The stresses of school, work, and sometimes even children can be a lot to handle, so once in a while, couples plan romantic getaways so that they can appreciate each other without the distractions of everyday life. The U.S. Travel Association reported that couples that travel together experience better relationships, sex, and romance than couples who do not travel together.¹ A romantic getaway can range from taking your date downtown and staying at a fancy hotel to flying to the Paris and having dinner in the Eiffel tower. The purpose of this type of trip is to get closer to your significant other, while also creating great memories. At first, planning a romantic getaway can seem like a daunting task to plan out, but once it is broken down into a few simple components, it can be much easier to dissect. Following a methodical approach to planning a romantic getaway can ensure that you and your partner will have a great time. On the other hand, some couples prefer spontaneous decisions because they find it to be more exciting. Spontaneous romantic getaways can be very successful too, but even in this case, some planning is required.

Talk With Your Partner

When planning a romantic getaway, many people rush into planning a budget and booking flights but neglect the two most important questions. First, where would my partner and I like to go? Then, what would we like to do? Contemplating these questions with your partner can help develop your relationship. Start off with a list of the top five places you would like to visit and the top five activities you would like to do.² From there, the list can be narrowed down with the insight of both partners. You can also learn how well you and your partner work together from planning a trip together. Not all couples will have similar ideas about where they would like to go and what they would like to do, but a compromise may be necessary. For example, one partner can choose the destination for a romantic getaway while the other partner chooses the activity. This can switch every trip so that both partners get what they want. If a relationship is still new, it is best to start out with a short weekend trip close to home. Once you know an individual better, you can always go on a longer vacation.

Research

The most important component of planning a romantic getaway is research. Read a book, article, or online blog to gain insight into the area you are visiting. This can allow couples to experience the setting they are visiting in the way that locals enjoy their own cities. It is not completely necessary to immerse oneself in the culture they are visiting, but it is still important to respect the culture. Good research can only enhance a romantic getaway. For example, visiting a local restaurant in Rome, Italy that a couple learned about from an article can be a much better experience than visiting a tourist-heavy restaurant that caters to the generic tastes of every tourist.  Research is also important for safety and ease. It can be an unpleasant experience visiting a romantic getaway if the weather is bad or if the area has conflict. For example, going to the Caribbean Islands always seems like a good idea, but going during hurricane season can be disastrous.³ A little bit of research can go a long way to make a trip safer and easier.

Set a Budget

A budget can provide peace of mind, as money is a common worry. First, assess how much money you and your partner have and are willing to spend.⁴ Once that is settled, a budget can be constructed. Transportation is typically the most expensive item on a budget, but the price of transportation can be lowered if a couple is willing to sacrifice some comfort by taking a bus instead of a train or by using local transportation. Having a balanced budget can make your trip easy to accomplish. Mixing in daily activities that do not require a fee such as hiking, visiting architecture, and going to the beach, can keep the getaway fresh while keeping the budget intact. A budget provides structure for how money is spent, but it can always be adjusted. For example, if you want to go to a five-star restaurant, but you are planning more dinners, later on, you can always cut out the extra dinners so that you can accommodate your five-star restaurant.

Relax

Things do not always go according to plan; no matter how much time was spent making said plans. Expectations are typically high for a romantic getaway, but something is bound to go awry.  When something does go wrong, keep everything in context and relax. A lot can be learned about a partner by the way they handle adverse situations. It is easy to communicate and talk to when everything is going well. You learn the most about your partner when you see how they treat you in difficult situations. For example, if your baggage gets lost at the airport terminal, they may make light of the issue and buy tacky tourist clothing (Hawaiian shirts, fanny, packs, and a visor). They may overreact and get angry, but this is not productive and will not help ease the situation. Rather than stressing out about the problem, you and your partner will be able to share a funny experience together and laugh at the memories. Also, you will have some hilarious vacation photos! While some level of scheduling is imperative to a successful vacation, not every day of the romantic getaway needs to be planned out. Spontaneous moments can be very romantic. You can leave a day for your romantic getaway completely absent of plans so that you and your partner can explore your surroundings or just stay inside and enjoy each other’s company.

Turn It Off!

It is far too common to see couples at dinner not looking up from their phones or acknowledging each other. Phones, laptops, and tablets are very useful technological devices for work and entertainment at home. In the context of a romantic getaway, technology does not serve an important purpose. Yes, phones are essential for communication if you get lost or need to contact someone, but most people use technology for social media and entertainment, so turn off all of your electronics. Taking a break from technology during a romantic getaway can be very beneficial as there is less stress from the news, social media, or economics.⁵ Use this getaway to connect and communicate with your partner. If you must take a phone call at any point, be sure to ask your partner’s permission first so that they know you are being considerate. Technology can distract a couple from living in the moment, so take a temporary break from technology when leaving for a romantic getaway.

Get Romantic!

When planning a romantic getaway, it can be easy to forget about the romantic part of the vacation. Not all couples wish to be very romantic, but for the ones that do, this section provides information on how to be romantic. You can start off by contacting the hotel you are staying at to see if they can set up candles all over the room or cover the bed with rose petals to create a romantic environment. When going out to eat, ask a waiter or call ahead to see if the restaurant has personal musical entertainment for hire. There are endless ways to be romantic. It is about how well you know your partner and how much effort you are willing to put in.  Spontaneity and romanticism often go hand in hand. For example, you can rent out a luxury vehicle to go out for a night on the town, rather than taking a taxi.⁶ Some may think that there is no such a thing as too much romanticism, but there can be. Being too romantic can give off the impression of desperateness, so make sure to gauge their romantic interests.

Things to Avoid

There are a few things to avoid when going on a romantic vacation. First, avoid being too clingy. Although it is a romantic vacation, everyone needs a little bit of space every so often.⁷ Next, do not let your budget dictate everything on your trip. Leave room for some extra luxuries. Avoid any unnecessary arguments. It can be easy to be impatient during long trips or long periods of waiting.  Similarly, be patient. No one wants to be with someone who rushes and causes people to be stressed out. Finally, do not get too intoxicated. This may seem common sense, but it is easy to overdo it when you are having a good time.

Concluding Remarks

A romantic getaway is a great way to get closer to your significant other. Research shows that a vacation with your significant other can improve your sex life and romance. Planning a romantic getaway can bring couples together and also act as a break from everyday life. Use a romantic getaway as an opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved one.

References

1. “Valentine’s Survey Finds Traveling Together Strengthens Relationships.” U.S. Travel Association, 12 July 2017.
2. “7 Simple Steps to Research and Plan a Trip.” Travel Made Simple. N.p., 20 June 2017. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.
3. Moore, Jamie. “How to Plan a Trip to the Caribbean during Hurricane Season.” USA Gannett Satellite Information Network, 22 June 2017. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.
4. Habits, Better Money. “Creating a Budget with a Personal Budget Spreadsheet.”Better Money Habits. Bank of America, 28 Feb. 2017. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.
5. Staff, GoodTherapy.org. “3 Ways Technology Can Negatively Impact Your Relationships.”GoodTherapy.org Therapy Blog. N.p., 12 Oct. 2017. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.
6. Goldsmith, Barton. “10 Ways to Make Your Relationship Magically Romantic.” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 30 Oct. 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.
7. Lobo, Fedora. “Things To Avoid On A Romantic Getaway.” TripHobo. TripHobo, 26 Oct. 2017. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.

Last Updated: 28 January 2018.