Take a leap of loveLegend has it that women are encouraged to turn the tables and be the ones to propose marriage in a leap year. Looking at the calendar, 2016 has a 29 February, but if you're a little apprehensive about getting down on one knee, the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) has some suggestions to help you build up to the big moment in the Mother City, starting this Valentine's weekend in the CBD. Go for coffee with classic carsClub 9 restores and sells classic cars, including Porsche 911s, Alfa Romeo Spiders and E-Type Jags. They aren’t cheap, but it may be enough for him just to look while he enjoys a coffee at the on-site Dapper Coffee Co. Get a true love tattooNothing says 'Till death do us part' like permanent body art. The Cape Town CBD has a trio of tattoo studios to choose from. Metal Machine is the most established, Wildfire the best known, and Sins of Style specialises in the hand-poked style favoured by the likes of Die Antwoord’s Ninja. Indulge in a burger bonanzaIt’s the ultimate guy food, but women dig it too – all hail the hamburger. Which establishment serves the best in town though? Let him be the 'burgermeester' and decide. Admittedly, this may take more than a weekend. Enjoy a few drinks with you as designated driverPub crawls are not just for bachelor parties, but the CCID does advise that you volunteer to be the designated driver for the night. With that being said, there are '99 bottles' at Beerhouse alone, so you might want to buy him a taster platter to get his bearings – or should that be 'beerings'? It includes 12 different 120ml beers – the equivalent of roughly three draughts. You could leave it there, or move on to Tiger’s Milk down the road or The House of Machines, which is also a motorbike workshop. Beerhouse: 223 Long St. +27 (0)21 424 3370. www.beerhouse.co.za Remember if you’re out on the town to keep your wits about you make sure you keep your valuables out of sight at all times. If you are in need of assistance in the CBD, you can approach a CCID public safety officer, recognisable by their green-bibbed uniforms. Have a cigar surpriseIf you want insight into what men do to celebrate, take him to one of the CBD’s cigar lounges. Keep it classy with a whiskey accompaniment. Taj Cape Town: 1 Wale St. +27 (0)21 819 2000. tajcapetown.co.za Bonus: get a happening haircutBook your guy in for a styling time at an old-school barber and saloon. Where does the tradition of women proposing marriage in a leap year come from?According to the Huffington Post, it is alleged that in Scotland Queen Margaret enacted a law in 1288 allowing women to propose on a leap year day. And in Ireland, women are advised to propose only on 29 February for good luck. |