Top 5 (Budget-Friendly) Valentine's Day Excursions

     Let’s start somewhere tropical: Mystery Island! This time of year, it’s cold and snowy where I’m from (Terror Mountain, of course!). Even though I love the wintertime (kind of have to…), I dream of warm sandy beaches and hot sunny days anywhere else. Mystery Island has all of those things and more! My ideal day would start with a leisurely walk around the island’s farmer’s market, Tropical Foods. The locals will be able to point you toward some inexpensive options for fruits that fill you up AND taste delicious! You could absolutely spend the rest of the day with your Valentine relaxing on the beach. If you’re interested in some exercise, the local Mynci team is always looking for competition; jump in for a rowdy game of Beach Volleyball before you dive into the crystal-clear water to cool off. An ideal evening would bring you to a sunset Tiki Tour that ends with a bonfire on the beach. The locals are friendly and full of stories (just ask about when Jhuidah went missing; you’ll get a whole cookbook’s worth of tales from long ago!), so if you bring a dish or a drink to share, they’re sure to invite you into the circle. Don’t forget to visit the Rock Pool to snorkel during peak bioluminescence after sunset. The surrounding sea is full of aquatic Petpets, and nighttime will reveal the best and brightest. This excursion could cost under 1,500 NP apiece, and is a great mix between relaxing time and adventure in a comfortable climate to boot! A highly recommended option for you and a Valentine.

     If “fun in the sun” isn’t quite your vibe, this next Valentine’s Day adventure might be a better fit. It’s a common misconception that the Haunted Woods is only open during October; the truth is, the residents live there year-round, and the shoulder seasons are the best time to visit! In general, any season other than Spooky Season is typically less expensive at the Haunted Woods, making it the perfect location to bring a special friend for a creepy (in the best way) Valentine’s Day. Be careful though; you have to make sure your Valentine is a fan of spooky flair! I would start my morning in the Haunted Woods with a tour of Castle Nox. Although the vibes are not as spooky in the morning as the evening or midnight options, the morning tour is less expensive, and you get breakfast for free in the castle! A great deal overall. I would plan to spend the afternoon taking my Valentine to the Graveyard for a picnic. Bringing a homemade lunch is so much more customizable, more meaningful, and more cost-effective than eating out. Finally, your evening could involve walking around the Haunted Fairgrounds. Get your face painted, interact with the entertainers and clowns, and try your hand at a carnival game or two. Don’t expect to win anything though; I’ve heard those games are all rigged! In sum, your date around the Haunted Woods should be around 2,500 NP (give or take, depending on your self-control when it comes to those carnival games…). An excellent Valentine’s Day choice for anyone who loves jump scares, while saving money.

     Is your Valentine more of the sparkly type? A trip to Faerieland is just what you need! Though it isn’t known for its, ahem, cost-effectiveness, Faerieland has tons of options that might be less high-end but will still make for a colourful, lovely day. I’d start in Faerie City at the Faerieland Bookshop. With the purchase of any book, you’ll get a complimentary cup of Borovan that you can sip while you sit and read with your Valentine. Afterwards, feel free to stroll through the other shops and ogle at the alluring (and high-priced) magical goods, the dazzling sights, and the brightly smiling residents. It really is a magnificent place! In the afternoon, venture out of the city and into the calming forests and glades of Faerieland, where you’ll find the world-famous Healing Springs. One of Faerieland’s best-kept secrets, this hot springs location will rejuvenate and heal anyone who visits, for free. The water faerie who resides there is an exceptional host, so make sure you give her a generous tip on the way out. An exciting evening out might involve a visit to the Poogle Races, where you don’t even have to bet in order to watch. It’s an event where the city’s socialites go to see and be seen, so keep an eye out for the more famous of the Fae folk while you’re there! It's a low-cost but enthralling way to end the evening before heading back into Faerie City, where the sparkling multi-coloured evening city lights are a show in and of themselves. Your entire trip through Faerieland will likely run you under 2,000 NP, and will leave you with countless memories of spending time with your person for Valentine's day.

     Lots of individuals value quality time and excursions over material things. In my experience, Terror Mountain is home to the absolute best options for outdoor recreation in all of Neopia (though I might be biased; my hometown RULES)! If your Valentine is an outdoor enthusiast, then Terror Mountain is probably one option you should consider. Let’s start at the base of the mountain. Spend a few hours checking out the many quaint boutiques, but don’t miss the Slushie Shop; I know it seems like it would be too cold for a Slushie, but trust me, they’re worth it. In order to get to the top of the Mountain, I would recommend traversing the Ice Caves. The Ice Caves are a world of their own; the caverns span miles underground, making for an exquisite opportunity for exploration. You might even run into the Snowager, if you’re lucky. Be careful if you do; you can try to steal some treasure if you encounter the sleeping Snowie, but its wrath is serious if it catches you! When you finally make it to the top of the Mountain, take a break at the lodge and grab a hot cup of Borovan. It’ll give you the fuel you need to ski or snowboard back down. Though the cost of a lift ticket can be expensive, if you hike up through the Ice Caves, you can avoid that expense and send it down the mountain for free. However, after the mountain has closed to the day’s ski traffic, the gondola remains open for sunset viewing and stargazing. I highly recommend coughing up a few hundred Neopoints on this as your only big cost of the day; the stars seen from the peak of Terror Mountain are like nowhere else! The total for a day on the slopes would probably cost you 1,500-2,000 NP total, and you’ll end up with tons of stories you can share with your Valentine again and again.

     Last but not least is an option for our history buffs out there, and their Valentine pals: Tyrannia! Not only is the weather nearly perfect this time of year (not as excruciatingly hot as it is in the summer, at least), but there are tons of opportunities for exploring and learning about one of the oldest cultures in Neopia. We’ll start on the Plateau in the morning before it gets too hot. The Giant Omelette will serve a free slice for breakfast, making it one of the only free gourmet food options on the planet! You won’t get your choice of flavour, so I hope you and your Valentine are open to trying something new together. While you’re Up Top, make sure you look up in the skies. The annual migration of Pteris happens around Valentine’s Day each year, so you might get lucky to see thousands of them block out the sun as they travel on their annual voyage. Venture Down Under into the nearby Jungle for a slightly cooler (though still highly humid) afternoon. There, you can spend time exploring the village, speaking with locals in the tribe, and even getting a tour of the nearby ancient cave paintings. An enthralling opportunity for anyone who loves to learn about the history of a place, and who is interested in becoming immersed in local culture. Finally, head back up to the Plateau for an evening at the Concert Hall. Music is a hugely important part of Tyrannian culture, and sharing a concert with someone else will leave you with talking points and memories galore. A Valentine’s Day you’ll never forget in Tyrannia would probably run 2,500-3,000 NP in total.

      That’s it! The best of the best free or low-cost ideas for a day full of fun, wonder, learning, or adventure around Neopia this Valentine’s Day. I hope you are able to jot down a few of these ideas to make your Valentine’s Day special and budget-friendly, no matter who you’re spending it with. Safe travels, and Blue Skies to all!