According to my boyfriend, our first ‘official' date was a hike up Lions Head to watch the sunset.

It was our fifth encounter; I liked him, but I didn't see us being any more than just friends so when he asked me to join him for the hike I gladly accepted.

After about 45 minutes we reached the top and sat down to enjoy the sunset when, to my surprise, he pulled out from his backpack, an ice cold bottle of my favourite white wine, Haute Cabriére Chardonnay Pinot Noir, two wine glasses securely wrapped in a red checkered dish cloth, a block of Camembert and Brie cheese, a small wooden board and a packet of Melba toast.

Clearly the little backpack wasn't filled with a bottle of water and his camera.

Needless to say, as much as I thought we were ‘just friends' that event marked the beginning of our ongoing love story.

Wine, cheese and sunsets share a universal meaning that rarely means ‘just friends'.

So if you are planning on making an impression this Valentine's Day, sweeping the love of your life into your arms and living happily ever after pay close attention because as the saying goes:

‘He who has achieved success, has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.'

If you don't have a lot of money, be innovative.

There is nothing that a girl likes more (and hopefully some guys too, if you wish to ask him out on a date) than feeling like she is the only women on the planet on Valentine's Day.

And seeing that Cape Town is blessed with so many beautiful locations, Valentine's Day doesn't need to burn a hole in your pocket.

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Watch the sunset: on the beach

Pack a light picnic, a blanket, perhaps a candle or two, some mossie repellant and make your way down to any one of Cape Town's remote beaches including Derde Steen on the West Coast just past Big Bay, Sandy Bay, Bakoven or Misty Cliffs.

Remember drinking alcohol on the beach is illegal, so pack a bottle of Appeltiser and wine glasses to maintain the ambience.

Watch the sunset: on the mountain

The most important thing here is to inform your date to bring walking shoes and perhaps a head torch.

Pack all of the above but include the wine.

Some of the most romantic spots away from the crowds can be found along the Pipeline trail on Table Mountain, accessed at the top of Kloof Nek road at the turn off to the Table Mountain Cable Car; the boulders to the right of Llandudno beach; on the sand dunes on the hill above Sandy Bay accessed from Hout Bay; and any one of the nooks and crannies along Chapmans Peak.

Lions Head is a great option too, but it might be a bit crowded.

Putt-Putt in Mouille Point

Bring back childhood memories over a game or two of Putt Putt. The course is situated along the Mouille Point promenade just twenty meters from the pounding waves.

You are guaranteed to laugh a lot and afterwards you can stroll along the water's edge, hand-in-hand, admiring the view of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill and watch as the yachts sail past in the distance.

For the early birds, watch the sunrise from Rhodes Memorial

Perched high above the city lights at the foot of Devils Peak, this historical monument, guarded by eight lion statues, overlooks the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains. Watch the sunrise from behind the mountains and then treat your date to either a breakfast or a home baked cake and tea at the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant which opens at 7am daily.

Watch Shakespeare at the Maynardville Open Air Theatre

Catch this year's Shakespeare production entitled, ‘As you like it' at the Maynardville Open Air Theatre in Wynberg. Pack a picnic filled with goodies to be enjoyed before the show on the grass in the lush garden next to the theatre.

Stay at home

Wrap fairy lights around the trees in your garden. Line the garden with candles in sand in brown paper bags. Prepare a light dinner or just snacks and don't forget a big comfy blanket.

Read up about the star constellations so that after dinner you can lie back and impress her with your knowledge.

With all these tips you are sure to win the heart of your Valentine this year.

Don't be boring and settle for overpriced flowers, expensive restaurants and a card that could never say exactly how you feel.

Be innovative, romantic and take the time to find out what it is he or she likes and then spoil them rotten.

Give a little more this Valentines Day Spoil your loved one with a suprise trip. It's easy. Our packages include flights, car rental, accommodation and meals.