This year is one of those magical ones when Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday. For lovers of romance, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the one you love in a big way. And, depending on what you do, you might even be lucky enough to have a three-day weekend to enjoy with your sweetheart thanks to President’s Day. So, what to do with all that special time? How about a romantic getaway?
Great idea, right? But how will you do that without blowing the budget you’ve carefully crafted over the last few weeks? Here are some suggestions.
Plan a frugal getaway:
If you started your 2015 planning with some travel in mind, you should have the bandwidth to book a couple of plane tickets and a lovely room somewhere special. Research is the key to getting the best travel bang for those budgeted bucks. If you can be flexible about where you go, you still have time to take advantage of last-minute travel deals. Hopefully you have signed up for travel savings alerts from your favorite travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline. You might want to dig a little deeper and check directly with airlines that service your region. For instance, Southwest Airlines offers great deals to a limited number of destinations, but you won’t find them anywhere other than the airline’s website.
While you’re researching, consider a package deal. You might not find big savings on the airfare, but there are opportunities to make up the savings on the hotel room when bundled together.
If you and your sweetie are really up for an adventure, consider something other than a hotel stay. Home sharing sites like HomeAway and Airbnb can provide some options that are not only frugal but also a nice change of pace from cookie-cutter hotel rooms.
Take a road trip:
Maybe plane tickets aren’t in the budget. That’s okay! The falling price of gas these days makes a road trip a great option. A short trip two or three hours out of town can do the trick when it comes to special time with your Valentine. Is there a winery or microbrewery that you’ve talked about visiting but have yet to make the time? Maybe you live within driving distance of a scenic national park. Restaurants and attractions will be catering to couples that weekend, so do your homework to find something special for just the two of you.
Travel at a slower pace. Though road trips are certainly more scenic than flying to your destination, consider trying a few other modes of transportation. In the warm South you can go cycling in the middle of February. What could be more romantic than a bike ride through the park with a stop for a picnic of wine and cheese? In the Rockies, consider a romantic gondola ride up the mountain and back. Getting away with your sweetheart might even be a cable car ride in the heart of San Francisco. It’s amazing how a change of pace can change the scenery and set a romantic mood.
Hold a staycation:
Okay, admit it. Valentine’s Day is catching you by surprise, and even a hotel stay a few towns away just isn’t in the budget. No worries. Take a moment to think about what you both love about the places you’ve stayed in the past. Was it the crisp white sheets and soft, fluffy towels? Was it fresh flowers in the lobby and candlelight at dinner? Or maybe it was just getting away from the phone calls, text messages, and emails. If you can’t get away for the Valentine’s weekend, you can at least turn off the distractions and make that time special for you and your sweetheart.
Often it’s the small thoughtful touches that mean the most. Take things one step further. Don’t just bring home flowers; take the extra time and care to put them in a vase and set them up where they can be enjoyed. Plan and prepare a special dinner and include a bottle of wine. Don’t just watch a movie together; light a fire in the fireplace if you have one, and cuddle up under a couple of soft, freshly washed throw blankets. Change the look of the master bed and bath with soft candlelight. For the amount of money you would spend on a mid-range hotel for one night away, you can create an amazing romantic atmosphere with wine, candles, flowers and much more, all weekend long at home.
Whether you jet off to someplace special or celebrate much closer to home, you still have time to make plans for a whole weekend of love and romance this Valentine’s Day.
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Last-Minute Valentine’s Travel for Every Budget originally appeared on usnews.com
