Ideas for Planning a Happy Vacation as a Couple

If you already have kids, like I do, you understand the value of getting away as a couple. I love my son more than anything, but sometimes it is good to take a break so you can come back with a renewed appreciation of how much you love your kids. If you don’t have kids yet you should enjoy the opportunity to vacation without missing, worrying about or having to find someone to watch your kids.

Planning a vacation for the two of you should be a lot of fun. If you aren’t having fun, it might be time to step back and re-evaluate your planning and compromising skills. For our last vacation I was at the head of most of our planning because my parents were going at the same time (though staying at a different resort). So my dad would run ideas past me and I would give the O.K. This was not so good for my husband. He has been the head planner for most of our vacations and, for the most part, I let him handle it.

• Step number one to planning any vacation is setting a budget. Sit down together and get a rough idea of where you are going and what you want to do. Then you can figure out what that would cost. Here is a list of things you should remember to include in your budget:
  • Airfare or other transportation to get to your destination (if you fly, remember to check baggage fares as well)
  • Hotel or other sleeping arrangement
  • Transportation once you arrive (car rental, subway pass, bus or taxi fares etc.)
  • Food (eating out, snacks, drinks, eating in)
  • Activities (don’t forget to figure in tips — seems like everywhere I go there are unexpected “tour guides”)
  • Souvenirs
  • And always add in a little extra for things you will want along the way (sunscreen, that super cute sunhat, rain poncho, etc.)

I think one of the main problems that my husband and I have that you and your spouse may want to consider while vacation planning is that we make decisions very differently. I decide quickly from the first three options and he carefully considers every choice available within 100 miles of our destination. If you have the same problem here is one thing I have found works for us, let him choose the top three and then you choose the final one. He feels like he got to shop around and I feel like I took part in deciding.

Another problem we face is that we don’t necessarily approach vacations the same way. For me, it is a time to relax and rest. For him, it is a time for adventure and new experiences. When we were first married it was just impossible for us to do separate things, now that it has been a few years it is easier to let him go body surf while I read my book on the beach and pretend to watch him. You don’t want to do too much of that, but I think a little is good for you both.

When you are planning take the time to make the decisions on your main activities so you agree ahead of time and don’t have to argue while on vacation. If it works best for you to schedule in some free-time, don’t hesitate. The most important thing on a couple’s vacation is to do all of your disagreeing before you go. That way you can enjoy your time together and come home more in love than when you left.

Be Sociable, Share!

•