| Do you and your love desperately need a romantic | | | | at a nicer restaurant at least once. This is part of the |
| get-away? Perhaps child, job, or financial reasons | | | | fun-tasting the cuisine of an unfamiliar place. Dress up |
| prevent you two from jetting off to a cozy beach | | | | and pick a restaurant that is fancier than those you |
| cabana in a tropical country. But even if you aren't able | | | | and your mate usually go to. If a dinner at this |
| to take that exotic couple's vacation soon, this doesn't | | | | restaurant is pricier than you feel you can afford, |
| mean you can't enjoy passion, intimacy and | | | | perhaps going there for a decadent dessert and |
| excitement close to home right now. | | | | coffee or tea is in your budget. You can even cook a |
| Just about everyone enjoys a break from the normal | | | | romantic exotic-feeling meal at home. For example, |
| routine. No matter how action-packed your life is, it can | | | | borrow an Indian cookbook from the library and create |
| be fun to step outside the box and try out a new way | | | | a flavor-filled experience for you both to savor. |
| of living and interacting. This can put a new passionate | | | | 4.) Create a Scene |
| twist on the way you and your love connect too! | | | | If you and your love are movie buffs, incorporate |
| Don't wait around for that perfect far-away trip. | | | | movies into your romance. Go to a theater or rent and |
| Arrange a weekend, an overnight, or an afternoon for | | | | watch at home a romantic or exciting movie. Be sure |
| just the two of you. Then set your creativity free and | | | | to cuddle and hold hands as you watch it. Afterwards, |
| enjoy the new or re-newed spark. If your love is open | | | | allow yourselves to stay transported by the story in |
| to surprises and different experiences, then you might | | | | the film and see what happens. You don't have to be |
| surprise him or her. Otherwise, you could plan your | | | | an actor to do this. You might even re-create a scene |
| get-away together. | | | | and, just for the night, be the characters in the movie. |
| Here are some ideas to get you started... | | | | 5.) Treat Yourselves |
| 1.) Do the Unexpected | | | | In our day-to-day lives we often place limits on |
| When is the last time you or your mate went roller | | | | pleasure. Perhaps we're always on a diet or feel we |
| skating, played pool, to a video arcade, or danced at a | | | | have to stay within a particular budget. It could also be |
| club or bar? Pick an activity that sounds fun to both of | | | | that we keep things practical because that's how we |
| you and go do it! If you regularly go out dancing, | | | | were raised. For this get-away, however, we |
| choose a new place that plays a different type of | | | | encourage you to treat yourselves. This could be as |
| music. Salsa anyone? Set aside your shyness or | | | | simple as getting an ice cream sundae complete with |
| beliefs that you can't dance (or skate, or whatever it | | | | hot fudge and enjoying the rich creamy flavors |
| is) and give it a try. | | | | together. Or it might be splurging on tickets to go see |
| 2.) Go Natural | | | | your and your partner's favorite band or musicians-and |
| Outdoor activities are not only good for you physically; | | | | not sitting in the very back row! |
| they are also endless sources of beauty and wonder. | | | | It doesn't matter what you and your mate choose to |
| Choose a park or wilderness area that you've never | | | | do for your romantic get-away close to home. What's |
| visited and go there. This may require a bit of research | | | | most important is that you do something together |
| and some driving, but it will be worth it. If you usually | | | | that's different, exciting and fun for both of you. Just |
| hike with your partner, try cycling, canoing, or kayaking. | | | | as you often step out into new experiences when you |
| Being in nature with your love in new ways can inspire | | | | travel, you can do the same even when you're in your |
| you all over again. | | | | own home or close by. Enjoy this play-time together |
| 3.) Mix it Up | | | | and delight in the intimate connecting that can result. |
| When you go away on vacation, you probably eat out | | | | |