Travelling with your significant other should top the list of romantic, exciting and intimate trips you’ll take in life . Yet for many couples, a getaway with the partner is memorable for all the wrong reasons.
So how can you avoid the potential pitfalls that come with pushing yourselves to the physical, mental and emotional max in a foreign land? We’ve got 10 practical tips to keep you from killing each other, and some epic special deals from Beachcomber Tours for lovebirds travelling to Mauritius – because who doesn’t love 25% off*?!
Two planning principles to avoid a "Travel World War Three": compromise when needed and split the responsibilities.
Before your departure, sit down with your partner and discuss your expectations and desires for the trip. Tell them your priorities and try your best to find common interests and activities to do each day.
Hit an impasse? Maybe your significant other wants to chill at the pool 24/7 and you’re a history buff who loves art galleries and museums, or an avid hiker. The solution? Set aside some beach time on days 1 and 3, with hiking on 2 and 4 – or take a solo trip to the art gallery while your partner hangs out at a café.
Meanwhile, if neither of you particularly enjoys logistical planning (the ins and outs of how to get there, or where to stay), divvy up the responsibility with a “my day, your day” system so one partner won’t feel overly burdened with the details.
There’s nothing less romantic than taking a hard look at the numbers mid-trip and realising you’ve crushed your budget.
Talk numbers long before you hit the ground: know how you’ll be covering or splitting the costs for transportation, food, lodging, rental cars, activities, and souvenirs.
Money can be a sore spot in any situation so be disciplined with your funds and allocate a set amount for each day, with a little extra for impulse buys or unforeseen snags.
Not sure if you’d make it through a six-month round-the-world backpacking trip with your special someone – or even a six-day trip? Try a local weekend getaway first, putting yourself into some of the same situations you’d experience on the road.
You’ll soon see your partner’s travel habits, their hygiene, and those small quirks that can make or break a trip. By knowing exactly what you’re getting yourselves into, you’ll both be better equipped to plan for your travel style differences.
A "hangry" traveller is the fastest way to ruin the day. Without the normal daily routine of home, it’s surprisingly easy to forget to eat – or not find any restaurants open in the evening or on public holidays.
We’ve all said things we regret when tired and hungry – so be sure to keep a few non-perishable snacks handy for emergencies. They could save your relationship.
Vacations are an awesome chance for quality time – but even too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Be sure to break up the day with a little “me time” when each of you can do your own thing. The silence and down time will let introverts recharge, while extroverts can head out to make new local friends. When you come back together, you’ll be ready to go rather than stressed and drained.
Furthermore, resist the urge to cram in as much as humanly possible into every day. A go-go-go itinerary is stressful and can lead to burnout, fighting and resentment. Take a slow day every few days when you can chill, visit a spa or sleep in. You might not see as much, but the things you do visit will leave a better impression on a mind that’s not riddled with stress and anxiety.
Technology has made travel so much easier, so we won’t tell you to leave the phone at home altogether. But a romantic trip with your better half should be a chance to connect and escape the duties of work, school or home life.
Don’t miss out on the present just because you’re too busy posting your travel photos and keeping in touch with friends and family back home. The less time you spend glued to a screen, the more memories you’ll make – and the more stories you’ll have to tell later.
Even the best laid plans won’t go exactly as expected. Travel is all about having an open mind and being flexible enough to embrace the spontaneous – a street festival, dance party, dinner invitation from locals or a slower day to recover from Delhi belly.
No trip can survive the blame game, so when things don’t go exactly to your careful itinerary, shrug it off, laugh about it, and move on. Deal with the problem at hand without making each other feel inadequate.
Just because you’ve been together 10 years doesn’t mean you’re a know-it-all. Your partner is constantly changing and growing, and your understanding of them should be too. Travelling is the ideal time to talk as if you were just beginning to date. Talk about your past, your hopes for the future, and share things you might not know about each other yet.
Instagram has made us all monsters. No relationship is perfect and no trip is perfect. If you want to avoid the major trip blowups and fights, recognise that not every moment of your travels will be rewarding, romantic or even pleasant – and that’s perfectly okay! Laugh about the mishaps and be gracious to each other, no matter how long the day, slow the train or sweaty the armpits.
You made it home! Hopefully still in tact as a couple – and hopefully braver, more honest and frequent communicators who are more patient and curious, and more intimately bonded than ever. In many cases, you’ve overcome the most confusing and stressful of travel obstacles: language barriers, disorientation, culture shock and limited privacy. So keep the momentum going!
Don’t let the end of a trip spell the end of discovery. Challenge yourselves to embrace the same adventurous spirit you had on your trip, and try at least one new thing every day. Sometimes this will mean drastic things – new job offers, leaving your comfort zone or expanding your circle of friends. Other times, it’ll be easy: the choice to stop for lunch at a new restaurant, or take a new route home from work. Do them together or apart – the important thing is learning, sharing and growing together. Until your next trip!
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Whether you’re looking for a relaxed and romantic beach holiday or a fast-paced adrenaline adventure, Sure Travel has loads of customisable couples’ getaways, for all ages and interests.
Beachcomber Tours, for instance, is offering 25% off* for couples travelling to resorts in Mauritius (including adults-only accommodation) – aka 4- or 5-star luxury where you can golf, dine, swim and relax to both your hearts’ content.
Mauricia Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 21,220 p/p sharing*
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 4-star Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa in a Standard Room with breakfast and lunch daily, transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
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Trou aux Biches Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 33,880 p/p sharing*
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 5-star Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in a Junior Suite with breakfast and lunch daily, private transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
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Canonnier Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 22,920 p/p sharing
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 4-star Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in a Garden-Facing Standard Room with breakfast and lunch daily, transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
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Victoria Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 22,960 p/p sharing*
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 4-star superior Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa with breakfast and lunch daily, transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
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Shandrani Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 33,000 p/p sharing*
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 5-star Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa in a Deluxe Room with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (premium all-inclusive), transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
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Paradis Beachcomber | 7 nights
Starting from R 36,020 p/p sharing*
Includes: return airfare from Johannesburg to Mauritius, approximate airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation at the 5-star Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in a Tropical Room with breakfast and lunch daily, transfers, and free land and motorised water sports, as per brochure.
Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call 0861 47 48 49.
*25% off applies to land portion of the packages. Ts and Cs apply. Click the applicable link for the full package and Ts and Cs.
