Last-minute VALENTINE's DAY Ideas

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Nelson Mandela Bay is ready,
waiting to spoil a loved one and you!

 

The shops are dressed in red, everything smells like chocolate and romantic one-of-a-kind dinner courses are ready to tickle taste buds all across the Bay’s restaurants. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Valentine’s Day is upon us and if you have completely forgotten about this day on the calendar but still want to spoil a loved one, don’t worry.  

And if you can’t get to your favourite spot in the middle of the week because it is fully booked or because you are working the next day, why not save the best for later and make it a Valentine’s week? Besides, Every day is Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’re a foodie couple, or love birds chasing sunsets and adventures, or perhaps you want to de-stress together, there is defiinitely something for in Nelson Mandela Bay to do during the month of love.

Sail away

Explore Algoa Bay from the islands to the sea life with Stampede Cruises’ unique boat trips on a 38ft power catamaran. There are various cruises on offer, differing in time and price:

• Cruise from Port Elizabeth Harbour to Cape Recife on the water front cruise (2 hours for R250, light snack and soft drink included).
• Explore the Zwembesi Oyster Farm (R300, 6 oysters p/guest included).
• Cruise from the harbour to St Croix, Jahleel and Brenton Island and see African penguins (R750, light snack and soft drink included).
• Custom cruises are also available.

Get a couple’s massage

Instead of just spoiling your loved one, why don’t you spoil yourself too? Go for a couple’s massage at one of the Bay’s finest spa centres.

Shambala Wellness Spa is situate in Walmer and have a wide variety of treatments for couples; you can relax under a starlit sky together and get a back, neck and shoulder massage, or try the steam chamber, the hot stone massage and many more.

Isango Gate in Summerstrand offers a Couples Escape (Rasul ceremony, salt scrub, mud wrap, full body massage, Jacuzzi and champagne), and the Couples Bliss (Rasul ceremony, back, neck and shoulder massage, Jacuzzi and champagne).

If you want to combine your treatment with a visit to Addo Elephant National Park, visit Casa Mia Spa in Addo. There is a Couples Retreat and you can enjoy the sauna, have a full body Swedish massage, an Indian Head Massage for him and a Spa Manicure for her and enjoy the Jacuzzi together.

Be romantic and pack a picnic

Enjoy a sunset from Schoenmakerskop with a blanket and a basket filled with treats from one of the bakeries in the Bay. If you don’t want to pack your own basket, you can always arrange to have a picnic at Thunzi Bush Lodge, or make use of the weekend picnic facilities at the Elephant Walk restaurant and deli (picnic food is available for purchase over the weekends).

Watch a movie

Move your picnic to your car, and get old school with a drive-in night at Something Good Roadhouse.  The cost is R100 per vehicle, you can order snacks from the take-away menu and a kiddies movie will show from 19h00 to 20h00, while the all-time classic, Pretty Woman, will start at 20h30.

Wine and dine

If you want to treat your loved one to a special evening of fine food and fine wine on Valentine’s Day you might not be able to get a last minute seat at your favourite restaurant. Why not extend the idea of Valentine’s Day and dine over the weekend at one of the Bay’s restaurants? Read more about No 5  by Mantis, where to get the best burger and incredible Italian food in Port Elizabeth.  

Be a kid again

Sometimes we do things as kids and then, as we get older life gets busy, and we miss out on the fun. Enjoy the 18-hole putt putt course at the Boardwalk, you can go tenpin bowling there to (at the Lighthouses), or go bowling at Baywest. And while you are there you might as well experience the rest of the game centre or go ice skating.

Say cheese with a couple’s shoot

Lights, camera, action; when last did you get some professional photos with your loved one? 10 years ago when you got married? Change that during Valentine’s month and spoil yourself with a couple’s shoot. With stunning beaches, a historic and colourful city, parks and coastal forest, you will be spoiled for choice if you want to do a location shoot. Plus, the Bay boasts talented and award-winning photographers… all you have to do is smile!

Have a staycation

Drop the kids off with the grandparents and whisk your wife or husband away on a romantic staycation. And you don’t have to go too far, there are numerous lodges, hotels and guesthouses in the Bay –secluded and away from the busyness of your every day life – where you can escape to for a special treat.  

Say ‘I love you’ with coffee

Just like pristine beaches are part of the Bay’s DNA, so is Mastertons Coffee.  This Valentine’s Day Mastertons Coffee and Tea Specialists are giving us all the chance to say ‘I love you’ with a perfect gift: coffee and chocolate. There is a unique Valentine’s Blend available as well as the melt-in-your-mouth Dark Chocolate with Ethiopian Coffee from the Belgian Chocolatier, Sjukla. Visit Mastertons at 114 Russell Road to get your hands on this heavenly combo.

And just in case you haven't heard it yet... happy Valentine's Day!