Romantic Date Ideas

Sunset Cruise

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a city that boasts miles of ocean or lakefront shoreline, you may be in luck. Many of these cities offer a variety of sunset cruise options including dinner, jazz, and sightseeing cruises. Rides typically last anywhere from one to three hours and include staff to cater to your needs. While most also offer daylight cruises, the sunset rides are by far, the more romantic option. Many marinas offer cruises that appeal to a wide range of tastes, budgets and interests. If you are interested in kicking back, wrapping yourselves in a warm wool blanket and taking in the city skyline as the sun goes down, you’re sure to find a cruise to accommodate you. If your interests include dressing up, toasting one another with flutes of champagne and sampling delectable hors d’uerves while listening to a classic jazz band, there are options available for you as well.

Bonfires, Wine and the Beach at Sunset

There is something primal about the sound of the rolling surf. Couple that with a bottle of your favorite wine and the crackle of a roaring bonfire, and you’re in for one of the most romantic dates of your life. Permits are typically required for most bonfires, so be sure to check with city officials before starting a fire, especially within the city limits. Bringing your own fire pit will help to assure that the fire stays under control. You don't need a huge fire for just the two of you; something small and intimate will do. Red wines are preferable because they don’t need to be chilled. The best thing about this date is that it requires very little cash. For the price of a bottle of wine, and any applicable permit fees, you can simply settle in before the warm glow of a romantic fire and enjoy the company of the one you love.

Finger Food Creations

Cooking for your sweetheart can be very romantic, but not necessarily very original. If you’d like to raise the romance bar, consider cooking together. Creating a variety of finger foods that may be easily shared is a fun, different idea. Favorite foods include sushi; chocolate dipped fruits; fondues with fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and cheeses; pot stickers; kebabs and more. Instead of eating at your kitchen table, take your smorgasbord into the living room for a carpet picnic. Spread out a fluffy blanket, light candles, flip on your favorite romantic music, and enjoy the spread. You may also enjoy trying wine and cheese pairings or wine and chocolate pairings for a lighter bite. The great thing about finger foods is that you can not only share them and sample some of each, but you can also feed one another to heighten your sense of romance.

Hammocks and Poetry

Few things are more welcoming than a hammock for two and a fresh spring breeze. Once the weather begins to warm up get your hammock ready. After sunset, you can wrap in a fluffy blanket and cuddle beneath the stars. Don’t forget your favorite book of poetry or sonnets and your Itty Bitty Nite Lite. Reading to one another can be relaxing and romantic. By choosing the best passages in advance, you can really set the stage for a seductive encounter.

Hayrides and Apple Cider

One the most enjoyable experiences of autumn is a visit to a local farm. Many offer moonlight horse-drawn hay wagon rides. Bring a blanket and snuggle up together as you enjoy the crisp weather, the smell of wood burning stoves and fragrant apple orchards. Have a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee waiting in the car when you return. You can enjoy it on your drive back to the city as you reminisce about your moonlight hayride.

Create a Home Spa

Having a professional massage is one of the most enjoyable, relaxing and sensual experiences one can have. Imagine how much more enjoyable it can be if you and your partner take turns massaging one another. Surprise your partner by creating the ultimate spa at home. When setting up your spa, first consider all the elements that make the day spa so delightful. It’s all about ambience; the lighting, the music, perhaps the sound of running water, the aromas and the visual appeal of fluffy towels, smooth stones, muted colors and minimalist décor, serve to make the spa an unforgettable experience. Most people do not have massage tables lying around the house. That doesn’t matter. Bring your spa into the bedroom. This room is designed to be the most relaxing room in the house. (http://.hubpages.com/hub/Creating-Relaxing-Bedroom-Spaces). If you don’t already have a stereo in your room, place a portable CD player in an inconspicuous place and turn on a relaxation CD. You may not normally listen to New Age music with ocean sounds, but this genre is perfect for the spa. Light one or two candles and keep the shades drawn. Incorporate flowers and fluffy towels. Candles should be unscented so as not to conflict with the aroma of the oils you have chosen. Turn down the covers of the bed so that they do no become full of oil. Before you begin, have a plate of foil wrapped, gourmet chocolates, strawberries and ice water available. While your partner enjoys the treat, talk to them about what parts of the body they prefer to have massaged, what type of pressure they prefer, and if there are any body parts they want you to avoid. When you are ready to begin, warm towels by running them under very hot water and wringing them out. Place them over the shoulders and back of your partner to keep them warm while you work on their legs, and vice versa. Use scented massage oils. The aromas of lavender, fresh fig, patchouli, and sandalwood can be very relaxing. Have a fluffy robe available for your partner to wear after the massage is complete and don’t forget to offer him or her a glass of water. Be sure that your bathroom is also very clean and that you have incorporated spa-like elements there as well. After all, once the massage is complete, your partner will likely want to hop into the shower or tub to wash the oils off. Having flowers, candlelight, and clean towels available, adds to the ambience. You may even have drawn a hot bath in advance. If so, consider floating orchids, rose petals or other fragrant, colorful blooms on the water.