It’s that time of year again: if you’re a Valentine’s Day hater (come one, I know you’re out there) then you’re probably coming up with ideas for escaping the romance of the 14th of February. Being an avid anti-Valentine’s Day celebrator myself, I thought up 10 ideal places to totally avoid all the romance.
Beach escape
De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Overberg is thousands of hectares of wild fynbos, gorgeous beaches, and mountain biking and hiking trails. Hike for hours from the campsite and you’ll definitely escape Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Wild escape
The Kgalgadi Transfrontier Park is pretty big and pretty unromantic (lion kills don’t make for great backdrops for champagne-swilling lovers). You’ll be able to lose yourself in the wilderness and forget about heart-shaped chocolates as you hear the grinding teeth of a predator gnawing through a zebra leg.
Luxury escape
Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg has won loads of awards for being a pretty awesome lodge. The food’s amazing, rooms are sumptuous, and there are endless Cederberg hikes just past your verandah.
Desert escape
Go desert trekking and sleep under the stars on a Tok Tokkie Walking Trail in NamibRand Private Nature Reserve in Namibia. The desert’s a big place, and I can guarantee that you won’t bump into any irritatingly-in-love couples.
Mountain escape
Conquer a mountain instead of sharing champagne in a restaurant. Why not? Kilimanjaro is out there, waiting for you.
Island escape
Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, being almost 3000 km from the nearest continent (South Africa). Honeymooners and Valentine’s couples are unlikely to make the long sea voyage out to Tristan da Cunha, and there are only 264 people on the islands, so you won’t have many romantic couples to deal with.
Camping escape
Set up camp with you, yourself and a bottle (or three) of wine. For inspiration, here are five of Getaway‘s favourite campsites in Southern Africa.
Gourmet escape
African Relish is a fantastic cooking school in the foodie dorp of Prince Albert. Stay for a weekend and visit the Saturday morning market, do wine and olive tastings, cook up a storm and eat the feasts you prepare.
Gorilla escape
What could be more romantic than getting groomed by a mountain gorilla? Not much. Book your gorilla package with Getaway Adventures here.
Extreme escape
Saudia Arabia – where Valentine’s Day is banned.
Photo by Evan Haussmann.
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