Being the romantic that I am, when I think of this date idea, I conjure visions of running barefoot through orchards, selecting plump, ripe fruits for my fruit basket and feeding berries by hand to my lover… for some, that may be a reality but God knows my husband wouldn’t have a bar of it! Nonetheless, a day in the sunshine picking beautiful juicy fruit (frolicking or not!) is a wonderfully romantic way to spend an evening.

A lazy afternoon floating along an idyllic river or quiet lake, among the ducks, with a thermos of hot chocolate and a decadent afternoon tea… what could be more lovely or more dreamy? If you really want to ramp up the romance factor, take a book of love poems and quote Keats as you drift under weeping willows…

There is something deliciously romantic and steamy about two hot, sweaty bodies pressed together on the dancefloor… Take your date to a dance class and whirl them around in a haze of pheromones and latin music. It may take a few lessons before you start to resemble Johnny and Baby, but don’t forget that you can always Dance Like No One is Watching in the privacy of your own loungeroom later. If these fiery dances are going to be a bit too much to handle, opt for a romantic, soft Waltz or even the Rhumba… it is the dance of love after all.

This is strictly an after-dinner date. Either eat at home or pick up your date well after dinner time and find a sticky, wicked dessert spot in which to indulge together. Order a coffee to ensure you’ll stay awake and then eat your way through the dessert menu – order one of everything your tastebuds desire, with two spoons. Sinful!

A long soak in the tub for two… remember those? Start by cleaning the bathroom from top to bottom – use baking soda and vinegar so there are no harsh chemical smells. If you have small children, remove all evidence of bathtime toys and hide them in a cupboard.
Take a trip to a specialist store and find some yummy goodies to pop into the bath. We love Lush or the Body Shop – think fragrant bath oil, bath bombs, bubbles… if you’re feeling really indulgent, drop in at a florist for some loose rose petals and pick up a bottle of champagne!

Pipe some relaxing music into the bathroom, light up the requisite candles and give each other a foot rub as you drench yourselves in the water…. Make sure fresh, fluffy towels are on hand for off once you’ve turned wrinkly and pat each other dry from tip to toe! Bliss.

Make it a special dinner – pull out all the stops! Start by planning a menu. Your darling’s favourite foods? Or perhaps three courses that are just made for lovers! Aphrodisiacs, anyone? Think oysters, asparagus, dark chocolate, strawberries…

Then, set up the house for pure romance… soft music with husky vocals, mood lighting, set the table with the best silverware and linen. Dress yourself up before you start preparing dinner and tempt your partner to join you in the kitchen with a glass of wine while you cook. Try pre-preparing as much as possible so you can spend more time sitting at the table gazing into their eyes and less time peeling potatoes.

Once you’ve spoon-fed each other dessert, lead your darling to the loungeroom to sway around together to the music before retiring to the boudoir to finish your evening in style!