So you’ve been with your boyfriend for a while now, maybe even a year or so and you both want to go away… Nervous? Excited? I have to admit, I didn’t have any nerves about going away with my man (I’m just a really bad traveller) and was primarily very excited about a little holiday with the boyf. Even though we both joked that by the time we returned to Exeter we would be entirely sick of each other we both had an amazing weekend, and certainly didn’t want to leave.
Expecting a romantic weekend away? Then make it into one! It doesn’t matter where you’re going: whether you’re just heading down to Cornwall for the weekend or jet-setting around Europe, if you want a romantic weekend then it’s simple! Go for a long walk one afternoon or just café hop with your beau – it doesn’t have to be expensive at all, and it certainly isn’t difficult. If you’re in the country then get lost in the woods or if you’re in a city then wander around the sites.
Go for dinner! Whilst this might sound simple, it really is such a lovely thing to do – there really are few things that I enjoy more than going out for something to eat. Get dressed up; it justifies your latest shopping splurge and it’s really nice to show that you care by making yourself look even more gorgeous than you already do. If you’ve already splurged on your holiday then this doesn’t have to be an expensive affair, just going out for a meal is a real treat for us students, especially when it’s accompanied by a glass or two of something tasty!
Photographs: Okay, this is the largest irony in this article as I am awful at taking photos, I never take them and regret it constantly. So ignore the fact that you look like a tourist or that the photo might look staged and just take some! They are the best things to look back at and are such lovely reminders of what a great time you had on your mini-break.
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So now for the problems… If you’re going to be worried, you’re most likely to be worried about…
Being with each other 24/7: I have to admit, whilst I wasn’t particularly worried about this, I can easily see why you would be – a girl likes to have her own space! Obviously, you are going to be spending a lot of time together, but that’s only going to become an issue if you have an argument.
Top tip: To avoid arguing, be reasonable as getting snappy with your other half isn’t going to help and could create a very unromantic atmosphere. Try to avoid any issues by pre-empting the problem: for example, if you haven’t seen any restaurants on your travels, you might want to look some up on Lonely Planet or Travel Advisor instead of arguing about where to go.
You’re very different travellers: This one affected me big time! I’m well known amongst my friends for being an incredibly stressed traveller (you know the person at the airport at least 2 hours before the flight takes off? You guessed it – that’s me) and my other half is one of the most relaxed, chilled out people I have ever met. I was utterly convinced that I was either going to snap at him or annoy him so much before we had even left the UK, but impressively I managed not to!
Top tip: if you are a bad traveller, prepare him! Let him know that you either hate flying or are quite a stressed traveller – I highly doubt that he’s going to run a mile since, after all, he has agreed to go on holiday with you. Also, if you do want to be at the airport 2 hours early, just be the one to book the flights and trains (a touch cheeky but it works) and tell him that that’s what you need. Trust me, you can’t be as bad at travelling as I am, and even I managed it!
You think it’s too much pressure: Whilst this is a very fair thought, if you think you’ve been together long enough to be in a serious relationship, you’re probably going to be okay. But, in case this is bugging you and putting you off going away, then here are a few tips.
Be yourselves: if you’re not the overly touchy-feely, coupley-couple then feel no need to be when you’re abroad. If you don’t normally go in for hand holding or don’t like going out in the evenings then there is no rule saying that you have to when you’re away. Pick somewhere you both like as there is no point in going to somewhere in the country if he hates being away from a big city for any amount of time. It’s simple – you’ll both have a much better time and actually enjoy your time together if you pick a place that suits you both. So ask yourselves: sun ,sea and sand or a city-break in the heart of Europe?
You don’t know where to go? Easy! Make sure you check out the HCX travel guide for some inspiration: fancy Bosnia, Rome or Prague?
The mini-break is something to be excited about and not something to panic about, make sure you make it a weekend to remember girls!
Photo Credits: www.tumblr.com, charclerodexo.tumblr.com,www.pinkvictoriasecret.com