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Perfect picnics for romantic weekend breaks

The art of picnic packing... These days, the art of packing a perfect picnic seems to have been forgotten. For many people, throwing a couple of sausage rolls and a few scotch eggs into a bag will do the trick, but whatever happened to the traditional picnic hamper? There could be nothing more romantic than opening a wicker hamper containing gourmet food whilst on your short break together.

Why not give it a go?! Here are my tips on how to pack the perfect picnic.

* Preparation If you've planned your picnic in advance, think about the types of food you want a couple of days before. Choose foods that don't need to be kept refrigerated and that taste good served at room temperature. Try to make as much as you can yourself the night before your picnic, leaving more time for you to enjoy the sun the next day! If you organise your picnic at the last minute, you'll normally have enough food in your cupboards to throw something together, it just takes a little imagination! If you're on a weekend break then check out the supermarkets and food markets for local delicacies and gourmet produce.

* Find a blanket You'll need something to sit on for your picnic, so try and find a traditional picnic rug. You'll need something large enough for everyone to sit on (if there's more than two of you) as well as have room for the food. Think about where you will be sitting – if the floor is likely to be a bit damp use a rug with a protective backing or lay a groundsheet down underneath your rug, these are also good for beaches. Fold it up neatly and place this in the bottom of your picnic basket.

* The picnic basket For a perfect traditional picnic, you'll need a picnic basket or hamper. Usually made from wicker, they are perfect for transporting everything you need and there are loads available in the shops to suit all sorts of budgets. Think about how many people usually come on your picnics and make sure you get a basket that's big enough. If you're not using a traditional picnic hamper or are away from home, a sturdy bag or rucksack will usually do the job (but won't look as good!).

* What should you take? What you take with you on your picnic will largely depend on where you are going. If you're going on a romantic picnic with your partner, then you may want to pack a wine cooler, disposable champagne flutes, a corkscrew and some nice napkins. If you're having a family weekend trip you'll need lots of disposable or plastic plates, cups, knives, cutlery, serviettes, wet wipes and bin bags. Stack up your cups in the corners of your basket and fill the top cup with cutlery, and pack the plates on top of your blanket making a good sturdy base for your food to go on top.

* The perfect chance to sample local gourmet food on your weekend break Sandwiches are usually the staple of a picnic. Why not try something different like ciabatta bread, wraps or bagels and try a more unusual filling such as coronation chicken or local produce from the shops and supermarkets nearby. Pasta salads make great picnic foods - try mixing cold pasta with chopped roasted vegetables and a little mayonnaise, lemon juice and herbs for a simple and tasty pasta salad. Vegetable sticks with humous are a healthy and easy snack especially for kids and take little or no preparation and potato salad is always a picnic winner. Home-made quiches were made for picnics and are easy to transport as are cold chicken goujons and sausages. Once you have the food prepared, pack it in Tupperware tubs or Ziplock bags to keep it fresh. Make sure you place the heaviest items at the bottom of your basket and delicate foods like sandwiches or crisps on the top. If you're enjoying a weekend getaway abroad and don't have self-catering facilities then stock up your rucksack with local food products such as wine and cheese and find the nearest supermarket for your disposable cutlery.

* Enjoy! The most important thing about having a picnic is that you spend quality time with whoever you are with and that you enjoy the beautiful sunshine and surroundings! Remember you'll not only be saving money if you decide to have a picnic on your weekend break, but you'll also get the chance to sample lots of new things. All you need now is the sun!

To find the perfect hotel for your weekend break please visit: www.ghotw.com