Do you want to surprise your partner by whisking them away on a mini-break, just the two of you? Then make sure you plan the surprise just right!
Because while a romantic holiday is a wonderful thing to drop on someone, it’s not always guaranteed to be received well.
Maybe your partner had plans they now have to cancel? Maybe they’re too tired to imagine themselves on a plane for 5+ hours each way? There are a lot of fine details you have to consider!
And on top of that, the difference between a good surprise holiday and a bad one can be quite the thin line.
So let’s make sure your plans have covered all bases, and you have the best chance of making sure your partner loves your travel ideas just as much as you do.
Here are the 4 things to keep in mind when putting the surprise trip together – they’re all powerful enough to either make or break the entire thing!
The Amount You’re Willing to Spend
You can’t be paying luxury prices out of a joint pot. And if we’re honest, you probably shouldn’t be forking out thousands on a trip for the two of you without letting your partner know first.
Even when it’s your money to do what you like with, it could make achieving your long term goals a bit harder – and that deserves to come with a bit of forewarning.
For example, if the two of you are saving up for a house, and you can’t put in the usual amount because you’re budgeting for a surprise romantic trip, your partner should have some inkling that there could be a delay.
How Much Privacy the Two of You Get
A romantic holiday needs to walk the line between tourist activities and some proper alone time for the two of you. You’re getting away as a couple specifically to enjoy your time with one another, so you don’t want to be fighting through crowds 24/7.
Try to arrange your surprise trip around the peak travel seasons. If you can’t, make sure you’re aware of where the real touristy areas exist within your chosen destination.
And trust us, this really matters to your plans! Always remember that you’re taking your partner away for a romantic, intimate, and ultimately relaxing time.
Don’t make them squeeze down narrow streets every single time you head out because there’s a million other tourists just milling about! Keep it as private and comfortable as you can.
Focusing on Romance, Rather Than Your Partner’s Interests
A couple’s trip is supposed to be romantic. However, not everyone has the same idea of romance.
And when it comes to a surprise trip, you really don’t want to be stretching your partner’s boundaries or encouraging them to try something new. Remember, they didn’t really have a chance to get mentally prepared!
Even when it comes to traditionally romantic activities, not everyone is going to feel comfortable doing them!
Getting dressed up for a romantic, candlelit dinner on the side of a mountain (but inside a building, of course) might sound intimate and wonderful, but it might not be your partner’s thing at all.
Similarly, booking something like a yacht cruise is a great idea! But make sure your partner likes being on and/or near water.
You wouldn’t believe the amount of people who had no idea their partner had a fear of water, only to first find out when they started panicking about being brought to a dock!
Make Sure They Can Pack Their Own Bag!
Finally, we come down to the logistics of the surprise trip. If you want to go the whole way and even keep the trip to the airport a total mystery, you may be tempted to pack their bags for them.
After all, you want them to be able to relax and focus on nothing but having fun on a surprise trip made just for them. And who enjoys packing their own luggage, really? It all sounds nice, when you think about it.
But do you know all 20 steps of your partner’s makeup or skincare routine? Did you pack the right watch, out of the 15 different ones they own?
Do you know the pairs of underwear they like wearing best, and made sure all of them are in the case? Did you even remember to bring the correct hair comb for achieving the beach wave look you know they’d love to sport while on vacation?
All in all, your partner may have a few essential items they will have wanted to pack, but when they open their case to check for them, they find they’re not there.
Even worse, they may not realise these items aren’t on hand until you’re on the other side, so they can’t even buy the things they’re missing at the airport.
To avoid all of this, make sure they can pack their bags themselves! It might mean you have to spring the surprise a bit earlier than you really would have liked to, but it’ll save a lot of frustration in the long run!
Surprising Your Partner with a Holiday: Make Sure it Goes Off Without a Hitch!
When the time comes for you to take your partner away from the dreary grind of life, and give them a whirlwind week or two in a beautiful paradise, make sure you’re doing something they actually love!
You don’t want your surprise to come off as more of a nasty trick, especially when you’ve gone out of your way to try and be romantic.
Think about what they’d want to do, think about the size of the crowds you’re likely to come across, and let them pack their own bag for the trip!
You can be vague about where you’re going and what you’re going to be doing, but you can give them a list of the things they’ll need and let them pack from there!
