When you have been married for a couple of decades or more, daily life becomes easy. Your routine mellows out, your coffee practically makes itself, and laundry is no longer a chore.
But if you have reached a stage where you can predict every kiss, perhaps it is time for a second honeymoon. Leaving the country for an exotic locale can help you reconnect with your partner and do something worthwhile with that retirement account collecting dust in the bank.
Provence, France
If you want to enjoy each other’s company surrounded by green fields and ancient castles, visit Provence. You can tour historic fortresses overlooking vast, rolling hills or take a stroll down charming streets near your cottage accommodation.
Use all of your senses and enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard. The people are friendly, the cheese is good, and the wine is plentiful. Quiet, candlelit dinners and discovering unmatched beauty together will help you reconnect.
Southern Spain
Nerja, on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) in southern Spain, is a beach town with a story. It’s not just about bikinis and sun.
The Caves of Nerja are an archeological gold mine, and the 19th Century aqueduct stands tall and impressive over the town. The clean architecture lines the hilly coastline, which is punctuated by beaches nestled within quiet coves.
Whether you’re walking on the beach, strolling the street shops, or watching a flamenco performance, the laid-back-yet-energetic vibe of this Spanish beach town will bring out what brought you together in the first place.
Paris – The City of Love
If you’ve never been to Paris, it may be the perfect place to rediscover your passion. Stay in a luxurious hotel or a French chateau.
Pamper yourselves with fine dining and rich wine. Walk hand in hand over an arched bridge overlooking the Seine River, and stop at a sidewalk café for an éclair. Paris is a welcoming combination of grandeur and comfort.
Whether you’re gazing at the city from the top of the Notre Dame cathedral, picnicking with artists across from the Sacré Coeur Basilica, or standing in front of the Mona Lisa, you’ll feel like you’re starting all over again.
Decisions, Decisions
Planning a second honeymoon takes some forethought. First of all, establish a budget. You don’t want to burn through your retirement funds, but if you have a chunk of change sitting around, it could go to good use.
Consider using a confidential browsing site while searching the Internet to gather information from your bank accounts; if you make it one of your routines, you’ll keep your information safe for years to come.
Then decide where you want to go. This should be a joint decision; after all, marriage is all about compromise. Search online for the ideal destination.
Do you want to relax in a cottage in the French countryside or on a beach in southern Spain? And if you have never been to Paris, it might be time to visit one of the most romantic cities in the world.
No matter which city you ultimately decide upon, you can plan most of your trip online. While abroad, visit an Internet café to stay connected with your family or to double-check your finances before splurging on a five-star hotel room. Be sure to search safely.
About the Author:
Jennifer Chamberlain the author of the “Give yourselves the gift of a second honeymoon!” is an avid traveler, and also writes content for a technology magazine in the US.