Grand romantic outdoor dates for special occasions

Three places within walking distance, a starter spot, a main place, a dessert café.

1. Starter: 30 minutes max. Order light.
2. Walk 10 minutes. Talk about the starter.
3. Main: take your time, the bulk of the meal.
4. Dessert at a third place. Walk home together.

A hotel or homestay 2–4 hours' drive away. One bag each. A playlist for the road.

1. Leave by 10am. Stop once for coffee, once for lunch.
2. Check in, walk the area for 30 minutes.
3. Dinner at the most-mentioned local place.
4. Drive back via a different route on Sunday.

A concert you have been holding off on. Pay for the better seats, the date matters.

1. Light dinner two hours before doors. Avoid heavy food.
2. Walk to the venue if possible, saves a transit nightmare after.
3. Stay for encores, no early exit.
4. Long walk after, ten minutes minimum, before transport home.

A balloon company near you. Book months ahead. Warm clothes, even in summer.

1. Wake at 4:30am. Tea in a thermos.
2. Listen carefully to the safety briefing.
3. During: phones away after the first photo. Just look.
4. Champagne breakfast usually included afterwards, stay for it.

A short sunset cruise, coastal cities and lake towns have them. Often 90 minutes.

1. Layered clothes, sea breezes after sunset are cold even in summer.
2. Find a spot at the front of the boat.
3. Wine or juice, most cruises serve both.
4. Dinner at the dock when you get back.

A hill station 3–6 hours from your city. A homestay (often cheaper than hotels).

1. Drive Saturday morning. Lunch on the way.
2. Check in, walk for two hours.
3. Sunday: long breakfast, one easy hike, drive home.
4. No itinerary beyond that.

A rooftop bar with a sunset view. Reservations help. Smart-casual dress code most have.

1. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset.
2. One drink each, the second one is the upcharge.
3. Phones for one photo, then in pockets.
4. Dinner at a non-rooftop place afterwards.

A 4WD or tour to a nearby dune area. Layers, desert nights are cold. A flask of tea.

1. Reach the dunes 45 minutes before sunset.
2. Walk a few hundred metres from the road.
3. Sit on a blanket, watch the colour change.
4. Drive back when the stars come out.

A private or small dhow ride at sunset. Many run from creeks and harbours.

1. Negotiate a private or small-group ride.
2. Sit at the bow.
3. No phones for the first 30 minutes.
4. Eat afterwards at the dock.

A wine region within driving distance. Designated driver or a tour shuttle. Light lunch booked at one cellar door.

1. Visit three vineyards. Buy one bottle from each.
2. Long lunch at the middle cellar door.
3. Walk between the buildings of the vineyard, slowly.
4. Drive home before sunset.

A rooftop bar with an unobstructed sunset view.

1. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset.
2. One drink each, slowly.
3. No phones during the actual sunset.
4. Dinner somewhere walk-able afterwards.

A farm-to-table restaurant within driving range. Booking essential.

1. Drive out late morning.
2. Order whatever the chef recommends.
3. Walk the farm or grounds afterwards.

A heli-tour operator. Booking, weather-dependent.

1. Check weather day-of, most cancel for free.
2. Listen to the briefing.
3. Phones for two photos, then in pockets.

A skippered charter, many coastal cities have hourly rates for two people.

1. Take seasickness pills if you are sensitive.
2. Bring a swimsuit if it is warm.
3. Tip the skipper well.

A houseboat for a half-day or full-day in Alappuzha/Kumarakom.

1. Board mid-morning. Lunch on the boat.
2. Sit on the deck for hours, do nothing.
3. Sunset before docking.

A desert camp overnight. Layers, desert nights are very cold even in summer.

1. Arrive late afternoon. Camel ride before sunset.
2. Folk music and dinner around a fire.
3. Sleep in the tent, wake early for sunrise.

A national/state park with cabin or camping. Booking essential, many fill months out.

1. Drive Saturday morning, set up by lunch.
2. One real hike. One real meal at camp.
3. Coffee at sunrise Sunday before driving.

A glow-worm cave tour. Booking essential. Layers, caves are cold.

1. Listen to the silence rules, they matter.
2. No phones inside the cave.
3. Eat at the closest small-town café afterwards.

A safari operator that does sunrise drives with bush breakfast.

1. Wake at 5am. Coffee in the lodge.
2. Drive in silence whenever the guide says.
3. Breakfast on a folding table in the bush.

A vineyard region near Cape Town. Designated driver or shuttle.

1. Visit three estates. Buy one bottle from each.
2. Long lunch at the middle estate.
3. Drive back via Chapman's Peak.