3 Keys To Planning A Romantic European Getaway On A Budget

Let's assume you want to surprise your spouse, but can't figure out what the best gift would be. Having trouble? You can always go on a romantic getaway.

It's a bit generic, but there's no way your partner won't like it -- having time off and spending it with the people you love is really invigorating.

The only problem is that a gift of this caliber is a bit pricy. Or is it? What are the core elements of a romantic getaway? You need a destination, a partner, a place to stay and an adventurous spirit.

Staying at expensive hotels and dining in fancy restaurants is nice, but it can also be a bit of an overkill. What's really important is having a good time, not spending tons of cash.

Here is a three-step guide on how to plan an inexpensive, but romantic, European getaway:

1. Budget Strategy

The first thing you need to do is to come up with a budget strategy -- this is to eliminate all of the unnecessary expenses. For example, you can go to local supermarkets and food to prepare your own meals rather than eating out every night.

You should also pack light. You probably aren't staying there for that long, and it can save you money on luggage storage.

Plus, since you are trying to save money, the shopping will be kept to a minimum. You won't need much extra space for new clothes or gifts and souvenirs.

The most expensive thing that you will have to purchase is your ticket. Plan ahead, the earlier you buy tickets the cheaper the prices will be. Also, research which days and times the tickets are cheapest because they change every day.

The season is another element that influences prices. It is a well-known fact that during summer, all arrangements are more expensive. The same goes for winter holidays; try to keep your trip away from these two seasons.

You can visit a town like Barcelona, Spain during the Spring and still have as good a time as you would in the summer. You can go to Paris or Rome at any time because no matter the season they always look absolutely majestic at night.

2. Don't Book Hotels, Go for Luxury Hostels

It may sounds strange, but they're real. There is a new trend emerging -- a new breed of hostels known as luxury hostels. They're focused on providing a better experience for guests and are still cheaper than hotels. Some offer you access to swimming pools, saunas and even cinemas.

If you're not a fan of making your own food, you can have an in-house meal prepared by a chef from the hostel, along with a bottle of wine, and the whole thing costs about 10 euros. Just do your research.

3. Use Public Transport or Rent A Car

Finally, when you're visiting Europe, you're probably interested in sightseeing the monuments, museums and other cool activities. Rather than paying taxis you can rent a car and drive, or you can use public transportation.

I hope you these tips were useful and helped you realize that you can still have a five-star vacation on a one-star budget.