A romantic day out
Spend time with your loved one
January 2009
It's that time of the year again - Valentine's Day....when it comes to planning a romantic day or night out, Auckland is ripe with possibilities. Depending on your budget and exactly how much you want to impress your significant other, you can easily make plans with the fantastic options on offer indoors, outdoors and around the city.
At the more affordable end of the spectrum, a picnic is a great way to spend a few hours, and Auckland's many parks offer ample opportunities for a little privacy. Cornwall Park, Savage Memorial in Mission Bay and Mount Eden all combine rolling green grassy areas with gorgeous views on a good day, and are close enough to great cafes and delicatessens where a hamper can be well stocked. They also have ample free parking.
The Devonport area is also a great place to sit on the beach with a bottle of wine and a fresh batch of fish n' chips from one of the highly recommended takeaways that dot the main drag, and the ferry ride there and back from Downtown Auckland can only add to the ambience on a clear night.
Taking things up a notch, Auckland has numerous fine dining restaurants that win accolades on a more than regular basis, most of which are near to the centre of the city. The Grove, Dine and The French Café are all popular favourites for an intimate dinner for two, as are Vinnie's in Herne Bay and the still relatively new Meredith's in Mount Eden. Please be sure to book.
Lastly, if you're in the market to raise the bar even further, you can't go past the allure of dinner and a night spent at Mollie's boutique hotel (Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year). The breakfast the morning after is another treat, with a selection that includes hot offerings and freshly baked croissants prepared on the premises.
Editorial by Helene Ravlich