Planning the Romantic Getaway
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Thursday 14th October 2010- Making your plans.
- Tips to remember.
- Places to go and things to do.
"Sweetheart, don’t make any plans these weekend… I pre-ordered tickets to the new Jean Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for Saturday…Can you believe it–both of them in the same flick–wow!… Then, on Sunday, listen to this, you’re never gonna guess!… I got front row tickets to WWF wrestling!… Honey, get ready to LIVE!"
Women love surprises, but make sure it’s a good one. If your idea of a romantic weekend sounds anything like the above, read on for the following SharpDating tips on the getaway weekend:
Get a Plan, SharpMan
Leisure can combat the stresses of work and the boredom of routines. Need a little fun in your life? If so, you may find that your romantic life is also struggling. While simply getting away is not a cure-all for every situation, a weekend getaway can be a great romance booster. Likewise, if you are in a newer (but not brand new) relationship, scooting off together will spark all the sizzle you need.
The key is to plan ahead. The amount of planning required is directly proportional to the length of your getaway. Planning a daytrip can be a snap, while a weekend trip will be a little more challenging. Nonetheless, with proper forethought, a two- to three-day trip will go off without a hitch.
Your first weekend retreat attempt should focus on getting the details right, rather than biting off more than you can chew. A week or more can turn into a logistical nightmare, and if your dream vacation isn’t exactly her dream, it may turn out to be miserable. Whatever your idea, don’t allow it to become so complex that it turns into work. Planning a weekend should be fun; sort of like a preview of the real thing.
Where to Go?
Your first steps are to decide where to go and what to do. These should be easy, but usually don’t turn out that way. Our best advice is to stop thinking about what you want to do and instead concentrate on what she would like to do. Trust us: if you’re looking to earn points, this is your move. Regardless of how much you enjoy horseback riding, if she’s never been and discovers that she doesn’t care for it, her discomfort will cause your well-meaning weekend to go from bad to worse — and that’ll just be Saturday.
So begin your planning by focusing on places and related activities that she enjoys, and then narrow the choices down to things that you can enjoy together.
Once you have decided on the scenery and general activities, pick the actual location. And whether it’ll be the city of San Francisco, the beach in Miami, or the mountains in Colorado, your preferences and your budget will dictate. Don’t be afraid to splurge, but don’t forget to save. After all, jetting off to Paris sounds romantic and definitely is, but the price tag is too high for many. If she really is your special SharpWoman, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get more exotic next time; no reason to overdo it on the first attempt. Plus, if you surprise her with two tickets and she doesn’t have a passport, the weekend won’t go quite as well as you’d have hoped.
What to Do?
Once you’ve settled in, what will be the focus or main activities during your getaway? Be romantic here. Think of things that are conducive to strolling, hand-holding, smoochin’ and good conversation. Also, make sure you have a couple of options; if you discover that she’s uncomfortable with the rough waters of whitewater rafting, a leisurely inner-tube alternative will save the day. Again, the vacation will be most enjoyable by focusing on her and her interests. Do that and the weekend will become yours.
The Logistics
Getting there. So you’ve picked out where you are going and what you’ll do. Great! You’re halfway there. The next step is to figure out transportation and accommodations. While your friends may brag about last-minute airfare deals, the reality is that last-minute plane tickets are generally pricey. To keep costs reasonable, make a point of planning in advance. Check your local newspaper travel section or your favorite online travel site for special deals (see SharpTravel’s Finding Great Airfares Online).
Staying there. As for where to stay, deals on rooms in large hotel chains abound online, in your local paper and through travel agents. If you’re interested in a more romantic Bed & Breakfast option, don’t miss SharpTravel’s Finding the Perfect Bed & Breakfast.
ETA. Finally, figure out when to go. You have three options:
- The first is to tell her about your plans by saying something like, "I have a surprise for you, so please keep the weekend of __ open."
- The second option, making the trip a total surprise, is more romantic but also more work. Surprises of this nature may require you to work with those close to her. For example, if her boss or coworkers are relatively friendly, perhaps they can help by identifying low-stress weeks or arranging for days off. The key here is that you’ve got to know your SharpWoman and her commitments really well, otherwise the surprise will turn into a nightmare.
If you do opt for a surprise weekend, it’s a safe move to spring your plans on her the day before. A little advance warning will allow her to take care of the last-minute details that will put her mind at rest while you’re away.
SharpMan Tip: If you know your SharpWoman well enough, it’s a good idea to avoid planning a getaway weekend during or just prior to her menstrual cycle. Many women experience physical discomfort and headaches during this time, and these are bound to get in the way of her ability to enjoy all of your thoughtful planning.
Don’t Be a Dud, Dude
Planning a romantic getaway is really quite simple as long as you keep her interests in mind. After you have all the big details worked out, it’s time to think about the small ones. Besides surprises, women love a guy who thinks of and notices the little things. Here are eight tips to consider and remember:
Money matters. Sure, money doesn’t equal romance, but if it’s within your means, spending a little extra on your weekend getaway is worth it and shows her that she is too. If spending more is your style, but not your budget, make a point of saving beforehand, rather than risking a credit card decline upon check-in.
Amenities galore. A fireplace or hot tub in your room adds considerably to the romance. How about a huge four-poster bed with satin sheets and lots of pillows? Every couple has its preferences; see Finding the Perfect Bed & Breakfast for tips on identifying the amenities you want and the accommodations that have them.
Flowers are too easy. Call ahead to have a bouquet of her favorite flowers delivered right to your room. Include a note simply saying, "I love you," or if you haven’t gotten that far, "Our weekend of fun begins!"
Favorite foods. Forget the diet and indulge. Call the B & B owner or hotel concierge in advance for restaurant suggestions and reservations. Many busy weekends book months in advance. Ask for a fax confirmation from the restaurants. For really special weekends, request that the restaurant arrange for a chilled bottle of champagne at the table upon arrival. Share a luxurious desert.
Accessorize. Women dig romance accessories like scented candles, bubble bath crystals, and massage oils. Stash a few in your luggage and pull them out after a great dinner or during a lazy afternoon.
Truly get away. While tough for some SharpMen, make every effort to leave work and home problems behind. Skip the voicemail and Blackberry wireless e-mail checks and simply focus on where you are and who you’re with. Believe it or not, a few minutes really can ruin the mood. Likewise, avoid conversations about work, bills and other anxiety-producing subjects. And if she brings one of the taboo subjects (if you’ve done your homework, she probably won’t), simply smile and flatter her. "You are so beautiful and I love you" usually works well for changing the subject.
Stop planning. The time for planning is over the minute you leave. Just hang back and relax. If you planned well, you’ll have several options to choose from at crucial moments. Besides, plan, shman; realize that you will undoubtedly deviate from your master schedule. No problem! Romance is often not compatible with a minute-by-minute schedule.
Have fun. The place is a dive, the weather is terrible, and the food is barely edible. Make the most of your weekend getaway no matter how it turns out. Laugh about it and focus on one another. Keeping a great attitude is much better than letting the less-than-perfect plan ruin a great weekend.
Somewhere to Start - 10 Weekend Getaway Themes
Active adventures. Something physically challenging, like hiking or whitewater rafting, can add excitement to your relationship.
Hit the beach. Whether you are on the shores of Lake Michigan or the Florida Coast, sunset strolls on sandy beaches scream romance.
Gourmet getaways. Every major city has its own famous fare, i.e., Chicago for deep-dish, tons-of-cheese pizza. Pick a food she likes and go from there.
Lovers escape. Stay close to home. Confine yourself to the resort property (mostly your room).
Once in a lifetime. Skydiving or bungee jumping. Excitement meets I’ll never do that again.
Tee it up. If you both like golf, there are thousands of resort courses worldwide.
Spa treatment. If you are short on ideas, 99.9 percent of women love to be pampered.
Campfire tales. A crackling fire and the call of wild can make for great nights. (Bring an air mattress.)
Nightlife. Consider jazz and jambalaya in New Orleans. Focus on the fun and pick your place.
Just stay home. Budget tight? Clean the house while she’s at work. Rent her favorite classic romantic movies. Add plenty of candles, great food, champagne and chocolate. Lock yourselves in for two days.