Couples Retreat: How To Plan The Ultimate Trip With Your Partner

So you’re planning on embarking on your first couple’s trip with your new significant other. Or perhaps you’ve been married for decades and are in dire need of an escape from daily life to reconnect. Whichever boat you find yourself in, a romantic couples retreat can offer the perfect chance to get away from daily responsibilities and most importantly, spend quality time and rekindle the romance with your special someone. However, as most of us are well aware, the idea of bliss can quickly turn sour when even your most well-made plans go awry. 

Thankfully, we’re here to help you take the stress and potential bickering out of your couples retreat with some handy advice. Today, we share 7 expert tips for planning the ultimate trip with your partner. Take note of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to booking the perfect romantic voyage!

• Plan Your Trip Together

When planning a couples trip, one of the major things you need to avoid is being the one who “calls all the shots”. As tempting as it may be to put your solo trip planning hat on, always remember that a couples trip is best planned by both parties involved in the trip. At the end of the day, there is no point in going on a couples’ trip if you don’t organise it together. Before embarking on your great adventure, we highly recommend spending some time together to write down your ideal destinations, budgets and preferred activities. Don’t forget to discuss the type of holiday you’re aiming to have too – whether that is an adventurous trip to tick off your bucket list or a relaxed and romantic vacation by the poolside. When both parties feel involved in the planning stage, there is a much higher chance of a successful couple’s vacation filled with fun, laughter, joy and love! 

Top Tip: One of our favourite ways of planning a successful couples trip is by keeping a 2023 diary. A shared diary or planner is a fantastic way to jot down notes and ideas that you and your partner come across on your own time, and you can both sit down and go through your brainstorming list to pick the ideal destination, activities and adventures that appeal to both individuals. 

• Pick A Destination That Appeals To Both Of You

As we briefly touched on in the previous point, picking a destination that mutually appeals to both you and your partner is paramount to a successful, stress-free couples retreat. Ideally, you’ll both have the same ideas about travel, but even if this is not the case, coming to a fair compromise is made easier when you are open and honest about your likes, dislikes and preferences. At the end of the day, if you choose to fly solo by selecting a destination that your partner doesn’t approve of, you are guaranteed to kill the purpose of a romantic couples trip. Who wants an unsatisfied or grumpy partner after spending so much money on a much-deserved holiday? You’re right! No one.

Top Tip: Some factors you may want to take into consideration when picking a destination include cost, travel time, accommodation, culture and cuisine. Head to this article to explore 20 tips for choosing a holiday destination when you have no idea where to go. 

• Be Flexible and Avoid Over Scheduling

Being rigid with your schedule or over-scheduling on your holiday can result in a vacation that is more stressful than relaxing. Unsurprisingly, it can also lead to arguments and resentments between you and your partner — something you most definitely want to stay far, far away from on your couples retreat. The truth is, when we try to pack in too many activities, we end up missing out on the true beauty of travel – taking the time to relax and enjoy the moment with your special someone. As such, we encourage you to remain flexible with your plans and avoid overscheduling to keep things as stress-free as possible. This way, should you encounter last-minute changes or cancellations, you won’t be overwhelmed with anxiety, stress or panic that often comes when you maintain a highly rigid travel schedule with little room to wiggle. 

Explore 10 helpful tips that help you avoid vacation over-scheduling here. 

• Factor In Both Of Your Budgets

In an ideal world, budgets wouldn’t be an issue and none of us would have worries about money when travelling. Unfortunately, as you probably already know, this isn’t the case, and budget remains one of the most important factors when planning the ultimate couples retreat. When choosing your destination, flights, accommodation and activities, factoring not just your own budget but also your partner’s budget is essential. To avoid bickering during your trip, always have a clear budget set. Try to find a happy compromise and always travel within your means.

Top Tip: Some things to consider/discuss with your partner include who will be bearing accommodation costs and who will be settling miscellaneous costs like food, event tickets and tips. Will you be eating out a lot or cooking your own meals in your accommodation? Do you plan on splitting all costs 50/50? Planning and discussing all budget-related matters prior to your trip is key to ensuring that you don’t end up overspending, arguing or running into financial problems as a result of your trip. 

• Put A Limit On Screen Time

Most of us spend hours on our phones and/or computers on a daily basis, and the last thing you want to do is to be glued to a screen on your romantic couples retreat away from home. This can be difficult if you’re working remotely during your trip (or simply an Instagram addict), which is why we encourage couples to put a limit on screen time to ensure that technology doesn’t get in the way of your trip. Whether you agree to spend one hour on your phone in the morning or evening, always have this discussion before your holiday and set agreeable limits to avoid resentment later down the track. If staying away from a screen is something you find challenging, we highly recommend reading this article which offers 8 ways to unplug from technology while on vacation. 

• Pencil In Some Quality Time

Amidst all the hustle, bustle, fun and adventure of being on holiday, it can be all too easy to forget to pencil in some quality quiet time with your significant other. Whether this means cuddling up to a movie on the couch of your Airbnb or hotel room, planning a romantic dinner for two or simply spending a few hours cuddling in bed, carving out some time to simply enjoy each other’s company without any distractions is always a good idea. Always remember that the point and purpose of your couples retreat is to enjoy the company of your significant other, rekindle the romance and strengthen your bond. 

Additionally, we encourage you to keep communication channels open by taking a minute every day to check in with one another. Share your opinions on how the trip is going so far and address any issues that may have sneakily popped up. As the saying goes, ‘ A flower that is “nipped in the bud” wouldn’t grow and blossom’. 

• Take It Easy And Remember To Have Fun

Last but not least, remember to take it easy and have fun. Whether it is planning your flights, accommodation or choosing the best restaurant for dinner, don’t take things too seriously that it becomes a hindrance to your enjoyment with your partner. After all, if you are not enjoying yourself on your couples’ getaway, why even bother going to the trouble of planning and booking an elaborate holiday? 

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And there you have it – 7 practical tips for planning the ultimate trip with your partner. With a little careful planning and attention to detail, you will be well on your way to enjoying a wonderful retreat away from home with your special someone.