February is the month of love, the month in which we celebrate Valentine's Day. I am in a happy relationship, so I really like the idea of celebrating such a day. However, the problem arises when my boyfriend and I need to decide where to go and what to do on Valentine's Day. So, this year I decided to explore all of my options and be prepared when it comes to organising our activities on February 14th. So, let's go through all of the things I have listed for this year's Valentine's Day. This is from a girl's perspective, but my friend Tibor has some ideas for perfect Valentine's Day from man's perspective so keep on reading! 

Presents

In the beginning, let me just say that I don't like some big presents for Valentine's Day. It's not about spending too much on the gift; it's about remembering the person you love on that day. So, as an idea for a small present for your boyfriend, I would recommend going to the shop called "Soho." In Zagreb, you can find a few of this stores so you can choose the one nearest to you. For me, it's practical the one in the city centre. This shop has literally everything! So much small gifts, personalised stuff for which I am sure your boyfriend will be thrilled to get.

Valentine's Day breakfast

To avoid cooking that day, you can go to a restaurant for breakfast. I'm not talking about some expensive restaurant, but something smaller, like "Kava tava." That would be my choice. Their specialty is pancakes, so you could treat yourselves and get pancakes for breakfast. You should try the "Jazz chinkice" (with white chocolate) or "Coco chinkice" (with coconut, dark chocolate sauce, and white chocolate). Also, if you like eating cakes for breakfast, or as an idea for later, you should definitely try the best desserts in Zagreb which you can find in the pastry shop, "Amelie." It's a smaller place, but it has the best cakes!

Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni

Romance

It's widely known that theatres are great for dates. Get yourselves a love seat in Cinestar and enjoy some romantic movie on Valentine's Day. Also, you can treat yourselves and get tickets for the golden class. Choose a movie of your choice: it doesn't have to be a love movie. If both of you share a love for horror movies, make it a scary movie date night. Why not? 

If you want to watch something uniquely romantic, you have another option: the Croatian National Theatre. Just a few days after Valentine's Day, on Friday 16th you can watch the ballet "Romeo & Juliet", a world-famous romantic drama. Other than that, in the Zagreb Youth Theatre, the songwriter Zoran Predin will be celebrating Valentine's Day in Zagreb. His concerts on this day are already a tradition, and this year he will be holding it in Zagreb, so that's something you wouldn't want to miss.

Romantic walk

Is there something more romantic than walking by a lake, with swans swimming next to you? Zagreb has many choices for long walks: Jarun, Bundek, Maksimir, Botanical garden, etc. Depending on the weather, you can take a blanket and stop for a while to eat something, talk and enjoy. Also, the whole Upper Town and the stairs leading to it is perfect for a romantic walk. An ideal kissing spot would be the gorgeous park Zrinjevac, which also has a bench, especially for couples to kiss. Such a cliche, but I can't help it.

Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni

Dinner for two

If, before going out somewhere, you want to go out for dinner with your date, here are some restaurants which have the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening. One of them is one of my favourites, "Vinodol." It looks classy and expensive. However, the prices are really not that high, so it's perfect for this one night. Other than "Vinodol," you have a restaurant called "Trilogija." It's a bit more expensive than the one previously mentioned, but it's so beautiful and nicely decorated. One last place that makes your Valentine's Day evening even more romantic is the pizzeria and trattoria "Canzona," because Italian is the language of love. So, an Italian restaurant is perfect for this kind of day. 

Events

Two of my favourite artists came together to perform in Lisinski concert hall: Pavel and Detour. Both are Croatian groups, and both of them have lovely easy-going songs. They make such a romantic atmosphere, and that's why I think this could be the perfect place to go out in the evening and an ideal way to end this year's Valentine's day.

All in all, you have many choices where you can spend your Valentine's Day, but the most important thing is to love each other - even if you decide to remain at home, watch movies, order pizza, and light up some candles. So, enjoy this love you have between you and happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

A guy's perspective on things

Like Aleta, I am also in a happy relationship, but unlike her, mine is a new one. So, other than guy's perspective, this part will also bring a view of someone who is in a completely new relationship and still very much excited about Valentine's Day because it's the first one with this girlfriend. 

Guys, if you need a solution for Valentine's Day, the second part of this blog might help. In my eight years long dating experience the best thing, in my opinion, is something that is special for this person. And not just on Valentine's Day, but throughout the whole year. Find out (if you don't already know) what are the passions, hobbies, and interests of your girlfriend. This is the starting point of coming up with a perfect gift or with the perfect date with her. Another great advice that is even more important - listen. People have wishes, and they like to express them. Sharpen your hearing sense when talking to her and when you take a walk together somewhere where there's a show-case nearby. Trust me, the most memorable gifts are the ones that came out of remembering something. If your memory is not that good, write it down on your smartphone. It will come as a real lifesaver when you find yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by dozens of stores and you don't know in which to go. 

Common mistakes

The worst thing to do is to think about the perfect date in a way that only your girlfriend will have fun. That's not what she wants. Of course, sometimes, either you or she will talk the other one into going somewhere the other person doesn't feel like going to, but that's called compromise. Now, to get back on track. An ideal date is the one where both of you have fun and that is the way you should think. There isn't a universal formula for a perfect date. Something that seems like a lot of fun for you and your girlfriend, some other couple will find utterly boring. 

But, the thing that I would go with is originality. If you think about it, it's not that hard. While your friends will bring their girlfriends a bouquet of roses, and take them for dinner to a fancy restaurant, nothing will compare to you and your date if you think of something else. Having a hard time thinking of something? Don't worry, that's why this blog is here. 

The advantages of a "different" Valentine's Day

Not only will the both of you have fun, but you will also be doing something different from everybody else and something different from your other dates. Another advantage of doing something different is that while a lot of restaurants will be booked, you will be somewhere else and you will probably have a little bit of privacy. The best advantage of Valentine's Day itself is that you know exactly when it's going to be. That way, you can plan in advance. Ask your girlfriend to clears up her schedule for that day and you are all set. Once again, I'm going to repeat the thing that works for you might not work for the next couple. 

Different things for different people

It makes no sense of constructing the whole day for you and your girlfriend because that's already been done on this blog and because I think that you can plan the best for yourself. For me, Valentine's Day doesn't necessarily have to be boxes of chocolate and roses. You should do something that makes both of you happy, together. ;)

Adrenaline & sport-loving couples

Image Credit: Renata Matošina/Room Escape

I know a lot of couples who like experiencing the things that make your blood pump. For this kind of couples, other than things like bungee jumping or rafting that require leaving Zagreb, I would recommend the go-karts. Show me an adrenaline lover that wouldn't like to experience a ride in those little cars. Another great thing for the sport-loving ones is to climb to Sljeme, you can also embark on an adventure of exploring secret locations that Medvednica offers. Bring some food with you and have a romantic lunch on one of the highest points in Zagreb. If besides adrenaline, you like to solve some mind puzzles, a great idea for you is a room escape game. If you think you could use some help with it, invite a friend and his girlfriend along. On the other hand, if you decide to take on this challenge alone, you will also get a pair of free tickets for a stand-up comedy show. 

Image Credit: Loreta Drenski/Karting Arena

Munchies and cuddles lovers

This kind of people and couples are a complete opposite to the previous ones. They are often animal lovers. A perfect coffee place for them opened not so long ago is Cat Caffe, a place where you can get your daily dose of cuddles with a bunch of friendly cats. If you don't have a place of your own and you just want some alone time with your girlfriend, you can find really great deals in Zagreb on booking.com. You can prepare a nice meal or just relax in front of the TV with some of your favourite snacks. A great idea for a present for this kind of person is the blanket with sleeves which you can buy online. Another great idea is to buy some massage oil and you can give each other a nice relaxing massage to some relaxing music. 

Image Credit: Maja/Cat Caffe

Traditional couples in love with romance

If you and your girl are considering yourselves to be a traditional couple, you can at least spice up your traditional dates with some cool places you decide to go to. Burgers are a big thing in Zagreb at the moment and there's really a bunch of great burger bars here. If you want a bit classier place, but still really affordable and modern, reserve a table at Rougemarin. It's a former lightbulb factory with a really cool interior design and more importantly with great food made with some ingredients you've probably never heard of. After candles and a meal for two, you can literally show the stars to your girlfriend by taking her to Zagreb's observatory. The best thing is that you can enter free of charge. 

Image Credit: Nikolina Antić/Rougemarin

So there you have it. We hope we've got you covered in the ideas department for this Valentine's Day. Just remember: Be original and most importantly, try to have as much fun as possible. That way, you'll certainly experience a truly memorable day with your Valentine. :)

Header Image Credit: Aleta Brattoni

Author: Aleta Brattoni, Tibor Trupec