Head to Origin to fall in love all over again with acts like PH Fat and Veranda Panda. Doors open at 8:30pm and entrance will cost you R60 before 10PM and R80 afterwards. Find out more here.

Looking for a date with a view? You’re in luck – thanks to the Moses Mabhida Stadium SkyCar’s extended Valentine’s hours. Enjoying the sunset or the night’s sky will set you back R55 just per person, and you can find out more by calling 031 582 82 42 or visiting the SkyCar website.

Johannesburg

Who do you feel like kissing on Valentine’s Day? Bring them along to Electric Kiss at Maboneng’s MOAD and you’re likely to get your wish. The party features a heart-shaped circle that kissing couples will light complete, and light up, plus entertainment from the likes of BLK JKS Soundsystem and Half ‘n Half. Wear UV-friendly clothing, grab that special someone and bring along R50 entrance fee to 281 Commissioner Street from 8pm to 2am on 14 February.

Continuing with the flawless combination of music and nature, the first South African Valentine’s festival will be happening at Marks Park on 16 February 2014 at 12:00. Acts that will be performing at the Loved Up Festival in the Garden are Lisa Kekaula, Goodluck, Michael Lowman, Claas Brieler and Clara Hill. Ticket prices range from R150 to R250 and are available at www.webtickets.co.za.

For the single ladies looking for love – or a good night out and some fun new friends – Wolves Cafe and Another-Day are hosting a Valentine’s Day speed dating event, Another-Date 2. It’s happening on Tuesday 11 February at 7pm at Wolves Cafe. Your ticket not only gets you in but you also get a red velvet cupcake and tequila shots. Added to the mix is a line-up of four mystery VIP bachelors and bachelorettes: “The Famous One”, “The Lookalike”, “The Independent Woman” and “The Sweet Tooth”. Tickets are R40 from Wolves Cafe, and include not just entry and participation but also a red velvet cupcake and tequila shot. Don’t forget to RSVP on the Facebook event page.

Cape Town

If you feel like rocking out, you can take your man or your girlfriends to Venus in Furs’ Prom Night to see Desmond and the Tutus at The Assembly on Valentine’s Day. It’ll have everything you can expect from a prom, plus you can go all out by dressing up for the night or even showing up in a limo. Other acts performing on the main stage are Holiday Murray, Good Cop Bad Cop and Blue Ivy. Entrance is R40 before 10pm and R50 afterwards, and you can get any other info you need from the Facebook event page.

If you’re up for some elegant wining and dining, Tsogo Sun’s special deals on the on the day of love. You can go any one of their hotels (the Southern Sun the Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront, Southern Sun Cape Sun or Southern Sun Newlands hotels) for a dinner that comes with a complimentary drink and live entertainment, all from R260 per person. You can extend the experience and stay overnight for only R1250 per room. The price includes breakfast. For more information, visit tsogosun.com.

For a whimsical morning road trip followed by a romantic breakfast, Delhiem’s Estate’s Garden Restaurant is the location you’re looking for. The estate is hidden away in the peaceful slopes of the Simonsberg just outside Stellenbosch and for just R75 per person, you can enjoy Delheim’s romantic Valentine’s breakfast. Looking to show some pre-Valentine’s love to your colleagues? Opt for a staff outing with their Day Time Valentine’s Treat for R45 per person. Bookings are essential, so contact Delheim on 021 888 4607 or [email protected].

The Crystal Towers Hotel and Spa Valentine’s Special costs R545 per person for a three-course menu specially decided for the most romantic day of the year, plus bubbly on arrival! Bookings are essential, so go right ahead and email [email protected] or call 021 525 3888.

For the month of February, The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Spa is offering a Deluxe Romantic Package including a full body Swedish massage, hot stone back massage, TheraVine™ appetiser facial and fresh fruit platter with a complimentary glass of champagne at the hotel’s spectacular rooftop Skybar for R1750 per couple. Booking are essential, so contact 021 430 0511 or [email protected].

Also at the Cape Royale, the Bistro 1800 restaurant will be having a three-course dinner with complimentary glass of champagne on Valentine’s Day. The starters include oysters to share and the main is a choice between a juicy beef fillet or smoked wild salmon. This comes at a cost of R500 per couple or R300 each if you’re planning a night out with the girls. Bistro 1800’s special catering continues through to Saturday with a brunch buffet for R195 (with a glass of bubbly!) from 11:30am. Reservations are essential, so call 021 430 0506 or e-mail [email protected].

Something else all the nature lovers can indulge in is a special Valentine’s deal at the Table Mountain Cableway. From Monday 10 February to Sunday 16 February and for R140 per person, you can enjoy the Table Mountain Cafe’s Valentine’s menu with a glass of De Grendel wine. For more information, call 021 424 8181 or visit www.tablemountain.net.