Go On a Romantic Fall Surprise Getaway

There's no time like autumn to get away to a wonderful bed-and-breakfast in a scenic small town. Make it twice as romantic by planning the getaway as a surprise for your sweetie.

PLANNING AHEAD
Secretly make arrangements with your partner's boss to get a Friday afternoon off. Make a lunch date with your partner for that same day. Make a reservation at an inn or B&B within a two-hour drive from home. Choose someplace new so familiar sites won't trigger suspicion. Explain your plan to the proprietors so they will not act as if they were expecting you. Arrange for champagne and flowers to be in the room. Try to memorize directions to the inn and to the room itself. Pack the bags, remembering to include all the essentials and taking into consideration what you might be doing (hiking, fancy dinner, etc.) so you pack appropriate clothes. Fill a cooler with picnic items - perhaps even a portable stereo and your favorite music - and hide everything in the trunk.

PULLING IT OFF
When you pick up your sweetie for lunch, say you have a very special place in mind. Start driving, and if they get worried they won't be back in time for work, let them know that you've already arranged that. Stop along the way at any place that looks inviting and bring out the picnic. After you've finished eating, say that since you're having so much fun, you may as well keep driving. When you reach the inn, suggest stopping in and looking around. Go straight to the room and surprise them again with the flowers, champagne, and the news that it's yours for the weekend. When they protest that they're not prepared, bring the bags up from the car. Now you can spend the next two days giving each other massages, rereading your love letters, and talking about your hopes for the future.

Courtesy of FeatureSource
"52 Romantic Evenings" by Liya Lev Oertel (Meadowbrook Press)