You have six months till Valentine’s Day – you better start planning if you want to make it spectacular!

A few years ago, I experienced the most romantic Valentine’s weekend of my life! My very handsome partner arranged a flawless weekend surprise sans my input that left me – Miss Know-it-all-control-freak) speechless!

An email invitation arrived on the preceding Wednesday with the following instructions (I love instructions!):

“You will be required to prepare the following for a Valentine’s weekend away. I will pick you up Friday 17:30. More info to follow.
- A passport
- Warm clothing
- Summer clothing
- A sense of adventure”

Now I was intrigued! We arrived at OR Tambo and yep… We were off to London! For the weekend? Oh my gosh! I couldn’t contain my excitement. We landed on a typically chilly London morning and found our way through the terminals to get on to the infamous tube. We got off at the station closest to Big Ben and took a brisk walk to Southwark Hotel, where a dayroom had been booked for us to freshen up and rest (or not!). Southwark Hotel is a real gem in the centre of London.

Our first excursion was a ride on the London Eye’s special Valentine’s Day voyage. Couples who booked in advance were given special treatment, with roses for the women, a fast-tracked queue and champagne and chocolates during the ride. As we sipped champagne and let the chocolate melt in our mouths, floating high in the sky, the euphoria was palpable. A true visual and sensory pleasure.

Just when I thought I couldn’t contain myself any longer, my man whisked me to one of my favourite museums – the Tate Modern. We had lunch at the restaurant on level seven, which has the best views in London. Afterwards, we strolled through the museum taking in some of the great art and exhibitions on display. After a whirlwind morning, a nap in our dayroom was definitely the next exciting prospect. By the time we checked out and got on to the tube back to Heathrow, we were energised by our sense of adventure. We flew overnight – this time to Cape Town.

A whiff of summer splashed across our faces as we exited the airport with our Avis chauffeur driver. He whisked us off to the Marina at the Waterfront – my favourite place for accommodation in Cape Town, as I find hotels claustrophobic sometimes. We freshened up and changed into comfortable clothes. I walked out on to the patio, amazed at all the splendour and beauty that surrounded me, and I felt truly lucky to be alive. Choked up by emotion, I quickly gathered myself as the chauffeur had returned to collect us for a picnic on Table Mountain. Simply breathtaking!

I still savour that moment of pure decadence and indulgence; a time when I truly surrendered to life and to another and let myself receive. Love. Life. That’s what it’s all about – to surrender.

So HOW did we do it?

The itinerary was as follows:

FRI  22:00 Flight departs from OR Tambo to Heathrow

SAT  06:55 Arrival at Heathrow
          07:30 Tube to London – yes, we minded the gap!
          08:30 Checked in for a day at Southwark Hotel, followed by a well-deserved nap
          10:30 A brisk walk to the London Eye for a Valentine’s Day special     voyage
          11: 45 A hop across to the Tate Modern Museum for lunch and time to view some exhibitions
          15:00 Stroll back to the hotel in time for another nap and checkout
          17:00 Airport pick-up
          21:30 Depart for Cape Town

SUN  07:30 Arrive in sunny Cape Town
           08:30 Airport pick-up
           09:30 Check-in at the Marina
           12:00 Chauffer pick-up for picnic on Table Mountain

MON  06:00 Flight to Jo’burg
           09:00 Back in the office! Whew!

So next Valentine’s Day, indulge in all things spectacular. I insist.