Ah yes, February. The month of love. The month where you don’t have to feel bad for being cheesy, lovey-dovey or sappy. February is truly the time of the year (but not the only) where you can go all out with cards, candy and corny (pick-up) lines. And what better way to celebrate love than popping the big question and asking someone to marry you.

With Valentine’s Day falling in the middle of the week, why not make an extended escape to the Overberg and treat your partner to a long weekend leading up to the day. And when it comes to romantic locations, we can all agree that L’Agulhas and Struisbaai at the southern tip of Africa is a special one indeed.

So after planning this to the T – you have the ring, you have your whole speech planned – the question now becomes, Where? To help you answer this question, we’ve put together 5 truly memorable options and easy tips to ensure that you pick the perfect spot to suit you and your partner:

For the adventurers

It should be exciting. When popping the big question, you need to remember that it has to be an impactful moment that you will look back on for years to come. So for the adventurous at heart, why not have your special moment at the southernmost point of the African continent. Whether you go on one knee next to or perhaps on top of the monument, this will be a moment cemented forever in your relationship. Those who really want to get wild can also head into the Agulhas National Park and amidst the stunning variety of fauna and flora here, take the next step in your relationship.

For the classic romantics

Ambience is key. To create that lasting moment for the romantic you need to pull out all of the stops and we have just the recipe. The bustling towns of L’Agulhas and Struisbaai have been graced with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the longest beach in the southern hemisphere. So how about going for a nice walk along the beach (preferably at sunset) and then stopping by a secluded spot where you have set out a lovely picnic with your partner’s favourite nibbles. Here you can sweeten them up with stunning views over the ocean and the sounds of waves breaking while enjoying some bubbly (to ease the nerves) until you take a knee on the soft sand and watch their face light up with the glow of the setting sun. This quiet setting allow you to fully take in the moment and also makes for a great “just engaged” selfie.

For the lovers

Planning is important. For this proposal to go off without a hitch and to keep to the moment focused on your partner, it is important to make sure you have everything organised. Here we suggest booking a table at one of the great places to eat in either of the villages and letting your loved one know that you are treating them to a nice dinner and not just grabbing a quick fish ‘n chips. It’s always a good idea to try and give your partner a heads-up that it’s a special occasion so that they can look their best...but without spoiling the surprise of the proposal of course.  Once settled, you can ask the waiter to bring over some champagne so that you can pop the bottle and then pop the question at just the right moment. You might even consider placing the ring in the champers or even setting the mood with some oysters - these coastal towns do have some incredibly succulent seafood to offer! (We don’t however suggest you put the ring in the dessert.)

For the hopeless romantics

Make the moment last forever. If you’re a hopeless romantic at heart then you’ll want your moment where you ride off into the sunset or propose on top of the Eiffel Tower, just like the classic love stories (but without the tragic Titanic ending). And Cape Agulhas can provide you with just that..in a matter of speaking. You can take to the beach atop your mighty steeds and gallop in the shallow surf at the break of dawn or as the sun dips behind the horizon. And as you take a break to canter along, ask your lass’s hand in marriage. Those looking for a different perspective on things can climb to the top of Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and as you stare at the point where two oceans collide, you can bring together your hearts with a glorious ‘Yes!’.

For the pamper partners

Make it intimate. For the attentive, always-there-for-you partner this is when you get to spoil them and make them feel extra special. Book your weekend away at one of the luxury accommodations and treat yourselves a lavish getaway for just the two of you. Enjoy full spread breakfasts, lounging at the pool, getting pampered at the spa - a couples massage is always fun - and end the days off with intimate dinners in the lodging restaurants or in your suite. Feeling spoiled and relaxed, the question will come easy and the answer will be the cherry on top to a perfect weekend.

Image courtesy of De Hoop Collection

So there you have it. With a great destination, a variety of luxury accommodations, a full menu of intimate dining experiences and now a list of tips and ideas for the big moment, you can now pop the question on Valentine’s Day with confidence.

Oh.. and Congratulations! :)

We’d love to hear about YOUR special Valentine’s Day memories and/or proposals in the Overberg! Email us at info@xplorio and let us know.