Three Almost-Free Romantic Getaways

I have long been an advocate, even an evangelist, about the importance of traveling as a couple. I see the opportunity to discover new things, people, and places as a perfect way to keep your relationship with your spouse fun and exciting.

Every time I attend a wedding, I always write in the guest book, “May there always be magic.” But I have no doubt that there will be times when there won’t be magic at all.  The comedian Jim Gaffigan explains what it’s like to raise 2+ children like this: “Imagine you’re drowning… and someone hands you a baby.” Boy is that ever true.

The everyday grind of life will wear away what the two of you had to begin your relationship – freedom, adventure, and excitement – and nothing will return that to your marriage like travel.

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Nicole and I love to reminisce about our travels together.  We tell the story about her, 6 months pregnant, fainting at Chichen Itza.  A Mexican ambulance came rushing over and I had to stop them from giving her an IV. When we went to London and left our son at home, she was still breastfeeding, but she forgot her pump and had to endure a 24-hour flight with no relief (she’s going to kill me for telling you that story). On our last trip to Italy, we made friends and had great conversations with people from Texas, New York, France, Australia, and Germany.  All of these are experiences that just wouldn’t come to us in our everyday life – they give us a chance to rediscover ourselves, and each other.

The list of reasons other couples give us for not traveling is long, but the one we can most easily rebut is the old “it’s too expensive” statement.  Seeing how we’ve now applied for 38 credit cards and accumulated more than 2.5 million frequent flyer miles, the cost of our travels is now almost non-existent.  When we can book RT flights from SLC to Italy for $81, all of the sudden a lot of barriers come down.

If you’re thinking it’s about time for you to have a romantic getaway, here are a few ideas on how you can do it the almost-free way.

Chocolate and Intercourse – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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With a lead in like that, I’m sure you’re already excited.  Well, this couple’s getaway won’t leave you disappointed.  There are so many things to do in the Harrisburg/Hershey/Intercourse areas for adventure, history, culture, and everything.

• You could have a stagecoach ride in Intercourse (but please note that what I’m not exactly recommending intercourse in a stagecoach ride – though it doesn’t sound like a bad idea, either).
• You could tour Hershey World and treat your sweetheart to some sweets.
• You could enjoy the Amish culture and food.
• You could tour nearby Civil War battlesites.

Use 40k Frontier Airlines Miles to fly both of you there and back – you can get all 40k points by spending $500 within the first three months and paying the $69 annual fee on The Frontier Airlines World MasterCard®.

Stay at the Inn at Westwynd Farm, an idyllic bed and breakfast on a 37 acre farm. (~$160/night for a total of about $480, mostly reimbursed by the Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®)

Re-live “The Notebook” – Charleston, South Carolina

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If “The Notebook” wasn’t the greatest love story that ever existed, I’m not sure what was (And don’t say “Romeo and Juliet,” because, while romantic, it was so damn tragic).

You and your lover can re-live the story of Noah and Allie in all its love-crazed fervor.  I’m not encouraging you to hang from a ferris wheel, but I am encouraging you to:

• Enjoy a rowboat ride in Cypress Gardens – the scene from the movie.
• See the white house with blue shutters on Wadmalaw Island and other plantation homes.
• Enjoy some delicious Southern cooking.
• Kiss in the rain.

To fly, use the 50k AA miles you get from the Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® World MasterCard® after spending $3k in the first 3 months to book 2 RT flights to Charleston.

Stay at the Plantation Oaks Inn (~$110/night with money to spare for a rental car with the $440 travel reimbursement on the Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®)

Sand and Sunsets – San Diego, California

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San Diego may very well have the best weather in the country, so spend your time outdoors.  We found you a fantastic mountain resort where you can relax in peace and quiet, but still have access to all the San Diego area has to offer, including:

• Kayaking into the La Jolla sea caves.
• Enjoying a production at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.
• Spending an evening in the old gaslamp quarter.
• Building sandcastles on the beach.
• Watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean, every night.

To fly, use 40k Frontier Airlines Miles to fly both of you there and back – you can get all 40k points by spending $500 within the first three months and paying the $69 annual fee on The Frontier Airlines World MasterCard®.

Stay at the Welk Resort in Escondido (~$150/night, mostly reimbursed by the Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®).

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Which would you choose? Do you have any other ideas?  Please share them with us in the comments!