Long weekends, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and plain old “let’s reconnect, honey” all call for romantic weekends among happy couples. At only three or four days long, you’ve only got a short time to plan for a romantic weekend getaway; you want to make sure you get it right. After all, you want to make the most out of your special, but brief, time away. Make it memorable! Here are The Vacation Gals’ Top 5 tips for planning a romantic weekend vacation.
1. Decide first on a destination that’s appealing to both of you. Sure, the stereotypical romantic vacation usually involves relaxing on a tropical beach, mai tai in hand, but there’s something to be said about snuggling up to an apres-ski fire in a private cabin as well. Other favorite US destinations for couple’s weekend escapes are vineyard-and-winery locales like Sonoma and Napa Valley. The time of year can also impact your destination decision; after all, Napa Valley is a lot less fun after the crush, and sunny beaches are a lot more appealing for those of you who need a break from cold winter climates.
2. Take an hour to do some online research before booking your hotel. There are plenty of web-based hotel deals and packages with romantic bents to them (particularly for Valentine’s Day) that help make a romantic weekend away easier on the travel budget. Is a couple’s spa treatment important for your weekend getaway? Then use search terms that help you narrow down your choices that way.
3. Once you’ve found a few hotels, resorts, or B&Bs with appealing couple’s packages, see what reliable sites like TripAdvisor has to say about them. Nothing puts a crimp on romantic vacations than a bait-and-switch hotel room. Look at the hotel’s website itself for other details that are important to you, such as a more environmentally friendly stays through linen exchanges and chefs that buy locally produced foodstuffs.
4. Consider creating a romantic hotel room as well. Plan to avoid turning the TV on (if you can restrain yourself!) and opting for pre-selected mood music of your choice. Many hotels, resorts and B&Bs have clocks with dual MP3 Player charger docks and speakers. And, it goes without saying, pack what you need for a romantic getaway!
5. Think about what activities you’d like to engage in (besides the obvious, folks). Spa treatments and wine tastings are great for setting the mood, but outdoorsy couples may prefer a long and rigorous hike, followed by a long bath. When planning your weekend, don’t hesitate to call the hotel front desk to inquire about off-site activities that suit your personality. Consider asking about a few off the beaten track activities which may be more memorable, such as a tour of an organic vineyard if you’re in wine country. Some of these other-than-ordinary travel experiences make for the best romantic vacation memories!
No matter what you want from your romantic getaway weekend, remember to tailor it to fit your and your significant other’s personalities. Plan accordingly, and it should be just perfect.
Great tips! Don’t forget LOTS of champagne.
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Beach is top of my list as always, especially during sunset:)
Simon
Recently hubby and I have really gotten into renting luxury vacation rentals when travelling- it’s fun to feel at home in someone else’s home and cook gourmet meals together! And it’s usually a steal compared to comparably nice hotels. We’re repeating a trip to Mt. Hood this year after having a great time at the same luxe cabin in the woods last year.