So it's nearly Valentine's Day. Do you have anything planned yet? I've seen some wonderful things around this year. If time, money and travel were no issue, this is what I think that I'd like to do on Valentine's Day. This is of course, purely hypothetical. If I really could do all of these things, I'd need a teleporter to jump all over the country, a few tubes of Berocca to keep me going and of course, a credit card with a big, fat limit... A girl can dream, ay?

To start
We'd head down to La Cigale French Market (St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell) for a crepe, croissant and coffee and a walk around the stalls. If I'm lucky, I'd walk away with a basket filled with delicious goodies and a bunch of fresh flowers.

Time for lunch
We'd then take a drive up to Omaha (or jump in our teleporter) for a wee walk along the beach and maybe go for a quick dip in the sea before lunch. Lunch would be amongst the vines at Ascension vineyard , for one of their Valentine's Day lunch hampers which includes food, wine, chocolates, picnic hamper and blanket ($119 per couple).

Lazy afternoon
After lunch we would find a quiet spot to do a bit of reading and munching on chocolates from Philippe's or Schoc. The Queenstown Public Library  has a novel idea - check out a Blind Date book. It is basically a lucky dip of books chosen by the librarians, wrapped up and ready for you to borrow. Once the book is checked-out, rip open the wrapping to see what you will be reading!

Dinner with a difference
After a nice, lazy afternoon, we'd head to the Wellington Zoo for a dinner with a difference - a cosy 3-course meal with all the trimmings ($250 per couple). To keep you entertained, you can also wander around the zoo and listen to talks on animal courting and mating rituals will be given throughout the evening.

Hot soak

A romantic soak in a hot tub with a view, is in order after dinner at the zoo. The private hot pools at Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown have  beautiful views over the Shotover River and you can complete the romantic feel with ordering some candles, aromatherapy oils and drinks... ah, bliss. (from $80 per couple)

Sleeeeeep
After a full day of good food and a lot of relaxation, The Langham Auckland would be a glorious way to end the day. It has some beautiful-sounding packages named after famous romantic couples, like the Brad and Angelina package, which includes accommodation, wine, chocolates, massages, breakfast, butler service and valet parking ($799 per room).

What a wonderful Valentine's Day this would be! So how much would all of that cost (excluding teleporting costs)?

La Cigale - Auckland
Crepe, croissant and coffee for two: $30

Ascension Vineyard - Matakana, North of Auckland
Picnic lunch for two: $119

Queenstown Public Library - Queenstown
Blind Date book: free

Philippe's or Schoc chocolates - Auckland and Wellington: $20

Wellington Zoo - Wellington
Dinner for two at the zoo: $250

Onsen Hot Pools - Queenstown
1 hour soak for two, with candles, aromatherapy and drinks: $112

The Langham Auckland - Auckland
Brad and Angelina package: $799

Total cost: $1330

Happy Valentine's Day!