Date nights are important for a relationship. More than just hanging out, a date night has a sparkle of something special. It’s where you get a chance to really enjoy each other’s company, learn more about each other, and recapture that unique connection that’s solely yours.
But over the years, date nights have slowly gained a little reputation for being expensive, or dare we say, dull! For many couples, they’ve fallen by the wayside in favour of, well, less-fun expenditures. But they don’t have to break the bank, and nor do they have the be boring!
So, before you start shopping for wedding rings, but after you’ve gone through the awkward courting phase, don’t forgo your blissful, comfortable, enjoyable date-night times! We’ve taken all the hard work out of sorting out a date night by finding the best date night examples, both locally and around the world, and wrapped up all the costs you need to be aware of. Take a look through this list and get inspired for your next date night!
When in Rome…
…do as the Romans do! Experience Rome’s history and iconic landmarks that we all know – from the Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon, it’s a place that’s sure to make for a memorable date!
Things to do
If you both love football, why not catch an A.S. Roma match? At the grand Stadio Olimpico, you can buy a ticket for €100 (£88.02). Just make sure you’re both football fans before you go, as it’ll be slightly awkward if one of you is bored when surrounded by screaming fans…
On a budget? There is a lot to do for those traveling on a budget, so why don’t you head to one of the many chapels on soak up years’ worth of history? Once you’re done, you could take a stroll to one of the many cafes nearby where you can sit and people-watch to your heart’s content.
Looking for a more classic date while in Rome? A cinema date would be perfect, and it won’t set you back too much financially. In Rome, you can expect to pay €21 (£18.48) for your taxi and €57 (£50.17) for your meal for two in one of Rome’s fine restaurants. To top it all off, you can spend €17 (£14.96) on two cinema tickets.
London, thou art the flower of cities all!
With bars, restaurants, and shops galore, you’d be hard-pressed to only spend one date night in London! If you want to enjoy this city properly, then you’ll need to know where to go. When it comes to dates in this city, the world really is your oyster.
Things to do
Afternoon tea at a fancy hotel in London will certainly put a gold gilding on your date night plans. At £50 per person, you and your date could enjoy tea, scones and sandwiches at the prestigious Claridge’s Hotel, in Mayfair. If you are both enjoying the pleasures of luxury, then why not book a superior queen room at £690 a night?
Of course, there’s more to do than eat and drink. London is awash with some of the best museums you can find! The Natural History Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and Tate Modern are all free to enter — they are perfect options for cultural visits that’ll get those brain cells exercised. Once you’ve explored all of the museums, head over to Westminster Bridge to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. This also isn’t too far from the Southbank, where you can pick up some delicious street food or take in the great views all around you.
There’s always the classic date option here too. Leicester Square has hosted many film premieres over the years, with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood descending on its red carpet to see in the release of their new blockbuster. If you’re not on the guest-list, then why not take your date to the cinema for £23? If you get hungry, you can always get a meal including wine and dessert for £66. Don’t forget to hit the bars on your way out, where a pint will typically set you back £4.41, and a cocktail will cost £9 – not bad when you’re living it up in the capital!
Paris is always a good idea…
It doesn’t get much more romantic than Paris. Tourists come from far and wide to have a great time with their significant other, and this could be you too. Home to many of the world’s greatest writers and artists, Paris oozes chic everywhere you walk through its many streets.
Things to do
Heading to the Eiffel Tower is the pinnacle of romance, particularly on Valentine’s Day. On this day, why not try booking in at 58 Tour Eiffel? It’ll cost you around €120 (£105.63) for each person, however, if you’d like a seat in the window to witness the spectacular views, then you can pay the extra €30 (£26.41) to really take your romance to dizzying heights!
The city of love doesn’t need to drain your bank account either. Paris is host to some of the most beautiful bridges in the world, which makes dating on a budget in this city very easy. The Pont des Arts Bridge, for instance, used to be famous for its innumerable “lock locks” fastened to the fencing all along its structure. These have now been removed due to the weight of them, but the romantic reputation of this beautiful location remains.
Finally, there’s always the classic date option wherever in the world you go. If the weather’s poor outside, or you’d rather take the tried and tested methods when it comes to your date, then why not head over to a quant restaurant in the city? There, a meal for two including wine and dessert will typically cost around €65 (£57.21). Afterwards, if you head over to the cinema, it’ll cost you €20 (£17.60).
The glamour of it all! New York! America!
Yes, admittedly, this one would be an expensive trip, but so worth it! The Big Apple offers something for everyone —- with the theatres of Broadway, the neon-lit Times Square and skyscrapers like the Empire State Building, the possibilities really are endless.
You’re in New York, so you have to pull out all the stops, right? A private helicopter tour of New York’s famous landmarks will set you back around $1,500 (£1,184.40), so you’ll need to get saving if this sounds like the perfect date for you! With unparalleled views of the Empire State Building, the Stature of Liberty and Central Park though, this is the perfect date to get your heart’s racing. Hold on tight!
Want something a little more down to earth? Then take a twilight walk around Central Park like Audrey Hepburn did in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to really set the mood for the evening. Or, if you’re feeling peckish, you could go to the restaurant featured in Where Harry Met Sally; you’ll be quoting lines from the film in no time! If that’s not enough, take a walk down to the financial district if you and your date want to feel part of the glamour and excitement of the Wolf of Wall Street. Just be careful, as it’s a jungle out there…
Even the classic date option isn’t a ‘normal’ experience out in NYC. A trip to the movies here will set you back around $28 (£22.11). Perhaps a meal would complement this date nicely? Including wine and dessert, you can expect a meal for two to cost you $111 (£87.66). After that, the two of you could paint the town red in some of Manhattan’s best rooftop bars. A cocktail will likely cost $14 (£11.06) and a pint of lager around $7 (£5.53). Enjoy!
About the Contributor
Laura-Jane Todd is a copywriter at digital marketing agency, Mediaworks. After graduating with a degree in Marketing from Newcastle University in July 2017, Laura-Jane took on the role as copywriter in August of the same year. She uses her creative skills to write unique content for a range of clients from various industries.
