| So you've been seeing someone for a while now. You | | | | that might be the perfect thing. If she loves the lights of |
| really like her-you think you could be falling in love-and | | | | the big city, there's always London or Paris. But if she |
| you want to do something special. Something like | | | | loves crumbling castles and romantic, windswept |
| sweep her off her feet to a romantic getaway far | | | | moors, you may want to choose a break that's far |
| away from work, family, and all other distractions. | | | | away from the city. Keep her interests, likes, and |
| A weekend break might be just the thing you need. A | | | | dislikes in mind when you plan your first break, and pick |
| short vacation in a new place is sure to add some | | | | a place you know she'll love. |
| extra romance and excitement into your relationship. If | | | | Arrange for a little something extra. Why not tell the |
| you're looking to plan a first weekend break with your | | | | hotel staff you're planning a romantic getaway? They |
| sweetheart, here's some advice on how to do it. | | | | may be able to arrange something special for you: |
| Be spontaneous. The weekend break is all about | | | | rose petals on the bed, or a complimentary bottle of |
| romance-and let's face it, spontaneity is romantic. If you | | | | champagne. If not, bring a few things to set the mood |
| sit down with her months beforehand and plan out | | | | when you get there: a mix of your favorite love songs, |
| every step of your vacation, it might be fun when you | | | | a romantic movie to watch, or anything else that will |
| get there, but it will hardly give her that secret thrill of | | | | give her a nice surprise. |
| being swept off her feet. Instead, look over at her on a | | | | Foot the bill. Your first weekend break is almost like a |
| Friday and say something like "Let's go to Paris this | | | | long, intimate date. And nothing kills the romance of the |
| weekend." The idea is to make her feel that when | | | | date like asking her to split the bill. Instead, take care of |
| she's with you, anything might happen. | | | | everything, and let your first vacation together be a gift |
| Plan ahead. Of course, you can't really be that | | | | from you. She's sure to feel pampered, loved, and |
| spontaneous; you'll probably want to book the room in | | | | impressed. |
| advance. The key is to make her think you're being | | | | Leave work (and kids) at home. Last, it's very |
| spontaneous. In reality, pick a weekend where you | | | | important to pay attention to her on this trip-and not to |
| know she doesn't have any other plans-maybe even | | | | anything else. So leave your beeper and your |
| make plans to be together all weekend. If there are | | | | BlackBerry at home. If you or she has kids, leave them |
| kids involved, arrange for a babysitter ahead of time. If | | | | with a capable sitter and instruct them not to call you |
| you've taken care of all the details, she'll have less | | | | unless it's a dire emergency. Two days isn't a lot of |
| reason to say no. | | | | time to be away, and the world probably won't fall |
| Keep it simple. Remember that this break is all about | | | | apart without you. This break should be all about |
| romance-and nothing kills romance like a round of | | | | romance, and nothing is more romantic than being in |
| frenzied activity. When planning your weekend | | | | the moment and focused only on your partner. |
| getaway, make sure you don't book yourself solid with | | | | A weekend break is a great opportunity to forge a |
| activities. Instead, keep a few simple things in mind that | | | | stronger bond, spend some romantic time alone |
| you think she'll like to do-sightseeing, cycling, a picnic | | | | together, and sweep your partner off her feet. So plan |
| lunch-and keep things open. If the two of you opt to | | | | ahead-but don't let on. Choose a location you know |
| stay in your room for most of the weekend, that's just | | | | she'll love, and don't overschedule once you get there. |
| fine. | | | | And most importantly, leave all distractions at home. |
| Keep her likes and dislikes in mind. If she's a five-star | | | | Do it right, and your first weekend break may be a |
| hotel type, she may not be impressed with the rustic | | | | memory the two of you will treasure for a long time to |
| little inn you've chosen. But if she loves the countryside, | | | | come. |