Revealed: the role of the sexes in mini breaks

Planning a couple's first short-break trip is usually done by women but paying for it normally falls on men, it was revealed today.

While 73 per cent of females expect to decide when and where to go on a mini break, 84 per cent of them expect their man to fork out for the entire cost, a survey by Hotels.com found.

On average, men are left with a bill of £351, but women almost match that by spending an average of £322 on clothes and make-up to look their best for the trip.

The survey also found:

* Most new couples wait two to three months before going on their first mini break, but 10 per cent of men said they would whisk their date away after just a couple of weeks, if they saw long-term potential in the relationship

* The Lake District is the favourite short-break destination for British women

* Men are more concerned than women about finding a romantic hotel for a short break

* Romantic settings are of most importance for south west England couples while Northern Ireland twosomes are least concerned about this

* Snoring and flatulence are the most common problems among first-time short-break couples, while one holidaymaker managed to break a rib after slipping in a puddle of champagne

Hotels.com communications director Alison Couper said: "It is interesting to see that men are expected to pay for first mini-breaks while women spend the money on looking good."

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