How To Plan the Ultimate Romantic Getaway
Looking to get away with your lover, but unsure where to begin? We get it. It can be incredibly overwhelming to plan a trip, especially when there’s pressure to plan something meaningful and romantic. We’ve gathered all the tips and tricks you could need to plan a romantic getaway.
Don’t Stress
Easier said than done, but of utmost importance – don’t stress about the trip. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself trying to make it romantic. Plan a destination and excursions you know your partner will love, and leave plenty of time to just be together.
Do Your Research
With the internet, there are hundreds of resources available to help you plan a trip. Not only will this guide help you, but so will countless other videos, articles, agencies, and posts about specific locations, restaurants, activities, and resorts to plan the perfect trip.
There’s far too much information at your fingertips to not have a stellar itinerary and show up at a shoddy hotel. Read reviews, connect with local businesses through social media, and when you’re there, ask the locals. Your partner will be awfully disappointed if you don’t put time and effort into planning and have a subpar time on your trip.
Make It a Surprise
Nothing is more romantic than a surprise, especially a surprise trip. How much of a surprise is up to you, but consider a couple of options – a complete surprise or a partial surprise. If you opt for a complete surprise, kudos. This is the hardest to pull off and requires the most forethought. To pull off a complete surprise, you’ll have to pack for your partner, arrange for them to take time off work, book their transportation, and find an excuse to get them wherever you’re going.
If you can manage all that – choosing their clothes, grabbing their necessary toiletries, and contacting their boss to confirm their PTO, all without them becoming wise to your plan – your partner will be awestruck in the best way, and totally impressed that you paid such close attention to detail. It’ll be a hard favor to repay, and one they’ll remember forever.
A partial surprise is a bit easier, and it’s tons of fun. Tell your partner you’ve planned a trip. Drop hints about the location and give them a vague idea of the weather and activities so they can pack accordingly, but don’t give away the destination or the bulk of the schedule. When you arrive at the airport or get in the car to drive, tell your partner where you’re going. It’ll be ultra-romantic, and much easier to achieve.
Choose a Time That Works for Both of You
Whether or not you plan a surprise trip, be mindful of the time you’re choosing. Check your partner’s schedule – is it a busy month at work, or do they have commitments scheduled they can’t break or move? Check the same for your schedule. Neither of you wants to be stressed while on your romantic getaway, and nothing is more stressful than knowing you’re missing something important back home.
Choose a Romantic Destination
If you’re taking a romantic trip, your destination must be romantic. The destination is hugely important. It’ll set the tone, and if your partner is in the know about the locale ahead of time, it’ll get them all the more excited about a trip for just the two of you in a place known for romance.
There are undeniably romantic locations throughout the world – London, Paris, the Maldives – but don’t discount some lesser-known spots that might not seem traditionally romantic. A long weekend curled up in a cabin overlooking the Swiss Alps? Dreamy. A coastal one-bedroom bungalow in a tiny town with nothing to do but each other? Totally hot. Just because it hasn’t been dubbed “the city of love” doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
Consider what your partner finds romantic, and what they enjoy doing. If they’d rather frolic in the snow and shower together to warm up afterward, don’t take them to the tropics. But if they’d prefer sex on the beach, find a spot with private cabanas for rent. Romance is about preference, and showing your partner you’ve paid attention to all the little hints they’ve dropped about their dream vacation will get you very, very lucky.
Take Luxe Transportation
Money doesn’t equal romance, but spending a little extra on transportation can do wonders for both of you. If you’re taking a road trip, hire a driver. The driver can stay nearby for the entire trip and transport you wherever, whenever you like. You won’t have to worry about finding an Uber late at night, navigating an unfamiliar city, or staying within the legal limit to return to your lodging safely. All the stress that accompanies driving will be gone, leaving you with nothing but time to talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.
If you’re flying commercial, fly first class. Having a first-class ticket will give you priority boarding, access to airline lounges, and more room on the plane. You’ll avoid bookending the trip with negative flying experiences by spending just a bit more on tickets.
For the ultimate luxury travel accommodations, fly private. You’ll be able to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of champagne on your flight, have privacy to chat about your excitement for the trip, and join the mile-high club. Flying private will give you more control over arrival and departure times, too, which you’ll both be thankful for. Start and finish your romantic getaway in the most fabulous way possible.
Book a Suite
Note that suite here is an all-encompassing word meaning something big. A presidential suite, a honeymoon suite, a cabin, a villa, a condo, a mansion, a castle, an estate. Book something big and beautiful, something your partner will be thrilled to spend time at.
For many trips, accommodations are not the most important purchase, especially when your schedule is packed. When the only activity you’ll be doing at your lodging is sleeping, something nice and comfortable will do. But when you’re planning a romantic getaway, something expansive and sexy will elevate the trip and is necessary since you’ll be spending time there doing lots more than sleeping.
Don’t cheap out on lodging for a romantic trip. Splurge on something memorable. Something your partner will be begging you to take them back to. Something swanky that exudes romance.
Let Others Do the Work
From the moment you leave your home to the moment you return, don’t let your partner do any work. Have someone else take care of it for them, or both of you if possible. Carry their luggage, serve them drinks, and take care of everything. Don’t let them lift a finger.
If you’re driving yourself, be their chauffeur. If you’re staying at an Airbnb, hire a private chef, or go out for every meal. If you’re at a resort, see if an attendant is available for hire. Hire a private waiter for your cabana and bottle service when you’re out.
Make it obvious you want them to relax and enjoy themselves, not feel pressured to cook, fetch you drinks, or keep a tidy house while you’re on your romantic getaway. Let others do the work so you can focus on each other.
Don’t Book Too Many Activities
Activities are fun, and not many of us can spend an entire week posted up on a beach under a coconut tree, but don’t overwhelm yourselves with activities and lose time you can spend just the two of you. Consider a more relaxed approach, especially if your destination is a city. Choose one or two major activities per day, if that, and spend the rest of the time dawdling. You’re on vacation – it’s acceptable to dawdle. One day, visit a museum in the morning and return to your lodging for an afternoon delight. Another day, get a late lunch and relax until your moonlight private dinner cruise.
If you’re at the beach, plan your activities by day. One day, rent a yacht and jet ski in the ocean, on another day visit the historic ruins and caves in a nearby town. Offset these all-day affairs with days where you’re totally relaxed, only moving your bodies to reapply sunscreen or…
Sleep In
You read that correctly, early risers. Your trainer isn’t joining your trip so you can make your 4:00 am workout, and you can’t do it via Zoom because of the time change. Don’t wake your partner by rustling the sheets to run on the beach before sunrise. Sleep in some. It doesn’t have to be long, but take advantage of having no responsibilities. Plus, what’s hotter than morning sex?
If you absolutely can’t stay in bed, let your partner sleep in and find a way to make their morning special. Brew a pot of coffee and bring it to them in bed. Cook breakfast and set a stunning tablescape on the balcony. Run to a nearby shop for a special gift or fresh flowers. Take your time in the morning, and don’t feel pressured to start your day early as you do at home.
Plan More Surprises While You’re There
The surprises shouldn’t end when you begin your trip. Actually, there should be far more surprises when you arrive than beforehand. It might seem difficult to plan surprises, but it’s really not. It just takes a little planning.
Surprises don’t have to be grand. It’s a romantic getaway, not a milestone birthday party with your entire extended family. Give them hints here and there as to what you’re doing, then have something even more exciting when you arrive.
If you’ve planned a candlelit dinner for two in a private space with music and rose petals, just tell them you’re going to dinner. If you’re going on a hot air balloon ride with a champagne toast, tell them you’re going to see a great view. Throw them off a bit, then surprise them with something totally romantic.
Hire a Travel Agent
If planning is truly too stressful, even with all the resources available, or you simply don’t have the time, hire a travel agent. The internet is flooded with agents from all over, all just waiting for you to book a trip with them. Whether it’s someone local to you or local to your destination, contact someone and correspond so they know exactly what you envision for your trip.
Find a bespoke travel agency for a super posh, super romantic trip. They’ll be able to book private excursions, set you up in beautiful lodging, and give you ideas for a trip you didn’t think possible. You’ll be blown away by their skills, as will your partner. It’ll make for an exceptional trip, and build credit with a company that can continue planning vacations for you and your partner for years to come.
Spend, Spend, Spend
To make your time as romantic as possible, you’ve got to spend. Spend money on the little things to make the trip run more smoothly. Spend money on the big things to leave with unmatched stories and memories. A romantic getaway isn’t the time to worry about your budget. Show your partner all you care about is their happiness, and make your trip as perfect as possible.
You can’t just spend money though, you’ve got to spend time with each other too. Be together. Be present. Put your devices away and don’t check work emails. Everything can be attended to when you return.
Spend quality time in a romantic place with the one you love most. Be intentional and thoughtful and unplug from the rest of the world to have as special a trip as possible. Romance takes effort. Make it, and you’ll have an unforgettable getaway.