Subscribe Now!
Tana Marie's Monthly Romance Column and Love Tip Newsletter

By Tana Marie

Romantic Getaways: How to Actually ENJOY your Vacation

Well summer is here, ushering in the season of travel, getaways, time off and relaxation. When most people think of travel, inevitably romance and fantasy comes to mind. But what makes a vacation romantic? How do you travel with a partner, returning home with a repertoire of amazing memories, feeling closer and more solid as a couple?

Some people claim it's what you do on your vacation that makes a trip romantic. Some people swear by the magical powers of location and atmosphere. Still others insist that the person you travel with that makes all the difference. I agree with all the above, however there are some very specific things you can do to guarantee a vacation to remember fondly, not put in the “never again” category.

We’re all amazingly different, with some basic similarities. When we go play, we want to have fun. But what does “fun” mean, exactly? Ah-ha, that is where the rub can show up! Fun, especially on vacation, can mean dramatically different things to different people. So let’s start with the first step – let’s define what the perfect vacation is for you.

• Do you want to stay close to home or trek to some exotic destination? (Distance usually has a lot to do with length of time you have for your get-away.)



• How much money do you have/want to spend? (Is the money coming out of a vacation or savings account, or are you going to max out your credit cards?)



• How do you want to spend your time? (Leisurely lying in the sun on a beautiful beach, or getting involved in every activity and taking every guided tour your destination has to offer?)



• Do you want to have a free form, “let’s see what happens each day” sort of vacation, or a structured, detailed itinerary?



• Do vacations such as cruises, Club Med, Sandals or other all-inclusive resorts hold any allure, or do you want to call your own shots at one or several locations?



• Do you want adventure, relaxation, high energy, quiet, over-the-top, or Zen-like activities?



• Do you want a totally romantic vacation or one sprinkled with a myriad of activities that occur OUTSIDE of the hotel room?



• Are you two going alone, with a group of friends, with other family members or your children? (Whose family and whose children? This is a MAJOR consideration.)



• Are you going to visit friends/family, or attend an event? (Weddings, Family or School Reunions, Graduations, etc.) And does your partner know anyone at these events?

Now these certainly aren’t the only things to consider, but they are a good starting point. Now after you decide how YOU want to spend your vacation, it’s time to factor in your traveling companion/s. If you have been together for a while, deciding where and what should be relatively simple, because if you have traveled together before you should have an idea of what a great vacation involves.

For those of you in a new romance and this is your first or second vacation/get-away, there is a lot to consider.

• Are the two of you similar in terms of energy level?



• Have you discussed what would make each of you happy and content on vacation?



• What is the goal? (Get closer as a couple, relax, become more intimate, learn more about one another, decompress from stressful jobs, kids, school, etc.)



• Who is going to pay for the trip and/or how are the expenses going to be divided up?

One key point to remember; NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME IDEA OF FUN. Just because you have decided to go on vacation with that special person, it doesn’t guarantee a fabulous time. PLEASE do some homework while you’re planning and you will have the best chance of creating fabulous, positive memories, not the opposite.

Here are some of my recommendations for an amazing time together.

If you’re very different people in terms of energy level, desired activities and vacation goals, take a CRUISE or ALL-INCLUSIVE CLUB MED-STYLE vacation. The beauty of these vacations is that they offer a myriad of activities that the high-energy person can partake in, while the partner desiring relaxation can lounge the sun or go get a massage in the Spa. Activities that intrigue both of you can be enjoyed together, while the ones that don’t can be passed by. These are also WONDERFUL vacations for larger groups of people, families, etc., because everyone can do what pleases them and no one person has to play “Camp Counselor” or tour guide, unless they want to. Partners with kids can enjoy as much alone time as they want, because there is always something for the kids to do in a supervised environment.

If you want to be a kid, do most things together and keep on the move, a vacation to DISNEYWORLD or other THEME PARKS might be the perfect ticket for you.

SPA vacations, BED & BREAKFAST INNS, secluded BOUTIQUE HOTELS are perfect for the couple that has similar goals for the vacation – usually rest, relaxation, intimacy and closeness. These getaways are wonderful for romance, however if you have a high-energy, thrill seeking, always on the go partner, you might want to stay here for just a part of your vacation and then incorporate some higher energy activities. So often, women love these vacations, but men tend to get bored and/or antsy if this is the entire vacation. (NOT in every case, but it does occur a lot.) Also, you might want to reserve these get-always for long weekends and special, short-term occasions.

PACKAGE TOURS are great if you are tired of always making the decisions. There are tours for just about anything you can imagine, from Safaris to Cycling thru Europe, and everything in between. They handle all the details and you get to just show up and enjoy.

Landing on a beautiful beach, lazing under a Palm tree, while sipping a Mai Tai is the epitome of “it” for so many vacationers. If it is your dream as a couple, go for it! Remember, the reason for the vacation is to have a good time and for all parties to feel replenished when they return home. Just a bit of honest communication and homework beforehand will assure everyone comes home happy. Aloha…

P.S.

Dear Friends,

In early May I underwent major surgery, and was unable to write the column for you. Please know I didn’t forget about you, nor have stopped my column or Love Tips indefinitely, just while I was recuperating.

I’m back and want to Thank everyone who was SO loving and supportive thru this time. I so enjoy doing the work I do and helping you create love in your life.

Thanks for your feedback and support, reading my columns and continuing to come to me for consulting all these years. You are the reason I do what I do.

Blessings, Tana Marie