Valentine’s Day is not about the expensive gifts, that was Hallmark’s invention. But we bet you if you don’t do something on Valentines Day for your special someone, you’ll most likely end up in the dog box.

Read more on all the Valentines Day Parties as well as romantic Valentines Day Restaurants in Cape Town.

Here are some tips on ways to sweet talk your way into your lady’s heart: from ZERO to HERO…

Active on Valentine’s
Wake your lady up early in the morning and go for a walk up Lion’s Head. With it’s beautiful view, sunrise promises to be spectacular and this is a great way to enjoy a private, romantic Valentine’s breakfast.

Valentine’s High
In the afternoon take her up Table Mountain for a sunset picnic. This will cost R130 per person and the sun sets at approximately 19h50. She’ll possibly feel like she is dancing with the revolving cable car’s views of the city, mountains and ocean all the way to the top of Table Mountain.

Valentine’s a Beach
It’s summer time so the best way to indulge in the sunset is by going on a picnic on the beach. Take a blanket, candles, and your lady. Great beaches to go to are Clifton and Llandudno.

Sexy Grapes on Valentine’s
Drive to the winelands with its comfortable grass slopes under trees and views of picturesque wine estates like Zevenwacht, Boschendal or perhaps Groot Constantia. Many of these wine estates sell a variety of picnic hampers.

Some romantic and affordable restaurants:
Limoncello – Gardens: Simple yet stylish.
Polana – Kalk Bay: Great view, rustic style.
Divas Observatory: Romantic, cosy pizza.
The Wild Fig – Mowbray: Authentic culture.
Cape to Cuba – Kalk Bay: Authentic and unique.
Carlyles – Vredehoek: Comfortable and casual.
Magica Roma – Pinelands: Casual and delicious.
Onewaterfront - Waterfront: Stylish award winning.
Paranga - Camps Bay: Posh & lush Camps Bay.

For a special dinner, pull some strings for a Wine Cellar Dinner for Two at the Five Flies, indulge at Constantia Uitsig, or Executive Suite (formerly The Towers) restaurant at the Westin (formerly the Arabella Sheraton).

The ever relaxed Fork Restaurant on Long street with its excellent tapas has 3 intimate cubicles upstairs, or perhaps see if you can book their balcony for a double date.

The revolving restaurant at the Ritz Hotel is a long forgotten place that still has the best views of a Cape Town sunset. Don’t worry – it goes really slowly, so you will be able to enjoy the view and your food.

Now for those of you who are hopeless romantics, and feel that your loved one deserves to be treated like a princess in the lap of luxury, here are some ideas.

A scenic helicopter flight at sunset for two. Tell your girlfriend you are taking her for lunch at the V&A Waterfront and surprise her with a winelands lunch in a helicopter to Lanzerac or Grand Roche.

Other options this Valentine's: Romantic Overnight Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve, a Chocolate and Wine Tasting.

Whatever it is you decide to do on Valentines…whether it’s going on a picnic, for a hike (God forbid you actually do this), or having a romantic dinner in any of Cape Town’s best restaurants….be sure to do it with a big heart and lots of love.

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