February 8th, 2012
Valentine's Day really is that one holiday we love (to hate). However, it is born out of a good place, but like much we celebrate today it has morphed into a big-toothed heart shaped monster thanks to our consumer culture. But! The good news is it is easy to recapture the magic with that special someone and truly celebrate the beauty of this "holiday". It is as easy as going back to basics; and what's more basic than a picnic?
Step 1 - A killer, yet effortless, collection of goodies.
Keep it down to four dishes; we are going for less is more here. Fruit is great, and you can recreate a Grecian worship scene by feeding your lover a couple of grapes. Then there is the picnic staple, bread. Whether you choose to make gourmet sarmies at home or just pick up a couple of pita pockets with a few slices of fresh tomato, cheese and chicken to stuff inside, you have a winner either way. Then don't forget to round of the meal with a lovely bottle of bubbly, or romantic red wine and something to leave the mouth with a sweet after taste.
As for the hardware, all you need is a blanket, two glasses, plates and cutlery, plus a few cushions, sunscreen (if it's a day time affair) for comfort and maybe some salt and pepper.
Step 2 - The perfect location.
If you have a beautiful backyard, or live down the road from the beach there is your elementary answer. If you want to live it up a little more, the location is the real magic maker. Here is our picnic wish list:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, need we say more?
Image by capetowndj.com
Llandudno Beach because it is the beautiful beach just beyond the crowds of Clifton.
Image by capecondo.com
The milkwood trees of Melkbosstrand provide the perfect backdrop for a west coast romance.
Image by beachvilla.co.za
Dream in each other's arms at the Mbashe River where Nelson Mandela once walked as a boy.
Image by ecdc.co.za
The manicured lawns of the Union Buildings Gardens have been a favourite for many generations.
Image by brooklynguesthouse.co.za
By the Witpoortjie waterfall of the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
Image by outdoorphoto.co.za
In the heart of the Modjadji Cycad Forest Reserve, for the beauty of the cycads and the allure of the rain queen.
Image by traveljournals.com
In the dramatic scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the Vredefort Dome.
Image by hartrao.ac.za
The banks of the meandering Thukela River and its lagoon in the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve.
Image by kimssoutafrica.blogspot.com
PE's Happy Valley is perfect for a night-time affair, with fairy lights on the bay's beachfront.
Image by portelizabethdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Step 3, well the rest is up to you tiger.
So there you have it! As simple as that, avoid the rush, the crowded restaurants and the gimmicks. Happy Valentine's Day travellers.
Still starved for ideas? Check out our Romantic Travel section.
User Comments
FxBSIaLtACWmpTSubmitted by Kaique on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 21:51. |
Crestwood Suites-37129 -We have been sintyag here for a month. I have been noticing one of my little girls with bites.. I brought this up to my wife as bed bugs. Of course she did not think i knew what i was talking about. Until 6-25-11 7:00am she wakes me up and has a bed bug in a cup and asks me what it is.. I told you so They want to move us to a different room only problem with that is if one room has them they all have them . The movement of towels,bedding,and pillows will never stop spreading of bedbugs.The hotel has to tighten up..They are going to have to bring in the pest control company before anyone is safe from bedbugs. It will have to be necessary expense. I have heard other guest talk about the problem here. I know the hotel has known about the problem for some time.Before you stay here ask them how they are handling the bed bug problem. As fare as I know when you have a problem with bedbugs they will want to move you to a different room. This is not the way to handle bug problems. CALL PEST CONTROL AND GET IT FIXED-CRESTWOOD SUITES HOTEL |
