Romance can sometimes be hard to find, hidden among the day-to-day grind of work, admin, and mind-crushingly boring chores like cooking and cleaning.

Whether you’re in a new relationship, or you’ve been married for decades, it’s important to keep the romance alive. And sometimes that means getting away from the daily routine. Trying to have a romantic evening at home runs the risk of stress over the unvacuumed carpet, who is going to wash the dishes, or admin tasks getting in the way.

This Valentine’s Day, escape the city with your partner, because sometimes you just need time to connect with each other without distraction. Also, pretty surroundings don’t hurt either. The home-sharing platform Airbnb has some listings in far-flung, romantic corners of the country for you to consider.

 

Escape to the seaside

If you’d love to be close to the beach, you can’t get any closer than La Mer in Paternoster. The self-catering cottage is right on the beach in the seaside town and is described as a perfect location for couples wanting to get away. Here you will find “the best views of breathtaking sunsets and endless beaches”.
Price: R1254 per night.
Romance factor: The balcony, complete with indoor fireplace, looks right on to the sand and is the perfect spot to sit for hours and watch the sunset, and the stars together, with nothing but the sound and smell of the ocean for company.

 

Wine down a little

Tanagra Wine Farm is described on Airbnb as an “idyllic working wine farm” close to McGregor, with a variety of cottages available for guests, either on the main farm or tucked away on the “wild part of the farm”. Guests have access to the garden, swimming pools (either a shared pool under the canopy of the farm’s giant wild fig tree, or private plunge pools at the farm’s more secluded cottages), and the trails on the farm. All guests are invited for a tasting of the farm’s wines and spirits.

Price: R1105 per night.
Romance factor: The “Faraway” and “Hill” cottages are tucked away from the main farm. Enjoy a delicious bottle of wine from the estate, have a dip in your private plunge pool, or take a stroll through the “pristine veld and fynbos” or along one of the hiking trails.

 

Get your glamp on

At Le Petit Karoo Ranch near Oudtshoorn, you can camp in style in a luxury tent on a hill looking over 50 hectares of stunning, serene landscape. Here, you can “relax in a South African nature setting that will stay with you for a long time”. Previous guests raved about the setting, with most noting that they only wished that they could stay longer.

Price: R745 per night.
Romance factor: Perhaps the best, and most romantic, feature of the luxury tents is the spa bath with a full view of the beautiful mountains surrounding the farm.

 

Relax by the river

River Goose cottage is located on a tree-lined street in the popular weekend-getaway destination of Greyton. For those wishing to get away from everything in a stress-free environment, with a variety of amenities within reach, this is the destination for you. You’ll have a “lovely”, fully-equipped en-suite bedroom with private entrance to yourself, with a kitchenette for convenience. Previous guests in the cottage have described their stay on Airbnb as “quiet”, “tranquil”, and “peaceful”.

Price: R695 per night
Romance factor: Enjoy coffee, breakfast, or a relaxed glass or two of wine from your own beautiful private outdoor patio area. And if you feel like a romantic stroll, you’ll find a park and the Gobas River just across the road.

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