How to Plan a Couples Outdoor Summer Vacation

Summer vacations are typically fun and carefree. The weather is great for a variety of activities such as hiking at a national park, snorkeling or kayaking in the Florida Keys, skydiving in Pennsylvania or attending a hot air balloon festival in Vermont. Not surprisingly, planning a summer vacation as a couple can be even more exciting and a couple's outdoor summer vacation is an excellent opportunity to bond.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decide the type of vacation based on your hobbies, preferences and interests. Travelmeredith.com discusses many different types of outdoor summer vacation options. Also, decide on the mode of transportation (car, plane, train or boat) and how long the duration of the vacation.
2. Pick several different vacation spots you both would enjoy together. Request brochures about the vacation locales from visitor's bureaus and/or the resorts to further narrow down the choice.
3. Select a location. Look for vacations that include activities geared toward adults rather than families. Put all travel information such as reservations, maps and activity agendas into a binder or folder to organize the trip details.
4. Contact a travel agent to book transportation and lodging or reserve these services online through online travel sites such as Expedia.com. Make reservations for excursions and meals in advance whenever available to make the trip less stressful.
5. Research the climate (average temperature, humidity and rainfall) for the time period of the couple's vacation. This information will help with packing the appropriate clothing. In the summer, the proper clothing varies by region, such as Texas heat vs. cool Vermont mornings.
6. Look into what gear, special clothing or training may be necessary. For example, you need to pack hiking boots and sunscreen for a national park guided hike vacation excursion.
7. Call ahead and request the lodging location have a special treat (roses, pastries or chilled bottle of wine) in the room when you arrive. This will begin the trip on a high note and help it be a memorable couple's summer vacation.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow at least three to four months to receive a passport if traveling outside of the United States
• Focus summer vacation plans on the cooler climates so outdoor activities are more enjoyable.
• Book plans early for the best discounts
• Ask for available discounts when making reservations or search online for hotel, restaurant and attraction discounts.
• Avoid vacationing near the big summer holidays -- Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.