Travel Expert and Editor-In-Chief of TravelGirl Magazine Stephanie Oswald Provides Helpful Trends and Tips for an unforgettable getaway www.travelgirlinc.com/
Whether you’re looking to spend this Valentine’s Day uncovering new found love or restoring a lifelong flame, International Travel Expert and Editor-In-Chief of Travel Girl Magazine, Stephanie Oswald says why not go the extra mile this Valentine’s Day and surprise the one you love with the gift of a romantic weekend escape.
Stephanie will offer helpful tips from: Last minute Valentine’s Day deals for travelers and Ideal destinations coast to coast.
Choose the date(s)
You need to make sure your partner won’t have anything planned during that time. There are a few ways to go about securing their time without ruining the surprise. For one, you can plan something else with your mate, preferably something routine. Or, ask your mate’s relative or friend to plan something with them for that time.
Find a place that will hold special meaning for your partner, since you’re planning a surprise just for him or her. When choosing your lodging, take into account your partner’s preferences, such as “romance of the big city” vs. “secluded in nature”. Also consider whether your partner prefers small intimate lodgings like B&Bs or cottages, or larger accommodations with lots of amenities such as hotels and resorts. You can also choose a location that’s meaningful in some way. For example, you could choose a place where you had your first kiss or the city where you proposed, or a place your partner has always dreamed of visiting but hasn’t yet had the chance.
Figure out how to get the reservation confirmation without your partner intercepting it. Provide your personal cell phone number, email address, or even work address for any reservation confirmations or tickets. This will help to prevent your partner from prematurely finding out about your surprise. Let the hotel or resort know that you are planning a surprise so that they do not inadvertently give it away.
Take care of the logistics
Make sure you both have valid passports, arrange for child-care and/or pet-sitting, house-sitting arrangements, mail pick-up, and other details.
What to Pack
Pack a few special things you know your partner will enjoy; their favorite warm beverage, a nice bottle of wine, massage oil for the foot & hand massage you’ll give them later, their favorite traveling music, a book about the place you’re going to present to them once you’ve arrived, etc.
Surprise your partner, giving them enough time to pack. (Or, you could pack for them, but most people prefer to do it themselves.) You could also tell them what they need to bring such as “warm clothes, hiking boots, sunblock and a nice outfit for an evening out”. That way they get to choose their clothing but it will still be a surprise.
IF YOU CAN: Keep the destination a secret until you get there.
Take a circuitous route to the destination and enjoy the traveling adventure along the way. Employ blindfolds and headphones so that when you get there, your significant other get the full effect of the surprise!
MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE OSWALD:
As the Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, a Web Correspondent for The Weather Channel, and seasoned travel correspondent for CNN, she has reported on everything from stress-relieving spa treatments and unique escapes around the world to the human side of a hurricane. She is the co-founder of travelgirl — the first national travel magazine to launch after the events of 9/11. The travel and lifestyle publication was chosen by industry leader Mr. Magazine as one of the “most notable” launches of 2003. Oswald is a native New Yorker who spent 13 years globetrotting as CNN’s travel correspondent and host of the weekend program, CNN Travel Now. In 2003, she also launched a groundbreaking series called The Weather Channel Road Crew that showcased the “fun” side of weather. In 2004, she filed written and audio reports during Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne as the very first Web Correspondent for Weather.com. As anchor and correspondent for CNN Travel Now, a weekly program on worldwide destinations, travel trends and cuisine, Oswald specialized in adventure travel, filing reports from Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean. One series took her into the depths of Papua New Guinea for a rare and eye-opening look at the Huli Wigmen. Her reports also appeared on CNN Headline News, CNN in-flight programming for Delta Air Lines, CNN International and the CNN Airport Network. Immediately after 9/11, she filed human interest stories on the crisis for CNN, and covered the impact on the travel industry during live studio reports on CNN Headline News.
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