If flowers and chocolate just won’t cut it, and it’s thrills your loved one is seeking instead, what can you do to celebrate your love a little differently this Valentine’s Day? With Airbnb Experiences, there are many out of the ordinary options available for you to choose from. So, if you’d prefer excitement over aphrodisiacs, here are some Valentine’s ideas on the more adventurous side of life:
Dance the day away
Hike to a beautiful waterfall in the Stellenbosch mountains for a Waterfall Waltz, far more romantic than dinner and dancing.
You’ll take an easy hike through Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, filling your bottles with pure mountain water on the way. Once you reach the waterfall you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch while you enjoy the magical sound of the flowing water.
Risk of romance: Is there anything more romantic than swimming together under a gorgeous waterfall?
Cost: R980 per person (including coffee, tea, hiking permits, rusks and cheese).
Find bliss on a boat
Get up close and personal…with sea life, for a romantic day out searching for dolphins, whales, seals, penguins, sunfish, and other ocean wildlife.
The Ocean Wildlife Encounter is a boat experience with a difference.
Your trip will be guided by Airbnb Experience host Paul and his skipper, both skilled in finding the creatures of the ocean – as well as boat safety, of course.
Risk of romance: Share the experience of seeing incredible wildlife up close, with jaw-dropping views of Cape Town and Table Mountain.
Cost: R850 per person.
Soak in some scenery
Why take a scenic drive, when you could ride a Vintage cycle over Chapman's Peak. This experience, run by host, Paris the Pro, a professional cyclist with 25 years’ experience, is a tribute to celebrating cycling history.
You’ll hop on a vintage hand-made steel frame bicycle (helmets also provided), and meander along one of the world’s most scenic roads. Chappies, as it is commonly known, was built in 1920 and took seven years to complete. To this day it remains a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Risk of romance: The iconic Chapman’s Peak boasts some of the most spectacular views in the world. It’s a slam dunk!
Cost: R700 per person.
Paddle like a pro
This penguin picnic and stand-up paddleboard Airbnb experience is a three-and-a-half-hour kayak tour, setting off from the calm waters of Simon’s Town. Your hosts Craig and Beau, are experienced stand-up paddle boarders and they aim to show people a fun and exciting way to experience the ocean.
Before long you will reach the exhilarating movement of the False Bay waters, where you will encounter a few locals from the Boulders Beach penguin colony. Aside from this exhilarating experience, you will have the chance to picnic on the beach afterwards. It’s a fun couple’s activity and a unique way to see and experience the ocean.
Risk of romance: Paddling along with breathtaking views and the chance of some penguins joining you, you can’t help but feel giddy from the rush.
Cost: R850 per person (including snacks, drinks and equipment).