Dream dates

Dreams of Kiefer
Rachael Green has lived in the city for seven years and is the recruitment and employee development manager at Dubai Duty Free.

Happily engaged to her partner of 11 years, Rachael described her perfect fantasy date.

The 37-year-old said: "Obviously this would be my perfect date had I not found my gorgeous fiancé. I would like to spend 24 hours with Kiefer Sutherland - the star of the hit television series, 24. He would switch off his mobile phone - to be completely devoted to me - and we'd go to the Oscars.

"Obviously I would be dressed in Valentino and be wearing Graff diamonds. My make-up and hair would be looking perfect after spending hours with my own professionals.

"Kiefer would cook for me as he's an amazing chef (in my imagination) and then his private helicopter would pick us up and take us to the Oscars.

"While Kiefer is busy signing autographs I would be chatting to friends Johnny Depp, Daniel Craig and Kevin Spacey! After the awards Kiefer and I would have to leave early to get back home as we have lots to talk about. We need to discuss our up-and-coming wedding plans and also whether we will buy a home in New York, Beverly Hills or both. Perfect!"

Paris
Mike Cox-Hill, 30, country manager for the British Safety Council, said his perfect day would be with the girl he loves in Paris.

"Whisk her off to Paris to arrive early morning, head to take in all the sights doing a city break extravaganza - start at the Arc du Triomphe before walking across to the Eiffel Tower; take the stairs to the top and see Paris from its famed landmark.

"Following this take a walk over to the Seine - Paris's meandering river and stroll hand in hand down towards the Louvre museum. Head inside this majestic museum and view some of the world's most coveted art from across the centuries.
"Take a taxi to St Germain des Pres for lunch at Les Deux Maggots, where Hemingway would come to watch the world go by, and having been well fed and watered, head over to the Sacre Coeur with its shimmering white dome. Having had the guided tour of this amazing cathedral it is just a short walk around the corner to the Moulin Rouge. Amazing."

A bit of e
Graphic designer Aimee Warren, 26, said: "Erm, uh, well, er - I guess go to do an activity (never Valentine's dinner in a restaurant - hated it!) like skiing or something, to avoid all that commercial stuff, so you can have a good old laugh together, and grab a hot chocolate in the cold."

Janice, a single girl who loves to laugh, said: "Drink wine and dance - dancing is very romantic. More chocolates than roses."

Suchita has been with her boyfriend for 18 months and complains of being bored. She said: "It has to be fun with lots of roses and chocolates. A cruise would be great, in fact anything in water."

Then after a second thought she decides paint balling would be good -shooting each other to vent the year's frustrations.
Liston, single lad but a real romantic at heart, said: "I would like to buy a girl a dress, and go for a romantic stroll on the beach. Argghhhhhh."

Falling in love

In February 1999 more than 100 creative wedding proposal ideas were submitted to Taco Bell in an effort to win a $10,000 (Dh36,700) engagement ring as part of Taco Bell's plush Chihuahua toy Valentine's Day promotion.

The winner, Ken Drobish from Calabasas, California submitted a video shot from two miles up, showing him armed with the plush Chihuahua in a skydiving free-fall before landing on bended knee and asking for his sweetheart's hand in marriage.

Other notable romantic entries included a radio disc jockey from Pennsylvania who wanted to propose on the air; a skateboarding Chihuahua toy from California; several school teachers who enlisted their students to help them pop the question; and many live Chihuahua pets called on to perform tricks in hopes of winning the hearts of their loved-ones.