Planning a Romantic Getaway

It doesn't matter whether you've only been together for a couple years or if you are celebrating all of the kids growing up and moving out of the house—it's important to take trips together to strengthen your relationship. Besides that, it's fun and relaxing to go on vacation.

• Money is one of the biggest issues when planning a romantic getaway. Splurge a little, but don't spend money that you really don't have. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's the best choice, and just because something is inexpensive doesn't mean it can't be great. With budget in mind, plan to do a lot of research. If you look hard you can find great deals on flights and hotels that can save you hundreds of dollars; suddenly, something that wasn't in your budget can be!
• Romance is full of sappy and sentimental moments, so don't hide from them. It's romantic to revisit the place where you first fell in love or went on your Honeymoon, or a place that you know your partner has only dreamed of going for most of his or her life. With that said, be careful about the location you pick. Take the amount of time you have into consideration. For example, if you only have the weekend, it might be better to drive to a close-by area. Going out of the country, especially with a time-zone change, is usually more appropriate when you have at least a week. Keep the time-zone changes in mind if you are traveling far—the time switch can greatly affect the first day or two of your travel, as well as the time it takes to recover when you get back home. Another thought about location is the kind of activities you want to do: are you going to want the privacy of the mountains, or would you rather go sight-seeing?
• If at all possible, try to leave your work behind. Just having uninterrupted time together will most likely be the best part of the trip, and the most meaningful and strengthening to your relationship. Leave your phone and computer in the hotel, and resist checking for messages constantly. Make sure you ask for the vacation time as early as possible and get as much done before you go to avoid being swamped with work-related interruptions.