How to ensure you have a ball on your first getaway as a couple

As the Christmas holidays draw near, many of us will be counting down the hours to a well-deserved break. With many people taking seasonal trips, you may be jetting off with a partner. However, the combination of unfamiliar surroundings, a different language and converting foreign currency are all factors that can jeopardise holiday bliss. But fear not, because Paym, the UK’s mobile payment service, has created five foolproof tips to help you enjoy your romantic getaway.

1. Plan ahead. Though this might seem counter-intuitive, decide ahead of time what sort of holiday it will be – for example, are you interested purely in relaxation, or trotting around museums to get your culture fix? Agreeing on the type of holiday you want will save you from later disagreements.
2. Agree on a budget. Just as you need to plan the fun things like your accommodation and activities, you also need to budget accordingly for your trip before your departure. Ideally this should be a discussion with your partner early on to ensure you are both in agreement on how much you are comfortable spending. This can also help determine your destination.
3. Don’t let money troubles follow you when away. Travelling is often a time when expenses quickly add up. If the idea of running to the cash machine, logging into online banking or getting your partner’s bank details seems like too much of a buzz kill, let technology do the heavy lifting – services like Paym make it quick and easy to transfer up to £250 using just your mobile number.
4. Don’t be afraid to break away from the norm. Recent research from Paym shows that while 69% of men expect to pay the bill in full when on a date, 66% of women are willing to split the cost.  So if you’re always the one to choose the restaurant, let your other half have a go, and if your partner is usually the one who pays the bills, treat him or her to a delicious meal, or at least offer to split the cost between you.
5. Tune out. Make sure you leave your work life and family squabbles behind and try using your phone only for navigation, finding fun things to do, or for transferring funds when you need them.

Make sure you take these tips on board, and you’ll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the view with your nearest and dearest while away

For more information, including how to register for Paym, visit www.paym.co.uk