Going on a vacation with your partner - whether a brief weekend trip or longer can be what is needed to reignite the spark in your relationship.
Today, I will be sharing some of my top tips for planning the ideal romantic getaway. The first tip seems counter-intuitive but read along and you will understand why not calling it a "romantic getaway" is key to helping you relax and not put unnecessary pressure on yourself and your partner.
Don’t call it a romantic getaway - You don’t want to put undue pressure on yourselves and calling your time away a “romantic getaway” will put pressure on both of you to make it feel magical, romantic, giving no room for imperfection. Don’t do it. Call it a relaxing getaway instead or simply…just a getaway.
Know your partner - If it’s a surprise, ask yourself “what would my partner like?” Or “How would my partner like to feel after a nice time away from home?” If they are involved in the planning, then carry them along. Ask them what they would like to get out of the vacation. If you love an activity-packed vacation but your partner wants to chill by the pool and drink cocktails, then take that into account and plan accordingly. They would appreciate you and feel validated by your thoughtfulness.
Go in the off-peak period - Plan your getaway outside of busy periods e.g., school holidays, major public holidays or when the location will be teeming with tourists. That way, you will avoid long queues if you decide to do touristy activities. If you decide not to do touristy things, being in a location where there are fewer tourists makes you feel less inclined to be out there doing what tourists do.
Opt for adults-only accommodation - Going for kids-free resorts is particularly important if you have kids. You don’t want the parent-guilt to dampen your time away when you see other children running around or splashing in the pool, or let's be honest - toddlers having a meltdown.. Adults-only resorts are there for a reason, make the best of them. Remember, this is time for you and your partner. So, where possible, opt for the adults-only or couples-only options at your accommodation. If unsure if the accommodation you are considering is adults only or couples only, it's best to ask as there is a difference. If you choose to go for a location that caters to all ages, you can still ask for the couples-only facilities as some hotels or resorts have these options and will be more than happy to accommodate your preferences.
Go easy on activities - Maximise downtime and don’t have too many activities planned so that they don’t distract away from being present and simply enjoying each other’s company. Try to make your time as relaxing as possible. But having said that, have one or two activities planned so that it shows you put in the effort. This is also handy if your partner likes things scheduled, having something planned helps show that you took their preferences into consideration.
Bonus Tip: If something goes wrong during your getaway, don’t let it ruin your time together. Deal with it and move on quickly. The view from your hotel room looks like nothing on the website? The dinner at that top restaurant everyone was recommending didn’t meet your expectations? Acknowledge it, talk about how disappointing it was but don’t let it determine the tone of the rest of your vacation.
Recommendations: Some of my favourite adults-only resorts:
Hope these tips are helpful. If you have any other tips that have worked for you, please feel free to share!
Be well,
JJ
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