Romantic trips are a great way to keep the passion alive in a relationship. If you are short on cash, going on vacations may be hard to fit into the budget. With a little planning, borrowing and thrifty buying, you can probably afford more than you think. Here are some ideas on how to make your dollars stretch so you and your loved one can get away.
Camping
At first glance camping may not seem romantic, but if you love the outdoors it can be. You can cuddle in your double sleeping bag looking up at the stars by a roaring fire, feed each other smores and hike hand-in-hand through the woods. Camping needs very little equipment, and most can be borrowed from friends or family. The gear, such as a tent and a sleeping bag, can also be purchased inexpensively at discount retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Target.
House Switch
If you want to get away but don’t have the cash for a fancy hotel room, set up a house swap with a friend in another city. You get to visit a different city with a free place to stay and many of the comforts of home. To make the trip the best it can be, have your friends leave you a list of the best places to see and do. Remember to do the same for them.
Spontaneous Trip
Go to your favorite budget air travel site, such as Cheap Tickets or Priceline, and find out which cities they have ticket sales for. Pick a city, any city, and go. This is a great way to be spontaneous and still be frugal. For example, many times you can get a plane ticket for less than $60.
Lake Getaway
If you are looking for peace and quiet, the best budget vacation for you may be by a lake. Many lakes have cabins that you can rent by the day. These cabins are usually much more inexpensive than a hotel room, and you can probably drive to the location, nixing the need for a plane ticket. Many larger lakes have either rustic or modern cabins (think dishwashers and air conditioning) to choose from. You can get more information about your area’s lake cabins by contacting your state’s Parks and Recreation Department.
