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10 Jan 2018 | By Sun International

Couple Goals: How to Relax on Holiday

Planning a getaway with your significant other? Check out our holiday tips for couples to make the most of your time off.

You’ve worked hard all year and deserve a relaxing holiday with your partner. Unfortunately, relaxing on holiday isn’t as easy as it once used to be — especially since the advent of smartphones and social media. These days, it doesn’t matter if you are miles away on a beach holiday or exploring museums and galleries on a big city adventure, your email (and work) is at your fingertips 24/7. Switching off on holiday has a whole new meaning in the 21st century.

If you’re planning a getaway with your significant other, we’ve compiled a list of holiday tips for couples to help you make the most of your valuable time off. Here’s how to relax on holiday and reconnect with your partner:

Choose Relaxing Holiday Destinations

Some holiday destinations are more relaxing than others. A beach holiday implies spending your time sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails from coconuts. On the other hand, a holiday in a big city means you’ll more than likely be traipsing between museums, shops, galleries and tourist attractions — inevitably standing in queues. It all depends on how you define a relaxing holiday.

If your goal is to relax on holiday, choose relaxing holiday destinations like the Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward or the Boardwalk in Gqeberha. If you want the best of both worlds, combine a beach holiday with a vibrant city scene in Cape Town at The Table Bay.

  • Top tip for couples on holiday: choose a destination that suits both of you. If you want to go shopping but he wants to go fishing, make sure your choice of relaxing holiday destination offers a wide range of activities.

Don’t Get Caught Up in The Stress of Getting There

The stress of getting to your destination means taking a day or two to recover before you can even think of relaxing on holiday. If you’re planning a road trip, split your journey into two days and stop over at one of our relaxing holiday destinations en route, like the Windmill casino in Bloemfontein.

If you’re flying, then plan and book an airport transfer or taxi service. You can fly direct to Sun City from Johannesburg and Cape Town, and The Table Bay offers complimentary airport transfers in luxury vehicles. Be sure to enquire about transfers beforehand, so you're not scrambling for transport at the last minute.

  • Top tip for couples on a road trip: make a playlist that you both enjoy, invest in a travel card game, and use your time of ‘confinement’ in the car to chat and reconnect.

Your Relaxing Holiday Starts Now

Don’t make any plans for your first day. Give yourself time to arrive, unpack and settle into your new relaxing holiday routine. For some couples, this might mean a hot shower followed by casual in-room dining, which, if you’re staying at The Table Bay, Boardwalk or The Palace, is a treat. There’s nothing quite like a little five-star luxury to take the edge off a day spent in transit!

If you’re keen on getting out there, keep it low-key. A relaxing holiday means taking it easy. If you’re on the hunt for dinner, ask for recommendations within walking distance of your hotel to avoid dealing with the hassle of finding parking or wrangling taxis.  

  • Top tip for couples staying at The Table Bay: with the V&A Waterfront on your doorstep, you have an incredible variety of restaurants within easy reach.

Don’t Pack too Much into Your Days

Holidays become ‘holidaze’ when we put so much pressure on making the most of our time there that we end up doing the opposite of relaxing on holiday — rushing around trying to do and see it all! Understandably, you’ve spent a significant amount of money on your getaway, and you want every moment to count. But the whole point of a relaxing holiday is just that: relaxing.

Manage your time by creating a list of the sights and experiences you don’t want to miss. Be sure to take advantage of the expertise of your hotel concierge or travel desk to recommend the best times to visit local attractions and the most stress-free means of getting there.

  • Top tip for couples visiting Cape Town: the hop-on, hop-off City Sightseeing Bus is a great way to get a snapshot view of Cape Town’s most popular attractions — plus, it’s relaxing!

Compromise

You want a spa treatment, but he wants to play golf? Compromise. For a relaxing holiday, couples needn’t spend every minute of the day in each other’s company. If you want that spa treatment, go for it! Book it on the same day that he’s playing golf or, better yet, book it at the same venue, like the Gary Player Golf Club and Health Spa at Sun City, so that you can meet up for a clubhouse lunch later.

A Little Less Conversation,  A Little More Action

Couples who play together stay together! Find your fun and have an adventure on your relaxing holiday. If you’re staying at the Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward, spend the day at Wild Waves Water Park or the Valley of Waves in Sun City.

  • Top tip for couples at Sun City: whether you’re in search of sports, water sports, adrenaline-fuelled adventures, Big Five game drives or a beach holiday, check out the list of things to do in Sun City on holiday and get your game on together!

Indulge in Romance

What’s a relaxing holiday together without a touch of romance? From dinner dates to couples’ spa treatments, indulge in some couple time on holiday and fill up that love tank!

  • Top tip for romance at Sun City: start your day with a hot air balloon safari over the Pilanesberg National Park, head to The Royal Baths for a poolside couple’s spa treatment and end the day with a private dining experience at Crystal Court.  

Be Entertained

Want to know how to relax on holiday? Have fun! Whether you’re going to the theatre or a concert, watching a live comedy act or a blockbuster movie, entertainment relaxes the body and mind. Plus, sharing laughter brings you closer as a couple.