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Valentine's Day rolls around every year with the same predictable parade of chocolates, roses and candlelit dinners, but if you're in the Region of Murcia and fancy doing something a bit more original with your partner, friends or family this Saturday, you're in luck.

 

The Region's got plenty of options that won't have you yawning into your starter and since it falls on a weekend this year, there's really no excuse not to get out and do something different.

 

 

For starters, Murcia's packed with gorgeous viewpoints that are perfect for a romantic evening without having to drive for hours. The most well-known is probably the Mirador del Santuario de la Fuensanta, where you can take in views of the Murcian countryside and the city itself. It sits at the entrance to El Valle y Carrascoy Regional Park and works as a natural balcony looking out over the entire central area, including the Guadalentín and Segura valleys stretching from Sierra Espuña all the way to the Sierra de Orihuela.

 

If you fancy a trip to the coast, the Mirador de los Columpios (Swings Viewpoint) in Bolnuevo is worth the journey even though it's not exactly beach weather. You'll find it next to Cala del Rincón in Mazarrón, and it's properly romantic if you're into that sort of thing.

 

Up in Moratalla there's also the Patio de los Yébenes viewpoint on the slopes of San Jorge Hill, which overlooks the town's historic centre. You can get there from the Paseo del Cerro de San Jorge or via the Camino del Peñón de la Encantada.

 

 

For something a bit different that won't cost you a fortune, head to the San Pedro Salt Flats for some natural beauty and birdwatching. The various hides around the area let you get up close to the water birds that live there, including pink flamingos if you're lucky. The massive salt mountains are worth seeing too, especially when they take on that pinkish colour that makes for brilliant photos.

 

 

If you want to get out on the water, El Tío de la Barca on the banks of the Segura River in central Murcia has 16 row boats just like the ones in Madrid's Retiro Park. Each boat holds four people and you can drift along a stretch of river surrounded by nature and the city's landmarks.

 

On Saturday it'll be open all day and costs €8 per person. During the week they're open 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm, but weekends they run continuously except in summer when the afternoon slot shifts to 6pm to 9pm.

 

 

For the artistically inclined, Mama Pottery Cafe in Murcia lets you paint your own mugs and then drink coffee out of them, which is way more fun than it sounds. When you book you get two hours to choose from more than 50 different pottery pieces, pick your colours, create your palette and enjoy their speciality coffees or cakes. You'll need to come back and collect your finished piece later though, as everything needs to be fired and glazed first.

 

 

Ice skating might be a bit of a Valentine's cliché but it's a classic for a reason, and just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the rinks have shut down. Thader shopping centre has a year-round ice rink with 550m² of space where you can practice your moves or just cling to each other trying not to fall over.

 

 

Finally, if you're after something properly unique, Más Que Arte on Calle Princesa near the centre of Murcia offers painting sessions under ultraviolet light. They provide all the materials so you just need to turn up with some enthusiasm and a willingness to get creative with your other half.

 

It's definitely more memorable than sitting across a table from each other struggling to think of conversation topics over overpriced pasta.

 

Image: Mama Pottery Cafe