Travel Tip Tuesday | Romantic Getaways
6 Tips (and Trips!) for a Romantic Getaway
Many believe that the ancient Romans are responsible for our 21st century day of love - Valentine’s Day. The Romans celebrated the ancient feast of Lupercalia, associated with Valentine’s Day from February 13 to 15. By modern standards, this was a brutal fete that included animal sacrifices and what amounted to a matchmaking lottery! The Romans are also responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men named Valentine on February 14, and the Catholic Church honored their martyrdom with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th.
As the years went by the holiday lost its bloody and brutal connotations. Chaucer and Shakespeare both romanticized the day. Valentine’s Day as we know it today, really began in 1913 when Hallmark Cards started mass producing valentines.
So many travelers associate travel with a romantic trip or getaway. If a romantic getaway is in your future, here are six tips to keep in mind that are sure to keep the fires burning!
1. Disconnect
There is nothing more annoying than being with that special someone and having your partner take that “urgent” call from the office or spending an hour or two a day checking and responding to email. Take your iPad, computer, and phone and lock them up in the safe, and don’t take them out until you leave!
2. Look for Kid-Free Places
If you are leaving your children or grandchildren behind then do it! Nothing kills a romantic vibe like a bunch of kids splashing in the pool or running around the dining room.
3. Savor a Destination
There is nothing like taking your time and enjoying the destination that you are visiting. Take a slow barge cruise in France, Spain, or on the Mississippi River and enjoy the countryside, the wine, and the slow pace of the culture as it glides by you. Imagine the romantic pleasures of cruising on centuries-old waterways with no more than twenty people.
4. Leave Finances @ Home
Money can be a delicate subject. Work on a budget together before you book the trip and leave home to avoid arguments or stress. This is the time to treat yourself. No quips about dinner or lunch bills and never a word about a bar tab! Enjoy.
5. Be Flexible
When traveling it is always important to roll with the punches and take delays or lost luggage in stride. Always pack a few essentials and your medication in your carry-on to avoid stress and disappointment.
6. Try Something New
Nothing sparks a little romance than trying something new together. Go out and spot some wildlife in Costa Rica or the Galapagos or discover the northern lights together in Iceland for a truly bonding experience that you both will treasure for the rest of your lives.
Whether you are planning a trip with your partner, best friend, or significant other, we hope these travel tips help you plan the romantic trip of your dreams. If you are stumped for more ideas, then just give us a call… romance is always in the air at Tours of Distinction!