Valentine’s Day 2024: A guide to a romantic getaway in Bengaluru, but with a twist!

Get some jumbo love

Spend your day in the green envelope of Cubbon Park, which is now hosting 100 lantana elephants till March 3.

Each sculpture displayed has been modelled on a real wild elephant from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. (Supplied)

Made of an invasive plant species called Lantana camara, the elephants are on display at the park as part of the month-long event, Coexistence: The Great Elephant Migration. Each sculpture displayed has been modelled on a real wild elephant from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and tells the story of coexistence.

Where: Cubbon Park, Kasturba Rd, behind High Court of Karnataka, Ambedkar Veedhi.
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm

Also Read: How this German-born, Mysuru resident is reviving family recipes

Soak in art

Bengaluru’s newest Science Gallery Bengaluru is holding an interactive exhibition on Carbon till June. Carbon features over 35 interactive exhibits by Indian and international artists and scholars. There are exhibits across two floors of the gallery.

This Valentine’s Day, come visit Science Gallery Bengaluru and explore CARBON with your date!

We have a special walkthrough planned at 6pm on the 14th of February, which you can register for below 👇https://t.co/K637W1vx72

It’s free! Register quickly before slots fill up. pic.twitter.com/5MPASYqc03

— Science Gallery Bengaluru (@SciGalleryBlr) February 9, 2024

Be part of the Carbon Nanoverse – a VR experience unveiling the complex structures of carbon materials; Cosmic Chiasmus – a multi-layered film exploring how life on earth is permeated by Cosmic rays; and The Mycobloc Chair, where a discarded plastic chair has been transformed into a bio-fabricated wonder.

Where: Science Gallery Bengaluru
Timings: Tuesday – Thursday 10 am – 6 pm, Friday – Sunday 10 am – 8 pm
Instagram: @Scigalleryblr

All programmes conducted here are free and open to all.

Dessert for love

SAPA is serving customised desserts with Valentine’s Day. (Supplied)

Ride to SAPA Bakery in Mysuru which aims to celebrate diverse relationships this Valentine’s Day with customised desserts. Couples can try their Meant to Bee creation, a delectable combination of Brioche, German buttercream, and caramelised almonds.

For those deeply bonded in friendship, sample their To the Moon and Back. This crescent-shaped pastry features Eclair, raspberry mousse, raspberry gel, and coconut whipped ganache, symbolising the infinite depth of genuine friendships.

If you are at SAPA with your family, ask for their Family Affair. It is a sharing dessert that brings everyone together with its exquisite combination of Buckwheat tart, hazelnut cremeux, brown butter financier, mascarpone ganache, and rhubarb gel.

Recognising the profound love many share with their pets, SAPA has introduced Fur-ever and Ever. (Supplied)

Recognising the profound love many share with their pets, SAPA has introduced Fur-ever and Ever. An ode to the loyal companions in our lives, this delightful treat features an oat biscuit with minced chicken, appealing to our cherished four-legged friends.

Where: SAPA, 3037, 1st Main Rd, Gokulam 1st Stage, Gokulam, Mysuru

Timing: Tuesday-Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm 

Also Read: Lantana elephants: A jumbo-sized solution to invasive weeds

Indulgent romance

JW Marriott Bengaluru has a special offer for couples to indulge in a romantic and exquisite spa, dining, and stay experience with their Valentine’s Day Staycation package.

JW Kitchen: ₹2,750/- plus taxes per person
Spice Terrace: ₹30,000/- plus taxes per couple
JW Lawns: ₹50,000/- plus taxes for a couple

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru (@jwmarriottblr)

Alba: ₹3,500/- plus taxes per person
Bengaluru Baking Company – Valentine’s special menu- Cakes/pastries/chocolates/Valentine’s hamperSpa by JW: ₹7499 plus taxes

Where: JW Kitchen, JW Lawns, Spice Terrace, Alba, and Bengaluru Baking Company
When: 14 February 2024
Timing: 7 pm onwards
Reservations: +91 8884494037
Instagram: @jwmariottblr

Where bonds and books blossom

Hop over to the iconic Blossom Book House, which is celebrating its 22nd birthday this year. With over 5 lakh book titles, the store has something for every kind of reader, including translated works.

There are dictionaries, travelogues, rare comic books, sheet music, and a whole shelf of Mills & Boon.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Blossom Book House (@blossombookhouse)

If that isn’t your jam, the store has close to 3,00,000 titles, sourced from across the globe, so really, there will be something for you. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon looking for hidden gems here.

Where: 84/6, Church Street, Opposite Amoeba, Church Street
Timing:  10:30 am to 10:00 pm
Instagram: @Blossombookhouse

Also Read: Blossom at 22: How Bengaluru’s iconic bookstore is still in full bloom

Go on the record

If music is what gets your heart pumping, swing by Ram’s Musique – Bengaluru’s quaint 100 sq ft record store, tucked away on the first floor of the Public Utility Building on MG Road. It also makes for a perfect gift idea for your music-loving loved ones.

There are over 6,000 records – old and new. The cache of classics at this 45-year-old establishment includes everything from Jim Reeves to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to KJ Yesudas.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rams Musique (@ramsmusique)

There’s a treasure trove of classic rock waiting to be explored. The Doors, The Shadows, The Ventures, Police. The records’ price starts from ₹3k and goes up to ₹7-7.5k for the new ones. The older classic rock albums by the likes of AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and such go for ₹10k and ₹15k.

Where: Ram’s Musique, Ashok Nagar, MG Road
Timing: 12 pm to 7.30 pm
Instagram: @Ramsmusique

Immerse in the pink paradise

Bengaluru is bathed in the shades of cherry blossoms, which are back in full bloom. We say, walk the streets of the city, with a spring in your step, and explore this floral bouquet that comes with no entry fee! 

📍 AECS Layout, Whitefield
The Pink Trumpets or the Tabebuia Avellaneda have started to blossom here in Bengaluru. That time of the year when certain parts of Bengaluru turns completely pink 😍🌸
PC: ( IG @ reflectionofmymemories )#pinktrumpets #karnatakatourism #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/Z6Tol7f53Y

— Karnataka Tourism (@KarnatakaWorld) January 16, 2023

Where: Across Bengaluru
Timing: Best views before sunset