A Romantic Picnic For Two

Fancy some quality romantic down time in the great outdoors? Pack the bubbly, the picnic blanket, and your loved one.

The successful perfect romantic picnic needs several things:
Location, location, location. Plan your picnic spot carefully. There is not much point taking your loved one to a site if it is overrun with a crowd of five year olds playing soccer. Look for an out of the way place, or better still, somewhere that has sentimental memories for the pair of you. A quiet location, at sunrise or sunset, has lots of ambiance. Beaches, lookouts, lakes and rivers all make fine private picnic sites.

Picnic blanket. It seems obvious doesn't it? The ubiquitous picnic rug is an essential item. No matter if the ground is a little damp, there is nothing like a nice waterproof blanket to stretch out on. Bring along some cushions or pillows for the ultimate in picnic comfort. The best picnic blankets are thickly padded with one side being waterproof, to take away the discomfort of lying or sitting on the hard ground.

The bottle of bubbly. Pack the favorite bubbles in plenty of ice in the insulated hamper or have it well chilled before you place it in and insulated wine tote. There is nothing worse than warm white wine or bubbles.

Wine and cheese basket. Forget about plastic or foam cups. The best way to create a romantic setting is to bring along a bottle of your favorite chilled bubbly and a fine cheese platter. Insulated wine & cheese totes like the ones from Picnic-Basket.com ensure that all the cold items will stay perfectly chilled. Cheese boards, cheese knives, bottle openers and glasses are all packed in, ready to go. No "I'm sure I packed the corkscrew" accidents here!

Bouquet of flowers. Hide a beautiful bunch of flowers in the trunk of the car so that you can bring them out at the appropriate moment as the ultimate romantic surprise.

Fine chocolates. There is nothing like a small box of expensive chocolates to finish off a romantic meal. Be sure to keep them on ice so they maintain their consistency.

Strawberries. Everything always seems more special with fresh strawberries. These berries will nicely compliment the cheese, wine, bubbles, and chocolates.

Insect repellent. There will not be any romance if the pair of you are fighting the flies or mosquitoes. The insect repellent is a must have for any picnic outing.

Take your favorite CD, or better still, compile one with all of your special songs on it. Music is a fantastic way of bringing back those special shared memories.

Paper towels and moist towelettes. If your picnic site has no access to water you will want to be able to freshen your face and fingers. No one enjoys greasy chicken fingers. Alternatively, pack a little extra water.

Water, hot coffee, sodas. Depending on your time of day, other refreshments apart from the bubbly may be desirable. If you are planning on visiting a remote site you need to ensure you have plenty of fluids to cover any emergency situations.

A well packed picnic basket with the usual place settings and cutlery. Hiding little "I Love You" messages in amongst the goodies is another fantastic idea.

Nice weather. Consult the weather forecast before planning your romantic picnic. Pleasant outdoor occasions only eventuate in glorious weather conditions.

Take a few moments to plan your romantic picnic. Preparation is the secret to a successful romantic picnic.

Romantic Picnics: Supplies to Fit the Theme

There are few things more romantic than an outdoor picnic. Whether it’s in the mountains, at the beach, in a park, or even in your own backyard, there’s something wonderful about the combination of the great outdoors, delicious food and good conversation.

If you’re like most people, downtime is something both cherished and rare. With most Americans caught up in the hustle and bustle of the work week, a few hours of peace and relaxation on the weekend could be just what you and your partner need to re-charge your spirit and your love-life.

After you’ve tackled the most difficult task of carving out the time, Angela Warren, spokesperson for Picnic-Basket.com, suggests packing your picnic basket based on a theme. Whether it’s appetizers with cocktails or desserts paired with wine, the key to a successful outing is to have your gadgets and supplies on-hand and ready-to-go when you arrive at your destination. Remember, it’s all about ambiance, and this is one occasion when a plastic grocery bag and paper plates just won’t cut it! Here are a few more suggestions for themed picnic outings you’ll never forget:

Wine and Cheese - Perfect for a sunset in the park, a wine and cheese basket is a simple and romantic picnic option. At Picnic-Basket.com, they have an entire section devoted to Wine and Cheese Sets, but if you’re looking to do-it-yourself, be sure to include all the supplies and gadgets, like glassware, a corkscrew, napkins, knife, cutting board, and a blanket. A gourmet grocery store would be the perfect one-stop shopping place for a nice bottle of wine and some fine cheese as an accompaniment. Download soft music, pack a portable CD player, and you’ve got everything you need for a romantic, end-of-the-day getaway.