It is well-known that traveling as a couple requires some special considerations to avoid the pitfalls of many common issues. In this article, we will explore some helpful hints and tips for couples planning to go on vacation together.
Planning Ahead.
This seems like a no-brainer, but before you even begin to think about packing your bags for your trip together, discuss the logistics of the vacation with your partner.
- Do you plan on going away for a week or two?
- Will it be possible to take enough time off from work for this endeavor?
- Where will you go, and what sights do you hope to see while there?
- Is this going to be a ‘relax by the pool’ kind of holiday, or are you all about adventure and exploration?
- Just as when planning any other trip, much research goes into the planning stages for a couples-only vacation.
- Where do you plan on staying?
- Will either one of you have allergies or specific dietary restrictions that need to be taken into consideration?
- What are the itineraries for any tours you might go on, and do they have special rates or requirements for couples?
- What about places that allow animals?
- Do you need to rent a car, or will public transportation suffice?
Getting to the bottom of these sorts of issues before booking anything will save you time, money, and hassle once you actually get down to the nitty-gritty of your trip.
Choosing A Destination.
With so many possible destinations out there for couples-only vacations, it can sometimes be challenging to pick one.
You want your vacation to hold special meaning for both of you, but chances are that with all the options available, you’ll end up having a hard time deciding on just one.
The best way to go about choosing a destination is to choose something meaningful for both of you. After all, if neither one of you wants to go there, it’s definitely not going to be very enjoyable!
If you already have a destination in mind, try to think outside the box. That is to say, do not limit yourself to just one possible retreat center, a beach resort, or a mountain lodge.
Consider all your options before making your final decision about where you want to go.
- Where do both parties hope to visit if given a chance?
- What sites are at the top of each individual’s bucket list?
- What about activities? Check out here a great resource to find the perfect activity for any destination.
- Are there any must-see events or festivals taking place during your desired dates of travel?
- Are there any historical landmarks that you must see?
- Is there anything else noteworthy in the area that might interest your partner too?
- Do you want something relatively quiet and laid-back? Or perhaps something more adventurous and thrilling?
Once you have established a list of potential vacation destinations, begin looking into the cost of plane tickets and hotel accommodations.
Agree On A Budget.
Once you have determined what sort of vacation both parties would enjoy, you need to establish a budget for the entire trip.
- How much money does each of you plan on spending?
- How many days will be spent touring before having free time?
- Will there be any splurges along the way (dinners out, souvenirs, etc.), or is this solely meant to be a reflective getaway where neither party spends more than necessary?
- Will you be staying in hostels or in 5-star hotels?
- Is airplane travel within the budget, or will road-tripping be a better choice?
Make sure both of you are clear on the budget and that your spending limits are realistic.
The Key To A Great Trip As A Couple Is Communication.
For a great trip, couples must be willing and able to communicate openly with each other at all times. This is the only way for a couple to truly understand what they want out of their travel plans and activities.
The key to a successful trip is to be sure that both partners are totally honest with each other about what they want out of the holiday.
This may seem like it would take all of the fun out of the experience, but in reality, it can be one of the best ways to ensure that both partners are happy at all times.
For example, if one person wants to go to a fancy restaurant every night while on vacation, but the other person hates restaurants and wants to eat at local diners each night, this will lead to trouble.
The same goes for which tours or activities they want to do during their trip.
Couples must communicate what they want so that there are no misunderstandings between them concerning what they expect from the vacation itself.
This discussion should also include how each person expects the other one to behave while on vacation.
For example, will they always eat together, or will they split up for certain meals? Will they stay in a hotel every night or go camping part of the time? Is there any partying expected during the trip, or will they explore nature and stay away from the usual tourist spots?
It is a good idea to have a set of rules that each couple has agreed upon before they begin their trip. This way, it is easier for them to stick to these easy-to-follow guidelines, which can help them prevent arguments while out on vacation together.
Remember To Pack Right.
As with any trip, each person must understand what they are supposed to bring along. This includes everything from clothes and toiletries to prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
For example, if one partner suffers from migraines and forgets their prescription medication at home, this could ruin the whole trip for them. If one member of a couple fails to pack enough clean underwear or socks, this could also lead to problems down the road. Packing can be difficult when you share a suitcase with your partner, so it is best not to assume anything moving forward.
Take turns packing certain things so that you don’t wind up with too much of one item while running short on another. Also, make sure that each person has enough room to bring all of their belongings on the plane or vehicle they are using.
Some of the items that you will definitely need to pack along include:
- Clothing
- Toiletries
- Grooming Supplies
- Personal Accessories
- Medications and Prescriptions
- Healthy Snacks and Drinks
- Sunscreen and Sunglasses
Many other things are recommended to bring along depending on the type of trip you are taking, but this list should help give you an idea about what kind of items you will need to bring with you to be prepared for anything.
Couple Friendly Resorts And Hotels.
One of the best ways to have comfort and peace of mind when on vacation with your partner is by staying at a resort or hotel that caters specifically to couples.
These types of resorts are designed so that both partners can enjoy their stay without worrying about disturbing other guests. The entire atmosphere is geared towards relaxation and entertainment, making them the perfect place for any couple looking to get away together for some fun in the sun.
Here are some of the benefits that come along with choosing a resort or hotel that is couple-friendly.
A Couple Friendly Resort…
…Is Quieter Than A Normal Hotel.
These types of resorts and hotels are specifically designed to be quiet so that you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry about noise around every corner.
Most people like to get plenty of sleep when they are on vacation, but this isn’t always possible if other guests in the hotel like to stay up late partying or have kids.
If you want to relax by spending time together at night, these resorts are perfect for doing just that. They also offer romantic dinners, shows, and concerts, making them great for any type of family trip.
…Has Sensual Amenities.
Couples resorts offer sensual amenities such as massage oils or lotions, bath beads, and bubble baths along with towels and robes so that couples can enjoy a sensual experience together while on vacation.
These things aren’t necessary, but they help set the mood when going out for romantic dinners, shows, or walks on the beach with your partner.
…Is Designed Specifically For Couples.
Couples resorts are designed with the unique needs of couples in mind, which makes them perfect for any couple’s trip, whether it is an anniversary getaway, honeymoon, or just a fun break away from work or home. When you stay at these types of resorts, both partners will be able to relax without worrying about bothering other guests around them.
Couples resorts are filled with indoor and outdoor activities for couples to enjoy together to have the perfect getaway every time.
If you are looking for a great place to vacation with your partner, then consider staying at one of these types of sites next time you go out on a trip. It is the perfect way to relax and enjoy your time together while having peace of mind knowing that other guests won’t be around to bother you while you’re there.
Traveling As A Couple: The Dos and Don’ts.
When traveling as a couple, there are some essential things that you should keep in mind to ensure that the trip goes off without a hitch.
The best way to deal with any type of travel is by planning ahead and being organized. This way, both partners will easily enjoy their vacation together and not have to worry about having too much or too little of something along the way.
Here are some helpful hints for those who are currently planning or who may be planning on going on vacation as a couple:
Do Get Travel Insurance.
No matter how well you plan, there is always the possibility that something unexpected may come up while on vacation, which could ruin everything.
If this happens, travel insurance will ensure that both partners are reimbursed for their costs or losses.
This type of coverage is perfect for protecting couples traveling because if something happens, they won’t be left paying for all of the costs themselves.
Don’t Arrive Without A Plan.
One of the biggest mistakes that couples make when traveling together is not having a clear idea of what they want to do once they get to their destination.
Having a plan of action before arriving will ensure that both partners are on the same page, and there won’t be any unnecessary fighting about what they want to do next.
Make sure that you sit down and write out a list of things that you would like to accomplish while on vacation, and then pick the top 5 or 10 activities that your partner would like as well.
This way, when you reach your destination, you’ll be able to immediately start having fun with one another instead of wasting time deciding what should be done first.
Instead of trying to figure out everything on the fly, both partners need to sit down and set up their vacation ahead of time to know what activities and attractions are available and how much things will cost.
Do Take Plenty Of Photos.
When traveling with a partner, each person must take plenty of photos for their own personal memories. This will allow you to cherish your vacation together long after it’s over and give you something to share with other people as well.
Don’t Drink Too Much While Vacationing Together.
It can be easy for couples traveling together to want to let loose and have a few drinks while out.
However, it’s important to remember that if you are drinking, you need to do it with caution.
Doing this will ensure that both of you make it back safely and don’t end up doing anything they’ll regret later on in the evening.
Do Take A Break From One Another.
To ensure you can have fun on your vacation together, take a break from one another every once in a while.
This will allow each person to go off and do what they want without feeling guilty about leaving the other alone for a little bit.
Don’t Check A Bag Unless Absolutely Necessary.
The last thing that couples should do when traveling together is to check a bag on a flight.
In fact, it’s important to only bring the necessities with you on your trip and leave all other unnecessary items at home.
Having too many things with you can be just as bad as having nothing at all!
Do Listen To One Another.
It may seem like a minor point, but one of the most important things that couples need to remember is always listening to one another throughout their vacation.
Always listen to what your partner has to say and remember that they are there for you if something goes wrong or if you end up getting lost.
Couples who can work together during their trip are much more likely to have a successful experience.
Do Give Your Phone Some Rest.
When traveling with a partner, you must have the opportunity to spend time together while away from your phone.
Even though you can use your phone for taking photos, using it for social media updates or texting other friends will always come second to spending time with one partner.
Make sure that your phone is put on silent while you are out so that there won’t be any distractions while you are spending time together!
Do Have Fun!
The final thing that both partners should do when traveling together is have fun!
Make sure that you keep an open mind about everything, don’t be afraid of trying new things, and enjoy spending time with one another.
Couples must take the time to relax and enjoy themselves while on vacation.
Ideas that will bring you closer together.
Visit a new place together.
The world is your oyster! No matter how you feel about each other, the only way to grow closer is to expand your horizons by exploring new places. You never know what kind of unforgettable memories one location can offer up to the both of you, and if it doesn’t work out, there will always be a next time because, hopefully, there will be many more after that!
When traveling together, both of you might end up learning things that could come in handy during future adventures. Even small tidbits like reading maps correctly (or finding an alternate route home if the roads are blocked) can make the difference between having a great time and feeling lost and lonely!
This year, for instance, why not take a camping trip together or attend one of the many music festivals popping up all over the country? It doesn’t matter what you choose, just keep in mind that there are plenty of options to try out so you won’t have any reasons for not having fun.
Go on a road trip.
Sometimes, the road can be just as exciting as arriving at your final destination. Although some people would prefer to fly on planes even for short distances, there is so much about moving by car that seems more personal and intimate. Plus, you never know what kind of great things might happen when you’re both stuck in a confined space together!
Who knows? You might end up deciding to take turns driving or work out details about where you’ll stop along the way (or perhaps for how long). It’s worth taking time to enjoy fun activities whenever possible.
Try something totally out of your comfort zone.
When was the last time either one of you did something completely outside of your comfort zones? If it’s been too long to remember, both of you may need some courage to take this leap. But once you do, it will open up a new world and encourage you to try more new things out together!
Take advantage of local cultures.
Exploring different parts of the world comes with so many benefits, and one of them is learning about the many different cultures that exist. In fact, you can learn a lot from just spending time with locals to determine what makes their culture unique from yours!
Keep track of the memories by taking lots and lots of pictures.
It doesn’t matter whether you prefer selfies or professional shots; this is your chance to make sure you don’t miss out on anything important while traveling!
The more pictures were taken together (with both of you looking your best), the better it will be for future reference when reminiscing about old times.
When you combine this with the fact that it’s always possible to share your pictures on social media afterward, it’s a fantastic experience that you both can enjoy with friends and family who couldn’t make the journey with you.
Eat new foods and keep each other company while trying them.
Even the pickiest eater should be able to get on board with this idea. After all, eating is such a big part of travel, and you’ll save plenty of money if you decide to cook something new or meet up with locals who can suggest some places for great eats!
It doesn’t matter whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner (or any meal in between) because you both will be experiencing something brand new when it comes to food options.
Don’t forget to embrace your wanderlust.
It can inspire both of you to keep on exploring even when the trip is over when you travel.
After all, there are so many things out there to see, and perhaps you might find yourself wanting to visit new places together every single year!
Just remember that this isn’t about collecting unique souvenirs or bragging rights; it’s more about discovering where each of you will go next!
Make travel about being comfortable together.
Once you get used to traveling as a couple, it will teach both of you how far you can go without feeling wholly exhausted or worn out.
Spend some time learning what makes each other feel at ease, so this endeavor can be fun and relaxing without too much effort being expended every single day.
Break up the monotony by surprising each other every now and then.
You could plan out your entire trip together, but it can be helpful to include those little details that will make both of you feel like you’re still doing something new!
Surprise your significant other with a day or two that involves doing something special without any prior warning beforehand. It doesn’t matter what the surprise is as long as this experience will keep both of you interested in traveling for years to come.
Never forget why you’re going.
Lastly, take a moment to think about what makes both of you want to go on this trip in the first place!
It could be something as simple as wanting to spend more time together or a way for one of you to get away from a busy schedule that doesn’t allow for much alone time.
As long as you have meaningful reasons for doing this and give it enough thought when making decisions regarding your trip, nothing should stand in the way between both of you enjoying traveling together!
Ways to avoid arguments and disagreements while traveling together.
All couples will run into a few disagreements every now and then. It’s inevitable for problems to arise, especially when traveling with someone who has a vastly different perspective than you do about certain things!
Even little things can lead to massive arguments if they aren’t handled correctly, but the following tips should help both of you stop fighting as soon as possible:
Stay flexible and adaptable.
There are many ways to adapt your trip so that neither of you feels like it’s worth risking an argument over something meaningless.
If one of you isn’t feeling up to seeing a popular attraction on the local map or wants to visit somewhere else instead of going to a planned place, perhaps this is a sign that changing the current plans is necessary!
There’s no need to create problems where none exist because it can put a bit of unnecessary pressure on both of you.
Remember the bigger picture.
When you start fighting about which restaurant to choose, what souvenirs to buy, or what things are worth seeing, simply remember why you even planned this trip in the first place!
It’s not just about trying to enjoy each other’s company during your days off; it should be something that makes both of you feel like you really matter to one another.
Keep this in mind whenever you start feeling unhappy about something, and ask yourself whether it’s truly worth getting upset over!
Make sure there isn’t anything important bothering either of you.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether or not something is bothering your significant other until it’s too late.
If you notice that they seem unhappy more often than not, don’t immediately assume they are mad at you; it might be the case that there is something else going on in their lives that needs to be fixed.
For example, did anything happen that made them feel sad before the trip was even planned? Is this person having trouble with a problem at work or just tired from being overworked?
Whatever the case may be, try to get rid of any excess stress so both of you will have a much easier time enjoying yourselves when traveling together!
Be honest – don’t be afraid to disagree.
No matter how much you might love your significant other, it’s always important to speak up when something doesn’t feel right!
This goes for both of you; if one person feels like something isn’t working, there shouldn’t be any hesitation about voicing that opinion.
You shouldn’t just put on a brave face and pretend everything is alright because that will only lead to even more problems down the line.
It may seem extremely difficult at first, but addressing the issue head-on should offer some relief in the long run!
Remember why you travel together.
When going on a trip with your partner, it might be a good idea to ask each other what you’re hoping to get out of this.
Is one of you hoping for more romance? Will there be time for both of you to have fun and do whatever you want together?
It may sometimes seem like traveling together leads to arguments, but this isn’t always the case!
Suppose both of you can learn how to work around any issues from deciding which places are worth seeing while still having fun in the process.
In that case, this should allow for an incredible experience that goes beyond anything else you’ve ever done together!
Safety precautions to take when traveling with your significant other.
Whenever you travel with someone, it’s crucial to think about what could go wrong. Even though you plan on having a great time together, there are still a few precautions to take to keep both of you as safe as possible:
Get medical insurance if necessary.
If something happens and one or both of you ends up in the hospital for longer than expected, make sure that your current medical insurance covers this!
If not, consider getting additional coverage by asking your employer or looking online for affordable options. In the worst-case scenario where emergency surgery is required, a lack of proper coverage could lead to financial problems.
Keep in touch with your home.
Before leaving, make sure to let someone know where you are going so they will be able to contact you if they need to. Even when traveling within your home country or somewhere nearby, both of you must have a reliable way to get in touch with one another when not together.
Bring enough medication and medical supplies.
This is especially important if you’re taking any kind of regular prescription medication.
In case there are allergies involved, always include antihistamines just in case; this will help reduce any discomfort while traveling and prevent a full-blown allergic reaction if necessary.
Be careful while using transportation.
When traveling to someplace new, chances are you won’t know the area well and possibly won’t even speak the language properly.
Unfortunately, this can lead to you being taken advantage of by taxi drivers or getting lost in the wrong part of town.
To avoid unpleasant situations, always try to use public transportation if possible. This way, both of you will be safe while not worrying about paying too much for a ride or getting confused with complicated directions!
In case something does go wrong…
…be sure to keep calm and think clearly about what you need to do. You can always ask locals for advice or directions if needed, but ensure your current location is not limited in the amount of help available!
If neither of you can speak the local language fluently, use a translation app that lets both of you communicate without too much difficulty.
Google Translate is an excellent option for this purpose. It also provides instant translations using a built-in camera on devices;
However, if there’s still no way around it and neither of you has anyone nearby who could come to your rescue, stay put and keep trying to reach out until someone comes to help.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, couples who travel should consider the many factors that may come into play when planning a trip. From booking airfare to figuring out what activities to do together at their destination, there are plenty of things to consider before jetting off on vacation.
Couples can also take comfort in knowing that their experience will likely be a rewarding and unforgettable one! With these tips on hand, getting away from it all on a romantic trip just got that much easier. Have fun!
Don’t forget to check out our blog post about Why Traveling As A Couple Is A Great Idea and our favorite destinations in the USA: 10 Best Destinations for Couples in the US
Discover the dynamic world through the eyes of Joanna Perez: a celebrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practitioner and an ardent blogger. Not just a writer, Joanna is also an explorer, partner, and a proud mother. Her expertise goes beyond penning thoughts on parenting, health, and lifestyle; she’s also a certified Women Empowerment Life Coach. With training in Life Mastery, Health, Happiness, and Success, she’s equipped to guide you through life’s complexities. Her dedication to education shines as she’s dived deep into the realms of Neuroscience for Parents and completed the Skilled Helper Training Course.
Reviewed By: Anna West and Brenda Tillman
Edited By: Lenny Terra
Fact Checked By: Marcella Raskin
Photos Taken or Curated By: Matthew Mansour