Some quirky gift ideas for you, your partner and even the environment ©Claire Joines

Valentine’s Day is celebrated by millions around the world, and it can be hard for the celebratory activities not to seem repetitive year after year. Here are few ideas of things you can do to make your Valentine’s Day special.

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel
5 Durley Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5JQ
www.thechocolateboutiquehotel.co.uk

While chocolate is a traditional Valentine’s Day staple, if you like to go the extra mile then take your partner on a small break to the world’s first chocolate themed hotel.
This hotel is a chocoholic’s dream – but it’s real. When you arrive in this chocolate paradise you can dip strawberries into chocolate martinis or dip marshmallows into cascading chocolate fountains.

Each room is provided with a daily luxurious spread of handmade chocolates to go with the chocolate themed rooms that are bound to have your taste buds in a frenzy.
If you are feeling really chocolate-crazy, you can immortalise themselves in chocolate in a portrait painting session. The hotel also holds masterclasses inspired by famous chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud.

Oceanarium
Pier Approach, West Beach, Bournemouth, BH2 5AA
www.oceanarium.co.uk

A visit here is a unique date idea that will submerge you into all things underwater. This is a perfect ice-breaker for a first date, as you will be too busy looking at the beautiful fish, massive sea turtles and colourful iguanas to notice the first-date nerves.
The aquarium hosts a whole variety of animals such as menacing sharks and piranhas, turtles, stingray, otters, and there are times when you can feed some of the animals too.
To make the Valentine’s even more quirky, you can dive into the virtual interactive dive cage where you get to discover what it would be like to see sea creatures up close.
Couples can test their mental strength and face their fears by holding snakes in the reptile sanctuary.

Bournemouth Balloon
Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, BH1 2AQ
www.bournemouthballoon.com

The way you may feel about your partner this Valentine’s Day may make you feel like you’re on cloud nine.
If so, why not actually go there for a unique date by taking a trip up to the clouds in Bournemouth’s famous giant helium balloon?
You and your partner will be able to see an amazing panoramic view spanning 20 miles of the beautiful surrounding area such as Bournemouth’s beach.

Go Ballistic Paintballing
12 Hurn Road, Christchurch, Hurn, Dorset, BN23 6AE
www.goballistic.co.uk

For an unconventional Valentine’s Day that is still fun, paintballing may be just the thing.
Go Ballistic Paintballing is a 14-minute drive from Bournemouth where the competition will fire up the chemistry between you and your partner.
It is regarded as one of the best paintballing facilities in the South West. With a variety of woodland and urban game zones, it is the perfect way to spend this year’s Valentine’s Day.

Starz Diner
110 Charminister Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8UT
www.starzdiner.co.uk

Add some glitz and glamour to your Valentine’s Day night by eating at Bournemouth’s American diner Starz.
It combines a menu of American classics with the glamour of Hollywood. The decor is littered with posters of film stars and television screens showing classic works of cinema.
The menu sweeps customers off their feet with classics like American pancakes and hearty burgers. Their atmospheric lighting and surround system transports customers to a night at the movies where you sit down with Hollywood’s biggest actors. Starz Diner is a movie lover’s paradise.

Go Sky Dive
Hanger 3, Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6DZ
www.goskydive.com

If you’re a couple that enjoys pushing your limits, skydiving is a perfect Valentines activity.
Jumping from 15,000 ft will give you a rush similar to that of when you first fell in love.
The nearest venue to skydive is Go Sky Dive who are just under an hour away in Salisbury and are offering a Valentines discount of £50 per couple that skydive.
For an exhilarating Valentines Day skydiving is the activity for you.