12 Travel-Inspired DIY Date Night Ideas

12 Travel-Inspired DIY Date Night Ideas

As a weekend away is temporarily off the cards, we’re getting creative this Valentine’s Day. Takeout is not a cop-out with these globally inspired date night plans for frustrated travellers.



A
little escapism is in order this Valentine’s Day, and while
Netflix
and Deliveroo
might once not have cut the mustard for the most commercialised day
of the year…it’s all we’ve got right now. Yet, with a little
creativity, the romance of a weekend away can be conjured up at
home. From retro LA drive-ins, Icelandic spas and mountain fondues,
these travel-inspired date night ideas will jazz up lockdown love
lives. Passport, not necessary.

Wine tastings, at-home karaoke and garden stargazing:
Valentine’s plans for the frustrated traveller


1. An Alpine affair

With ski season seemingly cancelled we’re bringing chalet chic
to your kitchen. Throw a red and white checkered tablecloth over
the dining room table, add some candles and slap a fondue or
raclette kit from Provisions London in the centre and voila! The kit
comes with charcuterie, bread cubes and an epic cheese selection.
Stream a crackling fire on Youtube from your TV and
don your most garish ski suit for extra ambience.


2. Kick back at a Californian drive-in

We’re thinking retro California vibes. Project a classic movie
(ok, Grease will do) onto a white wall or hang a bedsheet to give
you a bigger screen. Make some toffee popcorn in striped paper bags
for extra effect and call up Bleecker Burger to deliver a DIY cheeseburger kit. For
spin-the-bottle style cocktail inspiration, London-based start-up
Cartesian Cards will steer you away from your usual
G&T.


3. Living la dolce vita…in your living room

A whirlwind weekend in Italy: set the scene with a bespoke
virtual walking tour around Venice, then make
pasta together while listening to some vintage tunes. Helena
Kyriakides runs excellent interactive pasta making
classes
from her kitchen in Bologna – she’ll show you
everything from simple hand-rolled pici to dainty stuffed
tortellini. While your pasta is drying,it’s time for an aperitivo.
Treat your amore to a gourmet food box from this Florentine start-up, and
take the time to lay out a beautiful tagliere (charcuterie board)
of meats and cheeses. A few negronis down, and it won’t matter that
you’re living la dolce vita in your own living room.


4. An Icelandic spa night for two

Plan an icelandic spa night inspired by The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Slather on mud masks,
light candles and project the northern lights onto your bedroom
ceiling. Fancy going all out? Take inspiration from ice caving in
Lofthellir and give carving your own ice sculpture a go. Be warned,
it’s pretty tricky.


5. Bring Bordeaux to you

Call your partner’s bluff by hosting your very own blind tasting
at home: can they taste the difference between a £4.99 supermarket
Syrah and a vintage Châteauneuf-du-Pape? If you both fancy
yourselves as oenophiles, splash out on a sommelier-led tasting
with Berry Bros. The
French Bistro
in Soho will deliver smoked mackerel rillettes,
beef cheek bordelaise with pommes macaire, and prunes in coffee and
armagnac.


6. Stargazing in the Outback

Forget that it’s February, probably snowing and bloody freezing
with an Aussie-style al fresco barbecue. Scurry outside and pretend
to know where Orion’s belt is, while tuning in to Club Vivanova’s virtual “Cool Climate
Australian Wine” events on Zoom. They’ll taste-talk you through
boutique wines from Western Australia and
Victoria
.


7. Transport yourselves to Tokyo

Start with a virtual tour of Tokyo, then
get stuck in making sushi together (or cheat by ordering it from
Hot Stone). Post-dinner, it’s time to visit the
karaoke bar. Sound-proof your living room, add some flashing lights
and hire a karaoke machine, or sing along to Youtube with a
hairbrush. At least you won’t be boo-ed off stage here.


8. A Peruvian party

Call in a Valentine’s delivery from COYA to provide a Peruvian party. Complete with a
playlist, ready-to-serve coconut, agave and vodka cocktails, and an
elaborate sharing menu of Tostada de Atun, lobster carapulcra,
wagyu rib-eye and plenty more. Grab an old-school paper map and
plan your next trip. A few homemade pisco sours down, and you’ll
have booked a flight for 2022.


9. Midnight in Paris

Sure, Paris is
usually a bit cliché for Valentine’s but this year we’re making an
exception. Rustle up fresh croissants and chocolat chaud on
Valentine’s morning, followed by a virtual tour of the Musee D’Orsay. In the
evening, dim the lights and indulge in Moulin Rouge-esque absinthe
cocktails and a dozen oysters from the London Shell
Co
, while streaming the accordion on Spotify. Naww.


10. A corner of Tel Aviv

Take inspiration from the Israli capital by laying out large
cushions on the floor and having an elaborate meze for two.
Bubala do excellent delivery kits inspired by the
bustling cafes of Tel
Aviv
, with a mixed vegetarian meze arriving ready to heat and
serve. If you prefer DIY, Ottolenghi’s online pantry should seal the
deal.


11. Escape to the British countryside

Capture the spirit of a weekend away to an English countryside
with long hearty walks, afternoon tea from Browns in Mayfair, and a spot of foraging in
your nearby park. Inspired by Bridgerton and our renewed love for stately
homes, historic English hospitality company Searcys (who have a restaurant in Blenheim
Palace) suggest going all out for breakfast in bed, with a silver
tray, a pot of tea, a selection of pastries and the Sunday papers
(or a copy of SUITCASE’s
Vol 32: Homegrown
).


12. A flatmate friendtine’s date

Last but not least, if your Valentine’s companion happens to be
your long-suffering flatmate(s), channel 90’s American houseparty
vibes with a games and scary movie night. Order pizza, sticky
chicken wings and make a giant bowl of nachos with (squeezy) cheese
and guacamole. For dessert? We’re treating our friendtine’s to a
rum-infused cupcake kit from Primrose Bakery.

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