Planning a Romantic Valentines Weekend Getaway

Find a location that appeals to both you and your partner

The very first part of your planning process is figuring out where you want to go. This is a weekend that both you and your partner need to enjoy so take their needs into account. If they love nothing more than a day at the beach, maybe go on a roadie to a beach town. If they love hiking in the great outdoors, do some research on which cities have the best hiking trails. As amazing it would be to jet off to Queenstown and go on multiple winery tours, the budget won’t always allow it. Make sure you are still taking your financial needs into account-a fun Valentines weekend doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg!

Book in advance

To avoid missing out, be sure to book all your tickets, accommodation, and restaurant reservations well ahead of time. Mid-february is a very popular time of year for these kinds of activities, so don’t just assume that you’ll be able to wing it.

If you want to go out to eat at a nice restaurant, making a reservation is an absolute must! There is nothing worse than looking forward to something only to have it fall through last minute. Save yourself that drama and book in advance.

Choose cosy accommodation

Try pick accommodation that’s a little more luxurious or cosy than what you’d normally go for. There are a lot of Air bnbs that offer incredibly unique facilities, such as those tailored to a glamping experience. Alternatively, you could opt for a treehouse style stay and really get close to nature.

If you are travelling on a budget, camping might be the way to go. If that is something that you and your partner have loved doing together in the past, then go for it! You could even take it up notch and go glamping instead. Camping is a love or hate activity so make sure you know your partners preference before you organise it.

Pack the essentials and non-essentials

If you are only off for the weekend, we would recommend either a duffle bag (like the Explorer Weekender Duffle) or a carry-on suitcase (like the Luna-Air Carry-On). If you wanted to take your Valentines weekend to the next level, consider surprising her with a duffle or carry-on as a prelude to the weekend trip.

Once you’ve got your luggage, you’ll need to determine what to pack. February tends to be a pretty hot time of year so you should be able to get away with packing rather light. Your packing list might differ depending on the activities you have planned, but here is a basic list to help guide you.

• Casual pair of shorts, sandals and a t-shirt
• Nicer “going out” outfit (for dinner reservations etc)
• Light sweater
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, skincare)
• Medications
• Sun protection (Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat)
• Swimwear
• Beach towel
• Water bottle
• Phone charger
• Entertainment (Book, board games)
• Underwear & socks
• Pyjamas
• Makeup
• Hairbrush & hair accessories
• Perfume

Select some special activities

Do your due diligence and research what fun things there are to do at your destination. All it really takes is a quick google!

If your partner is an animal lover…see if the place you are visiting has any zoo’s, cat café or animal farms.

If you partner loves nature… find out where the epic hikes and swimming spots are.

If your partner is a big foodie… find a selection of fun cafés or restaurants to try. Alternatively, you could curate your own little gourmet picnic and enjoy it outside.

Have no-phone time

At the end of the day, this valentine’s weekend getaway is all about spending quality time with your partner. A great way to foster meaningful communication is to pop the phones away for a few hours. Focus on enjoying being in each other’s company, rather than getting distracted by the digital world. During dinner or lunch, turn off your phones and pop them in a “no touch” pile.

If you need some non-digital entertainment, consider playing conversation card games. It is a great way to get to know your partner more and there are plenty to choose from. Another fun option is board games – grab a couple from home and whip them out in the evening for some old-fashioned fun.