This post brought to you by Holiday Inn Express. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Andrea's Notebook.
Have you been wanting to plan a surprise getaway for your husband or wife? A quick weekend trip could be just what you both need right now! One of my favorite trips was a complete surprise to me. I had no clue until I was heading to the airport! If you love planning fun surprises, you should definitely consider planning a surprise getaway.
We all know that maintaining a healthy relationship means carving out quality time together. Between work, kids, household chores and family, sometimes having time together gets put on the back burner. But don't wait until next year! I've got some easy steps to help you plan the perfect getaway!
How to Plan a Surprise Getaway for Your Husband or Wife
1. Find a trusted babysitter If you've got children, you'll need someone to watch them. If you don't have family or friends willing to watch them, find a babysitter you trust to stay the night.
I'd highly recommend finding a good friend and offering to swap babysitting. You watch their kids so they can get away for a weekend, then they watch your kids for a weekend. This is the most economical way to plan babysitting, if you don't have willing grandparents nearby.
2. Choose a date Make it soon! Planning too far in advance takes some of the spontaneity out of it! Choose something in the next few weeks. Make sure he or she doesn't have any work obligations on the date you choose! Then just do it!
3. Plan your destination I suggest going somewhere within a couple hours from home. If you only have the weekend, you don't want to spend half the time driving or flying. Plus, there are always things close to home you wish you could do but don't usually have the chance. I recently did this and found a local Holiday Inn Express and was able to enjoy some of the local night life I don't normally get to experience. You know, try to remember what it was like to be 25, again. Don't have any ideas? Ask your friends! Chances are, some of them have some great ideas you hadn't thought of before. 
4. Plan your itinerary Knowing a few places you'd like to see or things you'd like to do on your weekend will be helpful. Check Yelp or other local review sites to come up with ideas. And don't forget to plan where you want to eat! Yum. But don't over plan! Make sure you leave room for sleeping in and having a late breakfast.
And don't forget to plan things he'll love. If you enjoy different types of activities, include some of each. But, seriously, don't schedule this out by hour. This is a FUN weekend. A time of relaxation and going with the flow.
5. Come up with a cover story Every surprise getaway needs a cover story. If it's a surprise, you'll need an excuse for why you're dropping the kids off with grandma! Are you more of a "make it a surprise until we pull into the hotel" kind of person? Or more of a "it's a surprise until I accidentally tell him 3 days before hand" kind of person?
6. Pack for two Stealthily pack for both of you. Put the bags into the car the night before so he or she won't have any clue! Try to keep packing simple. Make a checklist before hand so you don't forget important items. Don't forget medications! 
7. Relax Whatever you do, have fun with the planning, and have fun on the weekend away! Stress will kill all the good vibes so keep it simple and just enjoy the adventure. Holiday Inn Express has Snoozapalooza until December 18, 2016 so you can get a late breakfast and a 12:00 p.m. late checkout then take your time getting back home. Enjoy the fun pancake machine that makes your pancakes for you. We love these and the breakfast spread, in general, is impressive. There are over 30 hearty things to choose from so everyone will be happy. 
Do things that encourage you to talk and have fun. Find a great hike, museum or an event you both love. You may even just want to hang out at the hotel and enjoy the pool and some quiet time. Enjoy!
delia says
Great tips! I like the idea of surprising your spouse. You can pretend like it's just a date and then whisk them away for the weekend. Fun!
Andrea says
Yes, that would be so much fun!
Stef says
Good ideas! I tried to do this once, but my husband came home for a surprise lunch while I was in the middle of packing the car. :/ It was still fun.
Andrea says
Hahahaha! OOPS! That's still really fun. 🙂
Angela, Blue i Style says
I love the idea of a surprise getaway! The 15 year anniversary of our first date is coming up soon, which would make the perfect excuse to surprise him without him expecting a thing. Late check out and a pancake machine pretty much seal the deal!
Andrea says
You should do it!
Kim Lee says
Such a fun idea! I love all of these tips!!
Andrea says
Glad you like them and hope you get a chance to get away!
Christine says
Love this idea! I really need to find that perfect sitter and I'd be all set! We could use a short getaway.
Andrea says
Yes, that's the hardest part!
Meaghan says
My husband turns 40 at the beginning of December, and my MIL and I want to plan a surprise party for him-- but we had ZERO idea about where to start. I'll be applying some of these great tips!!
Andrea says
Great idea! I hope it's a blast!
jamie says
This is awesome, wish someone would plan a surprise getaway for me!
Andrea says
I know. Me too 🙂
Jillian says
These are some great tips, and something I totally need to do!
Andrea says
You definitely should. It's always fun to plan a surprise.
Hezzi-D says
Oh man, we need a getaway! Maybe I should surprise my husband!
Andrea says
He'd love it!
Angela says
Thanks so much for sharing all this info! I really do love getting away with just the hubby every now and then. Its good to slow down and enjoy each others company.
Andrea says
I think that's so important. Let all the other stresses fade to the background for at least a little bit.
Erin Fesperman says
This is definitely something we need to do! I love that Holiday Inn is doing the Snoozapalooza - can't go wrong with late checkout and even better, late breakfast (which is perfect since we like to sleep late!) I wish this was permanent and not just until December!
Andrea says
I know! I need to get back again before it's over!
kate says
Such a great post! I need to do this stat!
Andrea says
You should! So many people forget to add a little excitement and romance into their relationships after a while!
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