The Mars Venus and You Blog

Ten Top Tips For Summer Woo-ing!

The sun is shining, love is in the air – and so are thoughts of trips away – but where to go and what to see…? The right trip away will inject a big dose of romance (and nookie, for any fellas needing encouragement to participate) – but the wrong one… well, as one friend once told me; I asked him to book it all for us, he did, but when we got there I opened the door to cockroaches… I burst into tears and spent the rest of our trip terrified of going to the loo at night - suffice to say it didn’t feel particularly romantic… never again.

So, for a little inspiration, here’s a few tips:

At Home

1. Botelet Farm - I have literally just returned from a weekend trip here, so it’s very fresh in my mind… they only have a couple of each accommodation type and so it feels very much your little secret getaway: www.botelet.com

2. Under The Thatch– I first used this company when it was still small, when a group of us hired one of their cottages for my 30^th, and I’ve been an avid fan since - Ty'r Gof and Trehilyn Isaf are particularly lovely, although I’m told by many that the Romany caravans are also fab: www.underthethatch.co.uk

3. I haven’t been here – yet – but I’m pretty darn sure it’ll bring out your Elvis & Miss Monroe sides… www.airstreamholidays.co.uk

4. If, for some reason (!?) none of the above float you and your sweethearts boats, I’ve always found the Guardians website to be an excellent starting point for finding that something a little ‘special’ (you could read ‘quirky’ here, if you’re so inclined…) – anyway, I digress, they have a whole section on all things romantic here: www.guardian.co.uk/travel/romantictrips

5. Following on from the above, I particularly liked Guy Browning’s Five Rules to adhere to whilst whisking your beloved away:

The rules ... by Guy Browning
Avoid old haunts
When you've finally arrived somewhere really tasteful, it's very important not to say that you remember being there with Roger/Chloe. It's especially important not to mention Roger/Chloe if all that's known about the ex is that they were an absolute monster/gymnast in bed. If Roger/Chloe is mentioned more than once, your two days of romance will become two days of epic sulking.

Money can buy you love
Saying you're going to Paris is one thing. Saying you've found a Polish coach that will take you there for a tenner via Krakow is another. Remember, the journey is the most romantic part of the trip - once you're there you have to trudge around art galleries getting cold and hungry. Buy champagne for the train. Take taxis. Snuggle up.

Don't think about marriage
Stop speculating on places the question might be popped. Men know what women are thinking and will deliberately avoid all dangerous situations such as being alone with you in front of a beautiful sunset/landmark or having to bend knees for any reason. And men - just because it's a leap year, doesn't mean she's going to pop the question either.

Try not to speak the language
When you're being romantic you should really only be focused on each other. If one of you is talking fluently to taxi drivers, waiters and total strangers and the other doesn't understand a word, it rapidly tends to feel like you're on two separate holidays.

Nothing but sweet nothings
Two days is a long time. Everything will go smoothly as long as you don't talk about your job, your parents, your friends, football, cats, food, comedy, politics or Christmas. Chat about the pigeons. If in doubt, kiss.

Away

6. Paris… naturally. What’s not to love – amazing old buildings, cobbled streets to explore in, endless café’s - I can’t imagine many places in Paris not being romantic, but I can vouch for this place; particularly lovely if you get one of their rooms with a balcony, for cosy breakfasts overlooking the Parisian rooftops: www.carondebeaumarchais.com

7. Marrakesh – not to all tastes, but I personally love the hustle and bustle of the souks, especially at night, in contrast to the decidedly cool French chic parts of the city in the day… sit back in a café and watch the world bustle by… Stay in a Riad for the most authentic experience - Villa Amira et SPA is one such Riad, wonderfully run by French sisters.

8. Byron Bay. Okay, okay, I know this one is a *little* further away, but if you are over in the land of Oz, you have to visit this place – it’s an order! It’s the kind of place that you find guys just sitting around playing the bongos and didgeridoo on the beach, as you lay back and watch the surfers whilst whispering sweet nothings into your sweethearts ear… and if you stay at this place: www.gardenburees.com.au you’ll never want to leave. Go off peak to avoid the fact that everyone loves this place – I went February time and it was perfect.

Just For The Day

9. You don’t have to make it a grand gesture of an entire weekend away or a full blown holiday somewhere (although, to be honest, anywhere with guaranteed sunshine will score extra brownie points in my book!). Two very relaxing places I can recommend for day time activities are:

a) This spa in Bath: www.thermaebathspa.com

Or

b) This spa in Bristol: www.relaxationcentre.co.uk

There’s something sexy about getting cuddling in a Jacuzzi or hot tub together… you can then go somewhere lovely for dinner afterwards to top the day off.

10. And if the weather’s miserable and you’ve both got lives so busy that you can only squeeze in an afternoon together then Sunday lunch never fails:  www.eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk - is a lovely pub and a picturesque drive there – and they have great big sofas in front of a fire in the winter months, plus an extensive wine list… they also do very nice rooms, if you over indulge!

The important thing is to know is what your sweetie loves; I’m a bit of a hippie-chick and definite sun worshipper at heart so all the places I recommend will have that vibe to them – your true love might prefer 5* luxury hotels or action packed white water rafting down the Colorado river – if that’s what’ll get you cosy and canoodling at the end of the day, then do it! But the point is, make sure you do, it… love is unconditional, but romantic gestures help :)

Posted: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

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