Whether it’s your first trip together, or you have tried to travel with your loved one more than you can count, planning a trip with them takes a lot of time and effort. There are so many different things that need to be taken into account, that it can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, as long as you focus on one step at a time and look forward to your time away together, planning can be as enjoyable as the trip itself.
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The ideal destination
The first thing most people focus on when starting to plan their holiday as a couple is where they want to go. Europe is always a popular destination to travel with your loved one. Whether it’s Paris or Rome (both famous for their romantic settings), the beaches in South France or the coast of Spain, or the historical sites found in Belgium, Switzerland, or Russia, there is a travel destination for everyone. So, it is important for both you and your partner to sit down together and discuss where it is you want to travel. T
This decision you take as a couple will dictate a lot of your other plans, which you won’t be able to make until this step has been completed.
Places to visit together
Once you know where you are going to travel with your loved one, you can begin to plan what you want to do when you get there. This is probably the part that people find most fun when planning a trip due to the anticipation that comes along with it.
This step can be done together or separately. However, if done separately, you will need to get together before leaving to sort out an itinerary, which is usually planned at the same time when you choose the attractions you want to see in that country together.
How you’ll get around
This is something you’ll need to take into account when planning your budget because different methods of traveling around a country cost different amounts. There is always the option of public transport, but the best option is probably to rent a car when you travel with your loved one.
For example, if you plan to visit France, driving around will offer you the best experience to get close to the local life. As the International Driver’s Association Team says: “Those who are willing to try driving in France will be rewarded with a unique insight into the country, and one that simply cannot be experienced when you rely on trains and planes alone”.
And it can’t be denied that driving is more convenient as you are able to work on your own schedule while abroad and aren’t reliant on anyone else to get you around the country. You also avoid constantly paying bus or train fare when out and about when you travel with your loved one.
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Finances and budgeting
One of the least popular parts of planning a trip is thinking about the budget. It always seems to be the case that the things you want to do and places you want to visit the most also cost more money.
It is important to think about how much you are willing to spend on things like accommodation, food, transport, and sights when planning to travel with your loved one. Unless you have been saving for several years, you will need to budget your money to last the entire trip.
There is also the need to look into whether you will be charged for withdrawing money in a foreign country before traveling, so you don’t arrive and have to pay to access your funds for the trip. Take the time to learn some tips to avoid paying commissions when you travel.
What to pack when you travel with your loved one
The final task before leaving is to pack a suitcase for the duration of your trip. Some couples choose to have a suitcase each, others will share their luggage, but that option is completely up to you.
It is definitely advisable to think about what the weather will be like during your visit. The things you pack when you travel with your loved one will definitely be impacted by the season and climate. Some people check the weather forecast in preparation for their departure, but the information can sometimes be inaccurate, so make sure you have a firm understanding of how likely it is that the forecast will be correct when packing.
Review your plans together each day
When you are visiting a place such as Europe as a couple you can expect a long itinerary through various countries. It’s vital to discuss and plan the trip well. After you have decided on the specific places you will visit, it is necessary to negotiate the activities and places you both had in mind.
Keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to cover all the attractions in a short duration of your stay. Therefore, your trip has to be well-planned.
Once you have completed the initial stages of your planning, you need to start putting together a schedule for cities, countries, flights, and tours in a spreadsheet. One of you can go over the details and make the necessary adjustments to the requirements. You can work in tandem as you are looking for a perfect trip.
After you both approve of the itinerary, email it to yourself or your partner to maintain a digital copy and add a paper copy to carry with you. During the actual trip, you can make plans about your time, length of the stay, and how you will get there on the night before. There should not be any nasty surprises.
Include things you both love in your itinerary
While you are planning your itinerary as a couple for a specific destination include all the things both of you want to do at the place. We all are different and have varied interests. Just make sure that there are things in the itinerary that you both share so that no one feels as if he or she is compromising.
For instance, you might be a big Harry Potter fan and your partner isn’t. They might be a diehard fan of soccer and the Manchester United team, about which you couldn’t care less. Therefore, while planning your England itinerary, make sure to include visits to both Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio and a tour to the Manchester United stadium. This will be an experience of a lifetime for both of you when you travel with your loved one.
These little things will ensure that you are enjoying every destination to your fullest without having to argue about it during the flight.
Accommodate for any differences
You need to respect each other’s habits and personal likes and dislikes when you travel with your loved one. For instance, your partner could be a history and museums buff, and you just aren’t. Therefore, before you begin your day you can decide on the plans and schedule. As your partner will spend more time in a museum, you can go and explore local food joints that may be your area of interest. You can later meet up to eat together and further discuss your plans.
Another problem could emerge after returning to the hotel. You go to sleep quickly while your partner likes to check social media, charge the batteries, and check emails. If you are an early riser, you can visit someplace early and come back for breakfast and spend time together. That way, you’re both happy when you travel with your loved one.
Final word
The most important thing when planning to travel with your loved one is to remember to have fun and enjoy it. So long as you think about the different points mentioned above, you’ll be setting yourself up for an amazing trip no matter where or when you are planning to go together.
Alonsso Maily is a travel lover. He enjoys traveling with his family the most, as it makes him feel better and he enjoys the trip more this way. In his free time, he likes to write and share his stories with other travelers.
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