Forget the couples massage. Win her with surprises!
Couples vacations tend to go down a predictable path: canned “adventures,” nice(ish) dinners, and a few romantic strolls along the beach. These risk turning into bland, forgettable experiences, so pep up the entire trip by pre-planning a few surprises to keep her energy level high. Prepping is easier than you think, and it’ll pay huge dividends: she’ll love your thoughtfulness and imagination, and will brag about your exploits to everyone who’ll listen when you return. Check out these tips before your travels.
Before the Trip
Buy her favorite snacks
Not for you—the ones you know she likes, says Ben Pundole, founder of travel site A Hotel Life. This small gesture is not only thoughtful, but smart—who knows what sort of frustrations and other travel hell your trip may bring you? Delayed flights or poor food choices in your terminal can turn a trip sour, fast. A new Ohio State University study found that couples with low blood sugar reported higher dissatisfaction with their partner. So stock up before taking off.
Keep the location a surprise
“Don’t tell her where she’s going. Tell her to pack accordingly, or even better, pack some stuff for her—if you know her that well and she won’t be mad you didn’t pack her favorite shoes,” says Mark Murphy, founder of TravelPulse.com.
Add in a blindfold
Build up the excitement if you’re staying in the area. “If you’re going somewhere close for a staycation, add some excitement into the mix and blindfold her,” Murphy says. Tell her you’ll be there soon, but don’t tell her low long it’ll take. (But be realistic, and limit it to a 20-minute drive—nobody wants to spend hours blindfolded.)
Send her on a scavenger hunt
Hide fun items to bring on the trip around the house, suggests Murphy. If it’s a road trip, include games to play in the car, or something to add a little spice to your romantic getaway. Even something as small as her favorite shampoo in a travel-size bottle—things that will get her to think, “’Wow, he really put some thought into this,’” Murphy says.
During the Trip
Buy her favorite print materials
Hopefully you have slotted time to chill with her—whether that be beachside or in your hotel room, downtime is a must. Here is another opportunity to show her you care. “Little surprises are the best. Depending on what she likes, buy her a title by her favorite author or magazine,” Pundole says. Not only does this prove to her you know her taste, but that you also thought of her ahead of the trip.
Prep a spread upon arrival
Sure, champagne and strawberries are always nice—but why not go the extra mile and put a personal touch on it. “Have some of her favorite foods available when she walks in to the hotel room,” Murphy says.
Call the restaurant ahead of time
Going out to eat? Call ahead and see what kind of special touches they can put on the evening. “If it’s a nice restaurant, they may offer small plates courtesy of the chef in between courses or complimentary drinks, rose petals on the table, that special table in the corner,” Murphy says. Most places want to give their patrons a dining experience to remember, and it's usually only a phone call or email away.
On The Way Home
Brainstorm your next adventure
This has to be the most depressing time of your entire trip. Back to real life. But you can ease the pain by brainstorming ideas for your next trip together, Pundole says. Ask her about where she would like to go next, which will take both of your minds off the fact you both will be back in the office come dawn.
Sneak away before take-off
Before you leave, snag something for her that will always remind her of that getaway, says Murphy. Find her something related to the destination that will remind her of the time you had together.
Create an album
“Take pics along the way and on your way home send her a link to an online photo album of all the memories you made together during that trip,” says Murphy. Better yet, order that photo album and have it arrive a day or two after the trip has ended.
Before the Trip
Buy her favorite snacks
Not for you—the ones you know she likes, says Ben Pundole, founder of travel site A Hotel Life. This small gesture is not only thoughtful, but smart—who knows what sort of frustrations and other travel hell your trip may bring you? Delayed flights or poor food choices in your terminal can turn a trip sour, fast. A new Ohio State University study found that couples with low blood sugar reported higher dissatisfaction with their partner. So stock up before taking off.
Keep the location a surprise
“Don’t tell her where she’s going. Tell her to pack accordingly, or even better, pack some stuff for her—if you know her that well and she won’t be mad you didn’t pack her favorite shoes,” says Mark Murphy, founder of TravelPulse.com.
Add in a blindfold
Build up the excitement if you’re staying in the area. “If you’re going somewhere close for a staycation, add some excitement into the mix and blindfold her,” Murphy says. Tell her you’ll be there soon, but don’t tell her low long it’ll take. (But be realistic, and limit it to a 20-minute drive—nobody wants to spend hours blindfolded.)
Send her on a scavenger hunt
Hide fun items to bring on the trip around the house, suggests Murphy. If it’s a road trip, include games to play in the car, or something to add a little spice to your romantic getaway. Even something as small as her favorite shampoo in a travel-size bottle—things that will get her to think, “’Wow, he really put some thought into this,’” Murphy says.
During the Trip
Buy her favorite print materials
Hopefully you have slotted time to chill with her—whether that be beachside or in your hotel room, downtime is a must. Here is another opportunity to show her you care. “Little surprises are the best. Depending on what she likes, buy her a title by her favorite author or magazine,” Pundole says. Not only does this prove to her you know her taste, but that you also thought of her ahead of the trip.
Prep a spread upon arrival
Sure, champagne and strawberries are always nice—but why not go the extra mile and put a personal touch on it. “Have some of her favorite foods available when she walks in to the hotel room,” Murphy says.
Call the restaurant ahead of time
Going out to eat? Call ahead and see what kind of special touches they can put on the evening. “If it’s a nice restaurant, they may offer small plates courtesy of the chef in between courses or complimentary drinks, rose petals on the table, that special table in the corner,” Murphy says. Most places want to give their patrons a dining experience to remember, and it's usually only a phone call or email away.
On The Way Home
Brainstorm your next adventure
This has to be the most depressing time of your entire trip. Back to real life. But you can ease the pain by brainstorming ideas for your next trip together, Pundole says. Ask her about where she would like to go next, which will take both of your minds off the fact you both will be back in the office come dawn.
Sneak away before take-off
Before you leave, snag something for her that will always remind her of that getaway, says Murphy. Find her something related to the destination that will remind her of the time you had together.
Create an album
“Take pics along the way and on your way home send her a link to an online photo album of all the memories you made together during that trip,” says Murphy. Better yet, order that photo album and have it arrive a day or two after the trip has ended.
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