Add a healthy dose of romance to your marriage by going out of town this coming weekend. Such breaks provide a much-needed getaway, and strengthen your bond.

When did you and your husband last spend time together, alone, as a couple Take a break this long weekend and make a trip to a romantic destination. You don't have to go very far away to kindle the fires of romance. Instead, opt for somewhere close, and splurge on the resort instead.

Don't stress on sightseeing

Don't try and factor in too much sightseeing. Your main aim should be to relax at the resort and have a quiet, peaceful holiday. If you are busy planning and doing too much, you will defeat the purpose. In addition, the more you plan, the more you will disagree, argue and fight. If all you have to do all day is laze around in your room, have breakfast in bed, get ready just in time for lunch, sit by the pool, chances of getting into an argument because someone is not ready on time, are slim.

Dump the television

If possible, try and get a room without a television, or you will end up spending all the time watching TV. Although this may not be entirely bad, remember, the purpose of getting away together is to bond, and communication is key to bonding.

Don't take any work along on your weekend break, or you will be defeating the purpose. Talk, make love, sleep and eat. You will return a happier person, in a better relationship.

Communicate

With so much going on in our daily lives, all conversation we have with our spouse centres around planning the day, discussing the children, and maybe indulging in some gossip. We forget to talk about our dreams, aspirations and feelings... all of which were so much a part of our conversation when courting. Why has this changed If you think you had a lot more to talk about before you are married, then you need to take time off together and put yourself in a situation that compels you to communicate.

Work at your marriage

People often feel that love in a marriage should come naturally, and one shouldn't have to work at keeping it alive. Sure, some couples seem to be happy so effortlessly. Perhaps that's because they are generally romantic and talkative by nature, don't have work that is highly stressful, don't carry work home, and in general live in a small town or lead relatively peaceful lives. But for most of us, marriage takes work. You can co-exist without fighting, but if you want to be truly happy, and if you want to keep the love and excitement alive in your marriage, you will need to invest some time into keeping the wheels of romance greased, so they keep running.

Go again, and again

Make a list of the places you would like to see, and keep ticking them off as you visit. And if you've had a particularly good time at a particular place, don't stress about going somewhere else the next time. Visit the same place again, without a second thought. After all, having a good time is what a holiday is all about, and sometimes a tried and tested destination, in a familiar resort, may be just what you need.