Flowers and boxes of chocolates have always been the staple of Valentine’s Day but each year couples try to challenge themselves to take things up a notch. College couples don’t always have the financial means to jet set to certain destinations but with smart budgeting and planning in advance, there’s no reason why students can’t celebrate Vday without going broke.
Even the most traditional of Valentine’s Day date ideas can be remixed into something fun and memorable. Take a romantic dinner, for instance. Depending on location, the options may vary but for students on campuses in metropolitan areas like UCSF in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are more restaurants than a person can shake a stick at. But instead of choosing a run of the mill place, why not try something more out of the box?
More adventurous college couples may want to check out Opaque, which is located in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco. This fine dining experience comes with a catch: patrons enjoy their meals completely in the dark, serviced by wait staff equipped with infrared goggles. Without the convenience of sight, people are required to rely on their other senses, making for a very unique and engaging adventure.
Got a little money to spare and want to plan a special, romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day? While it’s easy to book reservations at any hotel, regardless of location, why not look into a stay at a bed and breakfast? Known for being the ultimate destination for all things romantic, B&Bs are convenient because they combine the comfort of sleeping accommodations along with a freshly cooked meal in the mornings. Traditional hotels offer these services, too, but B&Bs provide a more intimate and “homey” atmosphere. These types of lodgings typically operate out of actual homes that have been outfitted to accommodate overnight guests.
The great thing about planning a stay at a B&B is that these businesses can be found virtually anywhere. College couples wanting to escape familiar surroundings and visit someplace they’ve never been before have a fair share of places to choose from. One of the easiest ways to narrow down options is by doing an online search according to location. Thinking about North Carolina? Online sites like TripAdvisor highly recommend B&Bs like http://www.cedarcrestinn.com, which has been around for nearly 30 years. When it comes to romance on Valentine’s Day, The Cedar Crest Inn has held its record for several years as the #1 Most Romantic Hotel in the Asheville, North Carolina area.
Do you and your significant other suffer from the biggest sweet tooth? There’s no shortage of places to purchase Valentine’s Day chocolates but why not do something out of the ordinary and instead make a date to tour a candy factory? TCHO in San Francisco offers a one-hour tour of their chocolate factory seven days a week for free, followed by a guided tasting. Students on tight budgets can always appreciate anything for free, especially on a holiday.
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