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Couple’s Travel Two to Tango

Thinking about taking your partner on a romantic sweetheart trip? Sometimes it’s necessary to take a breather from the stresses of life and spend devoted, quality time with the person you love. Choosing the right mix of retreat, ambiance, and access to couple-friendly activities can be a challenge. However, with a bit of planning and effort, couple's travel can be an enjoyable and intimate experience for both of you.

Whether you are looking for a place to relax and unwind or looking for an adventure, there is something out there for you. There is a myriad of destinations, from downtown hotels for a weekend to cruises to light adventure, and the decision-making process is probably the most challenging aspect of the trip. But beyond the destination, activities to interest both of you and the logistics of transportation and accommodation are key considerations.

A romantic getaway is almost always a welcome idea. “Couple’s travel” is a term that is used to describe travel undertaken by two people who are in a committed relationship, whether they are married or not, for the purpose of focusing on each other. While straight couples have long been the principal demographic undertaking this type of travel, more and more gay couples are now enjoying the benefits of couple's travel. Couple's travel allows for the opportunity to spend time together without the distractions of work and day-to-day life, the opportunity to try new things together, and the chance to deepen your connection with your partner.

Broadly speaking, couple’s travel covers not only destination weddings and honeymoons, but also anniversaries, vow renewals, babymoons (the final trip before the baby's birth), romantic getaways and second weddings. Destination weddings and honeymoons we will reserve for another discussion. Here we will instead consider travel focusing on the couple’s relationship, the romantic getaway.

Planning

Unless the trip is a surprise, be sure to involve your partner in the decision-making process. Even if it is a surprise, many decisions can be made after the surprise is announced to your partner. Joint decision-making is the safest bet in the interest of planning a trip that will ensure that you will both have a great time. Take the opportunity to plan and make sure you're both on the same page about where you want to go and what you want to do. Consider scheduling time for both of you to do activities that you enjoy separately as well. This will give you both time to relax and recharge without feeling like you're neglecting your partner.

It is also important to discuss finances and make sure that both partners are comfortable with the budget. Transportation, lodging, and dining are all near unavoidable costs, even without in-destination activities. If one person is a spender while the other is more frugal, this can lead to tension. To keep the romance front and center, it’s crucial to compromise and be willing to give and take.

Timing is another factor. Off-season travel means smaller crowds, less expense, and more attention from your destination’s hosts and should be taken into consideration. As you work with your travel advisor, creativity and candor are paramount! Turn the planning exercise into something fun and exciting.

Choosing a Destination and Activities

Romance travel can come in many forms. Almost all leisure travel opportunities involve the two key factors of destination and activities. “Where do you want to go?” and “What do you want to do?” are the prime considerations that govern all subsequent decisions. At times, the destination is the key motivation, and at others, it is the activity that mandates the destination. In either event, a good travel consultant will work with the couple together to arrive at the best possible value.

Given the nature of a romantic couple's trip, you will likely want to avoid packing your itinerary with non-stop activity. If the focus of the trip is on each other, some activities are probably best trimmed from the plan. This is to say there is a difference between couple’s travel and a couple traveling! Exhaustion is not a good ingredient for romance. One additional activity that should be left behind is work and its digital companions. Consider locking up the phones and checking them only when necessary. The idea is to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. Some of the most romantic activities are as simple and inexpensive as watching a sunset from your balcony room with a glass of wine in hand. Planning downtime for the trip is highly recommended.

Cruises often get high marks for couple travel. The self-contained and all-inclusive nature of the environment means less decision-making is necessary once on board. Likewise, all-inclusive resorts are often chosen as the backdrop for a romantic interlude trip. The Caribbean remains a favorite for romantic retreats. The many different island venues and resorts, as well as the short travel time, the beaches, and the ocean are irresistible draws. The laid-back atmosphere of the Caribbean offers a relaxing respite for couples looking to focus on each other. St. Barts, Virgin Gorda, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, and Antigua are just a few of the choice selections of the Caribbean.

For couples with the time and budget, more far-flung exotic destinations like Bora Bora in French Polynesia come to mind. Marrakech, Morocco, is a popular choice, and even soft adventure destinations like Patagonia are available for couples who want to spend their days on hiking trips and then retreat to their room.

Closer to home, the United States and Canada have no shortage of romantic settings. Great cities like New York, Seattle, Miami, and Quebec City have amazing accommodations, entertainment, and dining. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are New England’s choice spots for romance, along with Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Hawaii is a great romantic destination with secluded beaches, amazing sights, and no end to the great dining opportunities, as are many locations in California like Napa Valley.

Traveling as a couple can be an incredibly rewarding experience that helps to strengthen your relationship while also providing you with unforgettable memories. With the assistance of a good travel consultant, you can plan a couple’s travel vacation that will be enjoyable for both of you and allow you to reconnect with your partner. With a little bit of planning and effort, couple’s travel can be affordable and within reach - so what are you waiting for? Start planning your next couple’s adventure!